Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao, said in Beijing Tuesday at a news conference that China appreciates France and Germany's stance for an early end of the European Union's arms embargo.

In response to a question about Jacques Chirac's Japan visit, he said the French president said in a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Sunday that the decision to lift the ban is political and France will not revoke it.

"We hope the EU will proceed from the overall situation of EU-China relationship and lift the ban as soon as possible," Liu said.

The European Union, keen to boost trade and diplomatic ties with China, agreed on December 17, 2004 to lift the embargo at end of June this year. The trade restrictions have been in place since1989.

France has led efforts to secure an early end to the embargo despite pressure from Washington. The United States fears China may get access to advanced weapons, especially after its legislature adopted the Anti-Secession Law, which says in formal, legal terms that it will use force if Taiwan declares independence.

According to Reuters, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told reporters March 23 after an EU summit that Germany backed French efforts to secure an early end of the ban.

"China appreciates France and Germany's back-up to China on the issue, and that of other EU members," said the spokesman, adding his country expects an early end of the embargo.