The United States and the Rise of Anti-Chinaism

[J-10]

The United States and the Rise of Anti-Chinaism
By Stephan Richter | Thursday, November 01, 2007

Most observers view the recent bout of rising anti-China sentiment in the United States as a direct reflection of worsening U.S. trade statistics. Since the numbers are not turning around, a culprit needs to be found. And this time, it’s not Japan — but China.

http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=6036

[theholeinthedonut]

Lobbyism is a nice thing, whoever pays the fiddler gets his favourite tune.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

That article is laughable.



What really explains much of the China bashing is that U.S. policymakers
and opinion leaders are just plain frustrated — about their own internal inability to get anything done.


The anti-China movement is driven from the ground up, not the top down. It's not against China per se - that is to say that people don't hate China in particular - they hate the idea that we have sold ourselves out to another nation thats able to build things so much more cheaply, while skirting all the laws and regulations that our industry is forced to comply with. Many of us simply refuse to continue to support it. Pretty simple, really.

The article can entertain any foolish ideas it likes - from petty jealousies to far-fetched tie-ins with Bush's dreaded "unilateral" foreign policy - but the reality is that many of us are just tired of watching our elite enrich themselves by moving all of our manufacturing offshore.

[little icebear]

Hate to say it but... I think 2Sheds is right.

[Dasein]

That article is laughable.



The anti-China movement is driven from the ground up, not the top down. It's not against China per se - that is to say that people don't hate China in particular - they hate the idea that we have sold ourselves out to another nation thats able to build things so much more cheaply, while skirting all the laws and regulations that our industry is forced to comply with. Many of us simply refuse to continue to support it. Pretty simple, really.

The article can entertain any foolish ideas it likes - from petty jealousies to far-fetched tie-ins with Bush's dreaded "unilateral" foreign policy - but the reality is that many of us are just tired of watching our elite enrich themselves by moving all of our manufacturing offshore.

So why anti-China specifically, and not anti- all the other countries with cheap labor? While there are legitimate issues of product safety for items manufactured in China, I do not see how China is worse that many of the other cheap labor countries.

Thus, I would imagine there's more to the anti-China sentiment than just a desire to see more fair labor practices and higher quality products.

[Flamming_Python]

That article is laughable.



The anti-China movement is driven from the ground up, not the top down. It's not against China per se - that is to say that people don't hate China in particular - they hate the idea that we have sold ourselves out to another nation thats able to build things so much more cheaply, while skirting all the laws and regulations that our industry is forced to comply with. Many of us simply refuse to continue to support it. Pretty simple, really.

The article can entertain any foolish ideas it likes - from petty jealousies to far-fetched tie-ins with Bush's dreaded "unilateral" foreign policy - but the reality is that many of us are just tired of watching our elite enrich themselves by moving all of our manufacturing offshore.

Surely these frustrations only apply to American businessmen.

The average American consumer has benefited immensely from cheap Chinese goods.

[Clayton Gold]

Surely these frustrations only apply to American businessmen.

The average American consumer has benefited immensely from cheap Chinese goods.

That's easy enough to assume, but I would like to see some stats to support this.

What would you prefer - losing your job, benefits, & pension; or saving $1.25 at Walmart ?

[Laworkerbee]

Surely these frustrations only apply to American businessmen.

You would be wrong. Americans like choice, go to any store shelf and you will have to dig to find a product not made in China.

[Rapier55]

I have to agree with 2Sheds reply. I would also add that I recall smelling the same aroma during the eighties and early nineties with regards to Mexico. The Cheap labor and skirting of most of our environmental laws sent our manufacturers south. The irony is Mexico is now losing out to China for those same reasons. Heck, I even remember a little anti-Canadaism when Hollywood sent a lot of production to our Northern neighbors.

Also, what cheap goods is everyone referring to? I don't wear $.99 slippers or shoes and although I'm not a brand whore I stick to known or mainstream brands. Nothing is getting cheaper for me and I doubt for the average American. The cheaper labor only increases these companies margins and I highly doubt they're passing on all these saving to the consumer. Otherwise, what was the point of moving manufacturing ops to China???

[AROUETLJ]

That article is laughable.



