24 h. ago Lafufu? Australian consumer watchdog warns of fake Labubu toys online

The soaring global popularity of Labubu has prompted Australia to sound a warning over knock-off monster toys flooding online platforms as scammers try to exploit the collectibles frenzy fuelled by social media and celebrity endorsements. The pointy-eared, sharp-toothed dolls – designed by Hong Kong artist Lung Ka-sing and sold by Beijing-based Pop Mart – have attained cult status, commanding eye-popping prices and sparking in-store chaos as fans from Sydney to Singapore and London line up for...

Events

26 h. ago China student’s graduation Labubu sparks debate as academic pinches toy’s tassel

A student at China’s prestigious Tsinghua University took her Labubu toy to her graduation ceremony, placing the school’s vice-president in an awkward position. However, the game-for-a-laugh university head joined in the fun and pinched the tassel of the toy, allowing it to earn the nickname “the Labubu with the highest education degree”. A video of the episode at the university’s commencement ceremony in June has become an online sensation, thanks to the huge popularity of this plush doll in...

Politics

1 week ago US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Labubu faces competition: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump claims US ‘obliterated’ Iran nuclear sites, threatens more attacks 2. How much of a future does Elon Musk really have in US politics? 3. Move over Labubu – Fugglers look to take crown from Hong Kong-designed plush toy 4. How Huawei’s silicon strategy defies US sanctions, advances China’s...

Events

1 week ago Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power

Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power  The Conversation

Politics

1 week ago Move over Labubu – Fugglers look to take crown from Hong Kong

Competition for plush toys is heating up, with British monster-like characters, Fugglers, emerging from the shadows following the recent runaway success of Labubu, a collectible doll created by a Hong Kong designer. Fugglers, which recently appeared on the popular Chinese social media platform RedNote, stretch the “ugly-cute” moniker to the extremes. They are threatening to steal the limelight from Labubu, designed by Hong Kong-born Lung Ka-sing and manufactured by Beijing-based Pop Mart. Labubu...

Politics

1 week ago Labubu: the tiny elf doll driving China’s most valuable toy company

Labubu: the tiny elf doll driving China’s most valuable toy company  Financial Times

Politics

2 w. ago Logistics expert takes the helm of Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog

A senior management member of Hong Kong’s largest vocational training provider with extensive experience in the logistics sector, has been named the new chief executive of the consumer watchdog. Alaina Shum Jiu-fai, appointed by the Consumer Council, will start her new role in August, succeeding Gilly Wong Fung-han, who led the watchdog for 13 years. Shum is currently a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, possessing more than 30 years of...

Politics

2 w. ago Logistics expert takes helm of Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog

A senior management member of Hong Kong’s largest vocational training provider with extensive experience in the logistics sector, has been named the new chief executive of the consumer watchdog. Alaina Shum Jiu-fai, appointed by the Consumer Council, will start her new role in August, succeeding Gilly Wong Fung-han, who led the watchdog for 13 years. Shum is currently a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, possessing more than 30 years of...

Politics

2 w. ago Vocational Training Council’s Alaina Shum to lead Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog

A senior management member of Hong Kong’s largest vocational training provider with extensive experience in the logistics sector has been named the new chief executive of the consumer watchdog. Alaina Shum Jiu-fai, appointed by the Consumer Council, will start her new role in August, succeeding Gilly Wong Fung-han, who led the watchdog for 13 years. Shum is currently a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, with more than 30 years of managerial...

Politics

2 w. ago How the maker of the viral Labubu craze went from a small Beijing toy store to a $46.1 billion global success

How the maker of the viral Labubu craze went from a small Beijing toy store to a $46.1 billion global success  Fortune

Economics

2 w. ago 80% of 25 eyeshadows found to contain heavy metals: Hong Kong consumer watchdog

More than 80 per cent of 25 cream and liquid eyeshadows tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog have been found to contain heavy metals that may cause skin allergy, with lead being detected in all products, but at levels that do not pose safety concerns. Nine of the 25 single-colour models in stick, cream and liquid form did not list an expiry date or period after opening, according to the Consumer Council. Ten products only listed ingredients in Japanese or provided no such label. “The industry...

Politics

2 w. ago Allergenic preservatives in 3 dough toys sold in Hong Kong exceed EU standards

The levels of allergy-inducing preservatives in three samples of modelling dough and clay tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog have been found to exceed EU standards, with one surpassing the limit for toys intended for children under 36 months by more than tenfold. The Consumer Council bought 15 modelling dough and clay toys from various stores, costing between HK$12 and HK$128 (US$1.52 and US$16). The samples comprised six wheat doughs, three rice doughs and six clay toys. The three toys...

Politics

2 w. ago China’s viral Labubu toy has an unlikely fan – the ruling Communist Party

As Chinese companies ponder how best to market their products internationally, the example set by Pop Mart – the Beijing-based brand behind the viral Labubu toy – has been praised by the country’s state media for the creativity that underlies its success. The wide-mouthed, bug-eyed toy’s global fan base is evidence of a shift in priorities for China as it transforms from a producer of low-value goods to a hub of innovation, Qiushi, the Communist Party’s top theoretical journal, said in a...

Politics

3 w. ago Labubu craze sweeps globe, highlights power China, Asia stars have on consumer trends

Asian and Chinese stars are rewriting the fashion industry playbook, turning niche favourites into global must-haves. The Post explores how celebrity choices shape style and consumption while reflecting the values of today’s fans. Lisa Labubu At 28, Lisa of the South Korean girl band Blackpink has more than 100 million social media followers and more than 1.9 billion online streams for her solo debut Lalisa. In April 2024, the Thai star posted photos with a Labubu plush toy and a matching...

Politics

3 w. ago Labubu craze sweeps globe, highlights power of China, Asia stars have on consumer trends

Asian and Chinese stars are rewriting the fashion industry playbook, turning niche favourites into global must-haves. The Post explores how celebrity choices shape style and consumption while reflecting the values of today’s fans. Lisa Labubu At 28, Lisa of the South Korean girl group Blackpink has more than 100 million social media followers and over 1.9 billion online streams for her solo debut, Lalisa. In April last year, the Thai star posted photos with a Labubu plush toy and a matching...

Politics