After an extended period of disagreement and diplomatic conflict, the Pope has extended an olive branch to the Catholics in China, and indirectly to the governing authorities, via a meeting and pastoral letter to follow.
Christians from across the region joined a Chinese monk from the Trappist order, the Rev Nicholas Kao Se-tsean, who is believed to be one of the world's oldest Roman Catholic priests, as he celebrated a remarkable 110th birthday with family and friends in Hong Kong - reports Francis Wong for Ecumenical News International (ENI).
The Vatican has issued a strong statement against the episcopal ordination of Fr John Wang Renlei on 30 November 2006, at Xuzhou in the province of Jiangsu, China.