On the morning of December 5 local time, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), left San Jose for Argentina after concluding his official goodwill visit to Costa Rica. During his visit to Costa Rica from December 3 to 5, Jia met with Costa Rican government and parliamentary leaders and addressed the Costa Rican legislative assembly. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on issues of mutual concern, further promoting the development of bilateral relations.

During the meeting with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla, Jia said since China and Costa Rica established diplomatic relations five years ago, their ties have enjoyed a rapid and stable development. Political mutual trust has been enhanced, trade and economic cooperation deepened and people-to-people exchanges yielding fruitful results, Jia applauded. China appreciates Costa Rica’s adherence to the one-China policy. China has attached importance to developing ties with Costa Rica, he said, calling on both sides to actively expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and constantly enrich the content of the friendly and cooperative relations.

Jia made a four-point proposal on furthering China-Costa Rica ties. Firstly, the two countries should keep high-level exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust and continue to support each other on major issues concerning their core interests. Secondly, they should expand pragmatic cooperation and achieve common development by further expanding trade, enhancing the level of cooperation and promoting trade diversification. Thirdly, China and Costa Rica should intensify people-to-people exchanges to strengthen the friendship between the two peoples, boost communication and cooperation in such domains as science and technology, tourism, aviation and sports. Fourthly, the two countries should expand multilateral cooperation, continue to strengthen consultation and dialogue on major international issues, and jointly safeguard the interests of the two countries as well as other developing countries.

During the meeting with Costa Rican Legislative Assembly President Victor Emilio Granados, Jia said Costa Rica was an important country in Central America as well as an important partner to China in Latin America. China and Costa Rica had consolidated political relations with ever deepening mutual understanding and political trust since they forged diplomatic ties five years ago, Jia said. The two nations had maintained coordination in international and regional affairs and together protected the interests of developing countries, Jia said. China attached importance to developing friendly cooperative relations with Costa Rica and was willing to work with Costa Rica to enhance cooperation in all spheres, Jia said. The CPPCC was willing to strengthen exchanges with Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly to promote bilateral ties, Jia said.

Addressing a plenary session of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly, Jia said this year marked the fifth anniversary of the establishment of China-Costa Rica diplomatic relations. The two sides had kept frequent high-level exchanges and deepened political mutual trust since the leaders of the two nations made the historic decision five years ago, Jia said. The Chinese side appreciated Costa Rica’s firm adherence to the one-China policy. Bilateral trade and economic cooperation is fruitful and the two sides have conducted active cultural exchanges, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The two sides have also maintained close coordination on major international and regional issues including the UN reform, climate change and sustainable development. They have jointly safeguarded the interests of developing countries and have made ​​a positive contribution to promote lasting peace and common prosperity of the world.

In his speech, Jia said China has made great achievements since it adopted the policy of reform and opening-up more than 30 years ago, especially in the past 10 years. However, China is still the largest developing country in the world, facing many difficulties and challenges in economic and social development. Not long ago, the Communist Party of China successfully held its 18th National Congress, to identify the goal of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and deepening reform and opening up. The congress made a comprehensive plan for advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics under the new historical conditions. In the future, China will continue to steadfastly advance along the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, continue to promote scientific development and social harmony, improve the people's living standards and people's well-being and work for building a moderately prosperous society. China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit and unswervingly commit itself to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

As an important country in central America, Costa Rica had played a unique role in Latin American affairs, Jia said. China is ready to make concerted efforts with Costa Rica to lift bilateral cooperation in various areas. He believed that under the joint efforts of both sides, China and Costa Rica will become a model of cooperation between countries different in size and national conditions. China-Costa Rica friendly cooperative ties will enjoy a more brilliant future.