China battles Labubu fakes in role reversal on IP protection

Beijing, long accused of lax attitude on counterfeits, sees soft power grow

Pop Mart's sales for The Monsters series, which includes Labubu, were up nearly eightfold on the year in the January-June period. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi)

TOMOKO WAKASUGI

September 23, 2025 01:12 JST

SHANGHAI -- Chinese customs authorities seized 1.83 million counterfeit Labubu dolls from January to mid-August, as a country that has faced international criticism over counterfeits of foreign brands now scrambles to protect its newfound global hit.