China and Costa Rica announced on Thursday (June 7) that the two countries signed a joint communique on establishing diplomatic ties at ambassadorial level as of June 1.

The joint communique was signed by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Stagno Ugarte in Beijing on June 1.

The governments of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Costa Rica, in accordance with the interests and aspiration of the peoples of the two countries, agree to establish diplomatic ties at ambassadorial level beginning June 1, 2007, the communique says.

"The Costa Rican government recognizes that there is only one China in the world and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory," it says.

According to the communique, Chinese and Costa Rican governments agree to develop friendly cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonagression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefits, and peaceful coexistence.

Costa Rica is the 169th country that has diplomatic relations with China. It established "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan in 1941.

Editor: Wing