Caption: China and the Vatican concluded an agreement on the appointment of bishops in China. ROC (Taiwan)’s ambassador Matthew Lee (right) expressed that the significance of this agreement is that the Chinese Communist Party recognizes the leadership status of the Pope in China’s Catholic community for the first time, which breaks the old-fashioned dogma of “non-interference in China’s domestic affairs from foreign countries.”

China and the Vatican concluded an agreement on the appointment of bishops in China. ROC (Taiwan)’s ambassador Matthew S.M. Lee expressed that, the significance of this agreement is that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recognizes the leadership status of the Pope in China’s Catholic community for the first time, which breaks the old-fashioned dogma of “non-interference in China’s domestic affairs from foreign countries.”

Lee said that the signing of the agreement shows China’s flexibility, which marks a major victory to the revisionists in China.

Lee pointed out that similarly, based on the significance and connotation of this agreement, the Communist Party should revise the old-fashioned “one-China” dogma that contradicts with the facts when facing cross-strait issues, should demonstrate greater flexibility, and should restore construct dialogue across the Taiwan Strait, so as to push for peace and stability in the region and the world, and contribute to the prosperous development in Taiwan and China.

Lee indicated that the CCP has reiterated that China’s religions and foreign religions are not unaffiliated with each other, and foreign countries should not interfere in China’s domestic affairs. This unprecedented agreement has recognized the Pope’s leadership status in China’s Catholic community. The CCP’s flexibility in this regard can serve as an inspiration for the development of other religions in China, which will gradually contribute to China’s religious freedom.

However, this agreement has led to strong resistance from the underground churches in China. Lee said this agreement has a long-lasting impact on the development of Catholicism and the destiny of the underground church members in China, and it deserves continuous attention and prayer.

Sources indicated that leaders of China and the Vatican expressed that the bishop appointment agreement only involved religious matters. Issues regarding formal diplomatic ties between China and the Vatican or the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Taiwan were not mentioned.

Lee expressed that this agreement aims to resolve religious issues of Catholicism in China. However, some purposefully manipulated this issue, trying to affect the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Vatican. He hoped Taiwan nationals and international friends would not be misled by the false reports that distorted facts.

(By Central News Agency Huang Ya-shi)