Graham Watson, head of the European Liberal Democrats, said the French diplomatic initiative was clearly timed to please Beijing during a state visit to France by Chinese President Hu Jintao.

"It is outrageous that France is suggesting lifting the European arms embargo against a Communist dictatorship that continues to abuse human rights," he said.

"A desire to curry favour with the Chinese president during his state visit to France is no excuse for rethinking a long-standing European policy rooted in principle."

He was speaking as EU foreign ministers met to discuss lifting the ban, at almost exactly the same time as the Chinese head of state arrived in Paris for a four-day visit marking the 40th anniversary of Chinese-French relations.

The EU embargo was imposed after China in June 1989 sent in tanks to break weeks-long pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in central Beijing, killing hundreds.

European officials say they are aware that the United States is against lifting the ban, while some EU countries -- notably Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden -- remain concerned about China's human-rights record.

France called for the discussion at an EU summit last month. No immediate decision is expected, but diplomats have said they hope for agreement within months, perhaps as early as March.

WAR.WIRE