China to join UN arms trade treaty, ‘enhance’ world peace

News: China has decided to join the United Nations(UN) Arms Trade Treaty that has been rejected by the United States.

Facts:

• History: The UN Arms Trade Treaty entered into force in 2014.
• Objective: To regulate the international trade in conventional arms (from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships).
• What does the treaty do?
  • It requires member countries to keep records of international transfers of weapons and to prohibit cross-border shipments that can be used in human rights violations or attacks on civilians.
  • It establishes common standards for the international trade of conventional weapons and seeks to reduce the illicit arms trade.
• What it doesn’t?
  • The treaty does not regulate the domestic sale or use of weapons in any country.It also recognizes the legitimacy of the arms trade to enable states to provide for their own security.
• Present status: 105 states have ratified the treaty and a further 32 states have signed but not ratified it
  • India has not signed the treaty as it has said that it has strong and effective national export controls on military hardware to ensure they don’t fall into the wrong hands.