China to join United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

China has decided to join the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (UN-ATT) to regulate its arms sales. It comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans last year to pull the U.S. out of the agreement. The Treaty seeks to regulate the international trade in conventional arms (from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships).

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons.

The treaty requires member countries to keep records of international transfers of weapons and to prohibit cross-border shipments that could be used in human rights violations or attacks on civilians.

It entered into force on 4th December 2014.

The ATT is an attempt to regulate the international trade of conventional weapons for the purpose of contributing to international and regional peace; reducing human suffering; and promoting cooperation, transparency, and responsible action by and among states.

The treaty was negotiated in New York City at a global conference under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) in 2012.

While 130 countries originally signed the treaty, only 104 have joined it. India has not signed the treaty.