Pope Francis’ Death Spurs China-Vatican Dialogue Hopes
China expresses "its condolences" for the death of Pope Francis.
This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CE Report quotes ANSA.
"In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive contacts and held friendly exchanges," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, in what is Beijing’s first official comment on the passing of Pope Francis.
China "is willing to make joint efforts with the Vatican to promote the continued improvement of bilateral relations," Guo added during the daily briefing.
The People's Republic of China and the Holy See do not have official diplomatic relations, as the Vatican remains the last European state that still recognizes Taiwan—considered by Beijing to be a "sacred" and "inalienable" part of its territory, to be reunified even by force if necessary.
