So when the Vatican says that they may cut ties to Taiwan and establish formal ties with China, this would seem to verify that Chinese power is being recognized and that Taiwan is being left to wither on the vine:
The Vatican is reluctantly ready to cut ties with Taiwan and recognize China if Beijing can guarantee religious freedom, the head of the Hong Kong Roman Catholic diocese said on Tuesday.
The price that the Vatican is demanding?
"If the Chinese government is willing to grant real freedom to the church in mainland China, then the Vatican would reluctantly be willing to give up its diplomatic relations with Taiwan," [Bishop Joseph ] Zen said.
The Chinese Catholics that must hide from the Chinese authorities would certainly appreciate a measure of protection. But the Chinese seem to have an odd attitude given their facade of power. Consider reaction of China to the death of Pope John Paul II:
From Beijing's old official churches to underground congregations in the countryside, China's Catholics were marking the burial of Pope John Paul II despite an official blackout on the ceremony.
A confident government with a strong ideology wouldn't hide the ceremony. Especially with the Church which is hardly a majority religion in China. But like Falun Gong, an alternative belief system that can fill the void of hollow communism is a threat.
Given the role of the Church in bringing down Soviet Communism and their empire in Eastern Europe, you'd think the thugs of Peking would be wary of accepting the Roman "gift" of abandoning Taiwan into their Middle Kingdom. Anything that gives hope to those who struggle and sometimes riot under the provocations of poverty and anger against the authorities could bypass the Great Wall and bring down the regime.
Interesting times, indeed.
