At the China Breifing Blog, Chris Devonshire-Ellis writes:

The more I travel to that other billion plus populated Asian country, India, the more I become convinced China has hit a glass ceiling in its development. It's tempting after 20 years in China to become a little blasé perhaps about the country, even a little cynical, yet I feel uneasy about certain Chinese characteristics that just don't seem to be progressing at all. Bear with me please while I try and explain what I mean by a glass ceiling by comparing China with the behemoth of India - after all it's the only comparison we've got.

China Myth # 1
It’s normal for the world to buy from China
It isn't you know, and it's changing. Cheap manufacturing has only been on the global agenda for the past 20 years, and only in the past 10-15 in any truly large quantities from China. Prior to this, China was closed - the dream of accessing the China market - now much considered to be a dream - has given way to the supply of cheap goods. But China has no inalienable right to this status. Other markets are emerging, with the U.S. preferring the logistical nearness of Brazil, and with other Asian tigers on the rise, China is facing pressures to adapt. Where we buy from in the next 15 years will not be demonstrated by a simple “Made in China” label.

To read more:

http://www.china-briefing.com/blog/2007/10/16/chinas-glass-ceiling.html#more-367