Pop-up stores specialising in Russian-made products have become increasingly popular in China, with many questioning why these stores popped up overnight.
This comes as the two countries strengthen their economic and political ties due to their conflicts with the West, especially since Russian President Vladimir Putin moved on Ukraine in 2022.
Bilateral trade has reached record highs year after year with cheap Russian oil, gas, and coal dominating China’s imports. Russian food products like ice cream, sweet biscuits and milk powder have also gained popularity.
Since 2022, 2,500 newly formed companies involved in Russian trade have been registered, nearly half of those being registered in the last year alone. Around 80% of these new firms remain open.
This was further driven by China hosting its first Made in Russia festival last year with more than 150 Russian companies, which was endorsed by the Russian government. The event sold more than US$2.3 million of Russian goods to Chinese consumers online and offline.
The authenticity of these products has come under scrutiny, being dubbed crazy by a Chinese state media report after investigations by the media and influencers.
In an interview with Beijing Daily, a member of the China Consumers Association's law team and a lawyer at Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm Li Bin, said it’s imperative for people to check the product before purchasing.
"The key is whether each product clearly marks the manufacturer, place of origin and other information,” Bin said.
However it was noted that some products had misleading labels.
