Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson speaks at the "Clean Energy-Cutting CO2 Emissions Conference" at the Iceland Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo on Thursday, September 9, 2010. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com/Zheng Zhi]

By Zheng Zhi

Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson says China's transformation in the energy sector could help it gain a leading global position in the field of clean energy.

"Geothermal development in China in the next 10-20 years could enable it to become the No. 1 clean energy country among the major economic powers, surpassing even the European Union, the United States and Japan," Grimsson said during the "Clean Energy-Cutting CO2 Emissions Conference" on Thursday at the Iceland Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo.

Grimsson also said extensive cooperation between China and Iceland has enjoyed the political support of the leaders and the governments of both countries and shown the deep historical roots of the Sino-Icelandic clean energy relationship. It also has inspired young Chinese students and experts to dedicate their careers to a new clean energy future for China, he said.

Grimsson said Iceland had been among the poorest countries in Europe for centuries, and up to the 1970s it was classified by the United Nations Development Programme as a developing country. But geothermal and hydropower developments brought enormous economic benefits and helped transform Iceland from a nation of farmers and fishermen into one of the most prosperous welfare economies in the world, he said.

"Developing countries can base their future prosperity on proven practices (clean energy utilization)," Grimsson said.

As part of the activities marking Iceland National Pavilion Day which falls on September 11, the clean energy conference has gathered more than 200 governmental officials and experts on clean energy from both China and Iceland.