China sets terms to build Vatican ties [View All]

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April 21, 2005

BEIJING -- Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday that China is willing to build relations with the Vatican only if newly elected Pope Benedict XVI breaks ties with rival Taiwan.

Wen said Beijing also maintains that the Vatican "cannot interfere" in China's internal affairs -- a possible reference to Beijing's rejection of a Vatican role in running Roman Catholic churches in China.

"China maintains that it is willing to build relations with the Vatican based on two principles: The Vatican must recognize that there is only one China in the world, and the Vatican can't interfere in China's internal affairs," Wen said at a news conference with visiting French Premier Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

Wen's comments echoed earlier declarations following the death of Pope John Paul II about conditions for opening formal relations, but it was the first time a Chinese leader has made such a comment in public.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2005/04/21/china_sets_terms_to_build_vatican_ties/