From Workshop to Dream Factory
In a society long defined by heavy industry, freight ports and high-speed rails, a quieter revolution is underway. The Chinese mainland, once celebrated as the world’s workshop, is positioning itself as a prolific dream factory—where culture, technology and creative industries converge to forge new urban identities and national soft power.
From concrete to content
China’s per capita GDP reached about $13,800 in 2024, and its Engel coefficient—an indicator of declining food expenditure—dropped to 29.8 percent. These metrics signal more than economic milestones; they reflect a shift from material consumption to emotional and aesthetic fulfillment. The middle-income group is increasingly seeking experiences and cultural products alongside physical comforts.
The IP revolution
Collectible designer toys illustrate this trend. What once seemed like trivia—a blind-box figure of a cartoon monster—is now a billion-dollar cultural phenomenon. LABUBU’s "Monster Series" serves as an emotional anchor for collectors, turning merchandise into a form of shared identity.
Brands like Pop Mart have harnessed global supply chains, celebrity endorsements and distinctive design to transform figurines into cultural currency. In 2024, its overseas revenues surged by over 375 percent, driven by fans in Southeast Asia and North America.
Animation is another frontier. Light Chaser Animation’s Ne Zha franchise aims to rival global giants. With Ne Zha 2 grossing nearly 16 billion yuan (over $2.2 billion) at the box office and its merchandise ecosystem adding billions more, the mainland is no longer just consuming global intellectual property; it’s building its own mythological universe.
Manufacturing meaning
This cultural boom signals a deeper transformation: a move from manufacturing goods to manufacturing meaning. As culture and technology fuse, the Chinese mainland is entering a new creative era—one where storytelling, design and innovation drive economic growth and global dialogue.
Reference(s):
Embracing the future: China's cultural and technological fusion
cgtn.com
