I guess even the mighty Stihl is not immune to the seductive power of cheap labor, that overtakes economic entities like the Mongol hordes under Ghengis Khan colonized the steppes of central Asia centuries ago.
FOR THE RECORD: I am NOT anti-Asian. I am, however, very much against the policies of the totalitarian regime in the People's Republic of China, not to be confused with the democratic island nation of Taiwan, once known as the Republic of China before they fled to escape annihilation by the Red Army in 1949.
The economic policies of China are based on cruel expoitation of labor at slave wages, an artificially deflated currency that makes that labor irresistibly cheap to the rest of the world, which acts to the detriment of other nations' economies, whose entire manufacturing infrastructures are priced right out of business. The environmental consequences of China's exposive economic avarice are appalling and a true menace to the neighboring nations, to say nothing of the health of the citizens of China, for whom those in power have zero regard, except as pawns in the service of their relentless drive toward world hegemony. We Americans, from the wage-earner who buys Chinese stuff at Wal-mart, to the CEO who moves a manufacturing plant to China, are falling right into this trap because of our greed and stupidity. I include myself here.
Don't call me anti-Asian. I will tell you that Chinese robber barons are laughing at us, because "roundeye srave to cheap chinajunk...hope roundeye rike work makee Nike knockoffs two dolla day." These are some of the most ruthless people on the face of the earth, and we are in their sights.
When Apple computers and Stihl chainsaws are made there, well.......
not much left, is there?