Dongguan city, a manufacturing hub in south China's Guangdong Province, is gaining fames by creating designer toys as many of the world's most well-known toys are born here.

The China Toy and Juvenile Products Association recently granted Dongguan the title of China's designer toy capital.
Designer toys are primarily made for people over the age of 15, and include anime-related products, games and movie industry merchandise, as well as collectibles designed by artists. Official data suggests one quarter of global anime merchandise is made in Dongguan, as are nearly 85 percent of all designer toys sold in China.
"Dongguan is a factory for the whole world, and a manufacturing hub. It is home to a large number of industrial workers, and has mature supply chains," said Ma Li, the founder of Apex Toys.
Many of the toy companies with manufacturing facilities in Dongguan started out by making products for international toy brands, known as OEM manufacturing. But in recent years, they've been developing original products and designs.
"If we only engage in OEM manufacturing, we'll always be working for others. Actually, many foreign designers' works are actually from domestic designers' ideas, but we couldn't claim them publicly," said Jason Sun, the design director of Come4arts.
Companies say international sales of Chinese-designed toys are increasing. They believe the key to growing sales further is to focus on making entertainment-related products.
The local government has announced to provide subsidies for local art toys and animation companies to improve design capabilities, development and protection of original IPs and cultivate trendy talents.