One year, while a kid, I asked for an Action Man at Christmas. I got an imitation version with arms that only moved in one direction. Made in China. The following year, I looked for a Meccano set. I got something that resembled that kit, but not as good. Made in China.  Whinging about the presents cut no mustard with my Dad, who thankfully understood the value of money. In that time, during the 1970s, and in some quarters to this day, a narrative existed that China made products that were cheap but of low quality. Not any more.  Multi-decade…

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