Futurology

If you’re looking for a quirky product, you’ll almost certainly find it on Taobao, China’s most prominent ecommerce firm. The company has been hosting its Taobao Maker Festival every year since 2016 in celebration of its creative merchants. Transparent burgers, hanfu matchboxes, treadmills for pets – you name it, this event likely has it. This year’s festival was held in Shanghai from July 17 to 25 and was themed “treasure hunt escape room.” It attracted more than 100 young Taobao merchants to join the festival and showcase their designs. The festival has grown to become one of Asia’s largest events championing and celebrating youth creativity and a significant indicator of youth trends. We spoke with a few participants to get their thoughts on the event. Interviewer: Lu Zhao Videographer: Michael Ren Editor: Michael Ren Translation & Subtitles: Lu Zhao, Matt Bossons, Elaine Chow In RADII Street Scope, we hit the streets of China to give young people the chance to tell us what they think in their own word