BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Rodrigo Chaves Robles on his election as president of Costa Rica.

In his message dated Wednesday, Xi said that Costa Rica is the first Central American country to establish diplomatic relations with China this century.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 15 years ago, he said, China and Costa Rica have maintained close high-level exchanges and conducted fruitful cooperation in various fields, which has benefited the people of the two countries.

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The Chinese president said that he attaches great importance to China-Costa Rica relations, and stands ready to work with President-elect Chavez to deepen political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation and substantiate the content of the bilateral strategic partnership so as to benefit both countries and their people.