Costa Rica’s love affair with China now has a monument

costadevelopers.com

San José Mayor Johnny Araya officially received a gateway arch at the construction site of the capital’s new Chinatown, further establishing firm ties between the two nations.

A gateway arch at the construction site of the capital’s new Chinatown was officially received Thursday.

If China has not yet made clear its tremendous interest in Costa Rica, the looming, newly carved archway now marking the entrance to San José’s Chinatown certainly establishes the republic’s presence.

Earlier Thursday morning, Li Ching Hua, Chinese ambassador to Costa Rica, and San José Mayor Johnny Araya shook hands before a large ingress pared with Chinese characters set before four large concrete spheres.  

Men in protective masks pushed heavy machinery buffing the colored pavestones on what was previously thePaseo de los Estudiantes (Students’ Boulevard). The mayor and the ambassador gave certificates of thanks to the Chinese laborers contracted to build the arch.

Araya said the arch ran the Chinese government $500,000, which was donated in one of many recent demonstrations of solidarity. “It is a monumental work of art, a beautiful piece of art that will represent one more attraction in San José, bringing more tourists to the capital,” the mayor said.

In the same breath, the Chinese also announced a scholarship program that would incentivize Costa Rican students to take up studies in China, as well as $130 million in aid that was used to fund the procurement of brand new police vehicles and other equipment. The bumpers of these vehicles still boast the slogan, “a gift from China.”

Since that time, Chinese donations have continued unabated. The Asian giant donated $100 million for a new football stadium in Sabana Park, in western San José. The country also recently pledged $25 million for a police academy in Limón, as well as another $8 million that was to be used at Costa Rica’s discretion.

Posted by Costa Developers