Recent remarks made by US President George W. Bush's top national security adviser about the Vatican are not expected to affect relations between Taiwan and the Holy See, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said yesterday.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Katherine Chang (張小月) said that the US has always shown great respect to religious freedom and that recent remarks made by Condoleezza Rice about relations between the Vatican and China contained no new political meaning.
Rice, who was in Rome Monday as part of the US president's entourage, said that Bush is scheduled to visit China at the end of this year and that he would very much like to take that opportunity to raise the issue of religious freedom with leaders from China and talk with them on how China can improve its relations with the Vatican.
Chang said the foreign ministry does not think Rice's remarks represent any changes in US policy.
Pope John Paul II has long been concerned about the huge population of Catholics in China and the US has expressed hope that Chinese authorities will "continue to improve the religious environment for religious followers and believers," Chang added.
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