Just when you thought it was safe to buy Chinese-made products again, the milk scam rises to the surface. To a great extent, China is its own worst enemy in such situations. No one else is to blame if its products are below acceptable international standards.
No one else is to blame if some small manufacturer, more interested in making profit than reliable goods, decides to adulterate production so as to make it dangerous and life-threatening.
Yet it is not only the manufacturer to blame but also the government, that unwieldy body of departments within departments the Chinese have come to accept as part of a Communist society and administration. Government officials they have a-plenty; government officials with expertise fall sadly short of needs.
Over recent years Chinese products have received a mixed reception internationally. On the one hand they are looked at as being cheap and in plentiful supply.
On the other hand, the quality standards leave much to be desired, especially in areas that affect children and babies, or are to do with comestibles.
Such is the damage that has been done by errant manufacturers in China that many retailers and members of the public steer clear of food produced in China.
This is a sad reflection on the many good and reliable companies that manufacture fine products and foodstuff, meeting and often surpassing international standards.
The governments, both provincial and federal, too often rely on reactive ways to resolve the problems, when there should be closer and better monitoring by health and standards authorities.
Prosecuting errant companies and officials is one way, but by then the damage has been done not only to the individual but also to the reputation of the country, which for years has struggled to overcome the stigma of producing inferior goods.
