China, Vatican vow to improve their relations

China will work with the Vatican on a constructive dialogue and promote the improvement of bilateral relations, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday after Pope Francis sent a message to President Xi Jinping while flying over China the day before.

Currently, China and the Vatican have no formal relations.

"We have noticed the remarks of Pope Francis. China has always been sincere about improving relations with the Vatican and has been making positive efforts to do that," Hua Chunying, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman, said.