Premier urges Europe to lift arms embargo

Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday urged the EU to show sincere political will and lift its arms embargo on China.

He made the remarks during the 15th China-EU Summit in Brussels, which issued a joint communiqué for a better partnership.

Wen urged the EU to show earnest political will and seize the opportunity to lift its arms embargo on China and recognize China's full market economy status, vice foreign minister Song Tao told the media.

"I have to be very frank in saying this ... but the solution has been elusive over the past 10 years. I deeply regret this and I hope the EU side will take greater initiative to solve these issues," The Telegraph quoted Wen as saying.

The joint communiqué said China and the EU would redouble their joint efforts to tackle global challenges such as the international financial and economic crisis, sustainable development, environmental protection, climate change, food and water security, energy security and nuclear safety.

Wen, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso co-hosted the summit.

The leaders, in a friendly and frank way, exchanged views on China-EU ties, practical cooperation between the two sides, the euro debt crisis, relevant global issues, and the like, and reached important consensus, Song told reporters.

Wen also called for launching negotiations on a China-EU investment treaty and discussing the initiation of a feasibility study on a China-EU free trade agreement, and conducting large-scale cooperation in the fields of transportation, electric power and communication, the senior diplomat said.

The premier also called for strengthening financial cooperation, saying China welcomed European firms using the Chinese yuan in cross-border trade and investment, Song said.

Concerning the EU's launch of an anti-dumping investigation into exports of Chinese solar panels, Wen said the case triggered strong reactions in China and also raised concerns among EU businesses, according to Song. Wen hoped the case could be properly solved through dialogue and consultation, the diplomat added.

Wen proposed the vigorous promotion of liberalization of trade and investment; the establishment of joint research and development centers, technology transfer centers and joint incubators.