Costa Rican President Oscar Arias on Thursday met with a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) headed by Chen Fengxiang, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

During the meeting, Arias said he is satisfied with the sound development of the bilateral relations since China and Costa Rica established diplomatic relations last June.

He noted that it is a wise decision for the Costa Rican government to open diplomatic ties with China.

Costa Rica's First Vice President Laura Chinchilla also attended the meeting.

Also on Thursday, the CPC delegation met with Congress President Francisco Antonio Pacheco and Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno Ugarte.

At the invitation of Costa Rica's National Liberation Party, the CPC delegation began its visit to the country on Thursday morning.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2008)