Taiwan's Chen heads for Pope's funeral as China fumes

TAIPEI/BEIJING - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian left on Thursday for an unprecedented visit to the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul, undermining chances of the Holy See switching ties from Taipei to Beijing.

The Pope's death last Saturday offered an opportunity for detente between Beijing and the Vatican, but China said it was dismayed Chen, president of an island Beijing considers part of its own territory, had been granted a visa and that China would not send an envoy to the funeral.

Beijing cut relations with the Holy See in 1951, two years after the Communists came to power, and expelled foreign clergy. Believers must attend state-sanctioned churches that pledge loyalty to Beijing, although many secretly acknowledge the Pope's authority.

"We have already expressed our dissatisfaction with the Vatican and the Italian side," Chinese Foreign Ministry Qin Gang told a news briefing in Beijing.

Chen's one-day visit to Taiwan's only European ally marks a diplomatic breakthrough for the self-ruled island.

Chen is the first Taiwan president to set foot in Europe while in office. The Vatican is one of only 25 states, mostly Third World countries in Africa and Latin America, that officially recognise Taipei.

The rest of the world has diplomatic ties with China.

Describing his trip as a "journey of peace", Chen said he hoped to join world leaders to pay respect to the Pope and cement diplomatic ties with the Holy See.

"As the Vatican's most faithful partner, we will make every effort to follow the example set by the Pope," Chen said before leaving for Rome on a chartered plane.

"Taiwan will pursue lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait and open the door of reconciliation and dialogue between both sides to respond to the expectations of the international community," said Chen.

He was accompanied by Taiwan Foreign Minister Mark Chen as well as Catholic and Muslim leaders.

But Beijing's Qin said Chen's aim was not to mourn the Pope but to play politics.

"His real purpose is to take the opportunity to engage in secessionist actions to create two Chinas -- one China and one Taiwan -- which is what we firmly oppose," he said.

The row follows comments by Joseph Zen, the head of the Hong Kong Roman Catholic diocese, on Tuesday that the Vatican is reluctantly ready to cut ties with Taiwan and recognise China if Beijing can guarantee religious freedom.

But the Vatican denied any change to its position and Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the island's ties with the Holy See remained strong.

China and the Vatican have shown signs of rapprochement in the past only to hit new lows, and analysts say Beijing, concerned about challenges to Communist Party rule, is unlikely to relinquish control over religious groups.

- REUTERS