goods. There is much more to helping the economy of our country than insisting that we only purchase products that have been ―Made in the USA.‖ Keeping the world economy spinning while simultaneously supporting corporate America and the small businesses that make this country great is what will keep this country strong in the future.
Script ．．．．．． ―Here we go.‖
For Sara Bongiorni, it began with a simple question: Could she and her family live normal lives for one year if they decided not to buy anything made in China?
―It‘s nothing against China; it‘s more like an experiment to measure how far China‘s pushed into our lives.‖
The simple answer: It was everywhere in their lives, from her kitchen …
―Our coffeemaker broke last year and we didn‘t replace it in time. All coffee makers come from China unless you‘re gonna shell out for an expensive Italian espresso maker.‖ … to Kevin‘s workroom. Pegboard hangers for his tools only come from China.
―I‘ve gone all year long with basically my tools just laying around.‖ … to shoes for fast growing Wes. A non-China pair cost them 65 bucks, and when Kevin‘s 20 dollar Chinese sunglasses
broke, Sara bought him some new ones made in the USA.
―I believe they were about a hundred and fifty dollars, so that would not be normally in the budget.‖
And don‘t even get her started on finding toys for the kids. ―That one‘s from China, huh?‖
The products the Bongiornis became so dependent on came from factories just like this one here in China, and because of these factories, Americans get a bargain every time they go shopping and these people get a chance at a better life.
China‘s economy, at one time run by the state, is now all about private enterprise. 15 years ago, private industry contributed 5.3 billion dollars to the economy. Now the number is more like 288 billion, an increase of more than 5 thousand percent and still climbing because of factories like this one. These young women earn all of a hundred dollars a month. For Li Xiaoyu that‘s three times what her parents make as peasant farmers.
―You forget sometimes, you just see these things on a store shelf, but individual people make these items that are all over your house. I would love to know what their lives are like.‖
―Because of your work here, are you gonna have a better life, will you be able to buy things you want to have?‖
Yes, she tells us. The family now has a color TV and all new furniture. Low paying by our
standards, these jobs change lives and fuel dreams. Jin Nanping is saving up so he can someday get married and have a house. For Sara, the experiment is over; she is back to buying from China. ―The global economy seems like it‘s way out there on the horizon, but in fact, it‘s — you‘re mixed up with it right in your living room.‖
America, it seems, is addicted to cheap goods from China, but China is just as addicted to the profits that are reshaping a country. Gary Peterson, CBS News. Hebei Province, China.
Script ．．．．．．Mention “Made in China” and what pops up in your mind? The picture may soon change as China is taking action worldwide to getting more consumers to reach for “Made in China” products. A 30-second commercial rolled out on November 23, 2009 on CNN in the United States, CNN in Asia and CNN Headline News. With the theme “Made in China, Made with the world”, the ad uses only products that are “Made in China”, from running shoes, high fashion, to air planes. The groundbreaking ad is part of a global campaign against common stereotypes about Chinese products and seeks to boost the image of Chinese goods around
the world.
In the ad, a series of goods with the “Made in China” label are shown being made with the help of top foreign firms. An MP3 player is described as “Made in China with software from Silicon Valley.” A fashion shoot includes clothes labeled “Made in China with French designers.” And a refrigerator bears the text “Made in China with European styling.” These are all Chinese-made products, designed by or containing shared technology with other countries, and highlight the fact that Chinese companies work with overseas firms to produce quality products.
Script ．．．．．． The Big Brother cameras monitor factory floors and, via
the Internet, American buyers can also watch in their offices back in the USA. CBS News was shown all this because China desperately wants to convince America it is cleaning up its toy making act. ―There is an old Chinese saying,‖ says this officer. ―If you can see it, you‘ll believe it.‖
Seeing to believe it is why we were invited to this factory in southern China, with its own quality control manager. Only good quality, he says [quality control manager Eric Chin of Guangdong] will give customers confidence.
This eagerness for openness comes because China‘s multi-billion dollar toy industry is under threat. So, no surprise we were assured that supplies like paint are now triple-checked. But the reality is that other factories are not so careful. Since the toy recalls started in the US, China has shut down some 800 manufacturers. And authorities are lighting a fire under state testing labs. U.S. companies share the blame, pushing so hard to cut costs that some Chinese makers use cheaper lead paint.
Script ．．．．．． Officials say this lab is working flat out; people are on
overtime, more staff being hired — and no wonder — they say they‘re doing five times as many tests as they did just a year ago. And China‘s government has sent some 200,000 inspectors across the country,checking all kinds of plants and manufacturers, from pharmaceuticals to farming.
But the main focus is toys, and China admits it is hurting. All toy manufacturers, said a government — run newspaper, will feel the chill this winter.
Experts say China is getting better. ―But it still has half a century to go to catch up to where the United States is,‖ [said Daniel Rosen of the China Strategic Advisory].
China‘s ambition is selling America high-end products like TVs and