Never exported weapons to non-state entities: China

BEIJING: China said it never exported weapons to non-state entities, dismissing a report that accused the country of being a leading exporter of light and small arms.

"The Chinese government always takes a prudent and responsible attitude with regard to military exports including small arms and light weapons," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a media briefing.

China never exports arms to non-state entities, he said responding to the report, released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in October, stating that China has long been one of the world's most significant exporters of small arms and light weapons.

Hong said China, according to its international obligations and relevant domestic laws, strictly abides by the principle of not damaging international and regional peace and stability and noninterference in the domestic affairs of recipient countries.

China also strictly abides by the principle of asking recipient countries to provide proof of final purpose and users, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Hong as saying.

China will work with the international community to jointly boycott the illegal trade of light and small arms to avoid affecting international security, he said.