Taiwan is closely watching interactions between the Vatican and China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday, adding that China had “repeatedly violated” a 2018 agreement on the appointment of bishops.
The Vatican, which only has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, would like to establish a permanent office in China, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on Tuesday, in what would be a major upgrade of diplomatic relations.
The Vatican is one of only a dozen states to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and Taipei has watched nervously as Pope Francis seeks to improve ties with Beijing.
Photo: AP
Responding to Parolin’s comments, the ministry said it continued to promote cooperation with the Vatican and the Catholic Church in fields such as humanitarian assistance, and jointly defend the core values of religious freedom.
“We understand that the Holy See hopes to promote the freedom of belief and rights of Chinese Catholics, and has publicly expressed its desire to send representatives to China many times,” it said in a statement.
In the 100 years since the first Chinese synod was held in 1924, China has “clamped down on religious freedom,” and has “repeatedly violated” a 2018 agreement on appointing bishops, it said.
The ministry called on all nations to work together to urge China to stop its “violations of religious freedom and basic human rights.”
Deputy Minister of Environment Shih Wen-chen (施文真) led a delegation to a Vatican seminar on climate change this month, which met Pope Francis, demonstrating the deep friendship between Taiwan and the Vatican, it said.
It also said the Vatican sent an envoy — Apostolic Nunciature to the Philippines Charles John Brown — to Monday’s inauguration of President William Lai (賴清德).
“Hopefully we will be getting your continued support,” outgoing president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told Brown during a meeting in the presidential office shortly before the event.
“The Holy Father sends his warm greetings to you,” Brown replied, in comments broadcast live on television.
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