(C) CHINA'S RELATIONS WITH THE VATICAN

S E C R E T STATE 009311


NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2035
TAGS: PINR KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL CH VT
SUBJECT: (C) CHINA'S RELATIONS WITH THE VATICAN
(C-AL9-02596)

REF: A. VATICAN 000061

B. VATICAN 000128

Classified By: ELISSA G. PITTERLE, DIRECTOR, INR/OPS


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS GREATLY APPRECIATE REFTELS
FOR PROVIDING INSIGHT INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINA AND
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. IN PARTICULAR, REF B SUGGESTS THAT
BEIJING'S WILLINGNESS TO PERMIT CARITAS' CHARITY WORK, EVEN
WHEN ENGAGING WITH THE UNDERGROUND CHURCH, IS A SIGN OF
CHINA'S GROWING BELIEF IN THE VALUE OF CHARITABLE SERVICES
PROVIDED BY RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES. WE STILL LACK
INFORMATION, HOWEVER, ON CHINESE LEADERSHIP'S STRATEGIC
THINKING TOWARD RELATIONS WITH THE VATICAN. AS TIME AND
RESOURCES ALLOW, ANY ADDITIONAL INSIGHT FROM POST ON THE
VATICAN'S ATTITUDE TOWARD BEIJING, ALONG THE LINES OF THE
QUESTIONS POSED IN PARAS A-C, WOULD HELP OUR ANALYSIS ON THIS
SUBJECT. MANY THANKS, AND WARM REGARDS.


A. (S/REL TO USA, AUS, CAN, GBR, NZL) WHAT CONCESSIONS
WOULD THE VATICAN BE WILLING TO MAKE TO BEIJING IN ORDER TO
ESTABLISH RELATIONS, AND WHAT ARE THE REDLINES THE VATICAN
WILL NOT CROSS?


B. (S/REL TO USA, AUS, CAN, GBR, NZL) DOES THE VATICAN
STILL PLAN TO DROP FORMAL RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN IN FAVOR OF
THE PRC, AND IF SO, WHAT IS THE VATICAN'S TIMEFRAME FOR ANY
CHANGES? WHICH VATICAN OFFICIALS ARE MOST INVOLVED OR
INFLUENTIAL REGARDING THIS ISSUE? WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF POPE
BENEDICT XVI'S INVOLVEMENT?


C. (S/REL TO USA, AUS, CAN, GBR, NZL) WHO ARE CHINA'S KEY
VATICAN CONTACTS?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-02596 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.

CLINTON