Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) met with Oscar Arias, former Costa Rican president and a leader of the National Liberation Party of Costa Rica, and his party in Beijing Saturday.

China and Costa Rica, both developing nations, have made some progress in bilateral relations over recent years thanks to joint efforts of both nations, with an increased personnel exchange and growing bilateral trade, noted Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

The CPC would further step up its exchanges and enhance its understanding with the Costa Rican National Liberation Party in a bid to advance their relations, Jia said.

Arias appreciated China's achievements made during the two decade-plus reform and opening-up, hoping that the two parties would promote their friendship and the two countries could keep expanding mutual cooperation in the field of economy and trade.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2004)