Based on my most recent boards, I don't think the idea that Chinese wood sucks is just a myth or just nationalism. The Flip board I bought recently, which had a "China" sticker on the shrink wrap, felt plasticky and got mushy pretty quick. It also splintered and shredded when it chipped. The two American boards I've had - a Passport (Generator?) and a Politic (South Central) - both had better snap and feel to them. They also chip but they chip more cleanly. I read that in Chinese manufacture, they use pretty much the same maple as everyone else, but they take shortcuts with the glue by heating it so it dries more quickly. I think this is what causes the noticeable difference in quality. My $0.02.
Actually, Generator is Mexico. But it was better than the China board.