From the publishers of WorldTribune.com and Geostrategy-Direct.com.
A R C H I V E S     S U B S C R I B E
China asks EU to lift arms ban imposed after Tiananmen

Beijing this week urged the European Union to lift the ban on arms sales to China that was imposed following the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.

The appeal came as part of a Chinese policy paper made public Oct. 12.

The report said China and the EU would maintain high-level military exchanges and develop and improve "a strategic security consultation mechanism."

The two also will step up exchanges of specialized military delegations and groups. In the past, China has used these groups to acquire technology and other know-how.

Military officers and defense studies between China and the 15 EU nations also should be carried out, the report said.

"The EU should lift its ban on arms sales to China at an early date so as to remove barriers to defense industry and technology cooperation," the report stated.

China wants the ban lifted as part of its military buildup, which includes the acquisition of advanced weaponry.
East-Asia-Intel, www.eas-asia-intel.com, October 17, 2003
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