In remarks today, China's central bank governor acknowledged the challenges posed by China's trade surplus, but Chinese officials insist currency reforms will take place over time.

NPR: U.S. Treasury Secretary Arrives in China

But the scale of the threat was highlighted earlier this week when the chairman of China Mobile - the world's largest telecom carrier - said his firm was now more concerned about the challenge posed by Microsoft's Skype and Tencent's WeChat services than it was about competition from China's rival mobile networks.

BBC: O2's Tu Go aims to challenge Skype and other Voip apps

In New York Times article last week by Catherine Rampell, performing artist Mike Daisey talked about his trip to Shenzhen, China, where he posed as a wealthy businessman to infiltrate factories where Apple products and other electronics are made.

FORBES: The Dark Side of Apple (Part 12)