M
Milliardo
Guest
BEIJING – China called on the Vatican Thursday to create “favorable conditions” for better ties, reacting to reports that Pope Benedict XVI would like to visit the world’s most populous country.“We hope the Vatican side will take concrete actions to create a sound atmosphere and favorable conditions for improving relations between China and the Vatican,” foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular briefing.
The keys to better relations are the Vatican agreeing to the two “principles” of breaking off ties with Taiwan and refraining from interference in China’s internal affairs, he said.
“On the basis of the two principles, the Chinese government is sincere in its wish to improve relations with the Vatican. We have made active efforts in this regard,” Qin said.
According to reports, the Vatican’s foreign minister said recently the Pope wished to visit China in the next few years.
Newly elevated Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen also reportedly said this week the Pope had told believers in Rome that he intended to visit China but that the timing would have to be decided by God.
China’s Communist government expelled the Vatican’s ambassador in 1951 and ties have remained severed since then.
Hopes that the two sides could end their impasse were raised with the installment of Pope Benedict in April last year.
Low-level contact between China and the Vatican has increased since the death last year of Pope Benedict XVI’s predecessor John Paul II, Zen said Thursday.
“The opportunity for success is greater now,” Zen told reporters.
news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=3&story_id=71087
The keys to better relations are the Vatican agreeing to the two “principles” of breaking off ties with Taiwan and refraining from interference in China’s internal affairs, he said.
“On the basis of the two principles, the Chinese government is sincere in its wish to improve relations with the Vatican. We have made active efforts in this regard,” Qin said.
According to reports, the Vatican’s foreign minister said recently the Pope wished to visit China in the next few years.
Newly elevated Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen also reportedly said this week the Pope had told believers in Rome that he intended to visit China but that the timing would have to be decided by God.
China’s Communist government expelled the Vatican’s ambassador in 1951 and ties have remained severed since then.
Hopes that the two sides could end their impasse were raised with the installment of Pope Benedict in April last year.
Low-level contact between China and the Vatican has increased since the death last year of Pope Benedict XVI’s predecessor John Paul II, Zen said Thursday.
“The opportunity for success is greater now,” Zen told reporters.
news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=3&story_id=71087