China calls on the Vatican to take concrete action to sweep away obstacles to the improvement of bilateral relations, and to create a helpful atmosphere and surroundings for the restoration of dialogue and contact between the two, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sun Yuxi said Tuesday.

Sun said China had noted that in a message addressed to an international conference in Rome on the Rev. Matteo Ricci, a 17th-century Jesuit missionary, Pope John Paul II had expressed his sadness and regret for the wrongs committed against the Chinese people by some Catholic missionaries.

The Chinese government acknowledged the expression was made in a positive manner, but regretted the Vatican failed to apologize for the issue of "canonization" which occurred last year and which deeply hurt the Chinese people.

Sun said that China and the Vatican had made efforts to improve bilateral ties, but progress was stalled by a new obstacle last year when the Vatican, in disregard of China's strong opposition, on October 1 held a ceremony for the "canonization" of a number of foreign missionaries and their followers, who committed notorious crimes in China.

The spokesman reiterated that China is willing to improve relations with the Vatican and China's stand on this issue is very clear.

First, the Vatican must terminate "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan, and acknowledge that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory.

Second, the Vatican should promise that it will not interfere in China's internal affairs, including any intervention under the pretext of religious affairs.

Sun said China hopes the Vatican will make earnest efforts to get rid of the obstacles in a bid to improve its relations with China.

(People's Daily October 31,2001)