China-free, March 10

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

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.

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."