Will You Be Trying to Boycott Chinese Products?

Hey All

With the diplomatic row between Aus and China over the last few weeks culminating in the tweets from the Chinese embassy, there’s been an obvious rising of tensions between the countries.

Given how ridiculous and ironic china’s position is, to have the gall to call out Australia for human rights abuses do you feel more strongly about trying to avoid products manufactured in China?

The report itself was Australia holding itself to account, it could have easily been covered up never to see the light of day but Australia relative to the rest of the world is one with more integrity than that.

I don’t see how China could ever lecture a country like Australia when it comes to war crimes/human rights abuse given their long track record, most notably the persecution of the Uighur population as well numerous other violations ranging from censorship to imprisonment/torture of dissidents. I don’t see China holding itself to account for those crimes anytime soon.

I like the idea in theory of boycotting Chinese made products but the reality is unfortunately from my perspective is that the supply chain is far too integrated in China to be able to boycott anything. Hopefully western businesses are more incentivised now to move their supply chains away from China but that will a long and slow process over many years possibly decades.

So TLDR will you be trying to avoid Chinese made products or are we in a situation that these products are so pervasive with our current lifestyles there’s nothing we can really do at the moment.

Edit: Poll added. Good suggestion.

Poll Options

  • 839
    Yes I will and do avoid Chinese made products wherever I can
  • 34
    Yes but only if the equivalent product is the same price and quality
  • 333
    Would like to avoid but can’t because of limited choice/availability/price
  • 239
    Don’t care whatever’s cheapest
  • 133
    Don’t care at all and would still buy Chinese made even if there was a choice of equivalent produc

Comments

        • +2

          So next time Australia try to criticise China about some human rights bs, we can all agree thats hypocrisy yeh?

          Love the double standards.

    • Oh really. how worse than wiping out a whole country population on the land we are stepping on?

      some HUMAN are singing while waiting for your great speech about human rights.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHHMeh8s_DE

  • +4

    Regardless of what criticisms people may have of China, the usual, mature and sensible way to do things is to pickup the phone before you start hanging $h!# on a country not complain they won't pick up the phone after you caused a shitstorm.

    I prefer diplomacy than tit for tat retaliation. Even though I voted for him at the last election I am dissappointed in Scotty from marketing about this and a couple of other unrelated issues.

    The way it was handled is bad for everyone and amateurish.

    I am not sure who to vote for next time? what is the international diplomacy record of the shooters and fishers party like?

    • +7

      Morrison should not of lead the investigation into the Covid19 virus origins . Its the most stupidest move only for power and to try to look like a big wig on the world stage . Did he not consider that China is our wallet . He could have laid back and just support the notion with a group of countries . How much has Australia paid for that move now ?

      • +1

        I agree, but to be fair, this ongoing shit has much more to do with other issues rather than Covid 19. Much of what is happening was inevitably going to happen anyway - Covid or not.

        You also need to understand that Australia is not the only country copping it from China - the US, Canada, Norway, UK, Germany and others are also getting hit by China.

        • so true, but we need to understand the relationship between us and China are more imbalanced trading comparing to other countries. being a relative week member of five eyes while so dependent on the trade with China, it is so obvious this will push China to aim Aus as a main target just like whats happening now.

  • +4

    Yes. With everything that I buy now, I check if it's made in China. If I can get a non-Chinese alternative, I'll buy that item instead - whatever the cost. So, if a Chinese item is $10 and a German equivalent is $50, I'll buy the German product.

    • +1

      heil hitler

      • +1

        Err, if you say so.

        • +2

          You're not gonna have good time .Remember they lost 2 world wars , kept the gold reserves they stole from half of Europe - even though they benefited heavily from the Marshall plan , then invented the DSG gearbox and charge $1200 for a basic oil and filter service. I'm told that is how German efficiency works.

          • +1

            @Dr Prepper: Err, if you say so. My German kitchen knives and hand tools are pretty good - and don't require a basic oil and filter service.

