Talking globe insists Taiwan is part of China
SAWADAYA About 10,000 electronic talking globes are being recalled in Japan after it was discovered that the product’s Chinese manufacturers had slipped in a little surprise: When users point to Taiwan, the “Smart Globe” calls it Taiwan Island, part of the People’s Republic of China. The next generation of Chinese toys—not actually poisonous, just politically ...
SAWADAYA
About 10,000 electronic talking globes are being recalled in Japan after it was discovered that the product’s Chinese manufacturers had slipped in a little surprise: When users point to Taiwan, the “Smart Globe” calls it Taiwan Island, part of the People’s Republic of China.
The next generation of Chinese toys—not actually poisonous, just politically contentious.
UPDATE: Thanks to Passport reader JM for pointing out that while Taiwan’s designation was likely a surprise to the globe’s users, it wasn’t to the Japanese company selling them at $269 a pop. It agreed to the name change at the insistence of their Chinese manufacturer—because it meant lower costs.
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