Chinese foreign ministry said today that it has extended the deal on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the country with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-needs-to-open-itself-to-human-rights-scrutiny-and-allows-victims-to-access-justice-335586">Vatican</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-backs-civil-union-laws-for-same-sex-couples-337010">Also Read:&nbsp;Pope Francis backs civil union laws for same-sex couples</a>

The Vatican had signed the agreement with China two years ago which expires today.

According to the accord, the Pope has the final say over the appointment of Chinese bishops and the Chinese government allows all of them.

"After friendly consultations, both sides agreed to the extension of the deal for two years," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, adding, "The two sides will maintain close communication and consultation, and continue to push forward the process of improving relations."

The issue was raised recently by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who had said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China as he denounced Xi regime's record on religious freedom.

Amid the row, Pope Francis declined an audience with Pompeo with the pope declaring that he avoids meeting politicians ahead of elections with the US polls set on November 3.

There are some roadblocks between the Vatican and China as well with the Vatican recognizing self-ruled Taiwan even as China flexes its muscle in the Taiwan Straits with military drills amid heightened tensions.

Chinese foreign ministry said today that it has extended the deal on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the country with the Vatican. Also Read: Pope Francis backs civil union laws for same-sex couples The Vatican had signed the agreement with China two years ago which expires today.

Chinese foreign ministry said today that it has extended the deal on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the country with the Vatican. Also Read: Pope Francis backs civil union laws for same-sex couples The Vatican had signed the agreement with China two years ago which expires today. According to the accord, the Pope has the final say over the appointment of Chinese bishops and the Chinese government allows all of them. "After friendly consultations, both sides agreed to the extension of the deal for two years," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, adding, "The two sides will maintain close communication and consultation, and continue to push forward the process of improving relations." The issue was raised recently by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who had said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China as he denounced Xi regime's record on religious freedom. Amid the row, Pope Francis declined an audience with Pompeo with the pope declaring that he avoids meeting politicians ahead of elections with the US polls set on November 3. There are some roadblocks between the Vatican and China as well with the Vatican recognizing self-ruled Taiwan even as China flexes its muscle in the Taiwan Straits with military drills amid heightened tensions.

Vatican, China renew bishop appointment deal for two years

A Chinese court on Monday sentenced pastor Wang Yi to nine years in prison on charges of "inciting subversion"&nbsp;of state power.

The court ordered authorities to confiscate the pastor's property&nbsp;who belonged to Early Rain Covenant Church in China.

Wang Yi was also deprived of his political rights, according to reports.

The court also found the pastor guilty of &nbsp;"illegal business operation". Wang was detained last year by Chinese authorities.

Wang was convicted in Chengdu where the Early Rain Covenant Church was based.

In June, the Vatican had called for China&nbsp;not to intimidate Catholics who were still choosing to worship at underground churches that refuse to swear allegiance to the official state church.

Pope Francis had recognised seven clergy appointed by China as part of a deal between Beijing and the Vatican.

In August, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association had ordained Yao Shun as bishop of the diocese of Ulanqab in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Chinese law mandates priests and bishops to register with the country's official church.

A Chinese court on Monday sentenced pastor Wang Yi to nine years in prison on charges of "inciting subversion" of state power. The court ordered authorities to confiscate the pastor's property who belonged to Early Rain Covenant Church in China.

A Chinese court on Monday sentenced pastor Wang Yi to nine years in prison on charges of "inciting subversion" of state power. The court ordered authorities to confiscate the pastor's property who belonged to Early Rain Covenant Church in China. Wang Yi was also deprived of his political rights, according to reports. The court also found the pastor guilty of "illegal business operation". Wang was detained last year by Chinese authorities. Wang was convicted in Chengdu where the Early Rain Covenant Church was based. In June, the Vatican had called for China not to intimidate Catholics who were still choosing to worship at underground churches that refuse to swear allegiance to the official state church. Pope Francis had recognised seven clergy appointed by China as part of a deal between Beijing and the Vatican. In August, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association had ordained Yao Shun as bishop of the diocese of Ulanqab in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Chinese law mandates priests and bishops to register with the country's official church.

China court sentences pastor to nine years in jail for 'inciting subversion'

The landmark deal between China and the Vatican is a win for Beijing, giving official recognition to bishops appointed by the government despite a crackdown on religion, and potentially softening the ground for full diplomatic relations after 67 years of estrangement, analysts said.

The two sides signed a provisional agreement on Saturday on who gets to name senior churchmen, an issue that has bedevilled ties for decades, and China quickly said it hoped for an improvement in relations.

That is bound to mean consequences for self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province, and which has watched helplessly in recent years as its giant neighbour has picked off its few remaining diplomatic partners.

With its outsized international influence, the Vatican is the most important of Taiwan's 17 remaining friends, and its only European partner.

The agreement on bishops makes no mention of diplomatic relations, but some see the writing on the wall.

"It's difficult not to see this as the first step towards a switch," said Jonathan Sullivan, a China expert at the University of Nottingham.

"It's not on the cards yet, but Beijing has made no secret of its desire to poach Taiwan's most important remaining ally."

Ying Fuk-tsang, a professor of divinity at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said Beijing is bound to use any new leverage to seek the Holy See's recognition.

The current Taiwan government has taken a toughened line against Beijing, which knows that turning the Vatican would be "a major blow to Taiwan's diplomacy," Ying said.

'Sinicisation' of religion

Beijing and the Vatican severed ties in 1951, two years after the Communist Party seized power.

The party tolerates no alternative power centres and a decades-long impasse has played out over who presides over the now roughly 12 million-strong Catholic faithful -- communist-approved prelates or those who preach to "underground" pro-Rome churches.

