EU URGED NOT TO LIFT ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST CHINA
ROC Central News Agency
2005-03-10 12:28:33
Berlin, March 9 (CNA) A spokesman for Germany's ruling party said Wednesday that the European Union should not lift its arms embargo against China at a time when Beijing is reviewing whether to enact an anti-secession law which has escalated tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
The spokesman, who is responsible for foreign affairs of the Social Democratic Party, made the remarks in an exclusive interview recently with the West German Broadcasting Co.
The Chinese government has revealed the key points of the proposed anti-secession law, but it has yet to make public the full text of the law.
Pointing out that the EU has been considering lifting the arms sales ban before June of this year, the spokesman said he thinks it shouldn't lift the ban as it does not want to be seen as supporting the enactment of such a law.
Meanwhile, a senior member of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Party has warned that if the EU insists on lifting the ban without considering Washington's opposition, then all efforts that might reduce cross-strait distrust and misunderstanding will be undermined.
He also urged the EU to be very cautious in dealing with relevant issues and to first consult with the United States before voicing its stance regarding the lifting of the ban.
A lawmaker from Germany's Green Party also called for the EU to do whatever it can to maintain its arms ban on China due to the new threat posed by Beijing to Taiwan.
(By Y.L. Lin and P.C. Tang)
Enditem/Li
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