SAN JOSE, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday wrapped up a state visit to Costa Rica and left for Mexico to continue his Latin America tour.
In Costa Rica, Xi held talks on Monday with his counterpart Laura Chinchilla on bilateral ties. Both leaders said they are satisfied with the remarkable progress made in the development of their countries' diplomatic ties, which were established six years ago.
The two presidents agreed to enhance communication and exchanges between the governments, legislatures and political parties of the two countries, so as to consolidate mutual trust.
They also agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the sectors of economy, trade, culture, education, sports and tourism in the next few years.
Xi and Chinchilla, after their talks, witnessed the signing of a host of cooperation deals by representatives of the two countries.
Also on Monday, the Chinese president visited a local farmer's family.
Xi flew into Costa Rica on Sunday after a state visit to Trinidad and Tobago. The trip is his first Latin America tour since he became president in March.
"The purpose of the visit is to deepen the traditional friendship between China and Latin America and expand their mutually beneficial cooperation," the Chinese president said in a joint written interview with media outlets from Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Mexico ahead of the trip.
"I am confident that the visit will give a strong boost to the China-Latin America comprehensive and cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development," Xi said.
China and Latin America have expanded pragmatic cooperation in recent years, delivering tangible benefits to both sides.
With two-way trade reaching 261.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2012, China has become the second largest trading partner of Latin America and the Caribbean, which witnessed the world's fastest growth of exports to China.
By investing nearly 65 billion U.S. dollars in Latin America and the Caribbean in accumulative terms, China has helped create much-needed jobs in the region.
After his Latin America tour, Xi will fly to the U.S. state of California to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama. 
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