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China's Weapons Ban

By Sheng-ren Liu
6 Apr 2005

Although still committed to reaching a decision by June this year, leaders of the European Union have agreed to postpone the final choice over lifting the arms embargo on China at their latest summit, just before Easter. Meanwhile, the argument has evolved into an arcane dispute between Europe and the US, and between certain European states. But what about the simpler yet perhaps more important debate: what is the actual rationale for lifting the embargo in the first place? Beijing's leaders have said time and again that China would become a responsible power after its peaceful rise to great power status. But their deeds have failed so far to match their rhetoric. The conclusion seems inescapable. The ban has become anachronistic in only one sense: Europe’s economic interests are no longer in accord with its operation. And Beijing’s reassurances that, even if the European Union's arms embargo is lifted, this does not mean that China is eager to buy weapons from Europe should not be taken too seriously. It is a rather curious argument that one is demanding the lifting of an arms embargo, but without having any intention of purchasing anything. The lifting of the embargo, therefore, should only take place after China has seriously demonstrated its resolution to abide by international norms, and not before.