China Paid for and Built the Estadio Nacional, a Soccer and Multi-use Stadium, as a Gift to Costa Rica in 2011

The $100 million Estadio Nacional in Costa Rica wasn't merely purchased by China. The ultra-modern 35,000-seat soccer stadium, which opened in 2011, received the majority of the steel and other components used in its construction from it as well as the laborers who built it. Although it was supposed to be a gift from China to Costa Rica, there was more than a hint of a tradeoff in terms of its finance and construction.

When President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica visited Asia in October 2007, he made a number of agreements, including the one to finance and construct the stadium. Along with it, Costa Rica cut off diplomatic ties with Taiwan. In exchange, China gave Costa Rica a brand-new, cutting-edge football stadium as a gift.

A free trade deal was signed between China and Costa Rica after the stadium's opening in March 2011; this agreement was reached in 2007. So, despite the stadium being referred to as a gift from one country to another, some people have a critical viewpoint. Whichever the case, Costa Rica was given a venue that has since hosted sporting events, concerts, and concerts, including the opening show of the British band Coldplay's 2022 Music of the Spheres World Tour.