Made in China

In 2012, an Oregon mother discovered a handwritten SOS letter from a Chinese political prisoner hidden within a package of Halloween decorations. This note, penned by Sun Yi, a mild-mannered engineer imprisoned for his beliefs, detailed grueling forced labor conditions where he and thousands of others were compelled to produce goods for export for over fifteen hours a day. Investigative journalist Amelia Pang uncovers the story of Sun Yi and others, including persecuted Uyghur minorities, revealing a vast, closely guarded network of "laogai" - forced labor camps - that underpin global consumerism. This book exposes the human cost behind America's demand for inexpensive products, showing how a system of detention and exploitation fuels the international supply chain. It presents a detailed look at the origins of everyday items and prompts readers to consider the true price of cheap goods.