Taiwan President Complains to Pope Francis About Chinese Pressure

Taiwan President Complains to Pope Francis About Chinese Pressure
Incumbent Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen waves to her supporters after her election victory at a rally, outside the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan on Jan. 11, 2020. Tyrone Siu/Reuters
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TAIPEI—Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has written to Pope Francis to complain about Chinese pressure on the island Beijing claims as its own, saying China seeks to threaten its democracy and freedom.

The Vatican is one of just 15 countries that has diplomatic ties with Taiwan and the only one in Europe. But Taiwan has been concerned by the Vatican’s moves to normalize ties with China, especially after a landmark 2018 pact on appointing bishops.