The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Costa Rica reacted strongly to statements made by the new U.S. ambassador to the country, Melinda Hildebrand, who said on January 5 that China’s economic influence represents one of the challenges facing Costa Rica. The statements that triggered the Chinese reaction were made on January 5, when Melinda Hildebrand, upon her arrival in Costa Rica to formally assume her post, stated that the country faces significant regional challenges.
“Costa Rica is a reliable and democratic partner in a region facing challenges such as transnational organized crime, the fight against drug trafficking, cybersecurity threats, illegal immigration, and Chinese economic influence,” said the diplomat. Hildebrand, who will present her credentials to President Rodrigo Chaves next Thursday, assured that she will work with “energy, discipline, and responsibility” to strengthen bilateral relations.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, one of the focuses of her tenure will be to prioritize the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens in the country, including some 160,000 residents and more than 1.5 million visitors per year. The exchange of statements adds a new chapter to the diplomatic and geopolitical tension surrounding Costa Rica’s relationship with the two powers, at a time of growing attention to economic and strategic influence in the region.
Through its spokesperson, the Chinese embassy stated that the statements “ignore the facts and realities” of the bilateral relationship between China and Costa Rica and accused the U.S. diplomat of spreading the so-called “Chinese economic threat theory” in bad faith. “The statements ignore the facts and realities of exchanges and cooperation between China and Costa Rica, spreading China’s ‘economic threat theory’ in bad faith,” said the spokesperson, adding that such messages sow discord in the friendly relations between the two countries.
The Chinese diplomatic representation also argued that these statements go against U.S. President Donald Trump’s public commitment to deepen mutual respect between China and the United States. Given this scenario, China expressed its “strong dissatisfaction and categorical opposition” to the comments attributed to Ambassador Hildebrand.
The statement emphasized that China values its friendship with Costa Rica and defended the bilateral cooperation model, which, it said, has been developed on the basis of mutual respect, reciprocal benefits, and shared gains. “Both sides promote practical cooperation, that corresponds to the fundamental and long-term interests of both countries, bringing tangible benefits and well-being to both peoples,” said the spokesperson.
The representatives of China also stressed that relations between countries should be governed by the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and assured that cooperation between China and Costa Rica is not directed against any third party, nor does it accept external interference.
