VP Headed to Vatican to Shore Up Bilateral Ties?|鞏固台梵邦誼 傳陳建仁十月訪教廷

After China and the Holy See signed a "provisional agreement" on the appointment of bishops, Cardinal and Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong Joseph Zen said on Sept. 26 that this is a sign the Holy See will end formal relations with Taiwan. Former R.O.C. President Chen Shui-bian also responded on Facebook, predicting the Holy See would formally establish diplomatic ties with China at the end of the year. The Tsai administration disagrees, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying bilateral ties are very stable. There are also reports that Vice President Chen Chien-jen will lead a delegation to the Vatican in October in the hopes of stabilizing relations.


The Holy See is the R.O.C.'s sole remaining diplomatic ally in Europe, but its new bishop appointment agreement with China could mean the end of formal bilateral relations. Vice President Chen Chien-jen will reportedly lead a delegation to the Vatican in October in the hopes of fortifying bilateral relations.

(Mr. Vice President, are you going to the Vatican in October to try to save bilateral relations?) Thank you, thank you.

Chen declined to comment on the reports. Cardinal Joseph Zen, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, said on the 26th the agreement is a sign the Holy See plans to give up formal relations with Taiwan. Zen characterized the move as a stab in the back and said in the absence of concrete content, the agreement is disappointing and will not improve the plight of China's underground Catholics.

The agreement is disappointing. I hope the Vatican can clarify things for us.

Former President Chen Shui-bian issued a prediction on Facebook that China would officially establish diplomatic ties with the Holy See at the end of the year to influence Taiwan's elections. The Tsai administration, meanwhile, is in full denial mode with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintaining the agreement has no political or diplomatic implications whatsoever and that bilateral relations are extremely stable.

We respect former President Chen's statement. Taiwan-Vatican relations are stable right now, and a high-level delegation from Taiwan will also attend the Vatican's canonization ceremony for the former Pope Paul VI.

Chen Chien-jen is a member of the Catholic faith and familiar with church affairs. Asked if Chen will attend the canonization ceremony of Pope Paul VI in the Vatican next month, the ministry said the president decides who goes.