In a shocking and enraging revelation, substandard materials for diapers and sanitary napkins have been exposed and sold in the domestic and overseas Chinese markets. The issue of quality in baby products has long been a problem in mainland China. Analysts believe that under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), morality has declined, women’s rights are not protected, and there are fears of worsening conditions if the CCP remains in power.
Recently, Shandong Jining Xixi Paper Products Co., Ltd. was exposed by CCTV for producing and selling inferior sanitary napkins and baby diapers. The company specializes in purchasing defective products and waste materials from well-known manufacturers to “refurbish” them—workers vigorously fluff up the materials, repackaging them by hand without any hygiene and disinfection procedures.
In the video footage, the workshop floor is covered with various sanitary napkins, diapers, cigarette boxes, and masks, creating a disgustingly filthy environment. The manufacturer purchases these substandard materials at a very low price of 260 to 1,400 yuan per ton, then sells the “refurbished” products at a high price of seven to eight thousand yuan per ton, generating significant profits.
The owner of the company stated that the key to his business success lies in having connections within the enterprise. From 30 tons of goods, they can extract 15 tons of second-rate products, while the remaining waste is crushed and separated to be reused as raw materials such as wood pulp and superabsorbent polymer resin. These recycled materials are also popular in the market.
The demand for these “refurbished” diapers is exceeding supply. The owner boldly claimed, “I can provide as much as you need because in the domestic market, all listed companies are in business with me. Processing more than 10,000 tons of waste per year, less than 20,000 tons.”
During an investigative program, old customers from Quanzhou, Fujian, and new customers from Matou Town, Linyi, Fujian appeared, reaching long-term supply agreements. The owner stated that the business has been growing over the past few years.
Multiple well-known maternity and baby product brands have been exposed for selling substandard materials refurbished by Xixi Company. Despite denials of business relations with the company following the March 15 exposure, consumers remain concerned. Netizens expressed disbelief, criticizing the sale of substandard products and the practice of refurbishing sanitary napkins.
Furthermore, female netizens reported discomfort and even infections from using sanitary napkins from the market, highlighting the serious health risks associated with such substandard products.
Public records indicate that Xixi Paper Products Company was established in March 2022. Netizens questioned what local authorities have been doing for so long and expressed the need for reporters to expose such incidents.
A wave of calls has emerged online for Xiaomi to produce sanitary napkins. Recently, well-known actor Huang Zitao revealed in a live stream his efforts to produce sanitary napkins, expressing disgust at those profiting from unethical practices in the industry. The founder of New Oriental Education, Yu Minhong, also decided to venture into producing sanitary napkins, aiming for a release by this summer.
The issue of substandard maternity and baby products has existed for a long time. In November 2024, reports from “21st Century Business Herald” and “Huaxia Times” revealed a surge of complaints regarding the quality and compliance of sanitary napkins, involving nearly all mainstream brands on the market. Apart from companies cutting corners and producing undersized sanitary napkins, standard levels of pH value and formaldehyde content have also raised widespread concerns. Many women have resorted to purchasing foreign brands of sanitary napkins.
A plethora of inferior baby diapers flood the market, with many mothers complaining about rashes and discomfort due to low-quality products. Some expressed frustration at the challenges of safeguarding their rights and the unscrupulous practices in the industry.
Shandong resident Ms. Wang shared her experience with a local reporter, stating that after her child experienced irritation from traditional cloth diapers, she tried a pack of local paper diapers, which led to a rash overnight. Switching to American brand diapers from a supermarket resolved the issue.
“American and Japanese diaper brands are highly recommended. I read an article about how Japanese experts researched and developed diapers to prevent diaper rash, ensuring dryness, absorption, and breathability. It’s a pity that after all these years, China’s domestic industry still struggles to produce high-quality diapers,” she commented.
Ms. Huang, a New Yorker involved in foreign trade, shared her experience of using imported Pampers for her elder daughter, emphasizing the importance of quality and reliability in international brands compared to domestic options. She highlighted the consequences of the lack of regulation in the industry and expressed outrage at the unethical practices perpetuated by some businesses.
“If the Communist Party doesn’t fall, society is doomed to worsen. Businesses are taking advantage of loopholes, disregarding basic ethical standards, and profiting at the expense of people’s health. This not only harms others but ultimately corrodes their own integrity,” she asserted.
Children using diapers and women using sanitary napkins deserve products that meet quality standards. However, the prevalence of unethical practices jeopardizes public health and safety, indicating a severe breach of trust.
According to women’s rights advocate Zhang Jing, the abundance of unscrupulous products in China is a consequence of the Communist Party’s decades-long rule and the erosion of moral values within society. The lack of accountability and oversight at all levels of governance allows such malicious businesses to thrive, endangering future generations.
“The stage for these unethical practices is set within the current system. It permeates various industries, manifesting in diverse forms of deceit. For instance, traditional condiments such as a well-known chili sauce once merely tasted spicy, but now cause insomnia, rashes, and other health issues. Consequently, switching to foreign brands becomes imperative,” she illustrated.
The CCP has long touted its commitment to protecting women and children’s rights. However, Zhang Jing criticized the party’s insincerity, suggesting that superficial changes made by the regime only serve its interests, betraying the fundamental principles of human rights and gender equality.
In the absence of genuine governance and moral integrity, the proliferation of counterfeit and harmful products reflects the worsening social fabric under Communist rule. Urgent reforms and a return to traditional values are essential to restore hope for the future, as current circumstances appear bleak.
Reflecting on China’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index and recognizing the shortcomings of the legal system, Zhang Jing emphasized the need for genuine respect for women’s rights and the rule of law to safeguard society’s vulnerable populations.
Given the prevalent culture of corruption and deception within the Chinese government, she highlighted the need for systemic reforms to prevent further exploitation of consumers and ensure the protection of women and children’s rights. The prevalence of unethical practices underscores the larger issues of accountability, transparency, and governance in contemporary China.