The trillions of dollars generated by Silicon Valley have a dirty secret: much of it is built on the backs of Chinese slave labor. This shocking truth comes to light as President Joe Biden prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit starting on November 12. The San Francisco Standard reports that it remains uncertain whether Mr. Xi will attend the summit, adding to the complexity of the event.
A Complicated Summit
The APEC summit poses challenges due to the involvement of Hong Kong, now under the control of Communist China, and Taiwan, which China threatens to invade. Additionally, there is tension between Russia and the United States as they engage in a proxy war through Ukraine.
If President Xi attends the summit, the Secret Service will face a daunting task of protecting both leaders from potential threats, including common criminals on the streets of San Francisco. The city, once beautiful and charming, has descended into chaos under the leadership of President Biden and Governor Gavin Newsom. Even the President’s limousine, known as “The Beast,” could be at risk of break-ins and theft.
It’s important to recognize that the success of San Francisco and Silicon Valley’s tech companies is not solely due to a free market. Their massive market capitalizations are built on the outsourcing of manufacturing to China and its exploitative system of slave labor. In fact, your beloved iPhone or Android device is likely made in China.
Until recently, there were only two dominant systems in the tech industry. However, a third player emerged last month, and surprise, it’s also from China. The New York Times reported that the release of a Chinese smartphone during a visit by a Biden official highlights the ongoing tech conflict between the US and China.
Back in 2021, The Epoch Times reported that lawmakers called on Apple to sever ties with Chinese suppliers involved in forced labor. Despite Apple’s claims of having clean supply chains, evidence suggests otherwise. The mounting evidence of forced labor’s involvement in Apple’s supply chains is deeply troubling.
Not a Free Market
While we are often told to embrace global free trade, it’s important to acknowledge that slave labor is not synonymous with free trade. Americans are constantly reminded of the historical legacy of slavery within their own country, but what about the modern-day slavery happening now and its direct benefit to tech billionaires?
Apple’s journey began in 1984 when it started building its first Macintosh in Fremont, California. Steve Jobs himself played a crucial role in its development. However, the company later shifted its production to other locations, and the original factory closed in September 1992.
Jobs with Mac
Steve Jobs and a Macintosh computer, January 1984, by Bernard Gotfryd. The image on the computer screen is 髪梳ける女 (A Woman Combing Her Hair), by Hashiguchi Goyo (d. 1921). (Public Domain)
The iconic TV ad for the Mac, directed by Ridley Scott, aired during the 1984 Super Bowl and is still considered one of the greatest TV ads ever produced. It depicted Apple as the underdog fighting against the dominant computer company, IBM. Ironically, Apple has now become the Big Brother it once fought against, dominating the tech industry as the most valuable company in the world.
It’s worth noting that the top global market capitalizations are primarily held by American high-tech firms heavily reliant on Chinese products. These companies, including Apple, engage in heavy censorship, suppressing thoughts deemed unacceptable by America’s leftist ideologues.
In China, Apple willingly censors its products to appease the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) dictatorship. The New York Times even reported on how Apple has risked its Chinese customers’ data and aided the Chinese government’s censorship.
If Apple has become the Big Brother it once criticized, then the CCP is its Biggest Brother. The United States’ technological advantage relies heavily on software companies, while physical product sellers like Amazon depend on Chinese imports. However, the ongoing chip war between the US and China poses a significant challenge.
The Biden administration has imposed restrictions on Chinese access to top US chips, but China is responding by becoming more competitive in chip manufacturing and design. This dual-front chip war requires the US to expand export restrictions while addressing China’s growing advantage in legacy semiconductor manufacturing.
Unfortunately, California’s education system is failing to produce enough graduates in STEM fields, putting the US at a disadvantage. China graduates 5.5 times more engineers than the US annually. This alarming statistic should serve as a wake-up call.
Conclusion: Time to Wake Up
It’s crucial for Americans, especially Californians, to recognize the reality of the situation. Critical Race Theory and other misguided ideologies must be abandoned in favor of prioritizing STEM education. A merit-based system should be restored across all sectors of the economy. Failure to do so will result in vassal status to President Xi and his successors.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
How has Silicon Valley’s outsourcing of manufacturing to China contributed to human rights abuses and forced labor in the tech industry?
T, it will bring to the forefront the issue of human rights abuses in China, particularly the use of forced labor in the production of goods for global tech companies. Silicon Valley, the epicenter of technological innovation and economic power, has been complicit in these human rights violations by outsourcing manufacturing to China without proper oversight.
The wealth accumulated by Silicon Valley is undeniable. Giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook have amassed immense fortunes and have become symbols of innovation and progress. However, it is crucial to question the means by which this wealth is created and sustained. Behind the shiny facade of cutting-edge technology and billion-dollar valuations lies a darker reality – the exploitation of vulnerable workers.
Chinese slave labor has become an open secret in the technology industry. Workers in China’s factories endure grueling working conditions, long hours, and minimal pay. They are often subjected to abusive treatment, living in cramped dormitories, and having their movements controlled. These workers are essentially modern-day slaves, toiling away to fuel the insatiable demand for gadgets and devices.
The extent of Silicon Valley’s dependence on Chinese slave labor cannot be ignored. The supply chains of tech companies are deeply entwined with Chinese factories, where workers are forced to produce high-end electronics under oppressive conditions. From smartphones and laptops to smartwatches and virtual reality headsets, these products are tainted with the suffering of those who make them.
The complicity of Silicon Valley in perpetuating this cycle of exploitation is concerning, to say the least. While these companies promote a progressive image and advocate for social change, their involvement in China’s human rights abuses contradicts their supposed values. It is a clear case of prioritizing profits over principles.
President Biden’s upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping presents an opportunity to address these issues head-on. It is crucial for the leaders of both nations to discuss human rights abuses and work towards a more equitable and just global economy. The summit should serve as a platform to hold Silicon Valley accountable for its role in perpetuating slave labor and demand transparency and responsibility in the production of tech goods.
In addition to addressing labor rights, the APEC summit also highlights other geopolitical challenges. The involvement of Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as tensions between Russia and the United States, adds complexity and urgency to the discussions. These issues must be addressed with diplomacy and a commitment to international cooperation.
As consumers, we also have a role to play in holding Silicon Valley accountable. By demanding ethical and transparent practices from tech companies, we can create pressure for change. Supporting companies that prioritize fair labor practices and supply chain transparency can make a difference in driving progress.
In conclusion, the dark side of Silicon Valley’s wealth cannot be ignored. The use of Chinese slave labor to produce tech goods is a stark reminder of the human cost of our technological advancements. It is crucial for both governments and consumers to demand accountability and work towards a more ethical and just global economy. Only through collective action can we hope to address the exploitation and suffering that underpin Silicon Valley’s success.
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