China, Vatican agreement imminent: Taiwan ministry

Taiwan said Thursday that a historic agreement between China and the Vatican was likely to be imminent, but remained hopeful the move would not result in it losing its only diplomatic ally in Europe.

The foreign ministry said it had obtained information from "various sources" that an agreement between the Vatican and China on "religious affairs" was most likely to be signed in September or October.

Speculation has been rife that the Vatican is moving closer to an agreement with China over the major stumbling bloc of who ordains bishops. But there are fears that would put Taiwan's official ties with the Vatican at risk, as