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)