Which one of the following statements about the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is not correct?

Introduction / Context:
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an important international arrangement aimed at limiting the spread of missile technology that could be used to deliver weapons of mass destruction. Questions in international relations often ask about its nature, membership and rules. This question asks which statement about MTCR is not correct, so you must be able to distinguish accurate descriptions from one that exaggerates or misrepresents how the regime operates.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Statement A describes MTCR as an informal and voluntary partnership initially formed among G-7 countries.
• Statement B mentions efforts to prevent proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology above specified payload and range limits.
• Statement C refers to China applying for membership and not being admitted.
• Statement D claims that no non member country follows MTCR rules.
• Only one of these statements is not correct.

Concept / Approach:
MTCR is not a formal treaty but a voluntary export control regime. It was indeed started by a small group of industrialised countries and focuses on controlling the export of missiles and related technologies capable of delivering significant payloads over long ranges. Many non member countries, however, choose to align their export policies with MTCR guidelines, so the claim that no country outside the membership follows its rules is too absolute. The approach is therefore to confirm the nature and objectives of MTCR and then identify which statement overstates its exclusivity.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate Statement A. MTCR was formed in 1987 by a group of industrialised countries which included G-7 members, and it operates as an informal and voluntary partnership. This statement is correct. Step 2: Evaluate Statement B. The regime focuses on controlling missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that can carry a payload of more than about 500 kilograms to ranges greater than about 300 kilometres. This is consistent with MTCR guidelines, so this statement is correct. Step 3: Evaluate Statement C. China expressed interest in joining MTCR in earlier years, but its membership has not been approved. This statement reflects standard accounts and can be treated as correct. Step 4: Evaluate Statement D. This claims that no country outside the membership follows MTCR rules. In reality, some non member states voluntarily align their export control policies with MTCR standards. Therefore, this statement is not correct because it wrongly excludes the possibility of voluntary adherence by non members. Step 5: Conclude that Statement D is the only incorrect statement in the list.

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative check is to recall that MTCR guidelines are public and provide a model for national export control laws. Several countries that are not formal members still choose to implement similar controls to show responsibility and increase their chances of future membership or international acceptance. The nature of MTCR as a voluntary regime means that non members can follow its rules if they wish, and this has been noted in various analyses. This clearly contradicts the absolute assertion in Statement D that no non member country follows MTCR rules.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A: Correctly describes MTCR as an informal, voluntary partnership initially formed among major industrial states.
• Option B: Correctly states the key threshold parameters (payload and range) that guide MTCR controls.
• Option C: Accurately captures the fact that China has not been admitted despite showing interest, which is consistent with many reports.

Common Pitfalls:
One mistake is to assume that only formal members can follow MTCR rules, ignoring that export control regimes often influence non members as well. Another pitfall is to confuse MTCR with legally binding treaties and to treat its guidelines as if they automatically applied only to members. Candidates may also be tempted to doubt Statement C because it mentions a specific country, but the real inaccuracy lies in the overly strong wording of Statement D. Reading carefully and noting absolute expressions like no other country often helps identify such incorrect statements.

Final Answer:
The statement that is not correct about the Missile Technology Control Regime is that no other country outside the membership follows the Regime rules.