Plugins as in softwares that tweak your system. For example, the
very basic ones are the download boosters. Theres at least 50
choices the chinese know of. Some are easy to use, like Flashget.
Some requires you to enter configurations and etc.
Also, there are softwares available for you to change the
destribution of your computer's processor's percentage, even the
address of RAM. Changing the processor's destribution can shut down
almost all processes on your PC and use your processor for only
certain task. Microsoft had strict warnings against this and if not
done right, 9 out of 10 tried you will get your PC hang. By
changing the address of the RAM, you can sometimes speed-up your
RAM's virtual memory capacity by 40%. Cons are RAMs are easily
damaged and life span cut.
Not will bring us to high returns. If you get a computer thats
packed with different plugins and tweaks and softwares that are not
supposed to be installed and you did not do them the right way,
then of course it gets into serious problems more often.
However, i agree with you that China should really review on their
quality controls.
Finally, the Taiwan problem. There are benefits, and China's got
many countries' support, so why not take it over? 
