Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Categories: Asia |

The Chinese city of Yiwu is the world's largest center of small—scale production, almost entirely consisting of factories and markets. 80% of Christmas decorations and 60% of children's toys are made here, it is here that Santa Claus comes for gifts. Photographer Raffaele Petralla photographed the indoor markets of Yiwu and the goods that are produced there every day.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Yiwu is located 350 kilometers west of Shanghai, 1.5 million people live here. Although it is a small city by Chinese standards, it is here that retailers from all over the world buy.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Wholesale store with children's costumes for the holidays. Market Market Trade Center in Yiwu, toy department.

Yiwu makes little things that are then sold all over the world: toothpicks, tennis rackets, birthday cake candles, car air fresheners, dolls, African sculptures… The city consists mainly of indoor markets the size of a stadium. There are thousands of kiosks in each of them, and many sell the same thing.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

58-year-old Xu Xiao (Xu Xiao) works in the production of Christmas trees. Zhejiang Province. 2016.

The authorities claim that there are 50 thousand retail outlets in the city, where more than 300 thousand types of goods are sold. Entire stores may specialize exclusively in baby pacifiers, Halloween witches, or purses. A separate market is dedicated to socks alone: the city produces 3 billion pairs a year.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

A store with artificial plants at the Market Trade Center, Yiwu.

About 8000 foreign buyers live in Yiwu all the time: they are constantly looking for goods that can be purchased and shipped to their country. There are so many buyers from the Middle East that an Arab quarter has formed in the city. In 2016, a railway line was built connecting Yiwu with Madrid. Its length is about 10 thousand kilometers, which is 741 kilometers longer than the Trans—Siberian railway. The trip takes 21 days.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

The area of the city of Yiwu, where the hotels are located.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

An exhibition pavilion with toy weapons. Toy department at the Market Trade Center, Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Warehouse of plastic toys for the beach in production. Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

A worker in the production of children's inflatable batons. Iu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Wholesale store with kites in Market Trade Center, Yiwu. 2016.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

19-year-old Wu Tian has been working on the production of Christmas trees for five years. Bai Ma, Zhejiang Province, 2016.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

On the horizon — new office premises of the market Trade Market Center, Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Wholesale store with balls in the market Market Trade Center, Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Housing of workers from the toy factory, Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Young worker, Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

A worker in the production of plush toys, Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Department of Christmas toys, Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

A saleswoman in a wholesale store of hats for Muslim women. Market Market Trade Center, clothing department, Yiwu.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

A worker in the production of Santa Claus hats. He Tian, Zhejiang Province. 2016.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

A young worker in the textile industry.

Do you see the inscription "Made in China"? Almost certainly the product is made in this city

Yen Xiao Fin (Uan Xiao Fyn), a 48-year-old owner of the production of Christmas toys, at one of his warehouses. Futang, Zhejiang Province. 2016.

Keywords: Toys | China | Chinese | Seller

     

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