Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

China-free, March 10

By Tenpa Dugdak - posted Wednesday, 3 March 2010


Mission 2: Finding a t-shirt

The t-shirt search was infinitely harder. I embarked on a marathon from one store to another, through an ocean of CCP t-shirts, and finally my mission was accomplished at the local Myers store. It is no exaggeration to say that finding my non-made in China t-shirt was like finding a needle in a haystack. More like “mission impossible”. As my weary legs survived until just a strike before store closing time, I thanked the store and thought about suing Deng Xiaoping for not getting a medal after finishing such a marathon.

Mission 3: Finding undies

Advertisement

Bonds is an iconic Australian brand and has produced clothing and undies for men and women for almost 90 years. Last year, it went offshore to CCP prisons, cutting down the labour cost. I gave up finding non-China undies after five or six trips to the shopping mall. If Tom Cruise was assigned to find NMIC (Not Made in China) Mission Impossible sequel 4, then “finding undies” would derail his hero status.

Without undies, a March 10th protest, as you can imagine, may be a new and difficult experience - even painful. Alternatively, I could copycat Gandhi’s loincloth.

Mission 4: Finding socks (still active)

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying everyone should boycott Chinese products. How can you resist the temptation of buying CCP goods?

They are cheap and abundantly available, made by modern day slaves in dungeons across China and Tibet. Plus, I don’t have a lot of cash lying around or time to seek alternative products indefinitely. But think about this: there are approximately 1,000 Tibetans in Australia, the majority of whom are former political prisoners and their families. Let’s say we have approximately 300 families. According to the Australia China Business Council, the average Australian household spent more than $3,400 per year on Chinese made products.

Just think, if all Tibetans in Australia refrained or at least made more effort to avoid CCP goods, we would cost the CCP a whooping $1,020 000 per year. So you see, abandoning MIC has a far more direct effect on the Politburo gangs than any feel good protest.

Advertisement

Dugdak

You can get this T-shirt here. Photo taken by Jamie William.

Australia and China trade

Australia has a history of China-ass-kissing (CHAK!) and the current PM, the Hon Mr Rudd has perfected the art. Two-way trade between Australia and China was worth $53 billion last year and the Australian PM can even speak Chin Chong Mang. Mr Rudd decided to snub His Holiness late last year when he visited Australia. His office’s rationale: "Given the frequency of the Dalai Lama's visits the government believes the current arrangements are appropriate."

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

1 post so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Tenpa Dugdak was born in the town of Sok in Kham province, twelve hours north-east of Lhasa. When Tenpa was four his mother decided to flee Tibet to be with his father who had escaped the year before. It took 30 days to cross the Himalayas. They travelled mostly in the darkness to avoid being seen by the Chinese troops. At the age of six he was sent to a Tibetan Homes boarding school in Mussoorie, India and was taught the Tibetan language, Buddhism and the history Tibetan culture. His mother died when he was a little boy. Dugdak moved to Australia with his father, and his two sisters, in 2002. Tenpa Dugdak lives in Sydney, Australia.

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 1 comment
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy