China announced yesterday that it had joined the global Arms Trade Treaty and blasted the U.S. as a bully in the process. China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said he had deposited China’s instrument of accession to the treaty. The treaty regulates the international trade in conventional arms and entered into force in December 2014. President Barack Obama signed the treaty for the U.S. in 2013 but it’s not been ratified and the Trump Administration has signaled its intention to revoke the signature.
A statement issued by China‛s UN mission explains that China‛s accession to the treaty “demonstrates China’s resolve and sincerity in maintaining international arms control regime, supporting multilateralism, and forging a community with a shared future for mankind. It will further enhance the treaty’s universality and contribute to global security governance and international arms control process.”
