VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis’ envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, had “open and cordial” talks in Beijing with a Chinese language authorities official on the necessity to discover methods to peace in Ukraine, the Vatican stated on Thursday (Sep 14).
Assembly with Li Hui, China’s Particular Envoy for Eurasian Affairs, the Italian cardinal additionally addressed the problem of meals safety and blocked grain exports from Ukraine.
The assembly, which “occurred in an open and cordial ambiance, was devoted to the warfare in Ukraine and its dramatic penalties”, an announcement stated.
The 2 sides underlined “the necessity to mix efforts to encourage dialogue and discover paths that result in peace,” the Vatican added.
Since Russian forces swept into Ukraine in February 2022, China has avoided condemning its ally Moscow, though it has repeatedly referred to as for a ceasefire and a political answer to the disaster.
Earlier than his Beijing mission, Zuppi visited Kyiv and Moscow in June and Washington in July as a part of the Holy See’s so-far unsuccessful makes an attempt to convey Ukraine and Russia nearer to the negotiating desk.
China’s willingness to carry talks with the papal envoy has been seen as vital, given the troublesome relations between Beijing and the Vatican.
The Vatican has bilateral relations with democratically ruled Taiwan however not China, which claims the island as a part of its territory. The Vatican is the one state in Europe to recognise Taipei.
Sino-Vatican ties have additionally been strained as a consequence of variations over the appointments of bishops in China. The Vatican complains that Beijing has named bishops unilaterally a number of instances, violating a landmark 2018 pact.
