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 BEIJING (AP) - The Chinese government said on Thursday it will not send an envoy to Pope John Paul II's funeral due to its long-standing policy of refusing to recognize states that have diplomatic relations with rival Taiwan.
The Vatican is the only European government that has official relations with the island of Taiwan instead of Beijing.
The Chinese government said this week it would consider opening relations with the Holy See only if it breaks ties with Taiwan and avoids interference in Chinese affairs.
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