Beijing on Wednesday expressed its willingness to continue China-Vatican dialogue and cooperation in response to Pope Francis's comments on board of a plane to Kazakhstan, saying he is always ready to go to China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will be in Kazakhstan at the same time as Francis at a time when the Vatican is hoping to renew a historic accord appointing bishops in China.

"We appreciate the Pope Francis's gesture of friendship and goodwill. China and Vatican maintain good communication. We are willing to continue dialogue and cooperation and work for positive progress in the improvement of our relations," says Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during the regular presser.