When China first opened up, there was a rush to establish operations there. But companies quickly realized that it was better to subcontract to a Chinese company instead, and let them worry about the politics and bribes and the health & safety of their workers. If it's a well known western company, everybody will have their hand out, and the CCP won't have your back unless you're vital to their development plans. And if you're American, the USG will prosecute you if you play that game. My dad's advice was to use your leverage in the beginning to sign a contract where the subcontractor takes all the risk and you can keep your people there for continuous oversight, because as soon as you're not looking, they will go off script. I have a couple of close friends who worked in quality in Shenzen about 10 years ago, a lot of westerners were doing it. But Chinese manufacturing quality has improved hugely and Chinese companies are the best at making many types of products now.
Safety - yeah, there's still working on appreciating that.
And what is it with the fakes? It seems like the online retail platforms are flooded with them now. I've gone back to Amazon, but even there you have to be careful who you buy from.