China expressed on June 21 its regret over the EU's recent failure to foot its pledge of lifting its arms sales ban to China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks at a routine press conference when commenting on the EU's decision at a summit in Brussels earlier this month.

The European Union (EU) summit pledged to develop a strategic partnership with China.

"It reiterates its resolve to develop a strategic partnership with China by intensifying dialogue in all areas, whether of an economic or political nature, and by working towards a rapid solution to its trade dispute," said a conclusion document issued by the summit.

Liu said China still hopes that the EU will materialize its pledge to lift the ban as soon as possible.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn pledged last week it would make more efforts for the early lifting of the arms embargo against China.

Luxembourg, which is to hand over the presidency of the European Union (EU) to Britain, urged Britain to continue the efforts aiming to strike a deal on the EU code of conduct on arms exports at an EU summit in September, so as to lay down a solid road for the lifting, Asselborn told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

Source: Xinhua