§ 9. Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of infringements in the arms embargo imposed on China; and if he will make a statement. [30563]
§ Mr. RifkindI have not received any report confirming an infringement of the European Union arms embargo imposed on China.
§ Mr. SutcliffeI thank the Minister for that answer and I am reassured by what he said. China has a continuing record of human rights violations. The markets within China are opening up and it is now selling arms around the world. Will the Minister and the Foreign Secretary use their offices to ensure that other countries considering arms sales to China, such as Israel and Russia, are aware of the arms embargo?
§ Mr. RifkindChina gets about 90 per cent. of its arms supplies from Russia, so it is clear that it is Russian Government policy that will determine whether China obtains access to the sort of equipment covered by the embargo.