On June 3 local time, President Xi Jinping held talks with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla in San Jose. The two heads of state expressed their satisfaction for the achievements of bilateral relationship over the past six years since the establishment of diplomatic relationship and decided to strengthen exchanges and cooperation to push the China-Costa Rica relationship for greater development.

Xi Jinping said that although China and Costa Rica has established diplomatic relationship for only six years, the relationship between the two countries has achieved substantial progress. Facts prove that it is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples for China and Costa Rica to develop friendly cooperative relations based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development. The China-Costa Rica relationship can absolutely be paradigm of friendly cooperation between countries of different sizes and different national conditions.

Chinchilla said that since the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Costa Rica and China, the two countries have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges and fruitful results from cooperation in various fields. It brings tangible benefits to both sides. Costa Rica hopes to deepen mutual trust, cooperation and friendship with China, and wishes the Chinese people will make continuous achievements in the process of realizing the Chinese dream.

The two heads of state exchanged views on the cooperation between the two countries and they reached broad consensus:

First, to enhance high-level exchanges and to consolidate political mutual trust. To promote friendly exchanges between the government agencies, legislative bodies and political parties of the two countries. To continue to provide firm support to each other on issues concerning each other's core interests.

Second, to continue to push forward practical cooperation. To expand the scope, optimize the structure and enlarge the scale of trade based on the free trade agreement between the two countries with the guidance of government and the participation of enterprises. China supports Costa Rica in constructing a special economic zone, and Costa Rica welcomes Chinese enterprises investing in the country. The two countries will explore cooperation on clean energy.

Third, to deepen exchanges in the fields of culture, education, sports and tourism. To strengthen youth and local exchanges, implementing projects of students exchange and Confucius Institute. China will continue to train professional and technical personnels for Costa Rica. Costa Rica will simplify visa application procedure for the Chinese people, as a favourable measure for people-to-people exchange.

Fourth, to enhance cooperation on international affairs, especially to strengthen communication and coordination on climate change, sustainable development and other major issues. To push forward democracy in international relations and to work together to safeguard the interests of developing countries as a whole.

The two sides exchanged views on the relations between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries. They agreed to work together to set up a China-Latin America cooperation forum and will support each other to host China-Latin America agriculture ministers' forum, think tanks exchange forum and entrepreneur summit within this year. Costa Rica will hold the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States next year and will play an active role in promoting the overall cooperation between Latin America and China.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of a number of cooperation documents including the economic and technological cooperation agreement between the two governments as well as the agreement on investment and financing for renovation and expansion of roads and refineries in Costa Rica. They jointly met the press.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping attended the welcome ceremony held by Chinchilla. All along the way to the Presidential Palace, thousands of local people and children were standing by the streets, waving national flags of Costa Rica and China to welcome distinguished guests from China. Upon their arrival at the square in front of the Presidential Palace, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan were greeted by President Chinchilla and her husband. A welcoming team of Costa Rican children were at the site. Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, accompanied by President Chinchilla, walked along the red carpet onto the inspection platform. The military band played the national anthems of the two countries. Costa Rican Legislative Assembly President, Supreme Court President, Supreme Electoral Tribunal President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and cabinet ministers were present at the welcome ceremony.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu and Yang Jiechi were present at the above activities.