called human rights issue,» Liu Jianchao, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, said at a regular briefing. «In human rights, there is world-renowned progress in China. Of course we know that there are still problems. We know what are the problems and what measures we need to take. ... This is an important undertaking we are committed to.» «However,» Liu added, «this issue has nothing to do with the arms embargo lifting and we believe it is not logical or reasonable to link the two matters.» Many governments opposed to easing the restrictions say Beijing has not done enough to improve its human rights record. But France, Germany and some other governments are eager to do business with China's military, which is the world's largest. During his two-day visit, Asselborn is scheduled to meet with Premier Wen Jiabao, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, the Foreign Ministry said. Normally vigorous diplomatic and trade relations between China and the EU have also been strained recently by a flood of inexpensive Chinese textile exports after a worldwide quota system ended on Jan. 1. European and U.S. textile makers say their survival is threatened by the surge in Chinese exports. France has pressured the EU to speed up an investigation it opened last month that could result in the bloc re-imposing some quotas. --More 1431 Local Time 1131 GMT
