Chinese President Hu Jintao, who arrived in San Jose yesterday for a state
visit to Costa Rica, expressed his hope that the visit would further China's
cooperative relations with the Central American nation.
In a written speech issued upon his arrival at the airport, Hu said Costa
Rica is an important country in Central America and also an important
cooperation partner of China in the region.
Since China and Costa Rica established diplomatic ties in June 2007,
bilateral relations have developed rapidly and friendly cooperation has been
expanded in various fields, he said.
"China and Costa Rica, both as developing nations, share the common task of
safeguarding world peace and promoting common development," Hu said.
The Chinese leader said that during his visit he will exchange views with
President Oscar Arias Sanchez and other Costa Rican leaders on bilateral ties
and major international issues of common concern.
Hu expressed his belief that his visit would fulfill the goal of deepening
friendship, strengthening mutual trust, enhancing cooperation and seeking common
development.
During his visit, the two countries are expected to sign agreements on
cooperation in the economic, trade and technological sectors.
This is the first state visit to Costa Rica by a Chinese head of state since
the two countries set up diplomatic ties last year.
President Oscar Arias Sanchez visited China in October 2007, laying a solid
foundation for the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperative relations
between the two countries.
China is Costa Rica's second biggest trade partner. In 2007, bilateral trade
registered a 33-percent increase over the previous year, totaling US$2.8
billion.
The Chinese president, who is on a five-nation trip, flew into San Jose from
Washington, where he attended a Group of 20 summit on the current international
financial crisis.
He will later visit Cuba, Peru and Greece, and attend the Economic Leaders'
Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in the
Peruvian capital of Lima.
