30 March 2011

COSTA RICA: Fans Celebrate New Soccer Stadium...China's "Gift".

GUARDIAN /

   Thousands cheered as Costa Rica's football team played to a scoreless tie with powerhouse Argentina...in the reopening of a state-of-the-art Estadio Nacional... completely donated by China.
   It was built by China because former president Óscar Arias formally established ties between the two countries...and not with Taiwan.
   Not everyone is delighted.
    One fan said: "If the Chinese give, they expect something in return. We are close to agreeing a free trade deal with China, and this is nothing but a sweetener. Also, China violates human rights, whilst we defend human rights, so it is very important to China's image to show they have a country like us on their side."