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Unlike previous international episodes when the government felt the nation was under attack, officials largely refrained from attacking the critics, apart from a few complaints suggesting that the media had been manipulated or that trade protectionism was behind the massive recalls of China-made goods. In fact, Chinese officials have kept a low profile throughout the whole unpleasant business.
Rather than denying the burgeoning accusations of carelessness at Chinese factories, the government has taken a responsible attitude and has taken measures to resolve the problems. These measures have included assisting in the recall of products and meting out serious punishments to officials and manufacturers found to be complicit in the production of inferior products. Some were put in prison or even executed, as was the fate of Zheng Xiaoyu, the former food and drug regulator.
We should not lose sight of the positive side of the "Made in China" phenomenon. Chinese manufacturers, as the country's economic engine, are raising the standard of living of the Chinese people. In addition, China is serving the world by providing inexpensive products affordable by ordinary people in many countries.
China's pride in its products stretches back at least a millennium, to the invention of paper in the first century AD. This is one of the four ancient inventions considered China's great contributions to civilization, the others being gunpowder, the compass and printing. Chinese silk dates back even further, to at least 3000 BC, and has long been treasured around the world. And of course there are the porcelain products known around the world as china. In the 19th century "Made in China" silk and porcelain were in great demand in Europe.
The recent dissatisfaction with goods produced in China has caused the country a great loss of face. It has forced Chinese leaders and manufacturers to go beyond the issue of face, however, and realize that they must comply with international standards and norms. It is part of the process of China taking its place in the world.
Several tasks lie ahead for China to upgrade the "Made in China" label and restore the country's positive image. The government must pay attention to curbing the production of substandard products. It must establish a regime to supervise manufacturers and stop those who break the rules to maximize profit. Chinese manufacturers must communicate more closely with their foreign partners to minimize mistakes. On the other hand, the Chinese government and manufacturers must learn how to defend their interests in international institutions or courts when they feel they are not at fault.
China is still a developing country. The products it exports to foreign countries are produced in labor-intensive factories, by laborers who have not received a comprehensive education. Factory owners may lack training in technology and in quality standards.
The international community can be assured that the Chinese government will not ignore the crisis of confidence over all things made in China. It will work hard to ensure the quality of its exports in the future.
The country's leaders are concerned about developing China's soft power, not only its military and economic power, and so will do their best to preserve the country's international image. China has been called a "stakeholder" in international society, and this is a role that the government takes seriously.
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(Zhang Quanyi is an associate professor at the Zhejiang Wanli University in Ningbo, China, and a PhD candidate at Shanghai International Studies University, studying policy making and collective identity. He is currently a research fellow at the School of International Studies at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, under a grant by the Korea Foundation. He can be contacted at qyzhangupi@yahoo.com. ©Copyright Zhang Quanyi.)