Since taking office in 2013, Pope Francis has sought to improve ties with China.&nbsp;

As part of the deal, the pope recognised seven Beijing-appointed bishops. No other details were disclosed.

The apparent Vatican concession is striking because it comes as China is waging a broad religious crackdown.

President Xi Jinping has moved aggressively to tighten the Communist Party's grip on all aspects of society, including worship.

Top leaders have recently called for the "Sinicisation" of religion, code for greater party control.

In China's remote western Xinjiang region, UN estimates say one million members of Muslim minorities are held in internment camps where rights groups say they face communist indoctrination.

Christian worshippers and clergy in central China told AFP recently that "illegal" churches were being raided or bulldozed, and religious materials confiscated.

Churches have been required to display the national flag while removing religious imagery from public-facing spaces, and paperwork seen by AFP shows clergy are being pressured to divulge personal information about parishioners.

Underground clergy told AFP they remain fearful because the agreement does not mention safeguards for them or their followers, with one priest saying worshippers "doubt the sincerity" of the government.

An official priest in close contact with the underground community said that while the deal solves the problem of the seven bishops, it says nothing about how future bishops will be appointed.

"And it cannot solve the real problem and situation of the church."

'Not a zero-sum game'

China's religious crackdown has drawn growing overseas criticism, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday deploring "awful abuses" in Xinjiang.

He added that Christians were suffering too as authorities are "closing churches, burning Bibles" or forcing them "to renounce their faith."

But Francesco Sisci, an Italian Sinologist at China's Renmin University, said a rapprochement could provide the Vatican with now-scarce leverage in China because it will now get at least some recognition from Beijing.

"It's not a football match, it's not a zero-sum game. Both sides hopefully gained a lot in this," Sisci said.

"It is true that dozens of churches are being torn down, at least partially. But thousands more are standing or being built."

"It will be not be easy, but if the Vatican doesn't try to help now, when should it?"

The landmark deal between China and the Vatican is a win for Beijing, giving official recognition to bishops appointed by the government despite a crackdown on religion, and potentially softening the ground for full diplomatic relations after 67 years of estrangement, analysts said.

The landmark deal between China and the Vatican is a win for Beijing, giving official recognition to bishops appointed by the government despite a crackdown on religion, and potentially softening the ground for full diplomatic relations after 67 years of estrangement, analysts said. The two sides signed a provisional agreement on Saturday on who gets to name senior churchmen, an issue that has bedevilled ties for decades, and China quickly said it hoped for an improvement in relations. That is bound to mean consequences for self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province, and which has watched helplessly in recent years as its giant neighbour has picked off its few remaining diplomatic partners. With its outsized international influence, the Vatican is the most important of Taiwan's 17 remaining friends, and its only European partner. The agreement on bishops makes no mention of diplomatic relations, but some see the writing on the wall. "It's difficult not to see this as the first step towards a switch," said Jonathan Sullivan, a China expert at the University of Nottingham. "It's not on the cards yet, but Beijing has made no secret of its desire to poach Taiwan's most important remaining ally." Ying Fuk-tsang, a professor of divinity at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said Beijing is bound to use any new leverage to seek the Holy See's recognition. The current Taiwan government has taken a toughened line against Beijing, which knows that turning the Vatican would be "a major blow to Taiwan's diplomacy," Ying said. 'Sinicisation' of religion Beijing and the Vatican severed ties in 1951, two years after the Communist Party seized power. The party tolerates no alternative power centres and a decades-long impasse has played out over who presides over the now roughly 12 million-strong Catholic faithful -- communist-approved prelates or those who preach to "underground" pro-Rome churches. Since taking office in 2013, Pope Francis has sought to improve ties with China. As part of the deal, the pope recognised seven Beijing-appointed bishops. No other details were disclosed. The apparent Vatican concession is striking because it comes as China is waging a broad religious crackdown. President Xi Jinping has moved aggressively to tighten the Communist Party's grip on all aspects of society, including worship. Top leaders have recently called for the "Sinicisation" of religion, code for greater party control. In China's remote western Xinjiang region, UN estimates say one million members of Muslim minorities are held in internment camps where rights groups say they face communist indoctrination. Christian worshippers and clergy in central China told AFP recently that "illegal" churches were being raided or bulldozed, and religious materials confiscated. Churches have been required to display the national flag while removing religious imagery from public-facing spaces, and paperwork seen by AFP shows clergy are being pressured to divulge personal information about parishioners. Underground clergy told AFP they remain fearful because the agreement does not mention safeguards for them or their followers, with one priest saying worshippers "doubt the sincerity" of the government. An official priest in close contact with the underground community said that while the deal solves the problem of the seven bishops, it says nothing about how future bishops will be appointed. "And it cannot solve the real problem and situation of the church." 'Not a zero-sum game' China's religious crackdown has drawn growing overseas criticism, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday deploring "awful abuses" in Xinjiang. He added that Christians were suffering too as authorities are "closing churches, burning Bibles" or forcing them "to renounce their faith." But Francesco Sisci, an Italian Sinologist at China's Renmin University, said a rapprochement could provide the Vatican with now-scarce leverage in China because it will now get at least some recognition from Beijing. "It's not a football match, it's not a zero-sum game. Both sides hopefully gained a lot in this," Sisci said. "It is true that dozens of churches are being torn down, at least partially. But thousands more are standing or being built." "It will be not be easy, but if the Vatican doesn't try to help now, when should it?"

China comes out ahead in Vatican deal: Analysts

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Vatican, China renew bishop appointment deal for two years

China court sentences pastor to nine years in jail for 'inciting subversion'

China comes out ahead in Vatican deal: Analysts