Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has said his country and China are enjoying a "warm and friendly" relationship and he hopes bilateral ties will further strengthen.

Arias made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua after giving a speech at Mexico Business Summit held in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon on Nov. 8-10.

The president spoke highly of bilateral ties, saying they were of mutual benefit in nature.

He also expressed his gratitude to China's favorable loans and donations.

He said his country hoped to further enhance ties with China, which is Central America's second largest trade partner, and aimed to ink a free trade agreement during the first quarter of 2010.

Arias also spoke of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, saying China surprised the world with fantastic sporting facilities like the Bird's Nest (Olympic Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center).