Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying speaks at a regular press conference on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016. (Photo/fmprc.gov.cn)
China is open to renewing ties with the Vatican decades after they were cut, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Monday.
Hua's comment at a regular media briefing followed Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, saying on Saturday that the Holy See had high hopes of improved relations with China.
The Vatican and China cut their diplomatic ties in 1951, shortly after the Communist Party came to power and began regulating religion in the country. The Vatican is now the only major Western state with which China has no formal relations. At the same time, the Vatican is the only European country that maintains "official ties" with Taiwan, which Beijing views as part of China.
"[China and the Vatican] have a well-functioning and effective way of communication. We are willing to work alongside the Vatican to move forward bilateral relations in accordance with certain principles," said Hua.
These "certain principles" include the one-China principle, as also mentioned by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang at a press conference last Thursday, as well as non-interference in China's internal affairs, including religious affairs.
The two sides have discussed bishop appointment in part of China. Cardinal John Tong Hon, the Bishop of Hong Kong, suggested in comments published in local newspaper Kung Kao Po on August 5 that the Vatican could appoint a bishop who was acceptable to the Chinese government.
