Free trade boosts Costa Rican respect for Chinese

The first anniversary of the launch of the free trade accord between Costa Rica and China has been celebrated with new optimism in Beijing and San José.

Carlos Denton, a columnist of the Costa Rican daily La República, said that the construction of Costa Rica's new national stadium by the Chinese "caused a sea change in Costa Rican perceptions of the Chinese.

"Most people feel very positive and respectful of them, above all because of their organizational ability and their ability to work hard," Denton wrote.

Full story: in Spanish