Yiwu

Yiwu, a city in eastern China, is renowned as the world's largest hub for small commodities. It's newsworthy due to its significant role in global manufacturing and its sensitivity to shifts in consumer demand. Currently, Yiwu is experiencing a surge in orders related to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, with exporters of fan merchandise reporting increased activity. Simultaneously, a defective 'crying horse' plush toy, produced in Yiwu, has unexpectedly gone viral in China ahead of the Lunar New Year. This highlights the city's manufacturing output and its connection to both global events and domestic consumer trends. The 'crying horse' incident demonstrates how manufacturing errors can sometimes lead to unexpected popularity and cultural relevance.