Vice President Chen Chien-jen says Taiwan will continue promoting friendly ties with the Vatican. He was speaking in Rome on Sunday night, local time. Chen is in Rome to attend the canonization of Mother Teresa.
At a banquet for the Taiwanese expatriate community and members of the clergy from the Holy See, Chen said that the Vatican is a major ally of the Republic of China.
The Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of Taiwan.
Chen said the two sides have maintained formal diplomatic ties for 74 years. He said both have insisted on religious freedom and compassion, and emphasized the importance of freedom, democracy, human rights, and universal love.
During his trip to Rome, the vice president also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, on Sunday. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said that Parolin had spoken about dialogue between the Vatican and China, saying that it was necessary for evangelical purposes.
The Vatican is the only country in Europe which recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan) rather than the People’s Republic of China.