Abstract

Since the early 1950s bilateral relations between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China have been strained especially by the suppression of the catholic church and the Christian religion in China, by Papal diplomacy vis-à-vis Taiwan and by historical burdens of the Holy See's attitude towards western imperialism and Japanese expansionism in the 19th and 20th centuries. After relatively persistent tensions during the pontificate of John Paul II., Benedict XVI. has been trying to restart the political dialogue between the Chinese government and the Holy See. In May 2007 he published a letter to the catholic church in China in which he summarized the Holy See's essential positions, especially as far as religious freedom and the implementation of canonical law are concerned. This paper gives an overview of the current situation of the bilateral relations and evaluates the political impact of Benedict's XVI. letter which can also be interpreted as an open challenge of the People's Republic's power elites.