Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen told Pope Francis in a letter that war with China is “not an option” and said constructive interaction with Beijing, which claims the island as part of its territory, depends on respect to the autonomous democracy of Taiwan.
Vatican City is the last European government to have diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of Beijing, though the United States and other Western nations maintain extensive informal ties. Taiwanese leaders are concerned about the Vatican’s efforts to develop relations with Beijing.
Tsai, in the letter released by her office, expressed her support for the Vatican’s positions on Russia’s war against Ukraine, “immigrant-friendly policies” and public health.
“We deeply identify with your views,” Tsai wrote.
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Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, December 27, 2022.
(Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Taiwan and China separated in 1949 after a civil war and have no official relations, but are linked by billions of dollars in trade and investment. The Chinese Communist Party regularly flies fighter jets and bombers near Taiwan to enforce its stance that the island is forced to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Tsai highlighted Francis’ January 1 World Day of Peace message that the “virus of war” must be cured. She quoted herself in an October 10 speech in which she rejected the armed conflict in the Taiwan Straits and called for “peace and stability.”
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Chinese President Xi Jinping.
(Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS)
“Armed confrontation is not an option at all,” Tsai wrote.
“Only by respecting the Taiwanese people’s commitment to our sovereignty, democracy and freedom can there be a basis for resuming constructive interaction across the Taiwan Strait,” Tsai’s letter said.
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Pope Francis prays in front of the icon of the Madonna del Popolo, venerated by Belarusians and Ukrainians, during the general audience in the Paul VI Hall. Vatican City, January 11, 2023.
(Grzegorz Galazka/Grzegorz Galazka Archive/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
China intensified its efforts to put pressure on the island, including launching missiles into the sea, after then-US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi became the highest-ranking US official to visit in August. the island in 25 years. Lawmakers from Britain and other countries also visited Taiwan in a show of support for their elected government.
A former Taiwanese vice president under Tsai, Chen Chien-jen, represented the island at the funeral of former Pope Benedict XVI this month.
