China and the Arms Trade

One tends to think of China as an actual or potential recipient of arms, but this small yet comprehensive study reminds us of the extent to which Beijing has also been a supplier of military assistance. The British authors look at China's arms aid to such countries as Vietnam, North Korea and Pakistan in the context of its foreign policy goals. The motivations have often been political or ideological, including support for liberation movements, but recently economic incentives have begun to play a part in China's arms exports. A pioneer work.