Editor’s note: this article was translated and edited from Wenxuecity.com which looks at an article discussing plagiarism in China which recently appeared in a Russian newspaper. Referencing the Russian article, Wenxuecity point out that China’s economy relies hugely on the plagiarism and duplication of other countries’ products. This extends to electronics, cars, and even houses and entire towns. The article provides examples from businesses in Guangdong and Hong Kong that make their profits from selling cheap, knockoff goods, and concludes that China doesn’t care about its international image as long as there is profit to be made.

Russian weekly newspaper Arguments and Facts (Аи) published an article on June 12 entitled “China is Plagiarizing the World” which stated that according to the US media, China’s economic growth relies solely on the plagiarism of the creativity of others. The article went on to say that China is also stealing the military secrets of other countries, as well as duplicating smart phones, cars, and even entire cities. The article took three examples of areas that China is now excelling in due to the fact that many people are buying cheaper Chinese duplicates of original products.

Shenzhen mall of counterfeit products

The article takes a look at a counterfeit goods mall run by a Shenzhen businessman named Zhao. “Have a look at this phone,” says Zhao to the Russian writer, “this is a counterfeit of the latest Nokia model. Its true retail price is 700 USD, but in China, you can buy it for just 200 USD.” Zhao then shows some examples of counterfeited luxury bags. “These two are both authentic-looking Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags. Of course they’re fake, though they sell at only a tenth of the true price.” Zhao then goes on to show off his electronics department: “This brand new plasma TV costs only 100 USD a set, and was put together by some locals at a nearby village yesterday. This product has only been on the market for two weeks, and already there are counterfeit models available in China. In fact, the quality isn’t too bad.” 

“Using other peoples’ creativity saves a lot of trouble”

Upon walking through this well-known market in Shenzhen’s Luohu District, customers may feel like they can buy almost anything. “We even have blueprints of The Pentagon,” jokes Zhao. “Our brains may not be that great but we have skilled hands, and using other peoples’ creativity to make money saves a lot of trouble.” It was then that the writer stopped in front of a fake Panasonic refrigerator. “This fridge has a rapid-refrigeration function, and can even play music. The original Japanese model can’t do this,” claims Zhao.

In the article, the writer goes on to point out that when Chinese people duplicate smart phones, they often insert many different functions. They are able to install televisions, flashlights and even air conditioner remote controls into the phones. Chinese knockoffs of old were often called “worthless junk”; however the Chinese counterfeit goods of today carry quite a strong worldwide reputation.

Shanzhai towns now commonplace in China

It seems that Chinese people don’t even need to travel to Europe to experience European culture, as there are many high-end, luxury European-style neighborhoods and towns in rural areas in China. These are also infamously known as “Shanzhai Towns”, areas which are completely modelled and imitated on something already existing somewhere else.  Perhaps the most famous one of them all is the Chinese imitation of Austrian UNESCO World Heritage site Hallstatt, which is located near Guangdong’s Huizhou city. Reportedly, a team of Chinese engineers were sent to the Austrian town for four months to study the exact details and measurements of the buildings in the town before it was then cloned in China. The Hallstatt government were reportedly shocked by the project, though didn’t voice any opposition.       

The article goes on to state that if any corporations decided to file a lawsuit against the Chinese companies who counterfeited their goods, then they would find that the Chinese company would suddenly disappear from existence; with a brand new company emerging at the location of the old one. Furthermore, in order to avoid other legal troubles, Chinese companies frequently alter the product names of the goods they counterfeit, with one example being “iPhone” becoming “ifon”.

Chinese car companies well-known for imitating famous models

Hong Kong car salesman James Hou stated, “10 years ago, the world didn’t know about Chinese cars. Suddenly however, there was an explosion of copies of famous brand cars in China by Chinese car companies. Great Wall Motors copied Nissan models, Lifan Group made duplicate Toyotas, and Cheri built Chevrolet copies.” Hou went on to explain that Chinese car companies are now becoming well-known for imitating luxury cars too, and that imitating others’ innovations was much simpler and cheaper than inventing car models from scratch. “It doesn’t make me proud,” he continued, “but we are now living in the age of technological theft. Whoever can steal ideas the quickest are often determined as the “original” creators. At first, cars that carry the tag ‘Made in China’ may sound scary, however many people in Africa and other Asian countries are now buying Chinese cars. Many people are interested in buying a fake Toyota that costs much less than the original, for example.”      

Every time a European or Japanese car exhibition is held in China, many Chinese “spectators” arrive on the scene and encircle the cars taking photos from almost every angle, and even open up the bonnets and trunks of the cars like no one is looking. Not long afterwards, even before these new cars which were shown at these exhibitions go on sale, China begins selling their very own duplicates. The article goes on to state that nowadays China basically doesn’t ever obtain official production licenses from the companies it plagiarizes from.

In conclusion, the article makes the point that such blatant plagiarism is simply unacceptable. Regarding what other countries think of it, China couldn’t care less as long as there is profit to be made.

Source: Wenxuecity
 

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Keywords: Chinese counterfeit goods plagiarism in China