“the rest of China pivoted toward metal amid an overproduction of steel.”

So the steel is cheaper than bamboo?

The truth is: it is simply not as safe as metal. E.g. bamboo scaffolding has been outlawed in Shenzhen since 1994 [0] due to safety concerns.

[0]: https://www.sz.gov.cn/zfgb/2008/gb622/content/post_4950758.h...