Amid Vatican talks, China official says foreign forces can't control religion

BEIJING (Reuters) - Religious matters in China cannot be controlled by foreigners, Beijing's seniormost official for religion wrote in a Communist Party journal, amid talks with the Vatican to resolve a dispute over the appointment of Catholic bishops.

Pope Francis had voiced optimism in June that ties between the Vatican and China were improving, as the two sides were in advanced talks to settle one of the biggest obstacles to resuming diplomatic ties that were cut almost 70 years ago.