The anti-China movement is driven from the ground up, not the top down. It's not against China per se - that is to say that people don't hate China in particular -

Well, I hate China. But then, I'm not American. What's wrong with hating our adversaries?

[2Sheds_Jackson]

So why anti-China specifically, and not anti- all the other countries with cheap labor? While there are legitimate issues of product safety for items manufactured in China, I do not see how China is worse that many of the other cheap labor countries.

Thus, I would imagine there's more to the anti-China sentiment than just a desire to see more fair labor practices and higher quality products.

Well I agree - they are no worse and no better. But in terms of impact in the US, they are the 800lb gorilla. Nearly everything I pick up is made in China, so they're the squeaky wheel that's getting the grease. If everything on the shelf was stamped Vietnam, we'd be agitating for action against them. Why bother being pissed off about somebody who accounts for only 3% of our imports? I think India is #2 on our sh*t list, since every call to tech support routes to some Indian guy who, in barely recognizable English eventually says "I regrets to inform you that I am unable to resolve your technical problem". :slap:


Well, I hate China. But then, I'm not American. What's wrong with hating our adversaries?

Nothin' at all. I'm all about hating stuff worth hating, it makes me feel all warm and cuddly inside.

But I don't see China so much as an adversary...more as a competitor. And the problem with competition is that in order for all the competitors to feel like they're being treated fairly...the same rules must apply to all. There's a new unregulated coal-fired power plant built in China every 3 days, while our old plants are constantly required to be cleaner - not to mention our plants have to comply with OSHA, and unions, and every safety, environmental and wage rule under the sun. Things like that. I gladly pay a bit more for American made stuff...when I can find it.

[ed316]

I agree with 2Sheds. Business people like it. Cheap labor, Don't have to pay for benefits of workers, and all the thing that is assciated with owning a business in the US. All this cheap shyt comes with a price; more jobs going oversees. Might be good for Wally word customers but somebody is getting fvcked by it here in America. Someone has to pay and it's the American workers.

[AROUETLJ]

Well, chaps, I've been trying to convince my European colleagues that China is not the friendly pal it's made out to be, but to no avail. Bloody hell, we've swallowed their propaganda hook, line and sinker.

I stand by what I said. Germany is a competitor. The UK is a competitor. The rest of the EU countries, and Russia, are competitors. But China is an adversary. I won't say enemy, because that may be a tad too strong, but adversary, certainly.

And what's the best proof of this? Why, they're trying to feed us a guilt complex about "anti-Chinaism".

[Ordie]

Solution:

China: need to export less and buy local.

USA: need to buy less and save more.

PS: If the Chinese didn't buy the US T-bills, I would not be able to buy my first house with a managible low intrest rate.

[AZRON]

So why anti-China specifically, and not anti- all the other countries with cheap labor? While there are legitimate issues of product safety for items manufactured in China, I do not see how China is worse that many of the other cheap labor countries.

Thus, I would imagine there's more to the anti-China sentiment than just a desire to see more fair labor practices and higher quality products.

Yes there is. China is the biggest so that is why specifically then followed by India.
The Elites in the U.S. want a one-world economy and businesses are much more multi-national with no allegance to any country unless they want their patents protected.
Plus since 1992 there seems to be Chinese money flowing into the coffers of an unnamed U.S. political family in an obvious effort to buy influence.

[Dasein]

Why do you think it is only the 'elites' who recognize the benefits of globalization? Fundamentally, it has never been a question of if we globalize, but how.

Globalization is the reality. If you benefit or not from it or not is up to the individual. Some are capable of adapting or exploiting opportunities it provides. Others see it as a threat or are unable to adapt to changing realities. However, virtually all our technological progress in the past century has gone towards making globalization possible, and unless we start getting rid of the internet, airplanes, telephones, satellite communication, and all those other tools that make it possible to communicate and trade with ease, globalization is here to stay.

[Mastermind]

I have to wonder what "Globalization" really means. I know it begins with trade...and in that sense we have been living with globalization in some for or another since the days of the Spice Road. But, goverments and people may not be so easy to blend. Culture is another crystal that is hard to dissolve...religion even harder.

