«IZVESTIYA IRKUTSKOGO GOSUDARSTVENNOGO UNIVERSITETA». SERIYA «POLITOLOGIYA. RELIGIOVEDENIE»
«THE BULLETIN OF IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY». SERIES «POLITICAL SCIENCE AND RELIGION STUDIES»
ISSN 2073-3380 (Print)

List of issues > Series «Political Science and Religion Studies». 2025. Vol 52

On the Applicability of the “Vietnamese Model” in the Development of Vatican-China Relations at the Present Stage

Author(s)
T. Y. Yangel, Y. A. Nekrasov
Abstract
The article explores the applicability of the “Vietnamese model” to the development of Vatican-China relations. The authors analyze the process of rapprochement between the Holy See and Vietnam, identifying key factors behind the success of negotiations and assessing the feasibility of employing a similar approach in China. The study examines the historical context, the structure of the Catholic Church in both countries, and the specifics of state regulation of religious affairs. The findings suggest that the “Vietnamese model” is based on a mechanism of compromise, where the Vatican and the state share control over the church structure. However, in China, strict state control over religion, the presence of an “underground” church, and the political sensitivity surrounding the appointment of bishops and Taiwan recognition pose significant challenges. The study concludes that while direct implementation of the “Vietnamese model" in China is difficult, certain elements-such as the gradual resolution of contentious issues and the integration of the national church-could contribute to the normalization of Vatican-China relations.
About the Authors

Yangel Tatiana Yakovlevna, Сandidate of Sciences (History), Associate Professor, Department of World, History and International Relations, Irkutsk State University, 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation, e-mail: yangelt@gmail.com

Nekrasov Yurii Alekseevich, Postgraduate, Department of World, History and International Relations, Irkutsk State University, 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation, e-mail: nekrasov-yr@yandex.ru

For citation
Yangel T.Y., Nekrasov Y.A. On the Applicability of the “Vietnamese Model” in the Development of Vatican-China Relations at the Present Stage. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Political Science and Religion Studies, 2025, vol. 52, pp. 123-136. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2025.52.123 (in Russian)
Keywords
Vietnam, Vatican, China, Taiwan, Catholic Church, state-church relations.
UDC
327.8(456.31:510)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2025.52.123
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Full text (russian)