Why is China the biggest exporter and not countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand or African countries?

Question

Let's not be idiots here. The countries I mentioned have a cheaper labor force.

Answer 1

Because China provides the cheapest goods.  This is partly because of cheap labor and the regulated currency - Yuan.

Answer 2

the "production engine" is much larger in China than elsewhere.

25 people working on a cheaper production line can not match the output of 25000, or 250,000 or 2.5 million Chinese. The capitalists want production volume, not simply lÆ¡west costs.  

Answer 3

China has one of the cheapest cost of labor, which is an advantage in lowering production cost.

Answer 4

Simply because they are bigger... the volume of " product" is amazing...and the government is 1000 percent behind any company that wants to " produce" and export... building rails..dredging rivers..creating ports..help with factory construction..train workers..

This little fact will let you know what any competitor is up against : There are over 100 cities in China with a population over 1 million !!

...and most are connecting to each other...to suppliers..to transportation..to shipping...to the world.

Simply put: THEY MEAN BUSINESS.

...if Home Depot wants 2 million " widgets"...they know who can fill the order immediately...and who will have it on a ship in record time.  While in Cambodia, some middle manager is saying : I can get you 1 million, and I think I can get another half million by next month...."

Answer 5

China has more human capital and infrastructure. China is also simply much larger, with a huge available labor force of rural-to-urban migrants.

China has a favorable business climate.

I really don't think Thailand has a cheaper labor force than China. Cambodia probably does, but it has a much less developed financial and industrial infrastructure. Africa's infrastructure and human capital is even worse, and many African countries are unstable, which does not make for a good business climate.

Answer 6

China has a more highly regulated laws protecting foreign investments. The supply logistics is also better than the countries you mentioned and continuing to improve every 3 months. Working environment are better too because of better police and regulations. As for sweatshops, give the kids a break please, they are just earning money to support their families. If you americans continue to criticize China, the kids families will starve. This is just how economy works. Give China time to grow so there are more better jobs out there for them.