Uncategorized
China’s bag charm economy: small accessories, big cultural impact
By Lin Lili, Hong Qiuting, Qi Zhiming, People’s Daily
From plush vinyl dolls in diverse shapes and museum-inspired cultural creations to unique souvenirs from scenic areas — an array of accessories now dangle from the backpacks of young people across China.
Portable and lightweight, bag charms are gaining increasing popularity among Chinese consumers. The ever-evolving designs of these small ornaments have fueled a consumption boom, supported by robust industrial clusters, and are now advancing through coordinated efforts in global expansion—together shaping the emerging “bag-charm economy.”
At a Beijing designer toy store, shoppers enthusiastically pose with Wakuku characters, sharing photos on social media. “Key features such as small size, affordability and emotional resonance align perfectly with young people’s lifestyles,” said Hong Yong, an associate researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce.
He observes that emotion-driven consumption has shifted priorities: young buyers now prioritize products delivering joy, belonging, and self-expression over pure utility.
As Chinese New Year approached, Nanjing resident Wu Wenjing purchased outfits not just for family, but for her Labubu charm. “I match charms to my mood and outfits,” she explains. “Sometimes they feel like emotional codes — shared recognition sparks instant connections.”
Liang Mei, president of the China Toy and Juvenile Products Association, observed that bag charms offer young people moments of everyday delight through a relatively relaxed consumption model. By fostering emotional connections, they help form interest-based communities with a shared sense of identity. At the same time, collaboration with well-known intellectual properties (IPs) and user participation in co-creation continue to inject vitality into the market.
Manufacturing Innovation Dongguan, China’s “designer toy capital,” anchors the global industry with over 4,000 manufacturers and 1,500 supporting enterprises. Its complete industrial chain covers design, production, IP licensing, and sales.
At the headquarters of a toy manufacturer in Chashan township, Dongguan, a team of 10 designers was discussing design drafts for a “Baku” series of bag charms.
“This China-chic bag charm blends traditional Chinese colors and auspicious symbols with modern design. Inspired by the mythical ‘Baku — a creature said to devour nightmares and bring sweet dreams — it carries the wish that all good dreams may come true in the coming year,” explained Wu Qiaomei, brand marketing director involved in the project.
She noted that from concept finalization to detail refinement, the initial design draft takes about 15 days to complete, with the sample workshop then needing another three to five days to produce the first plush prototype.
“With in-house manufacturing capabilities, we maintain flexibility in production coordination and scheduling,” Wu added. “From design confirmation to mass shipment, the entire process can be completed within about 30 days,”
With diverse styles and ever-changing market trends, bag charms call for agile production response. The consumer-end enthusiasm is fundamentally supported by a supply-side shift — from mass manufacturing to flexible customization. The robust production capacity within the toy industry provides the essential foundation for the rapid adaptation and output of these accessories.
In the past, producing a plastic toy required mold development costing tens of thousands of yuan, necessitating mass production runs of tens to hundreds of thousands of units to lower per-unit cost.
Today, smart manufacturing and digital workshops have made small-batch production truly feasible — minimum orders as low as 50 units or batch productions of merely 100 pieces are now readily achievable, with even single custom toys possible through 3D printing.
Labubu has sparked a worldwide trend in collectible art toys. Following the success of the animated film Nobody, bag charms featuring its characters sold out repeatedly after going viral overnight. Meanwhile, charms shaped like traditional Chinese herbs — such as goji berries, red dates, and red sage — have captivated overseas consumers with their creative designs and distinctive Eastern aesthetic.
Time magazine in the United States noted that China’s new generation of trendy toys is reshaping the international image of “Made in China” by telling stories rooted in local IPs and showcasing distinctive aesthetics.
In the first half of 2025, Chinese toy company Pop Mart recorded triple-digit growth in markets across Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas, with growth in the Americas exceeding tenfold. The company’s global store count has now surpassed 570.
Products from HERE have reached nearly 20 countries and regions — including North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East — via distribution channels. Li Peng, Chairman of HERE, noted, “Breaking down cultural barriers through localized creation and building emotional bonds with global consumers are key to helping Chinese brands move beyond manufacturing and build greater brand value.”
Looking ahead, as more Chinese flagship products and brands go global, these small charms, infused with Chinese creativity and emotion, are poised to tell ever more compelling Chinese stories on the world stage.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has commenced full-scale investigations into the killing of a farmer, Mr Azeez Garba, whose body was discovered on his farmland along the Owa-Onire axis, the boundary between Isanlu-Isin and Owu-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of the State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, described the murder as “cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those behind the attack.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased left home for his farm in the morning but did not return, prompting his family members and local vigilantes to organise a search.
The search party reportedly found his motorcycle parked on the farmland before discovering his lifeless body a short distance away. Police said the victim had sustained deep machete cuts.
Reacting to the incident, CP Adekimi ordered investigators to deploy all available intelligence and investigative resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“The killing is cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” the commissioner of Police said, assuring residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Although no suspect had been arrested as of Monday, the command said all available leads were being diligently pursued.
The police also assured the bereaved family, the people of Isin Local Government Area and the general public that investigators were working tirelessly to track down everyone connected with the crime.
“The Kwara State Police Command remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and will not relent until every person responsible for this reprehensible act is brought before the law,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A coordinated security operation involving the Kwara State Police Command, other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit has led to the arrest of a suspected cultist, Agboola Olamilekan, with a locally fabricated pistol recovered from him in Ilorin.
The operation, carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state, was described by the police as another breakthrough in intelligence-driven policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks and reducing the circulation of illegal firearms.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said the suspect was apprehended during the joint operation while in possession of the firearm.
According to the statement, the operation is part of the Command’s sustained strategy to disrupt cult-related activities and deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate within the state.
Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to intensify the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.
“Every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing,” the commissioner said.
The police disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the criminal network linked to the suspect.
The Command added that it remains committed to advancing the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, through intelligence-led policing, strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sustained operations aimed at ensuring that those responsible for threatening the peace and security of Kwara State are brought to justice.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt and an extortion plot in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area, arresting two nationals of the Republic of Togo for alleged involvement in the crime.
The suspects, identified as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, were arrested following intelligence-led operations launched after a resident, S. Ismaila, reported receiving repeated telephone threats demanding N22m to prevent his abduction.
According to the police, the caller allegedly threatened to kidnap the complainant and kill his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if the ransom demand was not met.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said operatives from the Okuta Police Division immediately commenced investigations after receiving the complaint, working in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and deploying technical intelligence to trace those behind the threats.
She said the operation led to the arrest of the two foreign nationals, while a mobile phone allegedly used to make the threatening calls was recovered as an exhibit.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were directly linked to the criminal conspiracy. During interrogation, both suspects confessed to their involvement in the attempted kidnapping and extortion plot,” the statement said.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, praised their professionalism, prompt response and coordinated efforts, noting that their swift intervention prevented what could have developed into a major security incident.
The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and vowed that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
“The Command urges members of the public to remain security conscious and continue to provide timely, credible, and actionable information to the Police, as public cooperation remains indispensable in sustaining the prevailing peace and security across the State,” the statement added.
Kwara: Police Launch Investigations Into Killing Of Farmer On Farmland
Kwara: Joint Security Team Arrests Alleged Cultist, Recovers Firearm
Kwara: Police Foil Kidnap Plot, Arrest Two Togolese Nationals
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