China silent on possible Vatican delegation to Beijing
‘Effective contacts’ maintained throughout talks on bishop appointments
China’s foreign ministry has refused to elaborate on a newspaper report that the Vatican could send a delegation to Beijing before the end of this month to clinch a deal on the appointment of bishops.
Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he had no information to provide on any visit by a Vatican delegation.
“China and the Vatican have all along been maintaining effective contacts,” he told a daily news briefing, without elaborating.
The Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily newspaper, said there were no “disputes on issues of principle” between the two and an agreement could be reached.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the tabloid said the Vatican may soon send a delegation to China before both sides reach the agreement.
It added that a Vatican source last week also confirmed that a prominent figure from the Holy See would probably come to China in late September, without further elaborating.