Costa Rica, China evaluate first year of diplomatic ties

May 6, 2008, 21:12 GMT

San Jose - Hui Liangyu, vice premier of China's State Council, visited Costa Rica on Tuesday to evaluate the first year of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Costa Rica established ties with Beijing on June 1, 2007, following 63 years of relations with Taiwan, which is recognized by only about two dozen nations, half of which are in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Hui was to remain in the Central American country until Thursday, and was set to meet with President Oscar Arias, Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno and other Costa Rican authorities.

Following the formal establishment of ties, China offered to buy up to 300 million dollars in Costa Rican bonds, it is set to build a modern 70-million-dollar national stadium and offered important lines of cooperation with the Central American country.

Both countries are also evaluating a possible negotiation towards a free-trade agreement.

The Costa Rican foreign minister said in a statement that Hui is to discuss bilateral issues in the Central American country, particularly economic and agricultural cooperation, water, legal assistance and visa formalities.

The Chinese official is also set to discuss Chinese-Latin American relations, United Nations reform and environmental issues with Costa Rican officials, as well as the situation in Taiwan and Tibet, the Foreign Ministry said in San Jose.

Arias visited China in October 2007. Costa Rica is the only Central American nation with ties to Beijing, while its neighbours continue to favour Taiwan.