For the first time since the Cold War, China overtakes Britain in terms of arms sales. Between 2008 and 2012, Chinese exports rose 162 per cent over the previous five years, with Pakistan as its main customer.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - China has replaced Britain as the world's fifth-largest arms exporter. Between 2008 and 2012, its share of the global arms trade reached 5 per cent of the total with Pakistan as its main buyer, this according to the the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). With data going back to the 1950s, the United Kingdom has now dropped out of the top five spots.

China's volume of weapons exports rose 162 per cent in this five-year period compared to the previous one, with Pakistan accounting for 55 per cent of total sales. Other buyers include Burma, Bangladesh and Venezuela.

By comparison, the global arms trade grew by 17 per cent over the previous period

The United States and Russia are still the main exporters, holding market shares of 30 per cent and 26 per cent respectively, followed by Germany and France.

"Pakistan [. . .] is likely to remain the largest recipient of Chinese arms in the coming years due to large outstanding and planned orders for combat aircraft, submarines and frigates," SIPRI said.

Myanmar, which is responsible 7 per cent of Chinese exports, might drop in ranking as the United States support its fragile reforms.

The numbers are important because China faces a ban on Western military imports, dating back to the crushing of pro-democracy protests in and around Tiananmen Square in 1989.

As a result is, China has accelerated the development of its domestic arms industry, which is not going end any time soon, especially since Beijing finds itself embroiled with most of its neighbours over conflicting territorial claims in the East and South China Seas.

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