The Wassenaar Arrangement(WA) became operational in 1996 and is presently composed of 41 countries. The Wassenaar Arrangement has been established in order to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations through information sharing among participating states. Participating States seek, through their national policies, to ensure that transfers of these items do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities which undermine these goals, and are not diverted to support such capabilities.

China is not a member of the Wassenaar Arrangement. China and the Wassenaar Arrangement held 5 rounds of dialogues in April 2004, May 2005, June 2006, December 2007 and November 2008 respectively. During the talks, the two sides exchanged in depth views on issues in the field of the export control for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies. Mutual understanding are enhanced and the two sides learned from each other's experiences to strengthen the export control.