Defend Taiwan's independence.Vatican -- Receiving letters of credence letters of credence pl.n. See letter of credence. from a new ambassador of Taiwan on January 30, 2004, the Holy Father declared that the religious and cultural conditions of Taiwan bear witness to the fact that human development should not be limited to economic or material success. Many of the ascetical and mystical mys·ti·cal adj. 1. Of or having a spiritual reality or import not apparent to the intelligence or senses. 2. Of, relating to, or stemming from direct communion with ultimate reality or God: elements of Asian religions teach that it is not material wealth which defines progress but a civilization's ability to foster the transcendent vocation of men and women. The good of society entails that the right to religious freedom must be enshrined in law. The Holy Father's statement is a reminder that it would be unacceptable if Taiwan were to be forced by Western nations to surrender its freedom to join mainland China; the Holy See is one of very few states that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China's Marxist totalitarianism totalitarianism (tōtăl'ĭtâr`ēənĭzəm), a modern autocratic government in which the state involves itself in all facets of society, including the daily life of its citizens. remains unshaken. Recently, it further tightened its control over Hong Kong Hong Kong (hŏng kŏng), Mandarin Xianggang, special administrative region of China, formerly a British crown colony (2005 est. pop. 6,899,000), land area 422 sq mi (1,092 sq km), adjacent to Guangdong prov. ; the colony's hopes for free elections in 2007 are vanishing. Catholics should object to Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs foreign affairs pl.n. Affairs concerning international relations and national interests in foreign countries. downplaying the independence of Taiwan. |
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