China ready to work with Iceland to advance women's cause worldwide: Xi

China is ready to work with Iceland to push for new progress in the global women's cause as both countries are active advocates for gender equality, Chinese President Xi Jinping said when meeting with his Icelandic counterpart Halla Tomasdottir in Beijing on Tuesday.

Tomasdottir is in Beijing for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women.

"Both China and Iceland are active advocates for gender equality. China is ready to work with Iceland to take the successful convening of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women as an opportunity to push for new progress in the global women's cause. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 54 years ago, our two sides have adhered to mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. It is particularly worth noting that Iceland is the first Western European country to acknowledge China's market economy status, which reflects Iceland's independent, rational and pragmatic stance on developing relations with China. China consistently adheres to the principle that all countries, big or small, are equal. We are willing to enhance exchanges and deepen cooperation with Iceland to deliver more benefits to the people of both countries," said Xi.

Tomasdottir said that Iceland highly values China's significant contributions to the advancement of women's cause worldwide and is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China to promote the all-round development of women globally.

"I also want to convey my sincere appreciation for both the kind invitation to Beijing plus 30 global leaders' meeting [on women]. But even more importantly, to the brave commitments that you have made as a male head of state to the agenda of women and gender equality and gender balance. This is very important for us to further this very important, critical issue," said Tomasdottir.

China ready to work with Iceland to advance women's cause worldwide: Xi

China ready to work with Iceland to advance women's cause worldwide: Xi

China ready to work with Iceland to advance women's cause worldwide: Xi

China ready to work with Iceland to advance women's cause worldwide: Xi

China's outstanding aggregate social financing -- the total amount of financing to the real economy -- reached 442.12 trillion yuan (about 63.4 trillion U.S. dollars) as of the end of 2025, up 8.3 percent year on year, central bank data showed on Thursday.

The country's aggregate social financing stood at 35.6 trillion yuan (about 5.1 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2025, up by 3.34 trillion yuan (about 479 billion U.S. dollars) from the year 2024, said the People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank.

According to the data, the M2, a broad measure of money supply that covers cash in circulation and all deposits, increased 8.5 percent year on year to 340.29 trillion yuan (about 48.8 trillion U.S. dollars) as of the end of December.

In addition, outstanding yuan loans stood at 271.91 trillion yuan (about 39 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of 2025, up 6.4 percent year on year.

China's aggregate social financing maintains high growth in 2025