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Image From the net
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Beijing has become one of the largest weapons
exporters in the world, allowing it to gain new allies and place its pawns
strategically throughout the continent.
2017-11-12
HONG KONG —
Last week, China’s ambassador to the Phillipines, Zhao Jinhua, delivered 3000
assault rifles to Manila during a ceremony at the Philippine Army headquarters.
At the end of June, Beijing had already offered the archipelago a shipment of
arms worth $7.3 million. The police and the army will use this to combat Muslim
militants and as part of a vast anti-drug campaign that has already left more
than 13,000 dead.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. “China is now one of
the five biggest arms exporters in the world, just behind the United
States, Russia and France,” notes Siemon Wezeman, of the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute, who researched the subject. Between
2011 and 2015, China sold military equipment to 37 countries, and 75% of these
exports went to Asia or Oceania. Pakistan has received the lion’s share (35%),
followed by Bangladesh (20%) and Burma (16%).
More recently, Beijing has amassed new clients:
Thailand’s army got its first delivery of 28 Chinese tanks in October. They have
also ordered submarines and infantry vehicles. Last November, Malaysia bought
four patrol ships, worth $277 million. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos
are also clients of the Chinese military industry.
This industry has experienced spectacular growth. “The
investments approved by Beijingin this domain have gone from $21 billion in 1988 to
$215 billion in 2015, making it the second largest spender after the United
States,” says Siemon Wezeman. “Technologically, their arms are now in the same
league as those of the Americans or the Russians.”
Beijing has not had trouble finding clients. Chinese arms
are inexpensive and their purchase often leads to technology transfer or loans.
A Chinese combat drone is worth $1 million, four times less than its American
equivalent. The weapons are also delivered without conditions. If Manila
welcomed the Chinese assault rifles with such readiness, it is because the U.S.
Congress had refused to sell the Philippines arms, fearing that they would be
used to commit human rights abuses.
Furthermore, buying arms from Beijing ensures Chinese
support in case of conflict. Cambodia, Laos and Burma, all very isolated diplomatically, have notably
benefited from this. “The United States has neglected Asia in recent years,
because they were cornered by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq,” notes Collin
Koh, a researcher at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in
Singapore. This created a vacuum that China has filled.”
Beijing is also reaping the benefits. In Southeast Asia,
China is seeking allies to support its territorial claims in the South China
Sea. The most spectacular turnaround came from the Philippines, which, after
denouncing China’s claim on a string of contested islands before an
international court at The Hague, now seems ready to forget everything in
exchange for its gifts.
“In South Asia, the sale of arms to Pakistan, Bangladesh,
Burma and Sri Lanka has allowed Beijing to grow its influence in India’s backyard,” adds Koh. “India is now completely
surrounded by its great rival’s military allies.
Original post: worldcrunch.com
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