GUANGZHOU, Feb. 5 -- Images of U.K. cartoon Peppa Pig have become a hit as Chinese people celebrate the Year of Pig, with images being designed as creative spin-off products, and sold at traditional temple fairs.

In 2018, the cartoon series gained huge popularity among children and parents, as well as millions of social media users. In 2019, the Year of Pig, the Peppa Pig series continues to tap its economic potential.

"Last year, we set a new production record with over 13 million toys of Peppa Pig series and a big share of the orders were booked for 2019, the Year of Pig," said Zheng Donghua, head of Huawang company, an exclusive Peppa Pig toys producer based in the manufacturing city of Dongguan in coastal Guangdong Province.

All plush toys sold on the Chinese market are made in Huawang since the company was given the exclusive license in 2014 to use the image of Peppa Pig.

"The products we prepared for the first season have sold out," Zheng said. "Orders during Spring Festival can hardly be satisfied."

Peppa Pig became one of the most trending topics on social media in January. A heartwarming "What is Peppa Pig?" video, and a promo video of the China-Britain co-production film "Peppa Pig" went viral when it was released online in mid-January.