China now world's fourth largest arms exporter

China has overtaken Britain and France in exporting arms, highlighting the country's growing military weight.

China came fourth in a list of the world's largest arms exporters by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), behind America, Russia, and Germany. It entered the top five overtaking Britain in 2012, and increased arms exports by over 200 percent during 2004-2008 (over 100 percent more than any other top arms exporter).

This rapid expansion, fuelled by low prices, is turning China into a major player on the world arms market. Despite having a weak military, arms exporting ensures the country expands its international influence. China currently only accounts for 6 percent of global arms sales but this figure is increasing rapidly, and is now competing with other major arms manufacturers, such as Russia and Belgium. Last year, Turkey chose China’s surface-to-air missile system over American, Russian and European counterparts.

China sells to 35 mainly low and middle income countries, according to the SIPRI, with top 2009-2013 importers being Pakistan (47 percent), Bangladesh (13 percent) and Burma (12 percent).

[Image via Wikipedia]