Chinese President Hu Jintao and French President Jacques Chirac
called for an early lift of the European Union's arms embargo
against China during their phone conversation Friday evening.
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Chirac reaffirmed that the arms embargo against China is outdated,
so that it should be revoked at an early date, and France would
continue to work to this end.
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Hu said with the growth of Sino-EU relations, the European Union's
arms embargo against China has become increasingly inappropriate.
Removing this political hurdle in Sino-EU relations at an early
date is required by the latest development and conforms to the
fundamental interests of both sides, and therefore will promote the
healthy development of Sino-EU relations, Hu said.
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Both heads of state hold that Sino-French relations continue to
maintain a sound momentum for rapid growth, and the success in the
holding of the culture year in each other's country deepened the
mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
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The two leaders expressed hope to materialize the visits of their
premiers in this year to further the efforts to advance the
all-round Sino-French strategic partnership to scale a new height.
Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Mideast
region, among others.
(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2005)