France said Tuesday that an arms embargo on China should be lifted, saying there is no change whatsoever in Paris' stance on the matter.

The arms embargo on China is an outdated policy and lifting it will be imperative, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Herve Ladsous told a press conference.

Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac also reiterated his support for an end to the ban, which "does not correspond to the reality of China today."

Chirac told the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun that lifting the ban is aimed at improving relations with China, not selling weapons.

"The Europeans have no intention of launching a policy of arms exports to China, which is not asking for this," said Chirac, noting what the Europeans want is to "normalize their relations with China."
 
(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2005)