IV-9 Question: In June 2006 Amnesty International issued a report about China's weapons exports, accusing China of exporting weaponry to countries with civil strife and heightening the tense situation in those regions. Is this true? What are China's principles regarding weapons exports?

A: The Amnesty International issued a document in June 2006, reporting China's shipment of weapons to countries in disturbance. That report is rootless and irresponsible. China trades with many countries in normal arms trading, in accordance with China's laws and regulations on foreign military sales and related international obligations. During the trading process, China follows relevant international agreements and keeps weapon exports, which are limited, under strict control. Therefore, the trade never endangers regional peace, or creates humanitarian crisis.

In the international arms market, China is one of larger countries that export the least amount of weapons. According to statistics from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, during 2000-04, the United States had exported conventional weapons valued $25.93 billion, while China had exported $1.426 billion, only about one twentieth of the U. S. exports.

Even so, the Chinese Government is very cautious and responsible in foreign military sales. China consistently adheres to a series of principles on conventional weapons transfers: The export of such weapons should help the recipient nation increase its appropriate defense capacity; the transfer must not impair peace, safety or stability regionally or globally; China does not use trade in weaponry to interfere in sovereign states' internal affairs. China only transfers military equipment to sovereign states, but not non-state entity or individual, and the receiving states need to provide information of final users lists and certificates of final usage. China also promises not to transfer weapons it imported to a third party. Meanwhile, China strictly follows related UN Security Council's resolutions and never transfers military equipment to countries and regions that the Security Council has launched embargoes on.

The efficient management of China over foreign military sales has been recognized by the international community. China's principles and actions on transferring military equipment not only benefit the maintenance of world peace and regional stability, but also help to make progress in international arms control and disarmament

(China.org.cn)