It's true that westerners treat certain far-east countries with suspicion due to a perception of low-quality products. But I suspect that most derision is nowadays focused on China because of its jet-black human rights record. Indeed I'm willing to bet that a lot of anti-Taiwan sentiment stems from a misperception that it's part of China, rather than what it is, which is a weird and vibrant democracy with a very happy-go-lucky and reasonably well-off populace.

That being said, Dahon shouldn't get so much crap here. There's wide variance among work situations in China, and my understanding is that Dahon's Shenzhen factory has among the better conditions in the country (being near Hong Kong doesn't hurt). Though David Hon living at the factory imparts a sort of disturbing Willie Wonka vibe.