One of China's top leaders has told Chinese Catholics that they need to promote socialism and patriotism through religion and operate "independently" of non-Chinese authorities.
Yu Zhengsheng's speech came at the end of a meeting of China's official Catholic church that was being closely watched by the Holy See. Yu is one of seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee, China's top decision-making body. His speech could be a measure of how much Beijing is willing to yield in potential dialogue with the Holy See.
