China says has made real efforts toward establishing Vatican relations

BEIJING (Reuters) – China has made real efforts toward establishing relations with the Vatican, a Chinese religious affairs official said on Tuesday.

Chen Zongrong, who was vice-administrator of the State Administration for Religious Affairs until the government combined it with another agency in a recent restructuring, made the comment at a news briefing.

Xiao Hong, a former spokeswoman of the agency, said China was actively pursuing talks with the Vatican.

(Reporting by Christian Shepherd)