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_WORLD WATCH______________________________
______________________CHINA____________________
Pope is not welcome
But Beijing says door remains ajar
The government of China remains adamantly opposed to the notion of a visit by Pope John Paul II, according to Italian press reports.
Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato reportedly mentioned the prospect of a papal visit during a January visit to Beijing, in discussions with Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongii. The Chinese leader rejected the idea, the media reports indicate, citing the “offense” against China caused by the Vatican’s October canonization of 120 Chinese martyrs. Zhu Rongii mentioned the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Taiwan as a subject of discord.
According to the Italian daily Il Messaggero, Zhu Rongii nevertheless claimed that in spite of the “open wounds” inflicted by the Vatican, “the dialogue is not considered closed.” But he said that the Vatican would have to take the first step to resume discussions.