Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/10/12
By: Huang Ya-hsih and Ko Lin
The Vatican, Oct. 12 (CNA) Taiwan continues to maintain steady and positive relations
with the Holy See, Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) affirmed Friday amid concerns over a recent agreement between the Vatican and Beijing.
Diplomatic relations between the two sides have been in place for 76 years, and this solid foundation is not easily shaken, Chen said.
The vice president, who arrived at the Vatican to attend the canonization of Pope Paul VI, was responding to the landmark agreement the Vatican signed with Beijing last month on the appointment of bishops in China, which signaled a warming of their once-frigid relations.
The agreement is based purely on religious matters and will not affect bilateral ties, Chen said, adding that the Vatican is hoping such a deal would help with religious affairs in China and thus open up a new page for Catholics there. [FULL STORY]