The president of China's state-sanctioned bishops' conference has pledged to work with the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association to develop the Sinicization of religion in the communist nation.

The press in China does not make any mention of an impending “trade war”—only trade frictions.

The Vatican appointed a retired China-friendly cardinal to head the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong on Monday.

In an instance of a new atmosphere of accommodation between the Vatican and the Chinese Communist authorities, the Vatican has announced that it has recognized two previously excommunicated bishops as heads of dioceses and the Chinese Communist authorities have not interfered with the Vatican's right to handle church affairs in China.

The history is complicated. The hopes are great. The risks might be even greater.