Op-Eds

How Western Companies Helped Create Their Chinese Competitors – Like Labubu

On January 17, China Labor Watch Executive Director Li Qiang published an op-ed titled “How Western Companies Helped Create Their Chinese Competitors – Like Labubu.” The article argues that decades of Western outsourcing in pursuit of lower costs and higher shareholder returns fundamentally reshaped global competition by transferring manufacturing capacity, supply-chain know-how, and branding capabilities to China. Using the global rise of Labubu as a case study, the piece shows how Chinese firms now combine Western-derived branding and marketing practices…

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Why China’s Exploitative Labor System Gives It a Strategic Edge

On January 8, China Labor Watch Executive Director Li Qiang published an op-ed in The Diplomat titled “Why China’s Exploitative Labor System Gives It a Strategic Edge.” The article argues that China’s manufacturing dominance is rooted not primarily in technology or industrial policy, but in an institutional “low rights” labor model characterized by weak enforcement, excessive working hours, and wage suppression. This model has generated powerful cost and scale advantages and is now being exported globally through overseas investment and…

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China’s Low Rights Model Goes Global

On November 26, China Labor Watch’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, published an Op-ed in the Diplomat titled “China’s Low Rights Model Goes Global”. The article points out that China’s manufacturing dominance relies on a “low rights” model that suppresses labor, environmental, and community protections to cut costs and accelerate production. This strategy is now being exported globally through the Belt and Road Initiative. Without coordinated civil society oversight and stronger enforcement of labor laws, this model risks lowering global labor…

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If Workers Can’t Speak, CSR is Just PR

On November 21, China Labor Watch’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, published an article in the Diplomat titled “If Workers Can’t Speak, CSR is just PR”. The article argues that corporate social responsibility has consistently failed because it excludes the very people it aims to protect: workers. Workers’ voices continue to be missing in global supply chains. The article calls for structural reforms—such as supporting grassroots labor groups, enforcing labor standards, and involving workers directly—to move CSR from public relations to…

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International Labor Standards: The Missing Link in China-US Trade Negotiations

On July 25, China Labor Watch’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, published an article on the Diplomat: “International Labor Standards: The Missing Link in China-US Trade Negotiations”. The article suggests that China’s economic growth is built on systemic labor exploitation, and addressing labor rights is critical for ensuring global trade is fair. Key takeaways: China’s Economic Rise Built on Labor Exploitation: China’s industrial ascent was powered by low-cost labor and state incentives, enabling it to dominate high-value industries. This success came…

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Before the US Realizes the Cost, China Is Rapidly Gaining Soft Power Ground

On June 25, China Labor Watch’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, penned an article for the Diplomat titled: “Before the US Realizes the Cost, China Is Rapidly Gaining Soft Power Ground”. The article points out that the U.S.’ cuts in funding to civil society and media outlets have weakened its influence globally, while China’s soft power continues to grow. Li argues that it is imperative that the U.S. restores funding to counter authoritarianism and to prevent the collapse of democratic institutions.…

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Tariffs Put Extra Pressure on Workers in Both China and the US

China Labor Watch’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, recently penned an article for the Diplomat: “Tariffs Put Extra Pressure on Workers in Both China and the U.S.”. In the piece, he argues that the trade war is raising prices in the U.S. and in turn, impacting American workers; at the same time, workers in China have been rushing to fulfill orders during the 90-day pause in tariffs, putting in significantly longer hours in overtime. The trade war has not ultimately led…

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Europe Must Beware of Potential Risks in the China-US Strategic Competition 

Recently, China Labor Watch’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, authored a piece: “Europe Must Beware of Potential Risks in the China-US Strategic Competition” on the Diplomat. The piece points out that as Europe is finding itself having to navigate the the geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. The article warns that the European Union’s economic dependence on China, its inconsistent enforcement of democratic standards, and continued reliance on Russian energy leaves it vulnerable to external pressure and internal fragmentation.…

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Don’t Be Fooled: The China-US Trade War is Here to Stay

Recently, China Labor Watch’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, authored a piece, “Don’t Be Fooled: The China-US Trade War is Here to Stay” on the Diplomat. The opinion piece points out that despite a pause in the tariffs, the structural conflict between the U.S. and China is far from over. This article argues that bipartisan political support in Washington and China’s deep manufacturing resilience have made the trade war effectively permanent—and that negotiations are unlikely to break the deadlock. Key Takeaways:…

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The Real Threat Behind Trump’s Trade War: China’s Currency Offensive

​China Labor Watch’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, authored an article in The Diplomat titled “The Real Threat Behind Trump’s Trade War: China’s Currency Offensive”. He argues that while U.S. policymakers focus on tariffs and trade deficits, the true long-term threat may lie in China’s global currency strategy. The piece highlights how Beijing is leveraging the renminbi (RMB) to reshape the global financial system—quietly undermining U.S. dollar dominance without a direct confrontation. Key Takeaways: China is building a global RMB settlement…

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China Doesn’t Fear Tariffs. It Fears a Credible US Industrial Strategy.

CLW’s executive director Li Qiang penned an article in the Diplomat, “China Doesn’t Fear Tariffs. It Fears a Credible US Industrial Strategy”, arguing that while tariffs may pressure companies, they cannot single-handedly revive U.S. manufacturing. The real challenge lies in labor shortages and the lack of supply chain infrastructure. The piece proposes practical solutions—including the establishment of industrial zones and special visa programs—to rebuild America’s manufacturing base. Key takeaways: Tariffs alone won’t bring back U.S. manufacturing jobs. The U.S. has…

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How ‘America First’ created a strategic opening for Beijing

CLW’s Executive Director, Li Qiang, authored an article in The Hill titled “How ‘America First’ created a strategic opening for Beijing”, analyzing how the “America First” doctrine has damaged the global appeal of U.S. brands and inadvertently helped China expand its influence. Using Tesla’s recent decline in the European market as a starting point, the piece illustrates how American isolationism is reshaping consumer perceptions—and how Beijing is capitalizing on this. Key Takeaways: Tesla’s falling sales in Europe reflects global backlash…

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