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Embassy of the People's Republic of China
in Costa Rica
The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Costa Rica rejected the accusations of the United States against Chinese mining companies operating in Nicaragua, after the US diplomatic representation linked them to practices which, according to its complaint, contribute to the illegal extraction of gold in Costa Rican territory.
The Chinese response opens a diplomatic exchange around a problem that affects the northern border of Costa Rica, particularly the areas where the authorities face activities related to illegal mining and the irregular transit of people.
The controversy began after the US Embassy posted a message on Facebook in which it said that "Chinese mining in Nicaragua implies a cost for Costa Rica."
According to the U.S. representative, some Chinese companies operating in Nicaragua use abusive commercial practices against artisanal miners, which would contribute to them crossing the border to extract gold illegally on Costa Rican soil.
China rejected these accusations and questioned whether its companies should be held responsible, despite the fact that, according to its statements, their participation in the Nicaraguan mining sector is limited.
China puts the question to the United States: "Isn't this a double standard?”
In statements provided to the newspaper La Nación, the Chinese Embassy described the United States’ accusations as unfounded.
The diplomatic representation defended the presence of its companies in Nicaragua and assured that most of the mining companies operating in that country work with capital from other sources.
"The great majority of the mining companies operating in Nicaragua are of North American and Latin American capital. The Chinese companies authorized to operate are not only few in number, but also have a very limited concessionary area; even so, they are targeted. Surely this is a double standard?" said the Chinese Embassy.
With that response from its diplomatic representation in San José, Beijing questioned the criteria used by the United States in singling out companies of Chinese origin.
The Embassy also defended the guidelines with which, it stated, companies from its country must comply when developing economic activities overseas.
"The Chinese government always asks its companies operating abroad to comply strictly with international standards and local laws, and to actively shoulder their environmental obligations and social responsibilities," he noted.
The Chinese representation did not recognize any responsibility on the part its companies in the illegal activities denounced by the United States.
