Despite the ancient feuds between China and Japan, Japan might still come out on top in the economic toing and froing between the two countries. Japan, once a penal colony for China, was state centered and has transferred this to a corporate collegiality.

This thinking is reflective of its origins as a penal colony, subjected always to a greater power. In the twenty-first century we know a business orientated Asian nation that can produce goods of value.

In the middle of the twentieth century we knew a nation that produced cheap, i.e. poor quality goods for mass markets. Mass marketing of poor quality goods found a niche in the global market and then found its niche pre-empted by better quality goods and popular demands for a higher standard of goods, particularly in the wind-up clockwork toys that were temporarily popular.

Now China is known for poor quality knock-off production of medication, light fittings and poisonous pet food to name a few. The latest risk from China is that the gluten produced for human consumption is likely to poison a huge human population. The Chinese claim that, melamine, the substance used to bulk up protein in pet and human food has been withdrawn from their manufacture. Has there been a recall? Or, will those products still containing dangerous substances continue to be dumped on global markets at low prices, causing further risk of damage and death to animals and humans alike?

Since China has been family orientated, rather than State orientated, will small manufacturies continue to offer dangerous products to the world, in the interests of profits at any price? We have all seen the TV programs that chase after dangerous manufacturing in China, and watched those manufacturers run from the cameras. Does their Government take any interest in the quality of goods produced for the global market.

In the last two months China’s stock market has crashed twice. China has been known recently as the ‘Factory of the World’. It is also known as a nation that has no care for the amount of global pollution it pours out onto our planet, in the interest of a fast buck.

I apologize to those Chinese who produce a product worthy of purchase. Often a multitude are unfortunately condemned by those who seek money at any price. If China continues on its present path it is more likely to stay far behind Japan for lack of an understanding that global pockets are not there to be picked, but must be satisfied.

I would rather see all countries in partnership, protecting our planet and creating sustainable businesses with employment and health care for all. Health care in a heavily polluted environment will not lead to a competent worker base. China has had the foresight to make an important move in limiting its population in the hope that their resources will provide for all. Now it needs to make moves in the direction of clean air and water for the remainder, and emphasize that cheating the global market will only lead to a rejection of its goods. If its commerce is rejected, then its people will continue to suffer for lack of funds and a sustainable economy.

If Japan and China could bury their ancient rivalries, each could learn from the other to the benefit of the human race. Less ferocity from the Japanese, and perhaps less remembrance of colonialism on both sides.