f the embargo, imposed after Chinese troops crushed the Tiananmen democracy movement with many deaths in 1989. But diplomats listed it among the opponents, along with Nordic countries concerned about human rights and east European states sensitive to U.S. lobbying.
“There was no consensus. It will require further discussion,” German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer told reporters after the 25 ministers discussed the China embargo.
French President Jacques Chirac, who is visiting China to boost economic and political ties, denounced the embargo on Saturday in Beijing as a “circumstantial measure which is purely and simply hostile to China” and had no justification.
“That is why France, like most EU countries, is in favor of lifting this embargo,” Chirac said.
The United States has lobbied publicly and privately against a lifting of the ban, citing Chinese threats to Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the Chinese are continuing to play tough with Taiwan:
The Chinese government has rejected a call by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian for peace talks and warned against moves towards formal independence.
Mr Chen used a speech on Sunday to urge Beijing to agree to talks to resolve tensions over the build-up of weapons between the two rivals.
But China has dismissed his “false overtures” and said his “separatist” plans risked a “great catastrophe”.
Beijing has repeatedly pledged to invade if Taiwan declares independence.
“If Chen Shui-bian remains bent on sticking to his splittist and Taiwan independence activities, he will never bring peace and prosperity to the Taiwan compatriots, but will only bring great catastrophe,” said China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Zhang Mingqing on Wednesday.
“Taiwan independence is the biggest danger to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the Asian region.” […]
In his speech, President Chen asserted the island of Taiwan was a sovereign nation.
Tensions have been high since Mr Chen was re-elected to a second term in March.
The US state department welcomed Mr Chen’s speech as constructive, prompting Beijing to ask America to stop sending the island the wrong message.
China has more than 600 ballistic missiles pointed at the island and is adding 60 to 70 new missiles each year.
Taiwan, which broke with the new Communist state in 1949, is locked in a debate over whether to strengthen its defences even further with US military aid.
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