Pope Signals Closeness to (Red) China and Distance from Taiwan and Hong Kong ROME — Pope Francis sent subtle but clear signals of closeness to Beijing while distancing himself from Taiwan and Hong Kong during his flight to Japan from Thailand Saturday. In a series of telegrams to officials of the three territories, the pope disclosed the current diplomatic position of the Vatican regarding key Asian conflicts. Especially revealing was the wording of the pontiff’s telegrams to China and Taiwan and the different manner in which he described each nation.