            Looks like Godwin's law has come into play early on this one! 21st century Germany being compared to Nazi Germany - on a consumer goods site of all things. Who'd a thunk it?

            Doesn't have to be German products - could be Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Dutch, British, Vietnamese, South Sudanese - zero f**s given - as long as they're not Chinese.

            • +1

              @R4: ah yes let's feel warm and fuzzy about it. let's forget all the war crimes of nazi germany / imperial japanese / communist vietnam / sudanese warlords / british feudalism. because china said mean things about scomo from marketing and hurt our feelings this is the flavour of the month. i love how people say the word boycott like it means anything and makes them feel like they are contributing to society. lets be realistic it will achieve nothing and will be forgotten within weeks for the next outrage that the media will position us to take.

              • @May4th: Err, okay?

                I think.

                Although I'm just about to enter bizzaro land.on this thread.

    • Humblebrag?

      • +3

        Nope. Nobuychinesebrag.

    • +1

      hilter be like, "damn what a time I should have lived in"

      • I don't know who 'hilter' is, but whoever he is, he could be right.

      • He is in Argentina now.

        • Mr (or Mrs, or Miss - maybe even Dr) Hilter is?

          Cool. Whoever he/she is, I'm sure life for them is not too shabby in the suburbs of Buenos Aires.

  • +1

    Check carefully before you buy anything, or you may lose sleep

  • +1

    Chinese cannot even access Twitter. Australian newspapers and mainstream media have been drawing offensive and racist cartoons depicting average chinese people as 'bat eaters' and diseased but Australia gets offended by something that wasn't that far from the truth…

    • +4

      There a big difference if posted by an prominent government official !

      Also if an Australian did it they would risk be jailed in HK or China .

      If Chinese did it amazing they would have no recourse at all . .

      • -1

        exactly, you would expect a foreign ministry spokesperson to NOT to behave like some internet trolls (by posting photoshopped image to stir people up).

  • +4

    Everyone can do their bit to " encourage" big stores Not to sell chinese products.
    For instance Coles and Woolies is a great place to start as there are always alternatives.
    From what I have seen some savoury biscuits are chinese made ( and from big brands ), you can buy Aussie ones instead, the same goes for lollies. Check canned seafood, many of the canned mussels, crab, prawns are from china.
    Most of the bottled garlic is chinese but Costco has a much better and bigger US alternate. The chinese stuff is creeping in everywhere, so Always check the country of origin.
    I imagine if they get anymore stupid than they already are we could start doing checks on any chinese foodstuffs, I'm sure there would be some rather startling results !!!!

    • Yes, Costco is good for that kind of thing. I was trying to buy aluminium foil that wasn't made in China. The only stuff I could find was US-made from Costco.

      Watch this and you'll never buy that Chinese garlic crap again!:
      https://www.netflix.com/watch/80149707?trackId=13752289&tctx…

    • Japanese "nori" seaweed sheets are made in China at Coles. Disgraceful.

      • -1

        Pretty much just avoid the obento brand.
        Although I know their packaged udon is from Japan.
        Need to go to Asian grocer to get Japanese nori.

  • +8
    1. Boycotting this and that is just naive. Does it hurt Chinese gov? maybe a little bit, eventually.
      Who else surely get hurt? People.
      People making a living on anything related to made in china at any level. Could be an importer or an exporter, a biz owner or a sales person. Could be an Aussie or even an ordinary Chinese. Could be you and me.

    2. Diplomatic problem needs to be resolved in diplomatic way.

    3. The saddest thing I found is that almost no one genuinely cares about the thing happened to Afghan people. One use it to launch an ignoble attack, and one fight back asking for apology for pointing out the fact. And then you get people yelling at each other.

    4. It's not cool to see some racist posts here (as always though)

    5. I buy whatever stuff of good quality. Hopefully at a bargain price. ;) #TrueOzbargainer

    • Look. I see your point, but consider this:
      1.) Totally. Tell this to CCP as well. I am sure that lot of Australian people making a living on Barley/Wine/etc gets hurt. Could be an importer or an exporter, a biz owner or a sales person. Could be an Aussie or even an ordinary Chinese. Could be you and me.

