[jckt]

I'm probably slightly biased here, having quite a few good friends that themselves are very involved with the manufacturing scene in China. From what I know and have seen, the apparently widespread cheating you mentioned is much rarer than you say. In many areas there is serious friction between (corrupt) government and business, and it is mostly under such situations where I've known about "non-standard business practices".

That said, if you're white, then I would be more inclined to believe the incidences of fraud you've experienced. I still don't believe it's a majority, but the incidences of foreigner-exploitation in China is significant enough to turn away a lot of potential business. I don't think it's really racism per se, as I think amongst many Chinese, especially the less well-educated, they believe that for reasons of history, foreigners, especially Caucasians, owe them something -- "after all, didn't you guys plunder our country's treasures 100, 200 years ago?" (8 nation alliance, Opium Wars, World War II, etc). It's irrational and this is no excuse or justification of their disgusting behaviour, but I think this is what's happening in many cases.

Still, there seems to be a slightly Sinophobic slant to these articles. Stuxnet (I think most people believe it's American/Israeli?) is just evidence of how far the Pentagon has gone with hacking. Its sophistication is actually amazing, and I while most may claim that "hacking Iran is beneficial for the rest of the world", I don't think the consequent fear of American hacking prowess is irrational at all. Is China's decision to ramp up their own cyber-espionage the right thing to do? I don't know. But I believe that any look at the history of international politics will show that nobody really gives a shit about international law whenever it becomes inconvenient. China is hardly a "victim", as they claim, but the narrative of "Chinese hackers rising" that's so popular these days distracts us from the much-more formidable power that our Pentagon already has.

[wnight]

> I don't think it's really racism per se, as I think amongst many Chinese, especially the less well-educated, they believe that for reasons of history, foreigners, [...] owe them something

Technically, that is racism. Blaming similar looking people.

Less insidious than other forms maybe...

[jckt]

Don't think so. Technically speaking racism is strictly prejudice based on racial, biological theories. This is prejudice based on history. Imperial Japan was part of the 8 Nation alliance, defeated China in the Sino-Japanese Wars, in WWII, etc. It's just easier to figure out if you're a white businessman than a Japanese businessman. Looks are a part of it, but their reasoning is all historical. Unlike say, segregation in the 60s USA -- black < white simply because they're black. So, maybe it's sort of like racism, but if you want to be technical, it's some other kind of prejudice. I'd say xenophobia is a better term.

[prollyignored]

> (8 nation alliance, Opium Wars, World War II, etc). It's irrational and this is no excuse or justification of their disgusting behaviour, but I think this is what's happening in many cases.

Even today, "Caucasians" don't visit countries to make friends (Africa). The behavior is justified, from a pragmatic perspective.

Being a hippie peace freak is just silly.

> "Chinese hackers rising" that's so popular these days distracts us from the much-more formidable power that our Pentagon already has.

True that.

[rdl]

Actually, a lot of white people visit Africa and do a lot of good, still -- both businesspeople and (usually religious) charities and development organizations. Largely enough good to make up for the big NGOs and UN, and some of the legacy of colonialism and the cold war.

[WesternStar]

I know you think Africa is still largely a charity case but everyone else knows that its the next big growth market that will be easily plundered due to weak political systems and fragmentation.

[rdl]

No, I think Africa is mostly a business opportunity, sans a few places which have structural political problems which could be best addressed through high-velocity physics demonstrations. But it's undeniable that the US v. USSR caused a lot of problems during the cold war (Angola, etc), including propping up a lot of bad leaders or supporting revolutions.

I don't think it will be "plundered", though -- the foreigners (white and Asian) doing business going to Africa are making life better for everyone.

There are a lot of NGOs and UN organizations still operating in Africa which don't help (and never really helped). But there are small, usually religious, charities who are also doing good, just like they do in Asia, Europe, and the US.

[Retric]

Week political systems make it much risker to do business in Africa. Stupid people look at Africa as a growth opertunity's but few westerners got rich in Russa after the cold war. Weak government actually makes political connections more important just look at China.

[WesternStar]

Actually look to china for the model for exploitation in Africa arrangements established at the state for exploitation. You need political connections no doubt but Africa is no sob story at all. Its undiscovered gold.

[prollyignored]

> ... market that will be easily plundered due to weak political systems and fragmentation.

Profit from weapons. Profit from (medical) patents. Will never sell industrial patents, whilst exploiting African Earth.

You know the story of how chickens are fed dead-chicken-matter ?

The white man know only to take. Never to give.