During his official visit to the country next week, British
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is to discuss with Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing the prospect of an end to the European Union's arms
embargo on China, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan in
Thursday's regular press conference.?
Kong said that Straw's two-day visit, which starts on Thursday,
is an important part of the negotiation mechanism between the
foreign ministers of the two countries.
"The two sides will talk about the lifting of the EU's arms
embargo on China and China will require the EU to recognize the
nation's full market economy status," Kong said.
Straw said on Wednesday that the EU's 15-year-old arms embargo
will almost certainly be lifted within the next six months.
Kong said China is now in its presidency of the Group of Twenty
while Britain holds presidency of the Group of Eight, and will hold
the EU's rotating presidency in the second half of the year.
He said the common challenges the two countries are facing
require further understanding between the two sides to make efforts
for world peace and stability.
"The two countries will work together to promote the
comprehensive strategic partner relationship between China and the
EU," he said.
Kong said Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs Hon Sato Kilman will start an eight-day official visit to
China on Monday.
He said the visit is a key step in the relationship between the
two countries, and that China hails the new government's belief in
the one-China policy.
He said Vanuatu has attached importance to the Sino-Vanuatu
relationship and the two countries will continue to develop their
relationship.
Kong also announced that Iraqi interim Deputy President Rowseh
Nuri Shaways will visit the country.
Asked to comment on the United States announcement that it ended
its search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Kong said the
Chinese government hopes the Iraqi issue can be resolved within the
United Nations framework.
He said China hopes Iraq will hold general elections on
schedule, and thereby the goal of "Iraqi people governing Iraq" can
be realized as early as possible.
Kong added that it is China's greatest wish that the Iraqi
people should elect a representative and authoritative government
and resume sovereignty and territorial integrity at an early
date.
The pledged material aid, worth US$1 million, to Iraq for its
election, will arrive in Baghdad today as the Chinese government
continues its commitment to assist Iraq, the Foreign Ministry said
on its website.
Kong said US Congressman Tom Lantos has met Chinese leaders
including State Councilor Tang
Jiaxuan during his three-day visit from January 11 to 13.
The two sides discussed Sino-US relations and the discrepancy
between the two countries.
Lantos said all parties concerned should continue its efforts to
push forward the six-party talks and strive for a peaceful
resolution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.
Lantos, US senior Democrat in the International Relations
Committee in the House of Representatives, arrived in Beijing on
Tuesday.
Kong said China believes Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin's
visit from January 20 to 22 will further promote ties between the
two countries.
Kong said that during his visit, Martin will exchange views with
Premier Wen
Jiabao on bilateral relations.
President Hu Jintao
and top legislator Wu
Bangguo will also meet him separately.
Kong said that China and Vietnam have deepened cooperation in
all fields since the two countries established diplomatic ties 55
years ago.
He added that China believes the two countries can develop their
traditional friendship on the basis of mutual understanding.
(China Daily, CRI.com January 14, 2005)