Written by Thomas Ching-Wei TU. This second part of the article presents possible suggestions for promoting Taiwan-Vatican relations. For instance, it could review the visa difficulties of foreign clergy and nuns and strengthen educational and technological exchanges. Only through a greater understanding of the Vatican’s special diplomacy can the friendship with Taiwan’s only European diplomatic partner be deepened.
Written by Thomas Ching-Wei TU. This two-part article reflects on Taiwan’s diplomacy with the Holy See from a high-level politics perspective and examines how Taiwan can enhance cooperation. It argues that in addition to calling for religious freedom in China, the Taiwanese should understand the primary goals of the Vatican’s diplomacy and its differences with secular states.
Written by Dr. Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy. This article argues that Taiwan should adopt a pragmatic approach in its relations with the Vatican and the EU more generally. Taiwan should pursue shared humanitarian goals and interests with the Vatican to boost its global image. However, it should also look beyond keeping its diplomatic relations and develop closer partnerships across Europe.
Written by Chit Wai John MOK. This article argues that as a canonist with a missionary zeal, the new pope is more likely to make his chess moves with caution than to stir the waters. He demonstrated in his early dealings with China that at least during this transition period, he is willing to abide by the existing framework.
Written by Alexandre Tsung-ming Chen. During the last five years relations between the Vatican and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have developed at a dramatic pace. Many observers have been surprised at this series of events, even questioning whether the Holy See and PRC will normalise relations in the near future. Since the number of countries officially recognising the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan has fallen from 22 to 17 in the last two years, the Vatican-PRC diplomatic warming has caught Taipei’s attention and contributed to concerns of a diplomatic crisis.
Taiwan Insight 