Are There Still Production Advantages in China
A lot of US citizens and, particularly, those that have been involved in domestic manufacturing, have been hopeful that recent changes in China will make them less competitive. A couple of internet accounts have discussed this:
One, an article at Omaha.com relates how
China Moves Away from Low Cost Manufacturing.
However, at one of my favorite blogs, the China Law Blog, they have a position and have a good debate going stemming from the post of
Competing with Chinese Companies on Price, In Your Dreams.
There are definitely signs that rising costs in China are making it more costly to produce, but as mentioned in the China Law Blog, it is still very difficult to beat the total costs advantages. There may be some return to more US manufacturing of some products, but I would venture to believe that will not be in labor intensive type products.
Labels: China Business, manufacturing
The Year of the Ox
Tis the New Year.............. Chinese New Year anyway!
I'm sure celebrations are in full swing across most of Asia now for the Year of the Ox. I guess January 26 is the official date of the Lunar New Year. But the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is celebrated for several weeks. Xinhua News Agency of China has documented many of the celebrations
here.
In other news from Guangdong and Dongguan:
恭喜發財 (Kung Hei Fat Choy) / Wish you a prosperous new yearLabels: China Business, Dongguan, Joint Ventures, Web
Dongguan News Bits
News from Dongguan:
Labels: China Business, Dongguan, Economy
Recent Headlines & News from Dongguan
Economic conditions continue to be the headliner of most news from China. Leaders concerned with possible unrest are acting to support businesses, but not necessarily individuals. Some leaders are even protesting.
Job market for college graduates is just as bleak in Asia as in America:
But even though caddies may be getting laid off at Mission Hills, the club still garners awards:
Labels: China, China Business, Dongguan, Mission HIlls
Dongguan & Guangdong in the News
Recent news has not been kind to Dongguan & the Guangdong Province:
Maybe China's actions today will help:
Labels: China Business, Dongguan, Economy, Guangdong, Guangdong News
A Big Challenge
Yes, China has a lot to learn and improve. The news seems to relish the bash China reports lately. There also seems to be a lot of fodder for it, toys, tires, food.
At least a few positive reports are getting through. The other day ABC had a nice report about a teddy bear vendor that goes through extensive efforts to assure good products. My company does what it can for assuring high quality, safe products too. But this is a big, poor country. One has to realize how big this place is to imagine the challenge. The US is not perfect, and went through similar growing pains in past centuries. China is just catching up and has a lot to improve.
Just remember too, that Japan was one considered to be a major producer of cheap products. It reversed that paradigm to be considered the world’s foremost producer of quality products. China is similarly challenged now. Will it embrace and do the right things. Only time will tell.
Labels: China Business, Toy Recall
