On July 18, 2016, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez Sanz of Costa Rica in Beijing.

Wang Yi expressed that Costa Rica is an important cooperative partner of China in Central America. China is willing to join hands with Costa Rica to further promote exchanges between government departments, legislative bodies and political parties of both countries, expand bilateral trade and investment, enhance cooperation in such fields as agriculture, infrastructure and clean energies, broaden people-to-people and cultural exchanges and seek closer multilateral coordination.

Wang Yi said that the year of 2017 will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Costa Rica. China stands ready to well plan commemoration activities together with Costa Rica, summarize the development experience of bilateral relations and facilitate more outcomes from communication and cooperation so as to inject new vitality and add new connotations to China-Costa Rica strategic partnership.

Manuel Gonzalez Sanz stated that Costa Rica highly values its relations with China and will firmly adhere to the One-China policy on the Taiwan and Tibet-related issues. The country expects to maintain high-level exchanges with China, deepen practical cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges and enhance coordination and cooperation on major international and regional issues.

Manuel Gonzalez Sanz pointed out that Costa Rica pays attention to the South China Sea arbitration case and advocates that countries concerned should reach peaceful solutions through direct dialogue and negotiation. Unilaterally filed resolution or arbitration is not conducive to dispute settlement. Costa Rica hopes that the South China Sea region can maintain peace and stability. Wang Yi expressed appreciation for Costa Rica’s position.

Wang Yi also exchanged views on the UN Secretary-General election with candidate for the next UN Secretary-General and former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Christiana Figueres, who was accompanying Manuel Gonzalez Sanz for his visit to China.

After the talks, both Foreign Ministers signed the Joint Action Plan on China-Costa Rica Cooperation (2016-2020).