BEIJING — On Tuesday, the Chinese government announced that it has reached an agreement with the Vatican to extend their provisional deal regarding the appointment of Catholic bishops in China for an additional four years.

The original agreement, established in 2018 and renewed twice previously, aimed to address long-standing tensions over the governance of the Catholic Church in China. Despite facing ongoing disagreements since its inception, this fragile reconciliation has thus far remained intact.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, confirmed the extension, stating that both parties will uphold communication and dialogue in a constructive manner while continuing to enhance relations between China and the Vatican.

During this year alone, Pope Francis has made efforts to engage with China during two separate visits to Asia. Notably, he reiterated his hope to visit the country while returning from Singapore last month.

The Vatican’s formal relationship with China was cut off over seventy years ago when the Communist Party assumed control of the country. Currently, there are approximately 12 million Catholics in China, who are split between a government-recognized church and an underground faction that remains loyal to the Vatican.

Tensions have arisen due to China’s insistence on its sole authority to appoint bishops, viewing it as a matter of national sovereignty. Conversely, the Vatican maintains that the pope holds the divine right to select successors of the Apostles.

The 2018 deal was an attempt to reconcile these conflicting views, although Rome has since recognized it was an unfavorable arrangement, noting that it was the only option available at the time. The Vatican’s outreach towards China under Pope Francis has faced criticism, particularly from American conservatives, who argue that the Vatican has neglected those faithful Catholics who have been pushed underground.