World Security Update. Sep 5, 2012

World Security Update. Sep 5, 2012

1 Who is selling arms irresponsibly?

ChinaDaily.com.cn carries article lambasting western nations which have criticized Chinese weapon exports fueled regional conflicts and humanitarian crises in Africa. Washington Post had published an article on August 26 where it said that China’s dubious arms exports policies and anti-UN stance in this matter makes it stand apart from other arms exporters like US, Russia etc.

In his article, author Kong Chushan claims:

“China’s arms trade strictly follows three important principles:

1) exports should be conducive to the legitimate self-defense capabilities of the recipient country;

2) exports should not undermine the peace, security and stability of the region concerned and the world as a whole, and

3) exports should not be used to interfere with the internal affairs of the recipient country.”

Although the article is not too far from truth in criticising hypocrisy of western nations, but when one considers Chinese track record of illegal trade of nukes and missiles with rogue terrorist nations like Pakistan and North Korea, this article seems nothing more than another one of their famous face saving measures.