The Chinese Government has all along taken a prudent and responsible attitude in its arms export, and implemented strict and effective controls on such exports according to the "Regulations on export control of military items of the People's Republic of China". China has always observed the following three principles in its arms export: the exports should be conducive to the legitimate self-defence capability of the recipient country; the exports should not undermine the peace, security and stability of the region concerned and the world as a whole; and the exports should not be used as a means of interfering in the internal affairs of the recipient country.

China conducts conventional arms trade only with sovereign states, and makes explicit and strict requirements regarding the provision of the certificate of end user and purpose of exported arms by the recipient government, which shall commits not to transfer the arms imported from China to any third party without the prior consent of the Chinese Government. China never exports arms to countries or regions under arms embargo imposed by the Security Council of the UN. Furthermore, China never transfers arms to non-state actors or individuals.