Squabbling in Asia

Leave it to the Chinese government to find a problem with this.

China has protested against Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's plans to attend Pope John Paul II's funeral.

A Chinese spokesman expressed "strong dissatisfaction" at Italy for granting Mr Chen a visa to go to the Vatican.

Italy has diplomatic ties with Beijing, rather than Taiwan, which China sees as part of its territory.

Mr Chen's visit comes amid speculation the Vatican is ready to switch allegiance to China, after their ties were severed in 1951.

China's foreign ministry confirmed the country would not send any representative to the funeral.

So the Chinese aren't sending anyone to the funeral, but they also don't want the Taiwanese to send anyone. What exactly do they want? Oh yeah, to reconquer Taiwan. I forgot for a second.