Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Beijing, November 17 (Xinhua) — While young people in Moscow's Red Square rejoiced after receiving a surprise box containing Labubu, people lined up in front of the Louvre in Paris to buy the trendy Chinese collectible designer toys (Chinese name: Chao Wan), and on a giant screen in New York's Times Square, Labubu "interacts" with fans from around the world.
Laboubu, a colorful example of Chinese Chao Wan toys created by Pop Mart, with fluffy ears and an "ugly-cute" smile, is gaining feverish popularity around the world.
In the era of globalization and digitalization, Chinese collectible trendy toys have become more than just products: they have become “messengers” that subtly sense the mood of the modern world and find their way to the hearts of consumers around the world.
EASTERN BEAUTY ENRICHES GLOBAL TRENDS
The design of trendy Chinese "Chao Wan" toys combines China's rich cultural heritage with current aesthetic and beauty trends. Buyers are also offered limited edition toys and figurines that reflect local flavor. For example, in France, Labubu has become a souvenir magnet featuring characters from the Louvre's masterpieces, sparking widespread interest among tourists. And in Singapore, Labubu, in the form of the Merlion (the country's famous symbol, a mythical creature with the body of a fish and the head of a lion), has become a must-have gift for visitors to the city. Such unusual design solutions skillfully combine Chinese motifs with elements of local culture, making the toys ambassadors of cultural exchange.
Designers of trendy collectible toys, using the traditional Chinese technique of "sunmao" (joining) toy parts, transformed the fluttering ribbons of the celestial dancers from the Buddhist frescoes of Mogao in Dunhuang (Gansu Province) into moving design elements, while in the Thai version of Labubu's toothy smile, they added a reference to Salvador Dalí's surrealist clocks. This creative approach to "desymbolization" seamlessly blends elements of Chinese-style designer toys with elements of cultures from around the world, resulting in an irresistibly appealing fusion.
As I write this, new shipments of Labubu and other designer toys are being shipped to various corners of the globe. Plush, plastic, in the most bizarre shapes and sizes—all of them convey a certain philosophy of life, becoming carriers of a new cultural identity and a new language for international communication. Several leading Chinese designer toy brands have already stocked their products in warehouses of the Cainiao logistics platform, located in the US, Europe, Southeast Asia, and other regions, to take advantage of its comprehensive supply chain services. After online orders are placed by international consumers, parcels from Cainiao's overseas warehouses are typically delivered within 72 hours.
A SYMBOL OF SELF-EXPRESSION FOR A NEW GENERATION
Pop Mart staff have mixed feelings about Laboubu's current global popularity—this once relatively niche intellectual property (IP) has transformed into an iconic pop culture symbol, reflecting the evolving trends of our time. In an era of information explosion and diverse values, young people increasingly seek small communities where they are understood. Thanks to its diversity and openness, pop culture offers young people clear cultural reference points. Popular symbols from different backgrounds are essentially differentiated expressions of youth's desire for self-definition, social belonging, and emotional connection.
"Our customers and artists hail from all corners of the planet. Designer toys become a universal, cross-cultural language and emotional connection that unites consumers around the world," noted Pop Mart's executive.
Over 300 contracted artists from around the world created a vast array of intellectual property for Pop Mart: the funny, mischievous Laboubu, the gruff-looking but genuinely kind and gentle (tsundere, a Japanese term for a simultaneously hostile and overly friendly attitude) Molly, the punk girl Peach Riot, and many others. Each character has their own story and meticulously crafted visuals.
For a Russian girl named Sofia, Labubu has become more than just a collectible toy, but a sweet companion in her life. "Whenever I'm in a bad mood, just look at Labubu's signature smile and all my worries disappear."
When Frenchwoman Caroline saw Pop Mart's "CRYBABY" IP toy on social media, she felt like she was looking at her reflection in a mirror: "This toy embodies everything I hide inside," she admits.
"When overwork is driving you to the brink of exhaustion, just one look at Labubu's face immediately makes you want to smile," adds Kim Min-hee, an office worker in the Republic of Korea. Five different Labubus adorn her desk—her personal "stress-fighting squad."
Brazilian student Rafael put Labouba on his backpack, explaining: “It’s my lucky charm before exams.”
Lin Ning, a 29-year-old Chinese woman who works in Beijing, always hangs a CRYBABY toy on her bag. She says, "The message this character conveys—it's okay to cry, but never give up—resonated deeply with me. As adults, we can express personal feelings like vulnerability and resentment through these sweet, unique characters. Unlike traditional dolls, which only smiled and symbolized beauty and happiness, Pop Mart characters possess much richer and more complex emotions, conveying the spirit of innovation and resilience of today's youth."
Australian Samantha planned a trip to Shanghai out of a love of Chinese designer toys. "I've already visited Pop Mart stores in London, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Singapore," she says. "The Shanghai Pop Mart global flagship is striking in its futuristic design." Before becoming fascinated with trendy Chinese toys, Samantha never imagined she'd be embarking on such a trip.
THE CODE OF CHINESE CULTURE IN THE GLOBAL SPACE
"Labubu allows me to experience Chinese warmth and friendship," write social media users from around the world. Chinese designer toy brands have offered new, energetic approaches to the development of the global cultural industry.
According to the General Administration of Customs (GAC), exports of holiday goods, dolls, and animal toys exceeded 50 billion yuan (approximately 7 billion US dollars) in the first three quarters of 2025. These products were sold to more than 200 countries and regions worldwide, and many are considered national trend products.
As for the future, China's Chaowan industry still has significant room for growth in the global market. According to the "China Designer Toy and Animation Industry Development Report 2024," the Chaowan market in China grew from RMB 6.3 billion in 2015 to RMB 60 billion in 2023. The Chaowan market is expected to continue its rapid growth rate in the near future, growing at over 20 percent annually and reaching RMB 110.1 billion by 2026.
Deputy Director of the National Technical University of China Wang Jun noted that the popularity of these products worldwide reflects the international influence of traditional Chinese culture, demonstrates the creative potential of foreign trade enterprises, and demonstrates the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing enterprises.
As “Made in China” gradually becomes “Created in China,” Labubu allows more people to understand and become interested in Chinese culture.
Ekaterina Fomenko, a correspondent for Partners magazine, shared her impressions of the Parisian Pop Mart store: "Art, like joy, knows no bounds. Labubu, this amazing creation from the Middle Kingdom, makes us believe these words." -0-
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