If your supply chain extends to China, it is a good time to step back and take a look at some useful resources for understanding this rapidly growing, complex country.

Media attention on supply chain issues in China has intensified in the wake of the January 25^th article in The New York Times on the human costs of Apple’s iPad.  Apple has since requested the Fair Labor Association to undertake voluntary audits of its supply chain, has released the names of its suppliers and, most recently, announced that it has teamed up with the Natural Resources Defense Council to address environmental problems at factories in its Chinese supply chain.

What resources will be most helpful in gaining some perspective on environmental and human issues in China?

​If you can find the time for a book, our number one recommendation is When A Billion Chinese Jump: How China Will Save Mankind -- Or Destroy It by Jonathan Watts.  As the Asian Environment Correspondent for The Guardian, Watts is perfectly positioned to convey the human and ecological challenges of mushrooming economic growth. Well-written and highly informative, the book covers the breadth of the country with gripping examples of China’s response to diverse environmental issues.

Also, check out Watts’ blog, including a particularly interesting post from several months ago on two very different protests against chemical factories in China.