Vatican insists it will continue to recognise Taiwan despite reports of thaw in relations with Beijing
Catholic Church reaffirms importance of links with Taipei amid claims it is exploring ways of normalising its ties with mainland authorities
The Vatican’s official recognition of Taiwan will remain in place, a senior Roman Catholic official has insisted following reports that the Holy See is seeking to normalise ties with Beijing – a move that could result in the termination of its formal relations with Taipei.
The Vatican is the only European state that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, declared on Thursday in a reception hosted by Matthew Lee Shih-ming, Taiwan’s ambassador to the Holy See, that the Vatican would continue to honour its relations with Taiwan.
He was quoted by Taiwan’s semi-official Central News Agency as telling Lee that he could “guarantee that the Vatican would continue as a committed partner” of Taipei, and that he supported any constructive dialogue between the two parties to improve and enhance their exchanges.
Gallagher said since Chiang Kai-shek’s government and the Vatican established official ties in 1942, there have been many changes in the world, but the friendship and cooperation between the two have never changed.