TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Costa Rica has confirmed it sent five intelligence officials to Taiwan for training and a trade delegation to encourage investment in the semiconductor sector, reports said Thursday.

The 23-day intelligence course in May was the first time the two countries cooperated on a security program since they ended official diplomatic relations in 2007. The move resulted in a strong protest from China, condemning Costa Rica’s actions as a “one China” principle violation, per CNA.

The Costa Rica Presidential Office said Wednesday that since its intelligence service did not have a budget for training, it had to take the opportunity to train in Taiwan. The basic training program was funded by Taiwan, according to Costa Rican media La Nacion.

In addition, Foreign Trade Minister Manuel Tovar told legislators that the trade service had sent two officials to Taiwan to promote investments in Costa Rica’s semiconductor sector. The large-scale investment expected from China following the 2007 diplomatic switch failed to materialize, reports said. Foreign direct investment from China only amounted to 0.05% of the total in 2022.