Replies to post #3938 on The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[oldberkeley]

There is plenty of evidence of rushed efforts. Wang Yulan, a 56-year old retiree, moved into her new city-built apartment in a 33-floor Chongqing tower three months ago and immediately found a broken cupboard hinge, leak stains on both sides of her short foyer and badly misaligned window sills.

If I was Ms. Yang, I'd be worried about much more than hinges and window sills.

For some strange reason, I used to have the illogical notion that China kept the good stuff for itself and exported the crap.

However, their numerous building collapses and last week's story confirming that July's gruesome high-speed rail crash was caused by major flaws in train operating equipment are further reminders that deliberately shoddy, unsafe, unreliable, third-rate materials and products are not just foisted off on the ignorant laowai.

No one is safe.

[wow_happens28]

China Manufacturing Output Slows

I guess this ties in with the Subsidized Housing story indirectly or directly>>>

The December figure of 48.7 is below growth threshold of 50 for 2nd month

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2011-12/31/content_14362291.htm

And note in this next atricle a rarther scary quote if you what China doing well,

"Hu Jintao vowed to reduce the country's dependence on GDP, saying economic development should aim to improve people's livelihoods and welfare rather than purely push for GDP growth."

So I guess numbers don't count, but how Hu feels??? So if they are getting poorer, it's OK if Hu thinks it improves their livelihoods?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2011-12/29/content_14350347.htm

[DewDiligence]

Update on China’s plan to increase subsidized housing:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444024204578044592999502174.html

If the move to build more-affordable homes takes hold, analysts say, it could help China achieve an economic soft landing and drive the next stage of growth.

Among the believers is China's premier-in-waiting, Li Keqiang. He suggests that a combination of government-funded "social housing" and cheaper homes built for the private market will spark a wave of consumption as owners outfit newly acquired homes with furniture and appliances.