Taiwanese Vice President Chen Chien-jen would visit the Vatican next week, as Taiwan seeks to cement its relationship with its only European ally amid the growing rapprochement between Beijing and the Holy See.   

During his six-day visit to the holy city, Chen Chien-jen will attend a host of functions including the canonisation of Mother Teresa. He would also attend a Mass and visit the birthplace of St Francis, the South China Morning Post reported.

Like Us on Facebook

"We share the same values with the Holy See based on religious freedom and human rights. Our relations with the Holy See are very stable and there's no problem looking from now to the future," Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Chih-chung said after officially announcing the trip.              

The Taiwanese vice president's visit to Vatican comes at a time when the holy city is making friendly overtures towards China. In February, Pope Francis praised China without making any critical statement about the country's restriction on religious practices.

China broke diplomatic ties with the Vatican following a complicated incident in 1951. Since then both countries have never shared any official ties. In the past, several attempts to restore diplomatic relations between both sides have failed due to China's condition that the Holy See cuts all diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The Vatican is one of the 22 countries and the only country in the European continent that officially recognizes Taiwan. It is important for Taiwan to sustain ties with its only European ally to maintain diplomatic clout against China.

In the past, China has successfully poached several of Taiwan's allies by promising economic aid and investment. China claims that Taiwan is a wayward province that is awaiting unification with mainland China. Taiwan separated from mainland in 1949, following a prolong civil war.

TagsTaiwan, china, Chen Chien-jen, Vatican, China and Vatican, Taiwan and Vatican