As a result of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China will be exposed to a greater global audience -- and greater global scrutiny -- than ever before. In order to put its best foot forward, the Chinese government has spent record amounts on everything from increased security to environmental cleanup.

But there are some Chinese policies that are too controversial to be "cleaned up" at the last minute. This is certainly the case with respect to China's role in arming Sudan's government. Chinese weapons transfers to the Khartoum regime too often end up in the hands of the Janjaweed militias that have devastated Sudan's Darfur region. The recent charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir underscore the moral bankruptcy of China's arms transfer policy.

This issue brief provides background on China's arms trade, with a primary focus on exports to the Sudan.