China's Factories--Made in Germany?

China's transformed itself into an industrial super power by making the same mistakes the West made in the 19th century, according to a story in today's New York Times. And no wonder---they're even using the same equipment, literally!The article documents how antiquated, pollution-spewing steel factories from Germany that had to shut down in the wake of stricter environmental standards have been dismantled and shipped off to China where they're reassembled and once again cranking out sheets of steel---and all the pollution that goes with them. But it's not just the steel industry, the Times reports:

In its rush to re-create the industrial revolution that made the West rich, China has absorbed most of the major industries that once made the West dirty. Spurred by strong state support, Chinese companies have become the dominant makers of steel, coke, aluminum, cement, chemicals, leather, paper and other goods that faced high costs, including tougher environmental rules, in other parts of the world. China has become the world's factory, but also its smokestack.

Now that we've shipped most of our manufacturing off to China, the pollution we tried to outsource is finding its way back to our shores, whether in lead-coated toys or clouds of smog or contaminated foods. The chickens are coming home to roost, and they've probably brought some salmonella with them.