Visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei and Costa Rican Foreign Minister Bruno Stagnoon held the first political consultation meeting between the two countries on Thursday.

The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, mutual cooperation in international organizations and global hot issues of common concern.

After their meeting, China and Costa Rica signed a series of agreements on mutual visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders and the establishment of political consultation mechanism.

On the same day, the Chinese official inaugurated the Chinese Embassy in Costa Rica. He highly praised the friendly relations between China and Costa Rica, saying he believed that the establishment of the embassy will further enhance bilateral ties.

China and Costa Rica established diplomatic ties on June 1.

(Xinhua News Agency August 24, 2007)