'Gork platter' has it right ;
this is the same sort of exoticism and romaticised nostalgia that led US millionaires to disassemble European castles stone by stone and import them to the US - the only difference being that nobody then found it necessary to comment upon the effect these practices might have on the US reputation for innovation. Speaking of which, Andrew, you might want to consider sending the Chinese thoughts of gratitude - in lieu of royalties - every time you make use of a Chinese innovation and wipe yourself after visiting the toilet....
Henri