      2.) Well, for that CCP would need to play by the rule book and forget about Twitter diplomacy and chewing gum stuck on their shoes. That is not how diplomacy works, right?

      3.) There is a lot of people do genuinely care about what happened to them. That is why there is a report, a big uproar about how this could happened, and now a process of punishing whoever was involved.

      4.) Yeah, racism is not fun. CCP and China are not a race though!

      5.) Sure, but ESG and sustainability is also important.

  • +3

    If you like news on how other countries are "sticking it" to the Chinese, then on YouTube visit Wion, a large Indian public broadcaster, with a large English speaking service, they present some really interesting stuff on what's going on. The Indian government doesn't mind spelling it all out.

  • +3

    Maybe the chinese govt would be kind enough to let their citizens look at YouTube, Twitter Google etc, until then, they can only be viewed as a dictatorship who are trying to undermine Australia. They have got big, rich and aggressive on our money, so we have to stop buying products from there, so their money supply stops. Easy. Support industry in free countries like Taiwan, South Korea and India for starters instead.

    • +2

      you do know that Australia goods only take less than 3% of China global import right?

      it is more like hurt as a mosquito bite to China if aus stop selling things to China. but it takes 35% of aus export business. which will ruin Australia own economy.

  • +7

    Stop importing Chinese food products? Absolutely fine by me.

    But all Chinese products? Then Australian economy is gonna tank to oblivion. You'll see more unemployed. This needs to be a slow process, and I don't see it happen in the foreseeable future.

    All I'm hoping is people don't escalate this and start attacking those innocent Chinese people on the street.

    • Here's one example. I have a friend who's partner works at Kmart.

      Kmart cant get stock, therefore they are cutting hours.

      Look at the shelves. I dont care for that chinese $2 tat but really, its what keeps kids in jobs.

  • I believe some "foreign government paid" users do exist on Ozbargain because OzBargain is one of top forums in Australia
    - They are actively support some brands (such as phones without Google Map and Playstore)
    - They won't always argue with you but it distracts you to another topic.

    • +4

      Good on you, defective uniwon.

  • +5

    things are great just looking at all these dole bludgers and keyboard haters, meanwhile a billion Chinese over there working 996 to secure their prosperity… don't be a sook, stop buying Chinese and start buying German wont be solving a single problem of this country.

    • -1

      Damn. You're so un-Australian

    • +2

      Weak argument. What are you doing here then? Are you working 996? And working 996 means no problem?

  • +16

    Let’s see:

    1) Chinese human rights violations in their home turf? These people are evil scum all over the news. Australians travel abroad to kill innocent Afghanis, Twitter gate 3.0.

    2) Chinese swimmer busted for drugs, good on the Aussie kid for standing up for the right things the podium. Aussie swimmer busted for drugs, let’s just pretend that didn’t happen.

    For the record, I’m not Chinese nor Australian… I’m an expat living in Australia.

    The Australian population is as easily controlled by the media here than in less free areas. Especially if you read the Australian

    Making a point to “buy Australian” is just an admission that Australian goods can’t compete on the global stage. Someone else is doing for cheaper or better.

    This whole saga would be funny internationally except Australian trade is so minimal in the grand scheme of things, nobody really pays attention to this “trade war”.

    • +8

      classic examples for western double standards.

      • +3

        The difference is Australians acknowledge their past wrongs and try to make them right. CCP just points the finger at everyone else and ignore their problems. Classic communist whataboutism.

        • +4

          Totally agree. Unfortunately how the Chinese education system works is that students are thought the CCP is absolutely perfect with no flaws. So there is no introspective or mistakes to reflect on.

          That’s how you get this whataboutism because there is nothing wrong with what the CCP has ever done and any argument that is against the CCP is just made up not true etc.

