China decides not to send officials to Pope John Paul II funeral 07.04.2005,
BEIJING, April 7 (Itar-Tass) - China �given the present situation� will not send its officials to the funeral of Pope John Paul II, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a briefing Thursday. The diplomat expressed the hope that �the Vatican will take specific measures to create the conditions for the improvement of bilateral relations.� He said Beijing is ready to develop relations with the Vatican only on the conditions of fulfilment of two basic principles. China demands that the Holy See break up relations with Taiwan, recognise the Chinese government as the only legitimate authority representing the interests of the whole China, as well as �stop interfering in Chinese internal affairs under religious pretexts.� Qin Gang also said Beijing has expressed condolences over the death of the Pontiff. The two states broke up diplomatic relations in 1951.
