Actuality September, 07, 2007.

60 % of Russians though screw up their faces, but still buy the goods of Chinese production, although they admit that their quality is below the average. And even moreover: the majority of them consider that they are rather dangerous for consumers. Materials are detrimental to health, not ecologically clean. However, choosing the goods Russians are guided by price. They buy Chinese goods because they are cheap. Besides the Chinese pressure not only by price but also by varied stock.

So, 79% of polled gave such answer for the question «Why do you buy the goods of Chinese production?» as  “because they have cheap price”. The next variant in popularity was “because of broad range of goods”. 19% of respondents noted that Chinese goods are sold almost everywhere, so like it or not — you will buy (among those who gave such answer the majority is the residents of small towns.) 10% appeal to the fact that at times it is impossible to find the analogue of one or another article from another producer. And, finally, 6% for some reason are sure, that the goods produced in China have «attractive appearance». Such description, as «high quality», was given to Chinese products by one percent of polled. It is interesting that the low price of goods is important factor for all Russians, regardless of their place of abode. There is no large gap between the residents of capitals and villages (76% and 84%).

Russians not only scorn the quality of Chinese wares but also consider them simply dangerous. 60% of polled agreed that they are made from detrimental to health materials. 80% consider that the Chinese produce short-lived goods which break down very quickly.

Chinese goods are in the greatest demand in the Far-Eastern federal district (87% are not fastidious about using them), in the South federal district — 44%.

More frequently Russians buy the clothes of Chinese production (45% of respondents), on the second place there are footwear (39%). The overwhelming majority of the habitants the Far-Eastern federal district gets their clothes and shoes «from the Chinese», the same «designer» is preferred almost by the half of habitants of Ural and Siberia. From 15 to 18% of Russians buy textile, child’s toys and household appliances of Chinese production. Not more than 6–9 % of polled decide to eat «detrimental to health» products of their “big neighbor”. And cars, motorbikes and other motor vehicles are in catastrophically low demand (1–3%). Well, it is doubtful whether in the nearest future the cars produced in the Celestial Empire will drive about Russian roads…

Meanwhile, the market of Russia is a strategical guideline for China. According to experts, not less than 30% of Chinese products export are in Russia. And it is without taking into account goods which are smuggled. It is interesting how would statistics change if Russians knew how many goods made in China are really in the markets?

Recently there are frequent talks that China demonstrates the startling economy growth to the whole world; industry, technologies are developed there, the quality of goods rises. Probably, it is so. However, it seems that Russians won’t believe in that very quickly. As yet the stereotype that «Chinese» is that is called offensively «mass-produced items» is too strong. Though there is another point of view: well, let Chinese flood the market by bad quality goods, but they are, there are a lot of them, and they cheap. After all, what would those who can’t afford «quality», brand goods from Europe and America do without them?