经济学人下载:中国制造业-廉价商品的终结?

In 2009 the prices of these electronic goods jumped suddenly, as buyers emerged from the financial crisis and started ordering more equipment from manufacturers which had slashed capacity. But data collected in Taiwan suggest that prices are now falling sharply again (see chart). If the vendors at Computex had a common slogan, it would be “more for less”.

在2009年，这些电子产品价格暴涨，采购商摆脱金融危机影响，并开始大规模向已经消减产能的制造商采购设备。但是在台湾采集的数据表明，这些电子产品的价格开始陡降（见图）。如果参加台北国际电脑展的厂商有个口号的话，那一定是“更多的产品，更低的价格”。

Among the products that generated the most heat were those that saved energy. These included alternating- and direct-current converters, and sensors that could moderate the power consumption of streetlamps, fridges and air conditioners. Such devices were initially marketed for their “green potential”, but what buyers liked was their ability to enhance productivity. Japanese firms, which have had to make do with less power since the earthquake, were particularly eager.

其中一些产品虽为节能设备，但是在使用过程中却产生最多的热量。这些产品包括交流和直流转换器以及使路灯、冰箱和空调耗电量平稳的传感器。这些设备最初以其“绿色节能”为卖点，但是采购商所中意的是这些设备提高生产效率的能力。日本公司在经历了地震之后，对“环保节能”的需求尤为迫切。

Chinese firms were curious about any product that lowered costs or made it easier to automate. When labour was cheap, Chinese firms used it inefficiently. Now they are learning how to get more from fewer hands. Li & Fung may be sounding the closing bell on one era of production, but the Taipei computer fair suggests that another is emerging.

中国公司永远对降低产品成本或使产品更容易自动化生产颇为好奇。当劳动力便宜的时候，中国公司非常低效率得使用它。现在他们正在学习如何让更少的手创造更多的财富。利丰公司敲响了一个制造业时代终结的晚钟，但是台北国际电脑展的繁荣预示着一个新制造业的崛起。