歐盟對中武器禁運這幾年來屢受矚目。美國認為解禁將使中共取得歐盟武器,歐盟表示歐盟會有配套的管制規範,中共則表示無意購買歐盟武器。這些表面辭令背後的真相,需由軍備轉移的角度來探究。本文發現,因為歐中武器系統的不相容、中共國防自主的企圖與成果、歐盟不能也不願提出有競爭力的武器產品、再加上歐盟現行軍備出口管制法規的彈性,歐盟完整武器在中共市場上實是缺乏銷路,而歐中雙方供需相吻合的武器相關技術轉移,根本也不受法規妨礙。所謂的武器禁運根本沒有實質意義,解禁與否只是個象徵性的問題。因此,美歐中三方操作此一議題的用意,並不在最終的結果,而是在過程中各方的角力,過程本身即是目的。歐盟想藉拉攏中共凸顯自主性,美國則藉反對宣示自己的主導地位,中共則是見縫插針以離間美歐兩方與歐盟各國。所以不僅是在這幾年,往後在某些事件的觸發之下,我們應該都可以看到此一議題被一再拿來操作。
European Union's arms embargo on China has been a key issue between EU, U.S. and China. The three parties involved have different and conflicting arguments. The U.S. asserts the lift of embargo will result in the transfer of EU's arms to China and endanger the lives of U.S. serviceman. However, EU proclaims no intention in such sells and a more effective regulation regarding arms transfer will enter into force. In contrast, China takes the embargo as a political discrimination and does not intend to buy EU's weapon. This article tries to address these puzzles with an arms transfer perspective. Given the weapons compatibility, self-reliance in defense industry, competitiveness of EU arms product, and the flexibility of regulations, EU's technologies, rather than arms are required by China and is not restrict by the EU's export regime. Thus, the embargo is largely symbolic. Each party involved push this issues for the symbolic values.