This is probably the most insightful comment in the thread. Beyond the working conditions, which add a significant cost advantage, the integration and proximity of factories is a massive benefit which is very costly to replicate.
Massive economic benefit, yes, but also a massive ecological disaster, as anyone who has experienced the smog around manufacturing centers in China could tell you just by seeing the impact with the naked eye (and feeling it in their reduced-capacity lungs).
China's version of the CDC is currently advising people in Beijing to stay indoors because the smog is so bad.
Indeed, but it will take much more to change China's ways. Until pollution becomes a risk to human life that takes an obviously shocking immediate toll the Chinese will not do anything about their pollution. Even then, given their huge population, problems are more likely to be swept under the rug (employees sent home to die, etc.).
So change due to environmental concerns is a long way off.
