Chinese Book Center unveiled at University of Costa Rica

On Oct. 16, the Chinese Book Center at the University of Costa Rica was inaugurated in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Wang Xiaoyao, Chinese ambassador to Costa Rica, and Li Yafang, deputy editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group (CICG) and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), attended the event and delivered speeches.

A China-Latin America and the Caribbean modernization research center is unveiled at a seminar held in San Jose, Costa Rica, Oct. 16, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

The inauguration event was accompanied by a seminar on China-Costa Rica jointly advancing modernization. ACCWS and the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) also signed a memorandum of cooperation to establish a China-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) modernization research center and jointly unveiled the center.

Wang Xiaoyao, Chinese ambassador to Costa Rica, speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese Book Center at the University of Costa Rica held in San Jose, Costa Rica, Oct. 16, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Wang said that China and Costa Rica could leverage various platforms to deepen friendship and consensus on cooperation. Books, academic exchanges, and practical cooperation could serve as bridges connecting peoples, ideas, and development. The Chinese Book Center at the University of Costa Rica, the first of its kind in Central America, opens a new window for local people to learn about China. She said she expects academic circles from both sides to pool development wisdom through in-depth exchanges, and contribute to the joint exploration of modernization paths suited to each country's national conditions.

Li Yafang, deputy editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group (CICG) and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese Book Center at the University of Costa Rica held in San Jose, Costa Rica, Oct. 16, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Li noted that China and Costa Rica have maintained close high-level exchanges and yielded fruitful results in practical cooperation. The China-LAC modernization research center and the Chinese Book Center will serve as platforms for intellectual dialogue, and provide intellectual support for Global South countries in their exploration of modernization pathways, she said.

Jose Moncada, vice rector of the University of Costa Rica, speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese Book Center at the University of Costa Rica held in San Jose, Costa Rica, Oct. 16, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Jose Moncada, vice rector of the University of Costa Rica, noted that the Chinese Book Center is an important bridge for Costa Rica-China diplomatic and cultural exchanges. He called on the faculty and students of the university to make good use of the Chinese book section to broaden their international horizons, thereby contributing to people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation in higher education between the two countries.

Rebecca Forattini Lemos Igreja, secretary general of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese Book Center at the University of Costa Rica held in San Jose, Costa Rica, Oct. 16, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Rebecca Forattini Lemos Igreja, secretary general of FLACSO, proposed leveraging the China-LAC modernization research center to engage young scholars in interdisciplinary research and deepen mutual understanding in the humanities and social sciences. She expressed hope that the new platform would help foster a long-term, stable framework for LAC-China academic cooperation.

Shi Yi, vice president of China Foreign Affairs University and a fellow at the Research Center on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese Book Center at the University of Costa Rica held in San Jose, Costa Rica, Oct. 16, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Shi Yi, vice president of China Foreign Affairs University and a research fellow at its Research Center on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, said that Costa Rica is an important partner of China in Central America with valuable governance experience. The center she works with stands ready to work with LAC academic institutions to explore modernization paths amid diverse civilizations, and contribute academic insights to building a community with a shared future for humanity, she said.

Cesar Toruno Arguedas, president of the Costa Rican Association of Graduates and Teachers in Literature, Philosophy, Science, and the Arts (Colypro), speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese Book Center at the University of Costa Rica held in San Jose, Costa Rica, Oct. 16, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Cesar Toruno Arguedas, president of the Costa Rican Association of Graduates and Teachers in Literature, Philosophy, Science, and the Arts (Colypro), noted that libraries embody the spirit of openness, inclusion, and sharing. He called for upholding openness in education and culture, advancing mutual learning among civilizations, promoting harmony between humanity and nature, and deepening friendly cooperation among countries around the world.

During the discussion session, eight experts and scholars from China and Costa Rica exchanged views on building a China-LAC community with a shared future and jointly advancing modernization.

The event was held under the guidance of CICG, the Embassy of China in Costa Rica, and the Research Center on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity.