ROME, OCT 22 - The Holy See on Tuesday renewed its agreement with China on the appointment of Beijing-approved bishops for four years and said dialogue was continuing on full freedom of worship in the Asian country.

The decision by the Vatican and China on Tuesday to extend an accord on the appointment of Catholic bishops in the communist country for four years indicates a new level of trust between the two parties,

Critics argue the pact legitimizes China’s control over church affairs, while defenders say it helps support Catholics faithful to the Vatican in the Communist country.

The Chinese government says it has agreed with the Vatican to extend a provisional agreement on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China for four more years

China and the Vatican have agreed to extend an agreement concerning the appointment of Chinese bishops, the two parties said on Tuesday. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular press briefing in Beijing that both parties had decided to extend the agreement by four years after “friendly consultations”.