Beijing on Renewal of the Sino-Vatican Agreement: Yes...Probably

AsiaNews ^ | 9/11/20 | Bernardo Cervellara

[marshmallow]

During his regular press conference, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman expresses appreciation for the "successful" implementation of the Sino-Vatican agreement and promises "improvements in bilateral relations". But he does not explicity commit to anything. Chinese Catholics see the renewal as a forgone conclusion: China dominates the Catholic Church and needs diplomatic victories. The United Front is pulling against the agreement.

Rome (AsiaNews) - For the first time in months, the Chinese government has cited the "successful implementation" of the Sino-Vatican Agreement which, signed two years ago, is about to expire and generically declared its will to continue "will continue to maintain close communication and consultation and improve bilateral relations.” In recent months, various personalities not directly linked to the Vatican Secretariat of State have expressed the will of the Holy See to continue the Agreement, but so far there has been silence from Beijing.

Yesterday, at a regular press conference held by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the capital, spokesman Zhao Lijian answered a question from Phoenix TV (semi-state television). Here is the text of the question and answer reported on the official website of the ministry:

Phoenix TV: According to reports, China and the Vatican are in negotiations on renewing the 2018 interim agreement on the appointment of bishops. It is hopeful that the deal will be renewed for two more years in the next few weeks. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: With the concerted efforts from both sides, the interim agreement on the appointment of bishops between China and the Vatican have been implemented successfully since it was signed around two years ago. Since the beginning of this year, the two sides have lent mutual support to each other amid COVID-19 pandemic, jointly committed to uphold global public health security and accumulated more mutual trust and consensuses.......

[mosesdapoet]

What’ the Vatican response to this
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3787834/posts
and this;
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3787853/posts
and this
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3787838/posts
should be met with crys of enough Pope’s gotta go