Chinese Press Hits ‘Farce’ on Shoddy Goods

The usually mild state press is breathing fire at officials who canceled an exhibit of shoddy Chinese goods for which they had solicited contributions, it was reported today.

“Farce and deception,” the New China News Agency called it.

The display, ranging from watches to washing machines, had been scheduled for this month to dramatize the poor quality of many Chinese-made products. Last week, the Light Industry Ministry canceled it.

Joining the news agency in criticism, the Economic Daily said it was a “humiliating disgrace” for consumers, who were asked last summer to send the ministry items that didn’t work and letters of complaint about those too large to ship.

Plea for Cooperation

Officials of the Light Industry Ministry held a news conference for Chinese reporters Tuesday to explain the action but received only criticism, the Economic Daily reported today.

It said a ministry spokesman appealed to the journalists to cooperate in upholding the reputation of Chinese products so exports would not suffer. The paper quoted reporters as responding:

“If we appease the manufacturers because we fear the impact on exports, then bad quality goods will be exported and that will hurt the reputation of Chinese products.”

Many Chinese factories ignore quality control; complaints are common about new bicycles falling apart and watches that don’t keep time.