In 2008，the president’s popularity suffered a plummet due to the notorious money misappropriation of a minister，the verification of the FTA with the US was subject to the approval of two bills and political situation remained in stability. Shocked by the financial crisis originated from the US，Costa Rica’s economic growth rate drastically plunged below the average level of Latin America and the Caribbean and 2009 is forecasted to be another year of declining economy. Unemployment rate grew moderately while poverty reduction advanced steadily to keep the country’s Human Development Index relatively high. Traditional friendship prevailed in Costa Rica’s ties with the US，territory conflicts and disputes over illegal immigration featured its relationship with Nicaragua in 2008. Bilateral relations with China experienced smooth development in political，economic and diplomatic fields and the state visit of Chinese president Hu Jintao in November resulted in a joint announcement of the two governments on the formal kicking-off of negotiations on a bilateral FTA.