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China seeks market economy status

HELSINKI (FINLAND): Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday appealed to the European Union to lift the arms embargo imposed on his country and to grant it the full market economy status.

Such a move could remove barriers at different levels and aid the growth of Sino-European ties, Mr. Wen told mediapersons after the ninth China-E.U. Summit, here on Sunday.

Since the founding of the Chinese republic in 1949, Mr. Wen said, a number of European leaders had made important contributions to developing relations with his country. Lifting of the arms ban and grant of the full market economy status to China would serve Europe's own interests he said, adding, ``the earlier the problems are resolved, the more benefits it could bring.''

A joint statement issued after the summit said leaders from the two sides discussed the arms embargo. ``The E.U. side recognised the importance of this issue and confirmed its willingness to carry forward work towards lifting the embargo on the basis of the Joint Statement of the 2004 E.U.-China Summit and subsequent European Council conclusions,'' the document said.

Mr. Wen arrived in Helsinki on Saturday, kicking off his four-nation tour. — Xinhua

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