Home>News Center>China
       
 

Solana says arms ban to go; China appreciates
(Chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua)
Updated: 2004-02-12 09:39

EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana said Wednesday that the discussions on lifting arms embargo against China within the European Union (EU) are "on right track," but he could not tell the "exact date" for the lifting at present. China expressed on Thursday its appreciation for the EU move. 

"I don't think lifting arms embargo is a big problem (for the EU and China)" said Solana, adding that the issue is only "a question" that is being discussed by the two sides.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said on Thursday at regular news briefing that China appreciates EU's move to discuss lifting arms embargo on China.

She said, with regard to arms embargo on China, it is in fact a product of the Cold War which undermines further China-EU cooperation in various fields and should thus be lifted completely.

After a meeting with Guan Chengyuan, head of the Chinese Mission to the European Communities, Solana told some Chinese media that the EU-China partnership has profound and broad content.

He noted that a mechanism of regular meetings of leaders between the EU and China has been set up, adding that apart from the leaders' meeting for this year, there will be frequent exchanges of visits between the senior officials from both sides.

Solana also expressed willingness to foster up not only good relations between the EU and the Chinese government, but good personal relations between the EU leaders and the Chinese leaders as well.

On January 26, the EU foreign ministers' meeting discussed the issue of lifting arms ban on China, and the ministers demanded the working groups under the EU Council examine the issue and then report to the ministers.

 
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

CCTV restructuring proof of media reform

 

   
 

Bank of China floating huge bond offering

 

   
 

Jilin governor apologizes for fatal blaze

 

   
 

Moscow police stop raiding Chinese stalls

 

   
 

Senator Kerry blasts Bush, leads in primary

 

   
 

U.S. navy jet fighter F18 is for sale on eBay

 

   
  Jilin governor apologizes for fatal blaze
   
  4-year-old Hong Kong boy survives 7-story fall
   
  Chinese diplomats in Iraq to reopen embassy
   
  Traffic dead down from last year in Guangdong
   
  Gender bias affects male kindergarten teachers
   
  Moscow police stop raiding Chinese stalls
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Solana: EU ready to lift China arms embargo
   
US pressing EU to uphold arms embargo against China
   
EU may lift ban on arms sales to China
  News Talk  
  What do you think Western view about China?  
Advertisement