China and Costa Rica plan to deepen ties and explore the possibility of creating a “Special Economic Zone” for Chinese companies’ operations in the Central American country following a trip by President Luis Guillermo Solis to Beijing, South China Morning Post reported, citing a statement from the Costa Rican government. The statement said that during his trip Solis had affirmed that Costa Rica wished to become a long-term partner with China, and that the two countries will carry out a feasibility study to be completed by the end of this year.