China which is yet to establish diplomatic ties with the Vatican today said it is making "relentless efforts" to open communication lines with the Pope and improve relations.
"China is sincere about improving relations with Vatican and we have been making relentless efforts to that end," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media briefing here.
We would like to open communication lines between the two sides and work together with the Vatican to press ahead with the improvement of the relationship, he said replying to a question that Pope Francis is pushing for better relations with China.
Relations between the two remained frosty for decades as the Communist nation was cagy about permitting Papal authority over the churches and Christian community in China.
"We also hope that Vatican will take flexible and practical attitude to create favourable condition to improve the relationship," Lu said.
Recent reports said both the Pope and the Chinese President Xi Jinping had made efforts to improve relations.
The ruling Communist of Party of China has remained largely atheistic and discourages its members from practicing any religion though it permits practice of religion in general.
Unofficial estimates say China has over 65 million Christians including Catholics, Protestants as well as other church groups but Beijing insists that the appointment of top priest should rest with the government not with Vatican.
China, before the advent of Communist rule in 1949, was predominantly influenced by Buddhism which was brought to the country by the Chinese monks like Xuan Zang during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
However, Christianity has taken deep roots in the country in recent decades despite restrictions.
Buddhism still remains a dominant faith in China but Christianity is regarded as the fastest growing religion.
China also has over 21 million Muslims which include Uyghurs in Xinjiang and Hui community in Xinjiang and Ningxia provinces.
