China is fast becoming the behemoth of the global economy; it already produces one-quarter of global production. But China’s market clout is not matched by its governance prowess. The world’s political and economic stability is threatened by the Chinese government’s failure to implement the rule of law. Modern China has no culture of compliance. Price matters more than quality and bad companies set the norms against which others compete.

China’s inadequate governance is everybody’s business. Hundreds of people and animals have died; thousands more have been poisoned or made sick by tainted Chinese products. Nations have not responded effectively. Guatemala, Panama, France and the US have beefed up their inspection of Chinese products and halted imports of goods such as tyres, toothpaste, shrimp and toys. Such solutions are politically expedient, but they will not move China towards a culture of compliance.