China to join arms trade pact in US snub

China will join a global pact to regulate arms sales that has been rejected by the United States, with Beijing saying on Monday it is committed to efforts to “enhance peace and stability” in the world.

China’s top legislative body voted on Saturday to adopt a decision on joining the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty that is designed to control the flow of weapons into conflict zones.

It comes after US President Donald Trump announced plans last year to pull the US out of the treaty, which came into force in 2014.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that joining the treaty was “another important measure for China to support multilateralism.”

He added that the country would make a “continuous effort to maintain and enhance peace and stability in the world and region,” and that China has “always strictly controlled the export of military products.”

China only exports such products to sovereign countries and not to non-state actors, Zhao said at a regular media briefing.

The US Senate never ratified the 2013 Arms Trade Treaty after former president Barack Obama endorsed it, and Trump has said he would revoke his predecessor’s signature.