With Anti-China Sentiments Growing, 45% Indians Surveyed Did Not Buy Chinese Items in Last 12 Months

India has banned more than 100 Chinese websites for their illegal investment related economic crimes, and blocked over 250 apps for being “prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity, defence and security of India”.

The purpose behind government warnings against use of Chinese apps or initiatives such as Make in India and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes is to boost domestic manufacturing and help reduce reliance on Chinese products.

The latest survey by LocalCircles shows that 45% of respondents denied buying Chinese products in the last 12 months while over 55% said they consumed Made in China products.

The survey asked what were the different categories of Made in China products that the consumers bought in the last 12 months, out of the 7,022 respondents, 56% indicated smartphones, smartwatches, power banks and other electronic or mobile accessories, while 49% indicated “festival lighting, lamps, candles and water guns”, 33% said toys and stationery, 29% bought “gift items”, 26% “consumer electronics and appliances (television, air purifier, kettle), 26% purchased “home products like lighting and furniture” and 15% said fashion products such as apparels, bags and accessories.

Respondents were also asked the reasons behind reducing the amount on purchasing Made in China products in the last 12 months. Out of 12,350 respondents, 63% said they “bought more Made in India products because of India-China geopolitical development”; 16% indicated they switched as “Indian alternative was better price-quality combination”; 16% said their choice was dictated by the fact that “better customer service was available with Made in India products”; 13% said “an alternative non-Chinese but foreign (non-Indian) product was available, which has better price, quality and customer service combination”: 7% stated they “just didn’t find as many Made in China products in market, stores or online”.

Data theft due to spywares was the one of the prime reasons why the Indian government banned the Chinese apps. The survey asked users about the number of Chinese apps they have in their phone related to ecommerce, device management, gaming, utilities like photo editor audio/video editor, scanner or social networking. Out of 12,233 respondents, 64% stated “none of them”; 4% indicated 5 or more such apps are installed on their phone currently; 6% said 3-4 such apps; 13% hinted 1-2 such apps and 13% opted for “can’t say”.

The survey revealed that most Indian consumers are heeding the government’s decision this year compared to last year when 29% of respondents revealed having one or more Chinese apps installed on their phone. This year, 23% Indian smartphone users have one or more Chinese apps installed on their phone.

While anti-China sentiments have grown and appreciation and advantages of buying Made in India products have increased, the shift away from Chinese products particularly gadgets and electronic/ mobile accessories prevails as it is the top category in which Indians continue to buy Made in China products.

The survey received over 37,000 responses from citizens located in 334 districts of India. 63% respondents were men while 37% respondents were women. 41% respondents were from tier 1, 31% from tier 2 and 28% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.