China Philharmonic Orchestra to perform in Vatican

Beijing approached the Vatican to let the China Philharmonic Orchestra perform for Pope Benedict in an unprecedented concert that could help improve often thorny relations, Church sources said yesterday.

The sources said the Vatican realised that China is trying to improve its international image but that Church officials hope the performance could be a seed for eventual diplomatic relations. However, they cautioned not to expect any immediate breakthroughs following tomorrow night's concert at the Vatican.

"I don't think they (the communist government) are doing it out of love for the Pope or love of the Holy See but it will be positive in the end," said a priest who is familiar with the situation.

The orchestra, currently on a European tour, will perform Mozart's Requiem and Chinese folk songs along with the Shanghai Opera House Chorus in the Vatican audience hall.

Pope Benedict has made improving relations with Beijing a major goal of his pontificate and issued a 55-page open letter in June saying he sought to restore full diplomatic ties with China that were severed two years after the 1949 Communist takeover.

Catholics in China are split between those who belong to a state-backed Church and an underground Church whose members are loyal to the Vatican.

"It's very important that they made the offer again," the priest said. "It will be positive for the Chinese people to see the Pope too," adding that he expected the concert to be broadcast on Chinese television.

Another source said the Chinese were clearly "shopping for good will" in an effort to improve China's international image, tarnished by recent unrest in Tibet and disruptions of the international leg of the Olympic torch relay.