China–Costa Rica relations

China–Costa Rica relations
Map indicating locations of China and Costa Rica

China
Costa Rica

Costa Rica was the first Latin American state to change from recognising the Republic of China (Taiwan) as the legitimate government of China, to the People's Republic of China, supporting their One China policy.

Recognition of the PRC

In June 2007, Costa Rica, motivated by the belief that recognising China would lead to increased foreign investment and economic growth, ended diplomatic relations with Taiwan, in favour of recognising the PRC as the true government of China.[1] Costa Rica was the first Latin American state to switch recognition, marking a "turning point" for China's involvement in the region.[2]

Military and policing

In 2016, China donated two Harbin Y-12 aircraft to Costa Rica's unofficial air force, the Air Vigilance Service.[3] A USD $25 million training facility for the Public Force of Costa Rica, the national police, was funded by China.[4][5] In 2021, 100 motorcycles, and 2,000 helmets and Kevlar vests were delivered by the PRC to Costa Rica.[6]

Trade and investment

See also: China-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement

In 2007, Costa Rican President Óscar Arias requested that during a state visit to China that China fund a stadium for Costa Rica.[7]: 50  China financed and built the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, which it completed in March 2011.[7]: 50 

Costa Rica and China signed a free trade agreement in 2010.[8]

In 2018, Costa Rica joined the Belt and Road Initiative, a Chinese global infrastructure project.[9]

In 2021, Costa Rican exports to China were worth US$308 million, and Chinese foreign direct investment was worth $600,000.[1] A cooperation framework "action plan", in effect from 2016 to 2020, was signed by both countries.[1][10]

Chinese telecommunication company Huawei is the principal supplier to the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), accumulating a total of $266 million in contracts.[11] Huawei was previously fined for non-compliance with contractual obligations to ICE by the Costa Rican government.[12]

Bilateral meetings

In November 2008, the president of China, Hu Jintao, visited Costa Rica, and alongside president Óscar Arias announced the launch of free trade negotiations.[13][14]

In July 2014, Chinese president Xi Jinping met with Costa Rican president Luis Guillermo Solís in Brasília.[15]

In June 2022, Qiu Xiaoqi, the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Latin American Affairs, visited Costa Rica. During Qiu's visit, he met with the president of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, and other key Costa Rican government figures.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Did Costa Rica's Decision to Recognize China Pay Off?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  2. ^ Urcuyo, Constantino (2021-06-19). "Despite U.S. Pressure, China's Presence in Central America is Growing". Latinoamérica 21. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  3. ^ cronologia/-/meta/redaccion. "China dona dos aviones para combatir crimen organizado en Costa Rica". www.laprensa.hn (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  4. ^ "Project | china.aiddata.org". china.aiddata.org. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  5. ^ "China entrega a Costa Rica nueva Escuela Nacional de Policía | Spanish.xinhuanet.com". spanish.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  6. ^ lectura, Comunicados··3 Minutos de (2021-02-22). "China dona a Costa Rica más de ₡3.000 millones en motocicletas y equipos para resguardar seguridad ciudadana". Presidencia de la República de Costa Rica (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-07-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b Strange, Austin (2023-12-21). Chinese Global Infrastructure (EPUB). Elements in Global China. Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781009090902. ISBN 978-1-009-09090-2.
  8. ^ Cheng, Wenting (2023). China in Global Governance of Intellectual Property: Implications for Global Distributive Justice. Palgrave Socio-Legal Studies series. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 69. ISBN 978-3-031-24369-1.
  9. ^ Foster, Scott (2022-01-08). "Belt & Road encircles Latin America and the Caribbean". Asia Times. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  10. ^ "China–Costa Rica Cooperation Action Plan" (PDF).
  11. ^ "Huawei is already the No. 1 supplier to ICE - CentralAmericaData :: The Regional Business Portal". www.centralamericadata.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  12. ^ "PRC Engagement in Costa Rica | Centro de Estudios Estratégicos del Ejército del Perú". 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  13. ^ "China FTA Network". fta.mofcom.gov.cn. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  14. ^ Colantuoni, Steve (2022-11-07). "The free trade agreement between Costa Rica and China". The Central American Group. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  15. ^ "Xi Jinping Meets with President Solís of Costa Rica". hr.china-embassy.gov.cn. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  16. ^ "Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Latin American Affairs Qiu Xiaoqi Visits Costa Rica". www.fmprc.gov.cn. Retrieved 2023-07-19.