"They have zeroed in on the preferences of younger global consumers," said Zhao Xisan, a researcher with the Henan Academy of Social Sciences. "Continuous innovation in product design, user experience and marketing models aligns with Generation Z"s preference for personalized and trend-driven consumption."

　　People stand in line in front of a Pop Mart store in Milan, Italy, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Michele Novaga/Xinhua)

　　Pop Mart"s Labubu offers a telling example. The character, part of the brand"s The Monsters series, has become a global phenomenon, with revenue reaching 14.16 billion yuan (about 2.07 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, up more than threefold year-on-year. Pop Mart expanded into more than 30 overseas cities last year, including Berlin, Rome, Copenhagen and Toronto.

　　The commercial success is underpinned by China"s industrial strength. "China"s complete manufacturing ecosystem, particularly its supply chain coordination and scale, allows companies to compress the cycle from design and production to restocking and logistics," said Li Kai, an associate professor at Xiamen University"s School of Economics.

　　"For overseas consumers, that means access to trendier, more reliable and faster-updating products and services at the same price point," Li said.

　　Beyond products, Chinese brands increasingly encompass lifestyle and experience.

　　Heytea offers a case in point. Its London store near the British Museum is designed as an immersive Chinese aesthetic space, featuring interactive ceiling screens, rock garden displays, and seating inspired by traditional ink art. Its Toronto location, meanwhile, includes a "tea laboratory" where customers can observe the process of making tea drinks from raw ingredients.