At an open event for the Guangdong delegation during China's Two Sessions, a showcase of products from Dongguan drew considerable attention. From culturally inspired art toys to innovative smart devices and classic snacks, these items offered a glimpse of how the city is evolving from a global manufacturing hub into a center of creative design and technology.

One of the highlights was a set of plush mascots created for the 2026 Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala. The four characters—Qiqi, Jiji, Chichi and Chengcheng—were designed and produced by Dongguan's Dongshi Group. Each horse draws inspiration from Chinese history and art, such as ancient bronze horse sculptures, the famous Eastern Han "Flying Horse," and traditional paintings from the Tang Dynasty. Together, they blend cultural heritage with modern toy design.

Nearby, a range of Dongguan-made art toys reflected the city's thriving toy industry. These included the "Ben Chao Gang Mu" plush series, which turns traditional Chinese medicine ingredients into playful characters, a soft toy inspired by Dongguan's signature roast goose, a metal puzzle of the Lingnan lion dance, and interactive AI toys that can chat with users. With more than 8,000 toy manufacturers and about a quarter of the world's animation-related products produced locally, Dongguan is increasingly developing its own original intellectual properties.

Technology also took center stage. A particularly eye-catching product was the LiberLive smart stringless guitar. Instead of traditional strings, it features illuminated silicone pads that guide players through chords, making it easier for beginners to learn and perform songs. Developed by a startup in Songshan Lake, the instrument has already gained global popularity and won major international design awards.

Another innovation on display was a pair of AI-powered smart glasses weighing just 29 grams, capable of providing real-time translation in 192 languages.

The exhibition also included familiar flavors from Dongguan. Local food brand Hsu Fu Chi presented classic Chinese snacks such as crispy peanut candy, pineapple cakes and sachima, treats that have been enjoyed by consumers for more than three decades.

Together, these products reflect the diversity of Dongguan's industries, from cultural creativity and smart technology to food manufacturing, highlighting how the city is redefining itself through innovation, design and cultural storytelling.