It is the only organizational body of Catholics in China officially recognized by the government of the People's Republic of China, but is not recognized by the Vatican. Nonetheless, the Holy See distinguishes between the Church in China and the CPCA as such, and since the 1980s has recognized nearly all CPCA-appointed bishops as legitimate and in full communion with the Catholic Church, albeit on an individual basis. The Church continues to seek a permanent settlement of the question through negotiations with the political authorities of the People's Republic.