Chuck China! But my machine is from there

Ahmedabad: National interest demands the boycott of Chinese goods, declared the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). Yes, we shall, chorused almost all other trade chambers across the state. Er... not so fast. The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Surat needs time to think.

 The Surat Chamber has no reservations about joining the drive to teach the Chinese a lesson for blocking UN action on Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar.

The problem lies in the realisation that the Surat textile industry banks heavily on Chinese machinery and technology. "Our industry depends heavily on China for technology upgrade to survive in the textile market. We have no choice," said Surat chamber president B.S. Agrawal, explaining why it was difficult to support the boycott call. Snapping ties with China and boycotting its products will kill the textile and embroidery sector, he added. "All hi-tech machinery is imported from China. This is a reality and we have to face it." He said a team of 22 Surat textile businessmen was scheduled to visit Shanghai on October 19. "There is a textile exhibition at which we will get to know the latest developments in textile technology," he said. A textile industry source said the annual exhibition was a "great learning experience". GCCI president Vipin Patel, who has issued a circular to the chamber's two lakh members asking them not to use products made by Chinese companies, said using Chinese products "goes against our national interest". Hemant Shah, who teaches economics at a college affiliated to Gujarat University, said: "The idea of boycotting Chinese products is stupid. Why don't they boycott American and Pakistani goods? More than China, America has always supported Pakistan. Why don't they boycott American products?" China today poured more oil into the fire, standing by its decision on Azhar and ruling out any change in its stand on India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Beijing also said that ties with Bangladesh would be enhanced to a strategic partnership. The GCCI is expected to adopt a resolution to boycott Chinese products on October 22 when its executive committee meets. The Surat chamber, which has yet to take a decision, will convene a meeting of its managing committee. Agrawal, the Surat chamber president, said the businessmen would go ahead with the Shanghai visit, "come what may". He did not reveal whether he would join them but said he would seek the views of other trade bodies like the Confederation of Indian Industry, Ficci and Assocham on the proposed boycott. Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel refused to comment whether the state government supported the GCCI call. "Everybody is entitled to his or her views," he said. Although the GCCI has drawn up an elaborate plan to reach out to schools and colleges to spread awareness of the boycott call, the state government's cautious stand is understandable. Chinese companies have promised huge investments in infrastructure and to develop smart cities and set up electrical, chemical and textile parks. Any change in their stand ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat summit is likely to cloud investment prospects. Image: AP BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said: "This (boycott call) was an expected reaction. Even chief minister Vijay Rupani, while advocating swadeshi in a statement yesterday, did not rule out such a reaction in view of China's stand against India." GCCI senior vice-president Shailesh Patwari said the boycott call was "retaliation against the economic terrorism unleashed by China". He said small-scale industries - those making firecrackers, kites, balloons, toys, ceramic and plastic - had been systematically driven to ruin by the entry of Chinese goods. "We were mistaken; we thought China was a friend which it never was. China has killed our medium and small-scale industries. It's a golden chance for our industry if we boycott Chinese products," he said. The Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries has written to the Prime Minister and Rupani requesting them to make the boycott "official". A BJP source said the state government would not take any stand on the proposed boycott.