‘Craftsmanship’ listed among 10 most popular words of 2016
2016-12-16
english.gov.cn/people.cn/yicai.com
Premier Li Keqiang says the quality revolution of products made in China needs craftsmanship, while visiting Dongfeng automobile factory in Shiyan, Central China’s Hubei province, May 23, 2016.
On March 5, 2016, Premier Li Keqiang said in the government work report that the government encourages enterprises to make customer-tailored products, fostering the craftsmanship of “doing well”.
Soon after Premier Li’s speech, “craftsmanship” became popular among manufacturing industries and then nationwide, cited in many narratives, including government policies, media, expert reviews, advertisements and internet posts, according to news websites people.cn and yicai.com.
According to the magazine Yaowen Jiaozi, any person or company trying their best to fulfill their duties well can be described as having craftsmanship.
Premier Li Keqiang calls for entrepreneurship and craftsmanship while speaking with small-business owners at a ceremony, Dec 5, 2016. [Photo/China Daily]
Finance news media site yicai.com said many Chinese products do not meet satisfactory standards in quality or design, which is becoming increasingly important to middle-income consumers. “Quality is defined by craftsmanship; it is not strange that the word is popular,” it said.
In April, the State Council released a plan aimed at improving the quality of consumer products, such as air purifiers, electric kitchen appliances, intelligent toilet seats and children’s clothing.
“We should not only improve heavy industrial equipment, but also make quality consumer goods to boost consumption,” Premier Li said at the State Council executive meeting on May 11.
Popular words can reflect the social-economic condition. Several years ago, “copycatting”(shanzhai) and “smuggled goods”(shuihuo) were hot topics in China, but this year, it is “craftsmanship”.
“It shows the progress of social mood and economy,” said yicai.com.
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