China calls on the Vatican to take concrete action to sweep away
obstacles to the improvement of bilateral relations, and to create
a helpful atmosphere and surroundings for the restoration of
dialogue and contact between the two,
Chinese Foreign Ministry
Spokesman Sun Yuxi said Tuesday.
Sun said China had noted that in a message addressed to an
international conference in Rome on the Rev. Matteo Ricci, a
17th-century Jesuit missionary, Pope
John Paul II had expressed his sadness and regret for the
wrongs committed against the Chinese people by some Catholic
missionaries.
The Chinese government acknowledged the expression was made in a
positive manner, but regretted the Vatican failed to apologize for
the issue of "canonization" which occurred last year and which
deeply hurt the Chinese people.
Sun said that China and the Vatican had made efforts to improve
bilateral ties, but progress was stalled by a new obstacle last
year when the Vatican, in disregard of China's strong opposition,
on October 1 held a ceremony for the "canonization" of a number of
foreign missionaries and their followers, who committed notorious
crimes in China.
The spokesman reiterated that China is willing to improve relations
with the Vatican and China's stand on this issue is very clear.
First, the Vatican must terminate "diplomatic relations" with
Taiwan, and acknowledge that the government of the People's
Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the
whole of China, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's
territory.
Second, the Vatican should promise that it will not interfere in
China's internal affairs, including any intervention under the
pretext of religious affairs.
Sun said China hopes the Vatican will make earnest efforts to get
rid of the obstacles in a bid to improve its relations with
China.
( October 31,2001)