Hello
When will the West realise that it has to help stop China going into recession? For the first time in a thousand years, China has attempted to mould its economy into a workhorse for other countries in order to make a contribution to world power. Their almost limitless supply of cheap manpower made them very popular with Western retailers.
Twenty years ago, Western retailers whooped for joy as they had found a place where their products could be manufactured and transported cheaply. Their profits surged accordingly. However there were problems in the consistency and quality of the product, due to communication issues on all sides.
If you come from a society where you mend things if they break down, then the British and Chinese have much in common. However, Britain has British Standards and all products must conform to them. In the latest case, of the Hover toy made in China, when they came to fit the standard moulded plug, the fuse was too big to fit, so the Chinese inserted it another way. There were presumably no checks made beyond that it worked. Only when the device was put on charge, did the failure of the fuse become apparent and the device burned out. Consignments were refused entry to Britain by Trading Standards.
The product was made in good faith, so the problem must lie in Quality Control. To help China, the West must offer help in this area. If it is permitted, they could offer help in building a new industry where every product passes the safety requirements of the receiving country. Apple has a manufacturing and Quality Control facility in China. Other western retailers must do the same. They cannot demand a perfect product without putting in their own checks.
Time was when the British had an Empire and sent its Civil Servants to help train up the indigenous Engineers etc., and then moved on after three years. Maybe this is an alternative course. Unfortunately David Cameron has sacked a hundred thousand Civil Servants and Britain may be taking its own shortcuts, which show up in the Foreign Office diplomats being made redundant following a trade visit to China. They have to be there in the long-term for this to work.
The one thing stockbrokers cannot do, is to wring their hands and wail that there is a Chinese slowdown, without helping to end it. They must do this without causing the Chinese to lose face. No man likes that. Maybe you could also involve women, who have brought up a successful generation of Chinese people and now look for another challenge. Just a thought.
LucyLou
Lucyloupoliblog 