China congratulated Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany on his
election as the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Foreign
Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Wednesday.
Qin said China is ready to improve relations with the Vatican on
the condition that the Vatican terminate its so-called diplomatic
relations with Taiwan, recognize the government of the People's
Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing
all of China, and acknowledge Taiwan as an inalienable part of
Chinese territory.
The Vatican must also refrain from interfering in China's
internal affairs, including any intervention under the pretext of
religious affairs.
"We hope that under the leadership of the new pope, the Vatican
can create favorable conditions for the improvement of
China-Vatican relations," the spokesman said.
The Catholic Patriotic Association of China and the Chinese
Catholic Bishops College also sent congratulatory messages on
behalf of more than 5 million Chinese Catholics and told people
attending churches across China to pray for the new pope.
"Give thanks to the almighty God for choosing you as the
representative of Christ on earth, the heir of Saint Peter," said
the message. "With joy and happiness in the risen Christ, we offer
to you our hearty congratulations in Christ."
The message added, "It is our earnest hope that you will enhance
Sino-Vatican relations for the sake of the salvational work of
Jesus Christ."
Ratzinger, who was born on April 16, 1927, in the town of Marktl
am Inn in southern Germany, took the name Pope Benedict XVI. He
succeeds Pope John Paul II, who died on April 2 at the age of
84.
(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2005)