• Beijing welcomes the appointment of Joseph Lin Yuntuan as the first Chinese bishop under Pope Leo XIV.
• The Vatican's recognition of Lin's appointment reflects improved dialogue between Beijing and the Holy See.
• China and the Vatican continue to uphold a 2018 agreement that allows both parties to influence the appointment of bishops.

The Vatican has appointed Joseph Lin Yuntuan as the auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou, marking a significant moment as he is the first bishop appointed under Pope Leo XIV. On June 5, the Vatican made this announcement, which Beijing recognized shortly thereafter, indicating a cooperative tone in ongoing discussions between the Holy See and Chinese authorities, according to thejakartapost and scmp.

The appointment is seen as confirmation that Pope Leo XIV will follow the diplomatic path established by his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly with regard to the sensitive issue of bishop appointments in China. Beijing's foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, remarked on the significance of this partnership, emphasizing that it has "enhanced understanding and mutual trust through constructive dialogue," further indicating China's willingness to work with the Vatican to improve bilateral relations, according to bbc and lemonde.

The 2018 agreement that allows for joint bishop appointments remains a pivotal element of this evolving relationship. It was intended to mitigate the division within China's Catholic community, currently estimated at around 12 million, between those attending state-sanctioned churches and those loyal to the Vatican. Both the Vatican and Beijing have hailed Lin's appointment as a fruitful outcome of this dialogue, marking a further step towards fostering reconciliation and understanding in a historically tense relationship, according to thejakartapost, scmp, bbc, and lemonde.