China Decode: Why We’re Living in a Labubu Economy

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Vox Media Podcast Network

Careers, Entrepreneurship, Business

4.6 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 16 September 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge explore whether China’s stock market rally marks the start of a true bull market—or just another round of state-driven froth. They then turn to Ethiopia’s $5 billion Grand Renaissance Dam, built with Chinese expertise and financing, and ask what it reveals about Beijing’s expanding influence in the Global South—and how tensions with Egypt could put that influence to the test. Finally, they look at the global rise of Labubu, the sharp-toothed plush toy embraced by celebrities from Rihanna to Naomi Osaka, and what this craze says about China’s growing role as a cultural exporter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:37.9	What does former Secretary of State Anthony Blinken think of Trump's peace plan for Gaza?
0:42.6	This is essentially the plan that we developed and more or less left in a drawer for the
0:47.7	incoming administration, and I'm very, very glad they picked it up.
0:51.0	I'm Preet Bharara. And this week, Biden's top diplomat joins me on my podcast,
0:56.0	stay tuned with Preet. We discussed the U.S. proposal that's been widely heralded as a possible
1:00.5	end to the war in Gaza, and my peace in the region has proven so elusive. The episode is out now.
1:07.1	Search and follow. Stay tuned with Preet, wherever you get your podcasts.
1:13.5	Connors like to talk about the lipstick economy.
1:15.7	You know, when we're getting into recession territory or people can't afford high ticket, luxury items.
1:20.5	They want to go for something that's a bit more affordable, but are so prestigious and high status.
1:24.7	And it seems like Lubu's filled that mix.
1:30.3	So we're really living in a Labubu economy.
1:37.3	Welcome to China Decode. I'm Alice Han. And I'm James King.
1:38.3	In today's episode of China Decode, we're discussing whether or not China is in a bull market, what Ethiopia's
1:45.1	new Megadam says about China's growing footprint in the global south, and how the boo-boos
1:49.8	might be a perfect example of China's cultural exports.
1:55.3	Alice, you're just back from China, I think. How's the jet lag? Is the vibe okay?
2:00.7	Well, now that I'm in my 30s, James,
2:02.8	I'm not bouncing back like I did in my 20s. So I'm definitely feeling the jet lag, but I'm also feeling
	...

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