In the 1970s, when the territory was still mostly poor, wealthy Chinese families hired local maids.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: The Lesson of Hong Kong's Maids

Apply all that new technology to an ancient lexicon of good manners that precluded not only the preparation but the cutting of food at Chinese tables, rich or poor, and you have no need for any tableware beyond your chopsticks, a couple of serving pieces, and a slippery porcelain spoon for soup.

NEWYORKER: A Fork of One��s Own

That is why the billionaire Mr. Chen, who I wrote about in "What I Learned from A Chinese Billionaire, " walks the halls of hospitals giving out money to poor people as they wait in line for hours to see doctors.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Beijing has launched a firework safety index during the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays that advises against setting off fireworks and firecrackers in poor weather conditions, China Daily reports.

BBC: China media: Pyongyang warned

That said, many poor Chinese would likely be unable to afford a new console, and the black market could still thrive with access to cheaper systems.

FORBES: Nintendo, Sony Thrilled as China Considers Lifting 12 Year Ban on Console Sales

Those that have managed to build a textile industry, such as Lesotho and Mauritius, have suffered from Chinese competition and the end of the Multi-Fibre Agreement, which set quotas for exports from poor countries.

ECONOMIST: Africa's economy

Many Japanese SMEs have the technology and knowledge base, yet are capital-poor with exorbitantly high labor and materials operations costs relative to Chinese firms.

FORBES: The 'Chapan' M & A Wave