They also ironed out some outstanding issues in the mainland's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the wake of the ground-breaking trade deal signed in Beijing seven weeks ago.

And the mainland promised to work harder to improve its human rights record, rated by Amnesty International as worse than it has ever been.

"China and the European Union have similar positions on the tragic incident" in Dover, Premier Zhu Rongji said after a wide-ranging three-hour meeting with European Commission President Romano Prodi, the first visit to the commission by a mainland Premier.

"China is resolutely opposed to illegal immigration and has formulated strict legislation and measures to stop these crimes," Mr Zhu said on the second day of a three-day Brussels visit, wrapping up a six-nation European tour.

Asked by a reporter whether those laws were working and whether something further was needed, Mr Zhu snapped back: "What country in the world is able to guarantee that 100 per cent of its laws are effective? Is every law in your own country respected?

"I don't think the rampant international criminal groups that commit these crimes would fear laws, no matter how strict," Mr Zhu added. "So, the crucial talk at the moment is not to debate the causes, but to work together to combat those criminal groups."

An EU spokesman who attended the meeting said afterwards it was the mainland side that had raised the immigration issue and appeared genuinely concerned about it.

He said the mainland had agreed to take all steps needed for ratification of the UN covenant on human, economic and social rights by the end of this year, and the covenant on civil and political rights later, hopefully next year.

Mr Zhu took exception to the Amnesty rating of China's human rights record, telling the reporter who raised the subject: "I am willing to bet that you have never visited China yourself, and I welcome you to come and see for yourself."

Mr Zhu acknowledged that China and the EU "disagree on human rights", adding: "We reached agreement that such differences can only be addressed through dialogue, not confrontation."

The EU spokesman said issues remained to be sorted out on China's WTO accession, which would "presumably be done with the Taiwanese accession, and we hope this will be finished by the end of the year".

He said the EU was "clearly in favour of both China and Taiwan joining the WTO at the same time", and that, like it or not, "the Chinese don't decide this".

Today, Mr Zhu has a schedule of commercial contacts and visits to trade fairs before departing for home in the evening.

CHINA - MAIN
Main snakehead leader arrested

Belgian PM tells Zhu he regrets deaths

Send this article
to a friend