Because you need a leading edge in China's rapidly changing market, Made-in-China.com's experts and specialists offer the most accurate information, now. Hailing from many nations and walks of life, our contributors weigh-in on what it takes to make it here.
Where Dagon's Roam
Over fifty years ago, as a small boy, I dug a hole in my backyard. My grandfather asked me if I was going to dig all the way to China? This was my rst introduction to China.
As I grew older and understood the concept and magnitude of the Earth, I realized China was halfway around the world, and the hole would have to be very deep. One Christmas I received a toy wooden rickshaw; my parents told me this is what Chinese used to travel instead of cars. It was one of my favorite toys until it broke. I was then told it must have been made in China since it was cheaply made and everything from China broke.
My understanding of China further grew when I was introduced to Chinese food, a childhood staple for our large family. Our weekly treat was chicken Chop Suey in a can, ready in eight minutes and enough to feed our family of six. Chun King and La Choy were the two brands. I liked La Choy since, according to the TV commercials, it was made by Delbert the Dragon who cooked it with real Dragon re. Once we were given two sticks to eat our Chop Suey with since, I was told, Chinese didn't have forks. We were further China educated over dinner by being told "eat all your food, don't you know there are millions of starving children in China". Even though I'd never seen a Chinese person, my childhood China-education was complete. It was very far away, had millions of starving kids, primitive life with only sticks to eat their food, no cars, cheap toys that broke and re breathing dragons to cook their food.
My career in global sourcing and quality assurance began with the passing of NAFTA, and was focused in Mexico and Central America, but I was still anxious to experience sourcing from China.
My frst opportunity came fteen years ago and the pre-conceived expectations I had developed as a child were quickly shattered. One expectation was true: it was a long trip half-way around the world. My frst surprise was being picked up at the airport in a car, not a rickshaw. There were modern shopping centers, stores, highways and hotels. Chinese food did not come from a can. Everything we ate came from fresh produce and was very tasty. And I did not see millions of starving children. They looked like normal children, full of love, innocence, laughter and smiles.
