From Made in China to Created in China: how nation turned itself from world’s sweatshop to global innovator in just one decade
While the ‘Made in China’ label has long held negative connotations, the newly embraced ‘Created in China’ designation celebrates a nation that is blazing a trail in manufacturing, technology and the new economy
The email came barely two months before Christmas, in 2007. My editor wanted an article about manufacturing in China. Products being sold around the world were made in the country and he wanted to prick the conscience of consumers before the festive season shopping orgy began – so the focus was to be on labour conditions and the quality of products. Especially toys.
There was no better place to start than in Yiwu, the Zhejiang province manufacturing powerhouse and a favourite low-cost market for retailers. Christmas goods were already halfway to tinsel-dressed shelves across the globe, but Valentine’s Day would be next, so the factories were still hard at it. Stuffed hearts bearing the words “I love you” in all imaginable languages – albeit with spelling mistakes here and there – filled the first factory I managed to sneak into.
Basic hearts were filled with polyester and cost about one yuan. The most expensive had a battery-powered speaker: when pressed, a robotic voice would say, “Te quiero”. Well, those in the toys destined for Spanish-speaking markets did.
Breaches in labour laws were easy to spot. In fact, it was hard to find anything that met European standards. Young women handled toxic materials without protection, bent over sewing machines for more than 14 hours a day with no overtime pay. They lived in filthy dormitories provided by the company – and paid highly for the privilege. The factory floor was dirty and cold; employees wore thick jackets and complained of pain in their fingers.