          Same mindset as a deep Midwest Trump voter. There is nothing to reflect on cos everything is perfect.

          • +4

            @maxyzee: What better way to deflect criticism of domestic policy than to create an external enemy. Politicians have been doing this forever and Trump and the CCP draw from the same playbook.

          • +3

            @maxyzee: CCP was really nasty no doubt. However, our government wasn't smart and was short sighted.

            Who knew it was a comic drawing (yeah I know, it looks like a real photo), but it turns out to be a drawing by a Chinese comic artist. The original intention was to intentionally tease us.

            The real issue is that we need to have a long term plan. China is working on an alternative iron ore source. Looks like their plan won't come to fruition for a few years, but it will happen.

            Also, it is difficult to get an objective view on news nowadays in pretty much every country.

            • +1

              @netsurfer: African iron ore will be coming from Guinea on the West side of Africa. Australian mines are heavily automated and infrastructure cost has already been spent. The cost of transporting rocks from a brand new mine with cost to cover, half way across the world, dealing with corrupt governments in an unstable country vs an established mine with best practices, from a stable government that is literally in your back yard. CCP will definitely try but economics always win.

              • +2

                @Blargman2001: Australian output is double the next biggest outputting country Brazil according to data from last year. And recently cos of COVID-19 Brazil’s output’s been impacted.

                Australia does have that on its side but we’ll need to play it very carefully. DFAT will have their work cut out in making deals.

  • +6

    Boycott Chinese products, so two wrongs make it right? To be honest, I reckon the Chinese government won't give a damn if we do that. That's where the problem lies. Even if we were to retaliate, we have very little impact on them. Our government knows that.

    Also, I find our news articles tend to miss out on the details. Reading news on this from another country's news media, it feels like the Chinese government is shrewd. I don't think the Chinese (communist) government has put tariff on Australia iron ore yet (hence the shrewdness). That one would really hurt. The commentators for the news I read felt our PM wasn't very smart when dealing with this. He should have let the foreign ministry dealt with it. Instead, it ended up being AU PM vs CN Foreign Minister (our PM should be one level higher, shouldn't drop down a level to respond to that). Also, it turns out that wasn't a photo, but a comic picture that looks quite realistic (think of it as a Dilbert drawing except much more realistic). It really looks like a real photo, but because it actually isn't and was drawn by a comic artist…

    Our government had not been smart about it. Politically aligned with Trump US government to the fullest extend and without any backup plan. Chinese government's timing is regrettably good (I doubt Trump US government has any time or incentive to help us out at the moment). Japan and Korea were smarter on this (despite being strong US allies).

    We need to find a way to be more competitive. Selling raw materials means we can be at the mercy of our buyers. Time is running out for our iron ore. China is eyeing and working on the replacement option. That option won't be ready for a few years at least, but when it is, you can bet they will stop buying from us.

  • +12

    Lol so many tough talking and hypocritical keyboard warriors on a bargain hunting site.

    • Yeah, watch out, I hear they're going to bring out the Kraken.

      • +4

        razer kraken made in china

  • +1

    Is there going to be a boycott of ozbargain, if it's found that the owner and founder of the site might have been "Made in China"?

    • +4

      Lol. You might be right:

      Scott Yang | Sydney, Australia | Founder at OzBargain

      Pm Scott to find out

      • +1

        Please don't spread misinformation.

        False news.

      • +4

        Scott Yang is of a Chinese descent. :)

        Everyone is part of a global village. Politicians turning us one against each other. Everyone is easily triggered. Tsk tsk tsk.

          • +2

            @[Deactivated]: Not really pro-Chinese, more people realising boycotting Chinese products is not practical and won't really achieve anything.

    • +1

      That's why I said in order to not be seen let casual racism take root, we should get all immigrants to our country to renounce their ties to their country of origin, for example, the pommies should also reject their UK heritage as well.

      We should also ban dual nationalities citizens and obviously government ministers should NOT hold two passports. Australia should only be for Australians!

