To be specific.
- Stop buying stuff "made in China" - even if it's cheaper.
- Stop buying stuff from companies that manufacture in China. (*cough* Apple)
- Stop buying stuff from companies that have tight business relations with China.
This is not a racist appeal, and this is not against Chinese people.
You should not avoid Chinese friends, you should not avoid Chinese restaurants, and if you have a local Asia store run by some old friendly Chinese woman, please do go there. Just don't buy the Chinese imported brands. Get the Vietnamese Asia noodles instead, the Japanese Soy sauce, or stuff from Taiwan.
Why?
The Peoples Republic of China is adhering to different values than we do.
In the mind of the Chinese government, it is OK to force sterilize people, to rip apart families and put children in re-education camps, to silence any critics and to crush down any resistance and any voice of opposition with tanks and bullets. Any criticism will be met with outrage about daring to interfere with "Chinese matters" and outright lies - even though the regime never allows independent reporting.
The Chinese government uses repression and mass surveillance to keep in power and keep people under control. They use whatever means necessary to silence any opposition, within the country and without.
And the Chinese government is using their economic weight to increase their influence and export their warped values to the rest of the world.
China is expanding and investing, through means such as the new silk road - everywhere in the world. infrastructure is built and funded, economic ties are sealed. And with them come liabilities.
The moment, a company, an economy, a country is economically dependent on China, they lose their freedom. The moment a British politician dares criticize what China is doing in Hong Kong, or an Australian minister offers refuge to Hong Kong citizens fleeing from Chinese oppression, businesses in these countries will feel the consequences. Funding is withdrawn, deals are withheld. Agreements are cancelled. The closer the economic ties to China, the stronger the implications. Shipments from Chinese Factories get delayed. Permits needed for Manufacturing are not granted. Worst case, Factories are shut down and personnel disappears.
Or in case of Chinese investment overseas. It just stops. People get laid off, contracts get cancelled.
China allows its companies to operate by the rules of a free market to make money, as long as Chinese interests are not affected. The moment it becomes political, no Chinese company is independent. They have no choice, they are forced to do what government officials expect them to do. No explicit threats are even needed. Everybody knows what happens to those who defy the will of the people's party.
And as such, whenever a western politician dares to speak up against Chinese politics, their own businesses will lobby against being so vocal, because they are going to feel it when the dragon retaliates.
The tighter the business connections, the larger the influence, the larger the dependence.
As such any company, any business that does a pact with the dragon implicitly supports the suppression, supports the censorship, supports the genocide China commits in its own country. Just as they support exporting that oppression to other countries.
You can see that in Africa, in Iran, in Russia. Even in South America. Countries, who by poverty or by political sanctions have been driven to make tighter ties with the dragon. To the point their politicians are now sanctioning anyone who speaks up against Chinese policy even in their own countries.
Protesters against Chinese businesses taking over Vietnam are being detained and oppressed - not by Chinese but by the Vietnamese police, acting on behalf of China.
This must stop. But companies are forced by economic pressure. They will keep making deals with the devil as long as this is lucrative, as long as this gives them the edge over the competition. And China offers such sweet deals. The cheapest manufacturing, the cheapest electronics. Investment into infrastucture when it's most needed.
This will not stop by itself, not while China is actively striving to increase its influence.
So there must be an economic counter force. People must stop buying crap made in China, so companies stop manufacturing in China, and stop becoming dependent on China.
Remember what happened in the NBA when players spoke up against Chinese oppression?
This must be fought. Not just by our leaders and policy makers, but by every single consumer. Vote with your feet. Vote against Chinese suppression. Stop buying Chinese.
Again, this is not against Chinese people. If China stops oppressing, stops censoring and starts admitting the atrocities the party has committed, there's nothing wrong with fruitful economic cooperation. Maybe enough economic pressure can even force that country into doing that.
After all their economic ties and the deeply interwoven network of business relationships goes both ways. If everyone stops buying Chinese this can really hurt the party where it hurts them most. Their money!
If you agree with me, spread this boycott plea. Maybe add a line or two to polish it up.
And if you go shopping, check the label. If it says "made in China" - leave it in the store.
