In his first public appearance before the Costa Rican media since his arrival in the country last week, future Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaoyuan yesterday pledged a donation of $30,000 to help repair the damage done by a tornado that recently ripped through several southern neighborhoods of San José.
He remained tight-lipped, however, on the topic of whether China would pick up the tab for the $70 million in donations and financing Taiwan pulled from the country after Costa Rica switched diplomatic recognition to China (TT, June 15).
Wang also officially presented his credentials to Costa Rican Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno yesterday.
For now, Wang's official diplomatic position is as Director, charged by his government with setting up the new Chinese Embassy to Costa Rica. Later, he will be recognized as the new ambassador, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Wang said he is getting to know the city, visiting different neighborhoods and looking at buildings, but he has yet to select the site for the new embassy. |
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