The recent wave of recalls and warnings from China has ignited worldwide concern about the safety of Chinese products... [I]ndependent analysts, and even watchdog groups, say Mattel may be the best role model for how to operate prudently in China... Mattel, and many of the outside analysts, say the key is command and control... Mattel...actually owns the plants that produce its most popular wares...[I]n 1997, Mattel...hired S. Prakash Sethi, a professor at Baruch College...who had an international reputation as a critic of worker mistreatment. Mr. Sethi would make unannounced visits... He...would only monitor Mattel if the toy maker let him post his reports publicly and uncensored. Mattel agreed... Mattel...agreed to allow a reporter for The New York Times to visit one of its factories in China... Hasbro, LeapFrog and Zizzle...all declined requests. Lego does not manufacture in China, but it declined a request to visit factories elsewhere. Aside from Mattel, only MEGA Brands...said it would permit a visit. [also refers to Fisher-Price, American Girl (both part of Mattel)]