Instead, its chief competitors turned out to be Chinese appliance makers, such as Haier and Guangdong Kelon.

ECONOMIST: Infatuation��s end

Take health: Authorities in a number of areas such as the prosperous southern province of Guangdong, have been trying to stamp out the practice of hospital doctors accepting cash gifts from patients in return for more attentive treatment.

BBC: China's ill-gotten gains

However, urban unrest, such as recent riots by factory workers in the southern province of Guangdong, is now more common.

ECONOMIST: China's future