As the Vatican press office explained (Wednesday), Joseph Lin Yuntuan (73) was able to take up his office as auxiliary bishop in the diocese of Fuzhou (Fujian province) on the same day, with recognition by the state authorities.
Vatican press spokesman Matteo Bruni commented on the matter in writing.
It states that the Vatican is pleased with the recognition of the new auxiliary bishop.
This is a further result of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities and "a relevant step on the path of the diocese as a community".
The secret agreement with the People's Republic of China negotiated under Pope Francis is controversial within the Church.
Conservative circles in particular have accused the Pope and his diplomatic apparatus of having gone too far in accommodating the communist rulers in Beijing.
The exact content of the agreement is not known; it regulates the appointment of bishops in China by the Pope and the rights of state authorities to officially recognise them.