      He is controversial but Liberal senator Abetz has tried to get Chinese Australians to renounce the CCP for years. Senator Abetz has publicly rejected his German heritage.

      https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-was-born-in-australia-why-…

      • -2

        Easier said than done. How's it going to be implemented? What ties are considered not acceptable? And also, Abetz is a racist because he singled out the Chinese community.

      • Don't be naive, renouncing something doesn't mean a squat.

    • Mentioned in a post somewhere that from Hong Kong family background.
      If recent events were a few decades ago, Scotty may have been a Joshua Wong on the streets now in prison.

  • +1

    For energy provider I just move to energy locals (Energy Australia is 100% Chinese owned)

  • +7

    I believe that we should stop people here from sending Baby formula milk to China and profiting. Or tax them for exporting this.

    • +5

      lol why?

      supermarkets and pharmacies make money.
      shipping company makes money.
      businessman makes money.
      customers willing to pay higher price.
      win win?

      if its to stop wiping out the shelves, thats a problem with your supermarket. Frankly, they don't really care. They're rather deplete stock faster and rake up thousands in revenue from selling baby formula. They can impose limits yes, but if that doesnt help, the problem is now with the manufacturer. How are y'all saying Australia needs to manufacture more and export more, when these baby formula manufacturers cant even supply enough to meet daigou demand?

      anyway, those "daigou" are probably doing more in supporting "local businesses" ;)

      • +1

        Yeah I think for Australia bigger impact is from major exporters that rely on Chinese market. Those smaller shoppers sending products bought from retail shop should continue regardless what the CCP says.

      • +1

        Typical money worshipping people, gross!

        • +3

          thats how the world revolves, mate.

          why are you working at your job? to get money
          why are you on ozbargain? to spend money

          • +4

            @skido: Australian values is not just about money and doing business. If thats how the world revoles, you would rather be consumed by the world?

            • +1

              @justwii: If that's the case, why do we only react when they stop buying our wine?

              Media coverage wasn't anywhere near this level when they imprisoned the uyghers or hardened the laws in hong kong.

              We only started screaming when our largest wine exporter did.

              Money talks mate.

              • @CalmLemons: Its just yet another wake-up call but this time finally loud enough to wake people up. Yes may be the "economic clock" is the loudest, but once people are awake, they would find the 'humanitarian clock" has been ringing nonstop already.

      • +2

        They sell it for five times the price in China.
        It is the Chinese making the majority of the profit.
        We should ban the export of it via mail.
        Could tax it at 100% of rrp and they would still buy it.

      • I said to raise the tariff on such exports. Just as China has done on Australian wine.

    • +1

      do you know the most popular brand baby formula A2 is owned by Chinese company? lol

      • That is Bellamy's. A2M shares are publicly traded, and most of its significant holders are institutional/investment companies (like Vangard).

    • Do you hate freedom and free economy?

  • +5

    Well done our PM for not giving into bullying.

    He could have been a bit more political rather than escalate it, but he's acted in a good faith.

    Australians should stick together and support our PM.

  • -1

    Australia is an Asia country, u maybe white but u still an Asia country, China is our no 1 trading partner , 38% our import goes to China, for the next half century, Asia will be the center of the world and China will be the center of Asia. Boycott all u want, it'll only hurt ourself. instead of cut the dole, why can't we make more money with China and US altogether. Japan and Singapore can do it why cant we.

    • +4

      Not sure about number 1, largest for sure, but not a good one to deal with.

      • +1

        reason? so dealing with US is a good deal? at least, for now, with China is still a win win. but with US, already a win - lose(we lose)

        • +8

          Just see what they are doing. Intimidating and bullying, because they know Australia's over reliance on them.

          US under Trump administration is just as bad, but hopefully Biden will fix some of this mess.

          So are you on team OZ or team CCP?

