More on China’s jade obsession
Last week we listed some items that are growing in popularity among China’s increasingly wealthy middle class, along with some of the impacts of these recent obsessions, including jade. One major consequence not included in the list is the fact that China’s passion for jade has been criticized by both human rights groups and the ...
Last week we listed some items that are growing in popularity among China's increasingly wealthy middle class, along with some of the impacts of these recent obsessions, including jade. One major consequence not included in the list is the fact that China's passion for jade has been criticized by both human rights groups and the U.S. government for financing Burma's military dictatorship.
Last week we listed some items that are growing in popularity among China’s increasingly wealthy middle class, along with some of the impacts of these recent obsessions, including jade. One major consequence not included in the list is the fact that China’s passion for jade has been criticized by both human rights groups and the U.S. government for financing Burma’s military dictatorship.
Brian Leber, a Chicago-based jeweler involved in efforts for an industry-wide boycott of jewels from Burma, wrote in to remind us that the Southeast Asian country is not only home to one of the world’s most repressive regimes, it also has millions of kilograms of jadeite — the most expensive and most sought after jade in China.
U.S. trade sanctions on Myanmar that specifically targeted the military junta’s trade of jadeite have apparently done little to quell the Chinese appetite for the fine gem: According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, jadeite from Myanmar has, unlike other gems, continued to be "primarily purchased, processed, and consumed by China."
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