The 12th Worldwide Zhongshan Association Convention opened in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, on May 14 local time.

Over 600 overseas Chinese and Zhongshanese from nearly 20 countries and regions, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Peru, Chile, Panama, Nigeria and Ecuador as well as China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, witnessed the momentous occasion of the convention being held in Central and South America for the first time.

Congratulation videos from fellow Zhongshanese in San Francisco and Hawaii in the US, Groningen in the Netherlands, Paris in France, Osaka in Japan, and China's Hong Kong and Macao were played at the opening ceremony.

An exhibition showcasing Zhongshan's quality products was unveiled during the convention, and activities such as the 2nd Conference for Overseas Chinese to Promote High-quality Development (Zhongshan), the 3rd World Zhongshan Youth Conference and an exchange meeting were held.