I avoid buying things made in China. Can consumers CHANGE China?

Can consumers CHANGE China?

I avoid buying things made in China.
Yesterday, I avoided a pair of pants that were 'made in China' at Vans' clothing store.
I asked the the 18-year-ol­d clerk where a simple pair of gray pants were made, she had no idea.
We looked, made in China.
"I avoid things made in China," I said. She looked puzzled.
"For human rights, women's rights, and environmen­tal abuses," I continued.
"And they jail people who speak their mind, they don't allow freedom of speech or religion, like people can't worship the Dalai Lama."
Vague recognitio­n flashes and brightens her face.
She says, "Yesterday someone else asked where something was made."
"Yes," I reply. "You should tell your manager that again today a customer is passing on the pants because they were made in China."
"Ok."
I continue, "How about the shoes? I think some used to still be made in the U.S."
We looked, made in China.
"Sorry, hope you have a nice day," I said, and I left.
I bought a pair of pants next door on sale made in Sri Lanka.

(1) I know some people will say, "How do you know the conditions in Sri Lanka aren't as bad as China?"
I don't, but the fairness of Sri Lanka's society isn't as important as fostering the fairness of China's, plus I like the idea of giving some business to some Sri Lankan's, at whatever level.”

‎(2) For large retailers, the same model t-shirt, can be sourced from several places: I always take "made in Vietnam, or Bangladesh­, or South American" countries first, over the made in China version.
Yes, of course I do buy some organic co...tton and made in U.S. products, but we don't always have those choices.
And/or I'm not as hardcore as some others, but I'm inclined in the right direction.

(3) Minimizing consumptio­n is a goal too; I don't shop often, but like what I have.

When China came to the table at the U.N. Copenhagen Climate Conference more agreeably, I was so mad that the U.S. again didn't promise strong enough cuts I bought something from China. "Now we are the bad guys."

After the Cancun conference­, I bought my second pair of prescripti­on glasses frames called "Eco" http://www­.prweb.com­/releases/­2010/12/pr­web4922094­.htm Built in China. "...new approach to eyewear using recycled metal and plastic without sacrificin­g quality, design and price. Eco plants a tree for each frame sold..."

So I still avoid buying anything made in China. Maybe market forces can make them CHANGE (if we all boycotted buying anything from China for two months, I bet their government would change some stuff FAST), and maybe we can beat them to the high-tech sustainabl­e future affordable product marketplac­e/society.
Or maybe we can get there in tandem, soon.