China is no longer just the factory of the world — it has become the laboratory where the future of marketing, retail, and the creator economy is being prototyped at maximum speed.
Over recent months, the Institute for Tomorrow travelled through Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Shanghai to decode this structural shift. The result is the MADE IN CHINA → CREATED IN CHINA REPORT, a unique synthesis of how technology, culture, data, and behavior converge into a new model of innovation.
This report explains how the country has moved beyond a manufacturing mindset to become a creative powerhouse: from superapps that eliminate friction in daily life to live commerce ecosystems generating billions; from digital-native brands scaling in weeks to a national obsession with patents and intellectual property — displayed as trophies, symbols of pride, and engines of acceleration.
We also examine the rise of borderless retail, powered by AI Sellers, mini-programs that redesign purchasing journeys, and a content-commerce model that blends culture, convenience, and conversion.
And we highlight the rise of China’s new “love brands,” which are redefining aesthetics, speed, and market purpose.
The report brings together first-hand learnings from visits to players such as Douyin, Kwai/Kuaishou, Little Red Book, Tencent, Alibaba, YoWant/X27, QingMu, and the innovation hubs shaping the next decade of consumer behavior. Each chapter connects what we observed on the ground to the transformations already influencing Brazil — and to the strategic opportunities for those seeking competitive advantage in the new Asia–LatAm cycle.
The next China is China itself.
Understanding this turning point is no longer optional — it is essential for any organization aiming to compete in 2025, 2030, and beyond.
The full report is now available.
Access the interactive version here or download the static file.
