Chinese government, Catholics welcome outcome of Vatican meeting

Published: 2007-01-25

HONG KONG (CNS) -- The Chinese government said it appreciates the Vatican's willingness to have "constructive dialogue" with China, as expressed in a statement issued after a Vatican meeting to discuss the status of the Catholic community in mainland China. Catholics in China also welcomed the idea of a Vatican commission to monitor the church on the mainland. Responding to reporters' questions on the Jan. 19-20 Vatican meeting and subsequent statement, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said China always has regarded improvement of ties with the Vatican as important and has made unremitting efforts in this regard. In a regular press conference Jan. 23, he said China appreciates the Vatican's willingness to dialogue so as to normalize bilateral relations, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency.

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