Artists perform the traditional Lion Dance to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, in the city of San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, on Feb. 8, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

In Costa Rica's capital San Jose, a traditional Chinese Lion Dance, organized by the Chinese Association of Costa Rica, kicked off on Thursday night.

Li Liman, the association's president, highlighted the two countries' long history of friendship, noting that her group was founded 110 years ago, and that the Chinese first came to the Central American country 160 years ago.

Song Yanbin, China's ambassador to Costa Rica, said he hoped to see expanded ties of cooperation in 2016.