Some UK authorities appear to have contracted the condition of severe Sinophobia, causing them to become anxious at the mere mention of Chinese-made goods as if there were a miniature James Bond hidden in every screw from China.
Such paranoia about the “China threat” is increasingly veering toward absurdity, which has even caused the delay of the rollout of British military badges redesigned for the accession of Britain’s King Charles III, according to a Financial Times report over the weekend.
The manufacturing of the new badges has been delayed due to fears the new insignia could be made in China and risk allowing China to insert tracking devices.
Such a ridiculous matter sounds too hilarious to be true and is too comical to warrant a serious rebuttal. If anyone truly believes that cap badges on berets can contain tracking devices, they clearly lack common sense and scientific knowledge.
What on earth is the UK concerned about? What makes the UK think that Chinese manufacturers do nothing else all day but insert tracking devices on various goods to target the UK? Does the UK military believe that Chinese factories are capable of producing small badges containing a super-battery that can last for months or even years, a powerful signal emitter, or micro-robots that are completely undetectable to UK authorities?
If this is true and the level of technology in Chinese factories is truly as advanced as the West fears, then it is not the manufacturing industry but rather the plot of a science fiction movie.
To a certain extent, the delayed badge manufacturing not only exposes the over-sensitivity and paranoia of some in the UK, but also reflects the unwarranted suspicion and mistrust of Chinese-made products in the face of increasing anti-globalization sentiment in certain Western countries.
Indeed, it is not the first time for the UK to make bizarre accusations about “Chinese spies” or the “China threat” in recent years. The country has become one of the most enthusiastic in the West in scrutinizing its trade ties with China due to the alleged “spy risks.” For instance, Chinese-made cameras have been banned under suspicion of being “spy cameras,” while Chinese-made electric cars are labeled as “four-wheeled Trojan horses” monitoring British citizens.
If the UK is really so worried about the “China threat” in Chinese-made goods, why not consider sourcing from other countries instead? According to media reports, US-listed defense services company Leidos won the contract to supply the UK military with the new badges, and then subcontracted it to Yorkshire-based Wyedean Weaving, which sources some of its manufacturing capacity from factories in China.
There are several factors to consider. First, the UK does not have the capacity to manufacture those badges as quickly or cheaply, while American companies consider subcontracting as the most cost-efficient way of fulfilling a contract. By comparison, China is one of the world’s largest manufacturing hubs, with a well-established production system and ample labor resources that allow for the production of high-quality goods at competitive prices.
Furthermore, Chinese factories are equipped with cutting-edge technology to meet the demands of British consumers. Additionally, they provide flexible production schedules and quick delivery times, both of which are essential for UK businesses.
If following the logic of those who worry about “China threat” in China-made products, the most effective method to eliminate Chinese manufacturing is to begin by removing all items made in China from every British household so as to ensure the safety of the UK.
Maybe what London truly cares about is not whether Chinese-made products pose a potential national security risk or not, but rather sending a message that it can treat Chinese-made products as potential “spy” systems, no matter how ridiculous it is.
This stance may be seen as a display of vigilance and seriousness in national security, but it raises the question of whether it truly serves British interests, or if it is merely a political show to distract public attention from its domestic predicament.
If some in the UK are really concerned about their interests being compromised, what they need to do is to get their Sinophobia cured. Since China remains an important trading partner of the UK, is it really in the interests of both sides if China-UK economic relations are hijacked by Sinophobia?
If the UK continues to perform in paranoid ways, international society will not only question the UK’s judgment, but might also start writing a book of jokes about its Sinophobia anecdotes.
Global Times
