*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, England - September 8, 2009: The world's largest defence fair opened here on Tuesday, with a Chinese delegation among those showing their war
es despite an European Union arms embargo against Beijing.
More than 40 countries are represented at the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition by some1,300 exhibitors selling everything from machine guns and tanks to medical equipment and anti-bomb devices.
A Chinese delegation comprised of about nine members of the military and the Chinese ambassador are among those attending the four-day event, at the invitation of Britain's trade body, UK Trade and Investments.
But they will not be meeting any of the major defence contractors, UKTI spokesman Adam Thomas said, focusing instead on humanitarian and disaster relief equipment, as well as security technology including biometric devices.
China is subject to a Europe-wide arms embargo, which in Britain prevents the export of lethal weapons, their components or ammunition, military aircraft or platforms and any equipment that could be used for internal repression.
It was imposed by the European Union following the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
It is not the first time a Chinese delegation has attended the DSEi show. They were here two years ago, and were also invited to the Farnborough Air Show, although they did not attend, Thomas said.
However, the Campaign Against the Arms Trade said they were "shocked" at the inclusion of China and rejected the argument that the delegations were only in London to see humantarian equipment.
"We are shocked but not surprised," said media coordinator Kaye Stearman.
"China is such a massive abuser of human rights and there has been an embargo in place for more then 20 years. But then we do see components sold to China -- the rules are pretty flexible."
The campaign organised a demonstration outside the UKTI offices in central London in protest at what Stearman called Britain's "cosy relationship" with the international arms trade -- as emphasised by this week's defence fair.
Fifty-three major defence contractors are at DSEi this year to present their latest developments, including high-tech clothing for soldiers in combat and ways of delivering breathable atmospheres in nuclear-powered submarines.
Three naval vessels -- two from Britain's Royal Navy and one from the Dutch Navy -- were berthed on the waterway outside the conference centre, where a display of equipment used in anti-piracy operations was also due to be held.
es despite an European Union arms embargo against Beijing.
More than 40 countries are represented at the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition by some1,300 exhibitors selling everything from machine guns and tanks to medical equipment and anti-bomb devices.
A Chinese delegation comprised of about nine members of the military and the Chinese ambassador are among those attending the four-day event, at the invitation of Britain's trade body, UK Trade and Investments.
But they will not be meeting any of the major defence contractors, UKTI spokesman Adam Thomas said, focusing instead on humanitarian and disaster relief equipment, as well as security technology including biometric devices.
China is subject to a Europe-wide arms embargo, which in Britain prevents the export of lethal weapons, their components or ammunition, military aircraft or platforms and any equipment that could be used for internal repression.
It was imposed by the European Union following the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
It is not the first time a Chinese delegation has attended the DSEi show. They were here two years ago, and were also invited to the Farnborough Air Show, although they did not attend, Thomas said.
However, the Campaign Against the Arms Trade said they were "shocked" at the inclusion of China and rejected the argument that the delegations were only in London to see humantarian equipment.
"We are shocked but not surprised," said media coordinator Kaye Stearman.
"China is such a massive abuser of human rights and there has been an embargo in place for more then 20 years. But then we do see components sold to China -- the rules are pretty flexible."
The campaign organised a demonstration outside the UKTI offices in central London in protest at what Stearman called Britain's "cosy relationship" with the international arms trade -- as emphasised by this week's defence fair.
Fifty-three major defence contractors are at DSEi this year to present their latest developments, including high-tech clothing for soldiers in combat and ways of delivering breathable atmospheres in nuclear-powered submarines.
Three naval vessels -- two from Britain's Royal Navy and one from the Dutch Navy -- were berthed on the waterway outside the conference centre, where a display of equipment used in anti-piracy operations was also due to be held.
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