Labubu, a popular plush doll from Beijing-based toy company Pop Mart, is generating significant global interest, reflecting a transformation in how Chinese enterprises are presenting themselves internationally through creativity and cultural narratives.

While China has historically been known for producing low-cost toys for foreign brands, the emergence of collectible designer toys such as Labubu signals a new era where both products and the stories behind them are exported to global markets.

In the first quarter of 2025, Pop Mart reported an impressive year-on-year revenue increase of 165 to 170 percent, with overseas sales soaring by 475 to 480 percent, underscoring the growing demand for innovative and culturally resonant toys.

Pop Mart is part of a broader movement within China's toy industry, with companies like TOP TOY, which operates over 280 stores worldwide, and 52TOYS, which experienced a 300 percent business increase in Thailand in 2024. This trend highlights the increasing sophistication and competitiveness of Chinese brands on the world stage.

China's cultural industry is also experiencing sustainable growth, with 78,000 surveyed enterprises generating revenues of 14.15 trillion yuan (approximately 1.97 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a 6 percent increase from the previous year.

These businesses declared combined profits of 1.29 trillion yuan, demonstrating a 10.8 percent rise from 2023.

The gaming sector serves as another notable example of China's cultural reach, with titles such as "Black Myth: Wukong" gaining traction internationally, attracting about one-third of its players from outside China.

Established games like "Genshin Impact" and "Honkai: Star Rail" consistently rank among the most downloaded apps across over 100 countries.

In 2024, China’s self-developed games generated overseas revenues of 18.56 billion U.S. dollars, reflecting a 13.39 percent increase from the previous year.

The extensive network of Chinese manufacturing facilities underpins this cultural evolution.

These factories possess the expertise to fulfill precise design requirements, essential for products produced by companies like Pop Mart.

One factory owner stated that proficiency in creating toys for Pop Mart signifies capacity for any designer toy globally.

This transition from mere product exporting to the promotion of brands and intellectual property (IP) represents a significant shift in China's economic landscape, according to experts.

It reflects an upgrading of China’s industrial structure and the maturation of its enterprises in the global market.