(CLO) Temporary "pop-up" stalls selling Russian goods are springing up like mushrooms in China, attracting consumer attention with products labeled "Made in Russia".
Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted in 2022, trade between Beijing and Moscow has skyrocketed. China has not only imported cheap oil, gas and coal from Russia, but has also seen a boom in Russian food and consumer goods.
At many stalls, customers can buy chocolate, cookies, milk powder, honey and vodka that are advertised as being imported directly from Russia. The popularity of these stores has come as a surprise to many Chinese, as they have appeared almost overnight.
According to business data, more than 2,500 Chinese companies have registered to trade in Russian goods since 2022, with nearly half of them created in the last year alone. Most of these businesses are based in Heilongjiang province, which has a long border with Russia, but over the past two years the business model has expanded to many other provinces.
A shop selling Russian products in Chongqing, southwestern China. Photo: GI
In addition to market demand, the proliferation of these stores is also fueled by the close ties between Beijing and Moscow. China has maintained a pro-Russian stance on the international stage, while its citizens have increasingly expressed sympathy for President Vladimir Putin’s government. A Tsinghua University survey last year found that 66 percent of Chinese had a “very favorable” or “somewhat favorable” view of Russia, while 76 percent had an “unfavorable” view of the United States.
Realizing the potential of the market, the Russian government has taken bold steps to expand sales channels. In 2022, the Russian Embassy in China introduced the “Russian State Pavilion” – an e-commerce store selling Russian products. In just three days after its launch, the platform attracted Chinese consumers to spend nearly 6 million yuan (about 826,000 USD) on candy, tea and many other items.
In 2023, the Russian Export Center will continue to promote this model by organizing “Made in Russia Festivals and Fairs” in major Chinese cities such as Shenyang, Dalian, and Chengdu. These fairs attract more than 150 Russian companies, helping them sell millions of dollars worth of goods to Chinese consumers. By February 2024, the center announced plans to open 300 more official stores across China.
Ngoc Anh (according to Sixth Tone, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hang-hoa-nga-gay-sot-tai-trung-quoc-post338757.html
Comment (0)