On July 5, 2007, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei had a working lunch with Latin American diplomats in China, as well as Costa Rican Foreign Minister's special envoy, who is in China to prepare for the opening of the Costa Rican Embassy in China. During the lunch, He spoke highly of the current development of China-Latin America relations, saying that both sides, as developing nations, face similar opportunities and challenges and should keep closer cooperation in all areas for common development. Agreeing with He, the diplomats expressed hope to continue cooperation with China in a bid to push bilateral ties to a new level.