I suppose "Globalization" in the world trade sense is a step toward global peace. Business generally hates war unless there is a depression...then war is salvation for business. But, prosperity harbors peace...in times of prosperity, business in all borders will lobby for peace...and peace at just about any cost. But, should prosperity go to hell, war will come and it will be war for any reason. In other words, when the people fail as consumers, only the goverments are left..and there are no better customers than warring governments.

In that sense, I have to shake a fist at "globalization"...but, then, I am merely imitating Don Quixote.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done. Nor does it mean that every way in which it can be done is equally as good or bad.

I look at it as a larger scale version of what we all experience in our hometowns every day. The rich people live in leafy neighborhoods. Quiet, fancy, patrolled by private security to keep out the riff-raff, while their industries are downtown - spewing pollutants all over the tiny crowded homes of the aforementioned riff-raff.

But - our democratic social contract allows those riff-raff to better themselves - the rich pay high taxes to better the lives of the poor, and the poor stand a good chance of working themselves out of their situation. So there is a closed system which tries to allow everybody to reach a reasonable standard of living. Our society and our law recognize this as a foundational principle behind our civilization - we all owe each other some help - and our industries are a huge cog in that wheel.

Enter foreign markets -where no such contract exists. Effectively, the same protected rich folk now get to use people who have no protections - either in safety, environmental, or labor laws - to enrich themselves. It is the very lack of those protections that makes the foreign labor so much less expensive. In addition, the rich man is now not even paying the wages of his own countrymen - he puts his neighbors out of work, and instead supports workers in another nation.

Why should we, as the neighbors of the rich man, continue to allow this? I don't advocate government action against it - just awareness - watch what you buy - and know who it is supporting. I'm sure there's a balance to be struck somewhere...but it sure seems like we've crossed over it. /rant off :-(

[I can't think of a name]

globalization is nothing new You could argue the world was more globalized during the Silk Road times and during colonialism.

[hejab99]

since americans won't work on the cheap--and the chinese will--we have enjoyed a recipe for success; however, with the recent safety issues concerning chinese products, what is america to do? we must engage the chinese and encourage them to produce a quality product on the cheap without cutting corners so much that it impedes on safety. as well as engage them in africa--for resources--which should have been accomplished many years ago--but since africa was ONCE seen as a place of low interest to washington the chinese have taken the lead. again. in simple economic terms china has several advantages, so, why not embrace our illegal immigrant issue by using illegal immigrants to OUR advantage and begin manufacturing again. albeit not as cheap as chinese labor/overhead but hey you gotta start somewhere...

[Zerazax]

I agree with 2Sheds that the anti-China is from the ground up, not top down.

If anything, the top wants good relations with China. Big business benefits from cheaper labor so they will certainly lobby hard to maintain good relations with China. Its in their interests to see that remain so

[dangerclose]

We're not anti-China we're just anti-being poisoned by our own toothpaste and anti-having our pets vomit up their own spleens.


I like chinese food and all and them flying kung-fu movies and stuff.

[Mastermind]

But, after China become affluent and a billion more middle class folks join the club...what then? Where will china get her cheap labor to stock the ten thousand new Chinese Wal-Marts? also, I think it's hilarious all our Christmas ornaments and Eater decor are made in China...but now China is banning Christian bibles from any of the Olympic athletes....they seem to be just as jack-assed up as we are.

As for the ceap labor, there are all those little monsters in Africa who seem under employed...except for the petty warlord militias and crew openings on pirate boats. The look like they would work pretty hard for a bowl of cous-cous a day...right up China's alley, eh?

[J-10]

...but now China is banning Christian bibles from any of the Olympic athletes....

?? source?

[LaoSexMachine]

?? source?

In Italian


http://archivio.gazzetta.it/archiveDocumentServlet.jsp?url=/documenti_gazzetta/archivio/gazzetta/2007/10/ga_10_071013028.xml

[Chulo]

?? source?
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=123342

[J-10]

I think its rumour.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/08/sports/NA-SPT-OLY-Beijing-Bibles.php


But USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel said the federation had reviewed all the information the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee had provided about what was permissible in the Olympic village and found nothing to indicate the Bible or any other religious material would be prohibited.

