As part of the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica last week celebrated the strengthening of ties between the two countries, reported the Foreign Ministry’s office.

At an activity at the National Theater, presided over by the President of the Republic Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, the government emphasized that throughout these 1o years of diplomatic relations, Costa Rica has viewed China as a very important partner with whom there are ongoing exchanges and dialogue in areas of common interest.

The two countries have maintained intense coordination in multilateral, international and regional affairs on issues such as environment and climate change. The free trade agreement between the countries signed in the middle of the year 2011 strengthened trade links and led China to become a strategic partner for Costa Rica in Asia and around the world.

Over the past decade, Costa Rican exports have doubled and continue to grow rapidly, said the foreign ministry. Costa Rica has diversified its exports to China with products such as leather, orange pulp, bananas, beef, as well as essential orange oils and most recently, pineapples. Meanwhile, processes are underway to prepare for exporting chicken, shrimp, tuna, melon, and other products.

Costa Rica has received generous support in many areas from China in recent years including the country’s National Stadium, the soon-to-be-inaugurated Police Academy, the extension of Route 32 in process, and the construction of a Chinatown area in downtown San José.

China has also donated aircraft for aerial surveillance and humanitarian support, as well as medical equipment, police vehicles and security equipment, among other materials.

The two countries have outlined a 5-year plan (2016-2020) to address numerous thematic areas of interest and bilateral cooperation projects including port, road, railroad, electricity and communications infrastructure; and joint work on technologies and sustainable socio-economic development projects. Finally, the countries are working together on strengthening Costa Rica’s industrial sector such as the construction of industrial parks, industrial cooperation and equipment manufacturing, and exchanges and training of scientific and technological personnel, as well as technical exchanges in the area of film and television.

Since Costa Rica established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in June 2007, it joined the more than 160 United Nations member states in recognizing the nation in accordance with resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly from October 25, 1971.