In Beijing for a three-day visit, Raffarin told the Xinhua news agency China was becoming a "responsible, great nation" and the arms ban in place since the crushing of democracy campaigners in 1989 was outdated.

"This measure is anachronistic, wrongfully discriminatory and in complete contradiction of the current state of the strategic partnership between Europe and China," he said, according to a transcript seen by AFP.

"France believes that the transition in progress will leave China even stronger and responsible, a great nation respected and at peace with its neighbors, a new focus of stability on the international scene," he said.

The timing of the ban's lifting is in doubt because of current difficulties in Beijing's relations with Taiwan and Japan, although EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said this week the bloc remains committed to its removal.

Last December EU heads of government authorised the government of Luxembourg -- which holds the bloc's rotating presidency -- to finalise terms for removing the sanctions in the first half of 2005.

France has been a prime supporter of ending the ban, but the move is opposed by the United States and Japan, which fear a tilting of the strategic balance in Asia.

"Europeans have only one 'roadmap' and that was fixed by the European Council in December 16-17, 2004 for a decision by the end of the first half of 2005," said Raffarin.

"It is to be taken between Europeans, and the discussions continue," he added, saying efforts were being made to "reassure" the United States.

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