NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      HONG KONG (CWNews.com) - Newspaper in Hong Kong reported on Tuesday that China and Portugal have disagreed over Portugal's plan to invite a papal envoy to attend ceremonies marking the handover of the Portugese colony of Macau to Communist China on December 20.

      The controversy followed reports on Monday that China had refused permission for Pope John Paul II to visit Hong Kong during his visit to Asia later this year. While Chinese sources said the Vatican's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan was at the center of dispute, Church sources said the decision revolved around China's ban of the Church on the mainland while setting up a Communist-controlled Catholic organization.

      The South China Morning Post newspaper said China told Portugal that it doesn't want a papal envoy on the guest list when Macau is returned to China after 442 years of Portugese rule. "The Taiwan issue is hindering the finalization of talks," the Post quoted a European diplomat as saying. In Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official who spoke on customary condition of anonymity said China and Portugal agreed they would not invite guests from any countries with which they did not have diplomatic relations.

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