[Chulo]

I think its rumour.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/08/sports/NA-SPT-OLY-Beijing-Bibles.php


"We fully expect that the standards established by the IOC for previous games will be in effect for these games," Seibel said.
well if the IOC has established rules on religion and worship, i dont see how china would have gotten to be host without those rules being made clear. I hope its a rumor, or at least corrected after its been brought to light

[lenovo]

Sometimes I wonder if west people have brains. How can educated people trust such a bull**** news?

You are allowed to bring one bible with you, for your own purpose, but you can't bring multi copies which is intended to spread your reglion. The same rule applies to islam and buddisms. This is a totally different story.

Chinese have been atheism for 5,000 years and they will continue to be in the foreseeable future.

But, after China become affluent and a billion more middle class folks join the club...what then? Where will china get her cheap labor to stock the ten thousand new Chinese Wal-Marts? also, I think it's hilarious all our Christmas ornaments and Eater decor are made in China...but now China is banning Christian bibles from any of the Olympic athletes....they seem to be just as jack-assed up as we are.

As for the ceap labor, there are all those little monsters in Africa who seem under employed...except for the petty warlord militias and crew openings on pirate boats. The look like they would work pretty hard for a bowl of cous-cous a day...right up China's alley, eh?

[lenovo]

deleted
deleted
deleted

[Ordie]

http://www.scitechfestival.com/images/jetsons.gif

It looks like the Jetsons home.

[plato]

Sometimes I wonder if west people have brains. How can educated people trust such a bull**** news?

You are allowed to bring one bible with you, for your own purpose, but you can't bring multi copies which is intended to spread your reglion. The same rule applies to islam and buddisms. This is a totally different story.

Chinese have been atheism for 5,000 years and they will continue to be in the foreseeable future.

Sometimes I wonder if a person has a brain or not for saying:"hinese have been atheism for 5,000 years..............".

[plato]

Winner of internal decoration design
http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/viewthread.php?tid=68754&extra=page%3D1 (in Chinese)






Sometimes, I also wonder how can a person with a brain relate "winner of internal...." with the topic of this thread.

[Mastermind]

?? source?
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10868 and http://archivio.gazzetta.it/archiveDocumentServlet.jsp?url=/documenti_gazzetta/archivio/gazzetta/2007/10/ga_10_071013028.xml (In Italian, however)

There ya go.

[Solvent]

Sometimes I wonder if a person has a brain or not for saying:"hinese have been atheism for 5,000 years..............".




Ya, the history of Chinese is full of religions. Somebody who doesn't know it should go home to read history books.

[timetraveller]

That article is laughable.



The anti-China movement is driven from the ground up, not the top down. It's not against China per se - that is to say that people don't hate China in particular - they hate the idea that we have sold ourselves out to another nation thats able to build things so much more cheaply, while skirting all the laws and regulations that our industry is forced to comply with. Many of us simply refuse to continue to support it. Pretty simple, really.

The article can entertain any foolish ideas it likes - from petty jealousies to far-fetched tie-ins with Bush's dreaded "unilateral" foreign policy - but the reality is that many of us are just tired of watching our elite enrich themselves by moving all of our manufacturing offshore.


True .

But the overall failure of the Products being recalled from the Shop shelves because of the blatent lack of regular checks by those compaines , The fault lies with them plain and simple and there blatent disregard ..

It's funny how the few whom held postions in Top Financial Establishments Merryll lynch / CitiGroup have left their posts because of the massive losses .. And we still haven't seen any resignations/early retirements from Company Excutives of those Major Toy companies .

Why is that ...It's not there fault [in Thier Eyes ] yet they will blame the Chinese for shoddy workmanship

[Solvent]

True .

But the overall failure of the Products being recalled from the Shop shelves because of the blatent lack of regular checks by those compaines , The fault lies with them plain and simple and there blatent disregard ..

It's funny how the few whom held postions in Top Financial Establishments Merryll lynch / CitiGroup have left their posts because of the massive losses .. And we still haven't seen any resignations/early retirements from Company Excutives of those Major Toy companies .

Why is that ...It's not there fault [in Thier Eyes ] yet they will blame the Chinese for shoddy workmanship

Because they are still negotiating for big resignation compensation packagesp-). I am just kidding.