This is because the Vatican (an “Independent” State) is the only country in Europe to still maintain diplomatic relations with “Taiwan” – and view Taiwan as the “Republic of China” (ROC). The Vatican does NOT recognise the “People’s Republic of China” – as the Roman Catholic Church has a long history of supporting fascism and opposing “Socialism”. The Catholic Church supported Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, provided priests to bless the Nazi and fascist troops invading the USSR, helped thousands of Nazi War Criminals escape Europe after the war, and is fully supportive of Neo-Nazi Ukraine today. The chatter on Chinese-language website in the PRC is of the opinion that Shi Yongxin was up to no good – and this feeds into his “defection” stories, etc. Indeed, it is believed that this might well be a Vatican-inspired intrigue designed to strengthen US foreign policy, bolster the image of Taiwan, and damage the PRC.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 