Taiwan says it is closely watching developments in Vatican-China relations

Record ID: 1358100

  • Title: Taiwan says it is closely watching developments in Vatican-China relations
  • Date: 27th September 2018
  • Summary: TAIPEI, TAIWAN (SEPTEMBER 27, 2018) (REUTERS) TAIWAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, ANDREW LEE, SITTING DOWN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE ANDREW LEE TALKING VARIOUS OF REPORTER TYPING ON LAPTOP (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIWAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, ANDREW LEE, SAYING: "Of course everyone is very interested in further developments after the Vatican and China signed an agreement on religious affairs, and whether this will have implications for relations between Taiwan and the Vatican. So I will repeat and assure everyone that our colleagues in foreign affairs are giving their all to closely monitor and proactively react to any pressure and covert scheming that China may exert on the international stage." REPORTER ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIWAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, ANDREW LEE, SAYING: "It is plain for everyone to see that we have had cooperation with the Vatican on various very specific issues in the past few years. This clearly proves that our relationship with the Vatican is very good and friendly." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS WATCH ON LEE'S WRIST LEE LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE EXTERIOR OF TAIWAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY TAIWANESE FLAG FLYING
  • Embargoed: 11th October 2018 05:58
  • Keywords: Taiwan the Vatican China relationship bishops Catholics Pope Francis Vatican China
  • Location: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
  • City: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0018ZEHT8N
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Taiwan said on Thursday (September 27) that its relationship with the Vatican was "good and friendly", although it will closely watch any "pressure or covert scheming" by China on the international stage following a landmark deal between Beijing and the Vatican on the appointment of bishops on the mainland.
    The Vatican has signed an agreement giving it a long-desired say in the appointment of bishops in China, triggering worries among some officials in Taiwan that the Vatican could switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing.
    The Holy See is Taiwan's last remaining diplomatic ally in Europe. The self-ruled island of Taiwan has formal relations with 16 other countries, many of them small, less developed nations in Central America and the Pacific.
    Since the deal was signed on Saturday (September 22), the Vatican has not mentioned Taiwan.
    On Wednesday (September 26), Pope Francis urged China's leaders to move ahead with "trust, courage and farsightedness" and called on Chinese Catholics to not shrink from offering "a word of criticism" when necessary to defend human dignity.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register