Korean Media: It's Time to Discard the Stereotype of "Made in China"!
On July 26, the Korean media outlet "Energy Economy" published an article stating that in South Korea, until the 1990s and early 21st century, it was widely believed that using "Made in China" products meant using low-cost products. Some people even sarcastically said, "Are you using this because you don't have money?" The stereotype that Chinese products are cheap but of poor quality has existed for a long time.
Even recently, this view seems not to have completely disappeared. Some South Korean industry professionals still confidently say, "Our products are still better."
However, the reality of the market is not so optimistic. On the contrary, the situation is serious. There are gradually increasing examples of many Chinese products in areas such as smartphones, televisions, and home appliances that threaten or surpass "South Korean manufacturing" products in terms of technology, functions, and design.
The position of Chinese enterprises in the global market is now impossible to ignore. Companies such as Xiaomi, Hisense, and TCL have rapidly expanded their market share with mid-to-low-priced products and are now quickly expanding into the premium market. The high-end brand fields that South Korean companies have been carefully cultivating for years are now being fiercely pursued by Chinese enterprises.
The "Made in China" strategy is not just limited to simple price competitiveness. Through continuous technological investment, consumer analysis, and design improvements, it keeps enhancing the overall product level. Particularly worth noting is that Xiaomi openly mentions its competitors and shows an attitude of recognizing their technological strength and brand value. A relevant person from Xiaomi stated at a recent press conference, "We will learn from our competitors (such as Samsung Electronics)." It must be remembered that this attitude is the starting point for learning and innovation.
So, what about South Korean manufacturing? Are they complacent because they believe "we are the best"? Innovation begins with humility and learning. To maintain technological leadership, South Korean companies must quickly absorb others' strengths and continuously renew themselves. At some point, they need to ask themselves whether they are still stuck in their ways, saying "our products are still better," while ignoring the reality in front of them, even when facing rivals worthy of learning from.
The rise of Chinese enterprises should not be simply seen as a threat to South Korean enterprises. It is time to move beyond the sense of crisis and turn it into a stepping stone for a leap forward. In an increasingly competitive global environment, the old prejudices toward "Made in China" not only cloud consumers' judgment but also affect corporate judgment.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838692369016843/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.