BEIJING -?China has always adopted a responsible and prudent attitude on the exportation of weapons, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.

China rigorously fulfills the obligations of international laws such as the United Nations resolutions, as well as domestic rules, spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

Hong's remarks came after the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a Swedish think tank, said in a report that China has replaced Britain to become the world's fifth largest weapons supplier with five percent of the global trade, its highest position since the Cold War.

The Chinese side adheres to three principles on arms exports, Hong said.Firstly, it should be conducive to the recipient country's proper self-defence needs. Secondly, it does not harm regional and global peace, security and stability. Thirdly, it does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs.