(Chinese) Export Boom Suddenly Facing a Quality Crisis --NYTimes

[Demeter]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/18/business/worldbusiness/18trade.html?ref=health

An Export Boom Suddenly Facing a Quality Crisis
By DAVID BARBOZA
SHANGHAI, May 17 — Weeks after tainted Chinese pet food ingredients killed and sickened thousands of dogs and cats in the United States, this country is facing growing international pressure to prove that its food exports are safe to eat.

But simmering beneath the surface is a thornier problem that worries Chinese officials: how to assure the world that this is not a nation of counterfeits and that “Made in China” means well made.

Already, the contamination has produced one of the largest pet food recalls in American history, heightening global fears about the quality and safety of China’s agricultural products. And evidence has also shown that China exported fake drug ingredients, threatening to undermine the credibility of another booming export.

“This isn’t an international crisis yet, but if they don’t do something about it quickly, it will be,” said David Zweig, a China specialist who teaches at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “The question is whether it spills over and ‘Made in China’ becomes known as ‘Buyer Beware.’ ”

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, I SUPPOSE

[evlbstrd]

1. Japan went through a similar crisis after the war.

Their exports were considered cheap and shoddy and that perception threatened economic growth.
Then again, they weren't killing people and animals.

[kurth]

4. Japanese and Chinese are very different people

It's very obvious when you travel to those countries.

For example, the Japanese are very picky when it comes to things like personal hygiene and food. Otherwise, they'd be DEAD (they eat raw seafood, remember?).

[evlbstrd]

6. I made no cultural comparison.

Only noted the similarities concerning the perception of their exports.

[Double T]

2. China is not to be trusted regardless of any assurances they may make

China makes poor quality crap and now worse.

[Kagemusha]

3. I'm not so sure about the "Suddenly" label

other than that, well, if it's getting attention, good. About time.

Nothing specific to China either. I don't hate imports. They just need to at least surpass the bare minimum standards.

[CountAllVotes]

5. tough cookies is what I say

They got caught in their dirty little game. The deaths of thousands of pets and other animals are on their hands and what about humans? They have yet to address this issue have they not?

China's greed is apparent. They may well have cooked their own goose with it.

:kick:

[kurth]

7. Chinese business culture: If you can get away with it, do it

even if it kills thousands.

[CountAllVotes]

8. yep

I know all about it. My late father was in China at the end of WWII for about 2 years. He had many stories to tell and he knew all about the greed of the desperate. Now maybe they aren't so desperate, but the greed is worse than ever it seems to me. :(

:kick:

[benld74]

9. Suddenly? I don't think I like the sound of that, quality should always come first, what the hell!