Taiwan appears to have backed down on sending its president to Pope Francis’ funeral after discussions with the Vatican, one of the island’s only diplomatic allies.
Earlier, Taiwan foreign ministry’s said that ensuring President Lai Ching-te attendance was its “most important aim.”
Democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has official relations with just 11 countries including Vatican City. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
“After discussions between the two sides,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry said, it was decided that Lai’s special envoy at the funeral would be former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic who met Francis six times and “had a close relationship” with him.
China, which has been improving ties with the Vatican in recent years, has not said who it might send to attend the funeral on Saturday. Many countries, including the U.S., are sending their heads of state.
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