China’s Shifting Export Strategy

China saw its own arms exports fall by 5.4% over the last five years, giving it a 5.9% share of the global market. Pakistan is still its primary customer by far, receiving 63% of Chinese arms exports. However, China has been branching out in smaller weapons deals with nations like Serbia and Thailand. Overall, China aims to offer lower-cost alternatives to expensive Western weapons, while diversifying its global customer base.