Unmade in China
Today China (town), tomorrow the world.
I promise it's not our lust for food that's driving us to China Town in London today. Though after the great snacks on Green Street, I certainly won't say no to those yummy staples of London Chinese restaurants: dim sum and crispy fried duck. Wherever you are in the world, there's no doubting the influence of cheap Chinese-made goods. In India, practically everything-- including Hindu idols and that very symbol of Indian womanhood, saris-- are now made in China. Well, after the recall in the US of more than 18 million toys high in lead paint, authorities in China have ordered an investigation.
Have the recalls damaged China's image? Who's responsible for ensuring the quality of goods? Governments? Or consumers? Have you stopped buying Chinese goods? Or are most of us just too addicted to cheap stuff?
Here are some facts about China's toy industry:
- It's worth more than $20 billion, or 75 percent of the world's toy output.
- The United States is the biggest customer, taking 38 percent of all Chinese toy exports in 2005.
- More than four million Chinese workers are employed in at least 20,000 factories. Most of them are in Guangdong province in southern China.
- China's domestic toy market is booming and could be worth more than $12.5 billion by 2010.
We're hoping to be live in China Town with some guests from China, the US... and of course, we can't do this without you. So get in touch!
Here's the story in detail: https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6947420.stm
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