"Hu Concedes China Needs To Improve Human Rights" AP, 1/20/11
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/20/MNGL1HBQDA.DTL&type=politics
"China's Hu Faces Rights Questions in Congress" Reuters, 1/20/11
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_usa_china;_ylt=AtSWwPgf8RbANpR6jHfQHFKs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNja2dyaDE0BGFzc2V0A25tLzIwMTEwMTIwL3VzX3VzYV9jaGluYQRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzIEcG9zAzgEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA2NoaW5hMzlzaHVmYQ--
3 comments:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-01-22/opinion/27043433_1_chevron-human-rights-china
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell_president_jintao_well_avoid_buying_chinas_products_until_human_rights_improve_in_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.
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