Ma Ying-jeou's Vatican trip, which Beijing barely protested, a success
Central government refrains from making loud protests, as it has done in the past, but Foreign Ministry urges Holy See to end ties with Taiwan
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's official visit this week to the Vatican, when he became the island's first leader to meet the pope and interacted with other foreign leaders, was hailed as a "fruitful" and "historic" trip by the island's media.
Beijing did not go out of its way to condemn the trip. The Foreign Ministry only urged the Vatican, with which Beijing has no formal ties, to recognise "the Chinese government as the sole legal representative of all China".
However, analysts said it remained to be seen whether Beijing's response represented a tacit acceptance of Ma's , or flexible diplomacy, which he hopes will bring the island more attention from the international community.
Ma, who attended the inaugural mass of Pope Francis, returned to Taiwan late on Wednesday after a three-day visit to the Holy See - the island's sole ally in Europe, and one of Taiwan's 23 allies in the world.
"We have great expectations for our ties with the Holy See," Ma said upon his return, at Taoyuan International Airport, south of Taipei.
Taiwan's foreign minister, David Lin, described Ma's visit as "highly successful" because it promoted ties and enhanced the island's international exposure.
