CHINA has reawakened speculation that it could be ready to establish ties with the Vatican, broken off in the 1950s when fervent followers of Mao Zedong dismissed religion to ensure the unchallenged command of communism.

“We’re sincere about establishing ties with the Vatican,” Kong Quan, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said. “We hope that under the leadership of the new Pope, the Vatican will create a more favourable environment to bring about ties between China and the Vatican.”

For China, the establishment of formal ties with Rome is not solely a matter of diplomacy but a battle for the hearts and minds of millions of its people.

The Chinese Communist Party and the Holy See have shown signs in recent months of edging towards talks that could lead to diplomatic relations. But a big obstacle is the belief of both sides that they each lay first claim to the devotion of the faithful.

Beijing would like the Vatican to switch ties from Taiwan, which China sees as a rebellious province. Bishop Joseph Zen, the pastoral head of the Diocese of Hong Kong, told The Times: “The Holy See has always a great desire to come to some agreement. I hope Beijing will show the same interest.”

But the Communist Party knows it may have to pay a high price for such ties. For its part, the Catholic Church wants Beijing to ensure greater freedom for the estimated 12 million Catholics in China, many members of an often persecuted underground Church.

Liu Bonian, chairman of the Catholic Patriotic Association of China, the official church, said: “The situation of Catholics in China has never been as good as it is now.” About 100,000 new faithful are admitted to the Church each year, and the total is estimated officially at 5.3 million, compared with 2.7 million when the Communists swept to power in 1949. Last year alone, 300 new churches opened, he said.

The outspoken Bishop Zen says that the situation is not so simple in a country that has had a turbulent relationship with religion. Beijing cut formal ties and expelled foreign clergy in the 1950s, churches and religious sites were destroyed or desecrated in the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution and today several unofficial bishops and priests are serving prison terms.

“Diplomatic relations for the Holy See are for a pastoral purpose, because without this we cannot care for so many faithful in China,” Bishop Zen said.As more freedoms have gained a foothold after economic reform in China, most Catholics are now able to worship without fear. However, many still belong to the underground Church that pledges allegiance to Rome, although the divide between official and underground Church runs down urban and rural lines.

In the weeks since his election, Pope Benedict XVI has fuelled expectations of a switch in Vatican relations by voicing a desire to meet countries with which the Holy See had no ties, seen as a clear reference to China. But a major stumbling block lies in the appointment of bishops, a right the Vatican holds as its own but which Beijing insists it will not abandon.

“They must understand that this is a completely religious matter and in no way harms the dignity of any country,” Bishop Zen said.

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