Made in China

Three words. Three words that stir up a maelstrom of controversy. Three words that have a different meaning to different people. Three words that are simultaneously a punchline, a rallying cry and even a source of pride.
In America - you cannot find a store whose merchandise is not emblazoned with these words. Our economy is intimately tied to those three words -as is China's. So what exactly does "Made in China" mean, in China?

I had a chance to tour a Chinese factory. This factory is similar in many ways to the countless other factories that are spread across this sprawling landmass. The conditions inside of the factory were not great - certainly not to the standards of an American factory - but they were not wholly awful. The factory I got to tour makes refrigerator magnets. You may have a magnet from this factory in your home or office right now. The workers in the factory that I had a chance to meet were focused but pleasant. One major difference at this factory is that the workers only work 40 hours a week. The work 8 hour shifts - unlike most other Chinese factories where working hours can easily be double that amount. This particular location is a very desirable job for a local Chinese worker for another reason. The owners of the factory pay their employees a good wage - much more than the average factory worker would make. The video below gives a brief view into this Chinese factory - and maybe a greater insight into the three words -"Made in China"