European Union members remained deadlocked on the issue of lifting an arms embargo on China, imposed in 1989 after the Tiananmen Square crackdown. The lack of agreement came despite calls from French President Jacques Chirac for the ban to be removed. Speaking on a state visit to China, Chirac described the embargo as a "circumstantial measure which is purely and simply hostile to China" and had no justification. Diplomats said the lack of consensus on the issue came in large part from the US, which supports the ban staying in place.
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