The decision by the Vatican and China on Tuesday to extend an accord on the appointment of Catholic bishops in the communist country for four years indicates a new level of trust between the two parties,

China and the Vatican have agreed to extend a provisional agreement on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China for four more years.

Critics argue the pact legitimizes China’s control over church affairs, while defenders say it helps support Catholics faithful to the Vatican in the Communist country.

China and the Vatican have agreed to extend an accord on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China for a longer period of four years, Beijing said on Tuesday. The Vatican struck a landmark deal with the Beijing government in 2018.

On Tuesday Vatican and Chinese authorities announced that they had extended a controversial agreement on episcopal appointments for a third time, this time extending it by four years rather than two.

The renewal comes days after a report from the Hudson Institute detailed how seven Catholic bishops in China have been detained without due process, while other bishops have experienced intense pressure,

"The two sides will maintain talks with a constructive spirit and continue to promote the improvement of China-Vatican relations."

China and the Vatican have agreed to extend an agreement concerning the appointment of Chinese bishops, the two parties said on Tuesday. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular press briefing in Beijing that both parties had decided to extend the agreement by four years after “friendly consultations”.

ROME, OCT 22 - The Holy See on Tuesday renewed its agreement with China on the appointment of Beijing-approved bishops for four years and said dialogue was continuing on full freedom of worship in the Asian country.