The European Union is still hesitating on the issue of lifting the arms embargo from China after the hints it may use military force against Taiwan in case it officially proclaims independence from mainland China.

The embargo, posed on China some 16 years ago after Tian’anmen Square events, was about to be lifted after some moves of China towards the protection of human rights but the question remained open on Chinese so-called anti-secession law.

The European Parliament voted 431 to 85, with 31 abstentions, in favour of resolution that bars EU from lifting the embargo.

"We want to reach a consensus, but this requires that everyone in the European Union votes in favor. For this, it is necessary for China also to move," said Joschka Fischer, the German foreign minister.

Mr. Fischer also said that the European Commission in Brussels would demand further proofs from China about its human rights improvement in exchange for lifting the embargo.

The US is fiercely opposing lifting the embargo and the Bush administration keeps pressure on the European Union not to lift it.