The Vatican Wants To Open an Office in China, Leaving Taiwan Ties in Question
The Vatican, Taiwan's last diplomatic ally in Europe, announced it wants to open a permanent office in China. Some are wondering if that puts its relationship with Taiwan at risk.
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00:00 The Vatican's ambassador to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, with President
00:05 Lai Ching-de, after his inauguration on Monday.
00:08 Lai says the relationship between Taiwan and its last diplomatic ally in Europe is strong.
00:13 "Over the past few years, Taiwan and the Vatican have continued to visit each other
00:19 at various levels to strengthen mutual trust."
00:21 However, on the same day, Vatican officials said they wanted to open a permanent office
00:26 in China.
00:28 The move would signal a massive upgrade in the historically difficult relationship between
00:32 China and the Holy See.
00:34 And China, for its part, expressed openness to furthering ties.
00:38 "We are willing to work with the Vatican to promote the relationship between China
00:42 and the Vatican."
00:44 With relations between the Vatican and China improving, some in Taiwan have worried that
00:48 they might lose yet another diplomatic ally.
00:52 When Lai Ching-de's predecessor Tsai Ing-wen took office eight years ago, Taiwan had official
00:56 diplomatic relations with 22 countries.
00:59 And as Lai's term begins, that number is now just 12, and the Vatican is Taiwan's
01:04 sole remaining ally in Europe.
01:06 But for the moment, current and former diplomatic staff say there's no need to worry.
01:11 "We understand that the Vatican hopes to promote the freedom and power of Chinese Catholics
01:17 to promote their faith.
01:18 In recent interactions with the Vatican, the Vatican's high-level officials have shown
01:22 their deep support for the Catholic Church."
01:24 "Even though the Vatican has established a office, it is still very difficult to really
01:29 build a religion.
01:30 The most basic reason is that there is no religious freedom in the mainland.
01:31 The most important thing is to allow people who have faith in Catholicism to live a good
01:36 religious life.
01:37 I hope to have a contact with the Chinese regime."
01:42 Religious freedom groups like ACN International say the prospects for improved religious freedom
01:46 in China remain poor.
01:49 In its relations with China, the Holy See may have to weigh the benefits of gaining access
01:53 to its millions of followers there against the risks of working with a regime which aims
01:58 to minimize its influence.
02:00 Chris Gorin and Devin Tsai for Taiwan Plus.
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