          • -1

            @aveeno bb: u can go check some figures, China didn't pick those industry randomly, even go to the WTO we will lose fo sure.
            95% of lobster, 90% wine, 70% barley goes to China, that's dumping in any defination. China can find replacement easily but it's hard for us to find a new market as big as China. AU need to be smart on this. US only account 5% of our trade. Military we relay on US but that's it. Trade is one part, also 30% of uni student from China, tourists spend billions here. If we go down that road cut tie with China u will see our economy free fall.

          • -1

            @aveeno bb: I am a Chinese living my whole life in OZ. So I wish it will be a win win for both homelands.

            But we need to admit all these bull shits all started while Aus started attacks on China first for doing the dirty works for US.

            Why would we piss off with our wallet (which is sadly true and hard to change in near future) for some kind of "brotherhood" crap is just not smart enough.

            Why not sit back from this China US war and just relax. Not on China side, not on US side. and just earning our money peacefully.

            • +3

              @ghostdom: Don't be naive. CCP will always force you to pick your side: either on their side or not, there is no middle ground.

              • @justwii: Ok, then tell me what is good to be on US side over China side?

                • @ghostdom: They don't forcefully claim islands in the South China sea for strategic purposes . US is not TA and happy to use aircraft carriers for the same function .
                  BTW the world not paying much attention to this issue and one day will pay the price .

                • @ghostdom: Easy, cause US (or Trump gov.) is suppressing CCP. Well probably not so much with the Biden gov. So you get to see all this now when Trump is busy with the election mess.

    • +1

      I would rather be a scab-ridden beggar in a world without the CCP than a millionare tycoon in a world controlled by it.

    • To me it looks like that China is on the path to alienate most of its investors/trading partners.

      The government which is always offended, but never ashamed to offend others.

  • +1

    Australia is an Asia country : Google m8 if you think that .

    • I know it's hard for AUstralia to recognise that but it's a turth. That's why we join the RCEP whic h leads by China. Failing to recognise that is what cause all our problems. We take side with US and UK and see what we get, nothing but hostility from China and damage of our economy.

      • +1

        Exactly! Need more proofs that CCP will follow any trade deals? They just do what they feel like as long as you are not kowtowing to them.

  • Govermentationment by meme.
    ScoMo needs a good meme maker. Fight meme with meme

  • +9

    Are we prepared to sacrifice Australian sovereignty, core values and integrity all in the name of economic prosperity? We will forever be at the mercy of CCP and wolf warrior diplomacy.

    I for one am not prepared to give that up so readily.

    • +1

      Watch it China will just sign a treaty with the Aborigines then we'll really be 4✓k#!

  • +7

    i'm all for self sufficiency and structural pivots away from excessive reliance on china but you have to do it gradually and do it smart. there's a lot of schoolyard rhetoric with zero understanding of the real world economy. i wonder how many of those receiving Jobkeeper/Jobseeker who are crying out for australia to withhold iron ore exports realise we will literally go broke without Iron ore exports. It alone makes up 10% of our GDP. Without iron ore exports there goes all your jobseeker money, your social welfare. Your grocery bill doubles and there is mass unemployment and the economy pisses itself down the drain. I hope the wounded ego was worth it.

    • +4

      Absolutely. Lets hope cool heads prevail and mutual respect can be reinstated with a clear path forward. It is not in anyones interests for this to continue.

    • Absolutely.

      We need to get those on Jobkeeper/Jobseeker to start working again pronto, on ANY jobs (fruitpicking is just an extreme example), because its Australia needing supporting a mass of unproductive entitled people at the expense of other honest hardworking Australians is the reason why China can pick a fight with us. We need to bring manufacturing back to Australia and start becoming more self-sufficient.

    • +2

      It's hard to comment on the bigger picture without being labeled as a CCP shill. Keep a cool head, get trade relations under control. Diversify away slowly. China is also looking at Brazil and Guinea for their Iron Ore requirements and will eventually fully diversify away from Australian Ore. If the end goal is decoupling which is IMO idiotic Trumpism, we just need to smart about it.

      It's funny how Japan has managed the relationship better with China than Australia and they are archenemies!

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