Taiwan and the Holy See maintain good and sincere relations, the new ambassador to the Vatican said on Sunday, adding that he would present his credentials to Pope John Paul II on Friday.
Tou Chou-seng (杜筑生), who arrived in Rome last week to take up his new post as the nation's 12th ambassador to the Holy See, met with personnel of Catholic churches and institutions in Rome and the Vatican in celebration of the Lunar New Year.
Saying that his new post was a challenge, Tou said he had already met with the Holy See's deputy state secretary, minister and deputy minister of foreign affairs since his arrival, which attested to good and sincere relations between the two sides.
Tou also said that prior to his departure for Rome, he had visited various Catholic dioceses and other charity centers operated by the Catholic church to improve his understanding of the Church's contributions to the nation.
Tou also noted that foreigners who have lived and worked in Taiwan for at least seven years were eligible for residence.
Tou raised problems associated with resident certificates experienced by Catholic personnel in Taiwan when he met President Chen Shui-bian (
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