From the Associated Press:
During President Hu Jintao’s first visit to a Central American country, it was announced that trade talks between China and Costa Rica will commence in January, with a deal hoped for in 2010. In addition, the two nations signed 11 cooperation agreements, including an agreement for a joint venture between China’s National Petroleum Corporation and Costa Rica’s state-owned oil refinery.
China’s trade with Latin America has jumped from $10 billion in 2000 to $102.6 billion last year and it is now Costa Rica’s second most important trade partner.
Hu’s trip to Costa Rica is part of a larger mission that includes a trip to Cuba, as noted in this CDT article.
