Danger: made in China

Mattel recalled 19 million Chinese-made toys last week, due to lead in the paint of the toys that could harm children. The toys are yet another unsafe product that raise doubts about doing business with China.

This summer has been chock full of controversy surrounding the safety and quality of Chinese-made products, whether it be toothpaste, seafood or pet food. But the Mattel recall is the most alarming incident yet, because its scope shows just how many American consumers rely on Chinese services. The trading relationship China has with America, the biggest importer of Chinese goods, has been so strong that it seems like some American corporations have put all their eggs in one basket.

It is long past time to re-evaluate the credibility of Chinese assurances about the safety and quality of goods made in China, especially since China has been unwilling to share information about how and why it exports products that are defective.

There were reports last week, for example, that China is withholding information on a fast-spreading virus that threatens to wipe out its pig population. Chinese officials claim that the disease is an infection called blue-ear pig disease. But China has not shared tissue samples that would allow confirmation by outside agencies.

What does seem clear is that the effects of the virus appear more lethal than those typically associated with blue-ear pig disease, a common ailment. The precise number of pig deaths has not been reliably reported, and a similar virus has also been seen in Vietnam and Burma.

Chinese officials' decision to withhold information about a potentially widespread virus is a dangerous precedent. Such secrecy eats away at China's image as a reliable trading partner and an emerging superpower.

With China preparing to host the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, now would be the worst time for the country to lose the world's confidence.

courier-journal.com 19 August 2007