WorldRussia, China to address illegal arms production issue

RIA Novosti ^ | 11/16/2010 | RIA Novosti

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Russia and China have agreed to resolve the issue of the illegal production of Russian arms in China, a deputy head of Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Tuesday.

"We have made progress in an understanding of this problem. Moreover, all the documents concerning the protection of intellectual property have been signed," Alexander Mikheyev said following the opening ceremony of the Airshow China 2010 exhibition in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai.

"China does not refuse to discuss these issues, which are primarily a concern for Russia," he said, adding that Rosoboronexport will hold talks on the issue with Chinese representatives in the near future.

With contracts totaling $34 billion, Russia is the second-largest exporter of arms and military equipment after the United States, and it is steadily expanding its presence on the arms market. China is one of Russia's main arms trade partners.

According to experts, exports of illegally produced Russian arms cost the country up to $6 billion a year, and also damage Russia's business and political image.

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