China Blocks US Soybeans

More of the same from China:

China, the world's biggest buyer of soybeans, said it found ``substantial'' quality-related problems with imports of the U.S. oilseed and urged the U.S. to investigate and improve its export procedures.

Soybeans shipped from the U.S. often contained low-grade seeds, as well as weeds which may threaten the local environment, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine said in a statement on its Web site today. Some shipments had fungicide residue, it said.

I think conceptually, China doesn't understand quality. You see this in much of what it produces, particularly compared to Japan. Japan's quality standards far exceed the US - they demand almost total perfection in everything from packaging to functionality.

To the Chinese, just turning the corner for Mao's self imposed extreme poverty, making a buck is more important. They are short term thinkers; there is no link between excellent quality today and profits tomorrow. This thinking is pervasive. It dominates every industry.

When you go to Carrefour or the electronics market to buy a DVD player, the sales clerk will insist on plugging the item in before the purchase. About 1/3 of the products (hair dryers, TVs, DVD players) don't work straight off the line. The first DVD player I selected did not function - I was glad the clerk plugged it in at the store. This percentage is acceptable to the Chinese. It is good enough.