Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived Friday, kicking off a two-day official visit to Iceland, which is the first official visit by a Chinese premier to the island nation in 41 years.

During the visit, Wen is expected to meet with Icelandic leaders and attend the signing ceremonies of a series of cooperation pacts between China and Iceland, which will focus on geothermal energy and arctic research.

"China is ready to enhance cooperation with Iceland in researching geothermal energy and aurora borealis," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao said at a press conference on Monday.