The first diplomatic official from China in six decades presented his documents to Costa Rican authorities on Monday.

Wang Xiaoyuan, a business attache, was formally received by Rita Hernandez, the Costa Rican Foreign Ministry's director of protocol and ceremony, and went on to meet Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno.

After his visit to the ministry, Wang told a news conference that the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Costa Rica would benefit both countries.

Costa Rica has an important strategic status in Central America, and the Chinese government attaches great importance to its relations with the country, he added.

Wang said China is willing to launch negotiations with Costa Rica on the signing of a free trade agreement and strengthen cooperation in trade and investment.

On June 6, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias announced he was establishing diplomatic relations with China and breaking ties with China's Taiwan province.

Costa Rica broke 60 years of "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan on June 1, when Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Stagno signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties at ambassadorial level.

Source: Xinhua