Taiwan – China. The Vatican pressed by Beijing at the most difficult moment

China can press on the Vatican to break the relationship with Taiwan – writes “Guardian” on Thursday. The British daily indicates that Beijing could demand from the Holy See to refuse to come to the Taiwan delegation for Franciszek's funeral.

Over 130 cardinals from around the world will take part in the conclave, which will start on May 7, in order to choose the successor of the deceased Francis. When the whole world wonders who will be the next pope, in Taiwanie More often, the question is “who should we send to the inauguration” – writes the British “Guardian”.

At the funeral of Franciszek Taiwan, he was represented by former vice president of this country Chen Chien-Yen, who currently does not perform any official function. Chen expressed the hope that he would not be a representative of his country during the future inauguration of the new head of the Catholic Church. In an interview with “Guardian” he emphasized that he would like the incumbent president of Taiwan Lai Ching-Te to go to Vaticanwhen white smoke raises.

“The reason why Lai Ching -te has not participated in the funeral has not been confirmed, but there are many assumptions and all relate to Beijing,” writes the British daily. The Vatican is one of only 12 capitals around the world that recognize the existence of Taiwan – and the only one in Europe. Until now, the incumbent presidents have participated in the funeral John Paul II And the first mass of Francis, but since then the geopolitical position of the country with the capital in Taipei has become much more difficult.

Communist authorities in China They claim that Taiwan is only a “rebellious province” and are not hiding with the plans of the island's annexation. Taiwan is an independent state lying on an island located at the western end of the Pacific Ocean. Officially, his authorities claim that they are the only legal authority of the Chinese state and after the Chinese civil war ended in 1949, they temporarily had to move to the island between the South China and East Chinese seas.

Presence at the funeral and a question about the inauguration of the future pope

Beijing uses his international position and influence around the globe to cut off Taiwan from international partners and convince them to break diplomatic relations from Taipei. “Experts believe that exactly the same thing now takes place in connection with the funeral in the Vatican,” writes “Guardian”.

After the announcement of Franciszek's death, Taiwan quickly submitted condolences, and the head of diplomacy of this country publicly stated that the island sets himself for the purpose of the president to chair the delegation at the funeral. As the British daily indicates, after a few hours, however, it was the former Vice President of Chen were announced as “the best choice in the circumstances”, after talks with representatives of the Vatican.

“Guardian” also writes about speculations that the Vatican refused the president to come, or at least he asked such a request under the pressure of China. The capitals have not confirmed any of the countries and commented on these reports.

Beijing, in turn, late handed over condolences and submitted them only through the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, no representative was sent from the continental China to the funeral of Francis, which fueled further speculation. The reason for this was to be the refusal response of the Vatican at the request of the ban on the arrival of the delegation from Taiwan.

– We knew that the funeral would be a problem, we knew that China would ask for prohibiting the arrival of the Taiwanese delegation and we knew that the Vatican could not say “no”, but he could not refuse Taiwan as a partner, and because Catholics live there – he said in an interview with “Guardian” Michel Chambon from the National University Singapore.

The presence of representatives of Taiwan during such an event is – apart from giving respect to an ally – also the possibility of meeting global leaders and seeking support in repiring China's possible aggression.

A dilemma in relations with China

During his pontificate, Franciszek placed more emphasis on Catholics speaking in Chinese languages ​​in Asia. The sermon during his funeral ended in Mandarin. “Guardian” points out that 12 million Catholics live in China and Francis supervised significant progress in negotiations with Beijing in order to protect their religious rights.

– We do not know if the new pope will love China just like Francis, but I think that the Vatican will want to continue this heritage – he said in an interview with Dziennik Thomas TU, an expert on Vatican diplomacy from the National University of Chengchi in Taiwan.

According to Michel Chambon, Francis successfully balanced in relations with two countries: he strengthened the bonds with continental China without diminishing the role of Taiwan. – The Holy See does not want to abandon any group of Catholics in the world, including those in Taiwan. Until now, she has successfully maneuvered and opposed the bead of Beijing pressing against breaking relations from Taipei – he explained.

The Taiwanese government claims that he has still not decided who would chair his delegation to the papal inauguration and did not express hope that he was the current president Lai Ching-Te. According to Chambon, the Vatican probably hopes that Chen will come again, i.e. the former vice president.

– The Vatican does not want to refuse Taiwan fully. I think that they would like something similar to the funeral: we will accept a delegation, but we do not want to provoke Beijing – says in an interview with British Dziennik Michel Chambon.

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