Home>News Center>China
       
 

UK sees China arms embargo lifted before July
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-13 01:45

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on Wednesday he thought the European Union's arms embargo on China could well be lifted by July. "I think it is more likely than not that it will be decided under this (Luxembourg) presidency of the EU," he told a parliamentary committee.


British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw (L) looks towards his Indonesian counterpart Hasan Wirjuda in this January 10, 2005 file photo. Straw signaled the intent of lifting the arms ban on China in the coming six months. [AFP]
Luxembourg holds the rotating EU presidency until mid-year when Britain takes over. The 25-member bloc is now drawing up a code of conduct on arms exports to guarantee greater transparency.

Straw argued the code of conduct would prove just as, if not more, effective in limiting the trading of weapons with China as well as with other countries.

France has led moves to scrap the embargo which could open up trade with the world's fastest-growing major economy.

"Our position is that, subject to satisfaction of the issues laid out by the EU, we will support a lifting of the arms embargo," said Straw.

He said he would aim to provide explanations and reassurances to Washington which adamantly opposes ending it.

US officials say they are not satisfied the mechanisms in the new code of conduct will provide sufficiently solid blocks on transfers.

US Undersecretary of State John Bolton, a hardliner on arms control, is meeting British officials this week to press the case for keeping the embargo.



 
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

UK sees China arms embargo lifted before July

 

   
 

Call for official talks on charter flights rejected

 

   
 

Minister: Sino-US trade ties 'pretty good'

 

   
 

China, Portugal sign seven pacts

 

   
 

US ends fruitless Iraq weapons hunt

 

   
 

3G mobile go-ahead scheduled for 2005

 

   
  Sixth railways speeding up delayed
   
  Parking fee reforms to start in Beijing
   
  UK sees China arms embargo lifted before July
   
  3G mobile go-ahead scheduled for 2005
   
  Shanghai sets 500,000 new jobs target for 2005
   
  Drivers face new third-liability rule
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
EU hints to lift China arms ban in June
   
EU to debate China arms embargo at summit
   
Solana: EU may lift arms ban on China early next year
   
Market recognition benefits China, EU
   
EU to send 'positive' signal on arms ban
   
Premier stresses on Sino-EU partnership
   
EU urged to lift arms sales ban at early date
  News Talk  
  It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008  
Advertisement