The foreign media have recently been full of stories about the perceived poor quality of goods and products from China. This perception can and must be effectively challenged and proved to be an incorrect assumption and charge on their part.

In fact, the original fault lies with an irresponsible few foreign buyers who are continually driving down the factory prices they are willing to pay. This state of affairs can result in the factory involved making a loss as their slice of the cake gets smaller, so in the end there is no cake to eat.

I am British and have been living in Hong Kong for five years. I am married to a Chinese lady and consider myself half-Chinese now. I have tremendous respect for China and China's development into a significant world power. My company works with many Chinese people and over time I have developed a high opinion of the work ethic in China.