Don't Chinese people see that honesty serves their own interests in the long run?

Question

I'm talking about the short-sighted, fraudelent business practices in China.

Answer 1

I'm not saying that the Chinese are not to blame for many of the sub-standard products that are exported to the US, but don't you think that the American companies that are the one's that ultimately make the mega millions from the sales of Chinese manufactured goods should share some of the blame? They are the one's that are looking at only the bottom line and demanding the lowest possible prices from Chinese manufacturers who are making products to fit the design and specifications outlined by the American corporations. How many people did Fisher-Price or Mattel have working to test things like the amount of lead in the paint? I'm not a scientist, but I would think that one well qualified person would be able to detect lead amounts in paint in just a few hours, would it be asking too much for these corporations to do a little bit of quality control and product testing on their own? Or maybe they did know about the high lead amounts, it's a little suspicious when you have to recall 20,000,000 toys that were already on the market and claim they had no prior knowledge of any safety concerns. From where i sit, it looks to me like there's plenty of blame and dishonesty on both sides of the Pacific to go around.

Answer 2

The problem you are referring to has little to do with being Chinese. I know lots of Chinese people who are honest as the day is long. And as proud to be so as you or I. Unfortuately, they are the ones most likely getting screwed by all the social and economic change going on...

Rather, the problem is a human problem. Imagine the time of the Robber Barons in the US. (Leland Stanford of Stanford University was one, by the way...) That is what is going on here. The problems have everything to do with teeth-rattling economic growth and social change. It also has to do with poverty... and poor social services... and a whole generation of people with post traumatic stress from the cultural revolution... and not being given much to believe in at the moment other than the almighty RMB. It's a mad grab. It's hard to stay calm headed, but that's the best thing you can do as a human being.

Answer 3

While the elite in China (i.e. mainly government) is very well capable to thinking long term this is definitely not the case for the majority of the people. To secure long term business by delivering real good quality is not exactly the strong suit of the Chinese. For more insight into the Chinese mind I strongly recommend Bo Yang's "The Ugly Chinaman". Please note that Bo Yang is Chinese (Taiwanese) himself and therefore does have a very good insight into the psyche of the Chinese.

Answer 4

hi, I live in China, they really dont seem to think in terms of long-term. There's actually a big problem here of people quitting right after they receive their new year bonuses. Anyway, there's probably a cultural reason, having to do with poverty or the cultural revolution or some such, but no, they really dont seem to see that. As for the other answers, being politically correct in preference of the truth is well, it doesn't help anyone, OK? Chinese people do seem to think only in the short term, and I'm sure they have a good reason. So, the answer is that, no, they dont see it, but they dont really have any reason to yet, either. Give them a break, they are still recovering from a very traumatic history.

Answer 5

1. Recently there are a lot of media coverage about recalls of stuffs made in China. I guess that's the context of your question. Well, China is making a lot of things and selling them worldwide. My feeling is that those made-in-China recalls are in proportion with how many Chinese products have been imported in to the US, especially when you consider that those made in China stuffs are mostly low-end goods.

2. Maybe one reason is that most Chinese manufactures do not have their own brand. They are just producing whatever Walmart asks them to make, and thus less worried about how to protect their own reputation. (Like if I could login as you on Yahoo!, I would not care whether my answer is correct.)

Answer 6

Very good DS, very good.
I live in China and I see daily the misleadings and the propaganda. That as a foreigner I'm cheated in every level, in my own business, at the stores, by me own security guard, by my own landlord, my agent, even the cab drivers for God's sake. It's really a shame.
The long run businesses are basically driven by chinese themselves not trusting their own government, their own leaders, so there are running for short solutions and cheap gain.
The word "honesty" doesn't exist, and they are not even close to admit it because they would loose their faces. How low and stupid.

Answer 7

Chinese have been in poverty for so many years, and they are desperate to get out of it quick, that is why. But don't forget the vast majority are decent hard working Chinese.

Answer 8

Most famous brands, basic technologies, high technologies, efficient factory automation, etc in China are from other advanced countries. The patents and technologies are not in Chinese hand, but they require them to manufacture products.
If those advanced countries moved their capitals to other cheap developing countries, China will be in chaos again. Because they haven't grown domestic basic technologies.

They know the time is limited themselves.

Answer 9

Chinese people were starving for many years. I think that, in general, the answer to your question is no.

Answer 10

i'm sad to say you are right.our chinese people lack of long run foresight.