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The washing machine that explains China

Tong Kooi Ong + Asia Analytica
Tong Kooi Ong + Asia Analytica • 2 min read
The washing machine that explains China
Washing machines made by Chinese brands are often sold at a fraction of the price of their Western rivals. Photo: Pexels
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The simple washing machine is one real-world illustration of the thesis in “The political economy of modern capitalism” (The Edge, June 1, 2026).

A 10kg Bosch washing machine in Malaysia can cost anywhere from around RM3,800 ($1,219) to RM7,000, depending on whether it is manufactured in China, Türkiye or Germany. Yet in China itself, equivalent machines — including those from local brands like Xiaomi, Haier or Midea — are often sold at a fraction of those prices despite being increasingly similar, sometimes even more advanced in terms of technology and features.

Many Chinese machines now integrate smart ecosystem connectivity, predictive maintenance, voice integration, energy optimisation and automated detergent systems.

This is possible because China is not only manufacturing at massive scale but is also adopting and commercialising modern technologies at extraordinary speed across its domestic market.

It reflects the industrial ecosystem China has spent decades building: deep supply chains, massive manufacturing scale, intense domestic competition, rapid technology adoption and extraordinary operational efficiency.

When entire ecosystems compete simultaneously, technology spreads rapidly while costs collapse.

See also: The ride-hailing company that explains modern capitalism

That is China’s real strength today — not merely innovation itself but the ability to industrialise products at enormous scale, integrate innovative technologies rapidly and produce increasingly sophisticated goods at prices many global competitors struggle to match.

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