The European Union will not lift its arms embargo on China during Britain's rotating presidency from the second half of this year, said British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at a news conference in London on June 30, according to Xinhua.

So far, the EU member countries have major disputes on the lifting of the arms embargo on China among, added Straw. Many resolutions passed by European Parliament also show that it is relatively difficult to lift the ban now.

Britain will take over the EU's rotating presidency for half a year from July 1. Straw hinted that during this period, Britain will not lobby other countries to lift the ban.

The EU's arms embargo against China has been there for 15 years. In December 2003, it was officially decided on the EU summit in Brussels to put the lifting on its agenda. Some countries including France pointed out that the outdated ban will impede closer relations to be established between the EU and China.

By People's Daily Online