The Vatican, which only has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, would like to establish a permanent office in China, its top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said on Tuesday, in what would be a major upgrade of diplomatic relations.
The Vatican is one of only a dozen countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan and Taipei has watched nervously as Pope Francis seeks to improve ties with Beijing.
Responding to Parolin’s comments, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it continued to promote co-operation 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”, the ministry added, and has “repeatedly violated” a 2018 agreement on appointing bishops.
The ministry called on all nations to work together to urge China to stop its “violations of religious freedom and basic human rights”.
The focus on Vatican China relations is thus a critical aspect of Taiwan’s strategic posture.
The broader implications of Taiwan’s focus on Vatican China relations extend into the realm of international diplomacy. Taiwan calls for increased vigilance and cooperation among global powers to address China’s actions effectively. The Vatican’s ability to navigate this complex situation will significantly influence its future engagements with China.
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