Made in Russia: China's new trend product

Made in Russia: China's new trend product

Numerous shops selling Russian products have recently appeared on the streets of Beijing and Hong Kong. The shop windows are decorated in white, blue and red, while Chinese and Russian flags hang side by side on the ceilings. Child-friendly, knee-high matryoshkas welcome customers at the entrance. Inside, the shelves are filled with a variety of Russian goods - from chocolate and cookies to honey and vodka.

Russian products in China on the rise

In China Pop-up stores specializing in products from Russia have spread rapidly. This development has confused many residents, who have taken to social media to wonder why these businesses seemingly sprung up overnight.

Growing trade relations between China and Russia

In recent years, thousands of such stores have opened across the country, reflecting the Chinese population's preference for Russia serve. This came against the backdrop of deepening trade ties between Beijing and Moscow since the beginning of Vladimir Putin's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022. China has established itself as a crucial economic lifeline for sanctioned Russia, while bilateral trade hits record highs year after year. In addition to cheap Russian oil, gas and coal imports, Russian food products such as ice cream, cookies and milk powder are also enjoying growing popularity.

Economic opportunities for Chinese companies

Chinese companies have taken advantage of booming demand and more than 2,500 new firms have been registered to trade Russian goods since 2022, with almost half of them founded last year alone. Business listings show that about 80% of these new businesses are operational as of the current month.

Popularity of Russian brand products

The majority of these companies are based in Heilongjiang, the northeastern province bordering Russia, but have spread to other provinces in the past two years. Russian chocolate, biscuits and milk powder in particular have attracted the attention of Chinese consumers, who respond directly to the “Made in Russia” brand promoted by Moscow.

Quality concerns and official support

But the explosive expansion of these stores - described as "crazy" by one Chinese state media outlet - has also raised concerns about the authenticity of the products on offer. Media and influencers have revealed that some items labeled as Russian were actually made in China. This has prompted authorities to crack down on misleading labels and advertising.

A look back at the developing trade relations is provided by a visit to a Russian goods store in Beijing, where a saleswoman fills the shelves with carefully packaged sweets and cookies. "The best seller is Russian honey - it's well received. And this chocolate is pure. The quality is excellent," she explains.

Increased popularity among the Chinese

Public opinion also plays a role: According to a survey by Tsinghua University in Beijing, 66% of respondents have a very positive or somewhat positive opinion of Russia, while about 76% have an unfavorable opinion of the United States.

The “Made in Russia” craze can be traced back to early 2022, when the “Russian State Pavilion” – an online store supported by the Russian Embassy in China – went viral on social media. In just three days, buyers spent nearly 6 million yuan (about $826,000) on Russian products.

Verification and quality assurance

As businesses grow, so do consumers' doubts. Last year, customers complained on social media that some products labeled as Russian actually came from China and other countries. An investigation found that a significant part of the food products in Russian stores come from Chinese factories.

The Russian embassy in China also warned against “counterfeits” posing as Russian products. “These products often do not meet quality standards and differ from similar products manufactured in Russia,” it said in a statement.

Future prospects for Russian business in China

Despite the controversy over authenticity, demand for Russian goods remains unabated, attracting more and more new stores, including official ones, in China. The Russian export center plans to open up to 300 new stores by the end of the year in cooperation with Chinese partners.

Veronika Nikishina, general director of the Russian Export Center, stressed the importance of distinguishing real Russian products from fakes during a festival in Shenyang and wished that all Chinese consumers can buy authentic, high-quality Russian products.

The rapid development of Russian goods in China is symbolic of the growing trade relations and cultural networking between the two countries.