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Shining some light on Chinese small arms exports

Paul Holtom

23 April 2013

China’s export control system: regulations, procedures and policy

Agencies responsible for controlling SALW exports

Mapping Chinese SALW exports: scale and destinations

Reported UN arms embargo violations and diversion risks

SIPRI study on Chinese SALW exports

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Chinese SALW exports

Authorised arms export companies and Chinese SALW exports

European arms brokers and Chinese SALW exports

Highlighting ‘known’ actors

Historical role of the PLA in Chinese small arms exports

Source of surplus, but still a supplier?

PLA visits and exchanges with potential customers

PLA training

PLA presence at arms fairs

The PLA and Chinese SALW exports

Historical role of the state-owned defence industrial import-export enterprises in Chinese small arms exports

Six import-export enterprises authorised to export small arms and light weapons (including MANPADS)

The (in)significance of small arms exports for China’s enterprises authorised to export small arms

Authorised arms export companies and Chinese SALW exports

China’s official position on arms brokers …

… and the role played by European arms brokers in the supply of SALW to African states

Gus van Kouwenhoven: brokering the supply of SALW to Liberia while subject to a UN arms embargo

Gary Hyde: brokering the supply of SALW to Nigeria without authorisation from the UK

Serge Mueller: brokering the supply of SALW to Sierra Leone without authorisation from Belgium or Switzerland

European arms brokers and Chinese SALW exports

It is assumed that China is a major SALW exporter, but data remains patchy

The relationship between the PLA, defence industry and export companies and export control authorities is opaque

There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the main actors involved in Chinese SALW exports

Concluding remarks