Shanghai Is Full of Cops to Fight Against the Chinese Government’s Unexpected Enemy: Halloween

The Chinese government doesn’t seem very happy about Halloween—at least in Shanghai, one of the country’s most international cities. With fresh memories of 2023, when citizens dressed up like surveillance cameras and censored Weibo posts to criticize the government of President Xi Jinping, local authorities are determined to prevent a similar scene. This year, the city is deploying officers to monitor and identify people in costume.

As Halloween night approaches, images, videos, and eyewitness reports have revealed a heavy police presence, with media outlets like the BBC and South China Morning Post (SCMP) reporting apparent arrests.

What happened? The Shanghai authorities seem unwilling to allow a repeat of last year’s Halloween, a time when costumes became an unexpected tool for political, economic, and social criticism. That means tightening control on the streets.

Witnesses, photos, and videos of apparent arrests have helped piece together what’s happening. Media outlets, including Reuters, BBC, CNN, and SCMP all report that Shanghai’s government appears intent on repressing Halloween celebrations and limiting their scope. On the eve of the holiday, some view it as an attempt to curb public gatherings and restrict freedom of expression.

And how? The crackdown has been accompanied by a heavy police presence on the streets. In addition, officers aren’t merely patrolling. According to Reuters, they tackled at least half a dozen people in costumes at Zhongshan Park. The authorities also detained a person dressed as a skeleton at a party in the Jing’an district. They took the skeleton to an administrative building, where they ordered them to remove their makeup. These aren’t the only testimonies regarding the situation.

The BBC spoke with witnesses who described police dispersing costumed groups on Julu Road in the city center, asking people in costume to leave the area. A similar scene unfolded in Zhongshan Park on Saturday. “As we left the park, we were told to take off all our headgear. We were told everyone leaving from that exit could not be costumed,” a witness said. Photos also show areas that are barricaded, with reports of a park near a popular drinking area being closed on Sunday after crowds gathered in costume.

Is there more? Yes, NBC News and CNN point to geolocated videos showing police deployment in areas known for Halloween gatherings, including footage of officers detaining a man dressed as Buddha. On Weibo, a Shanghai resident shared their experience: “I went for a walk tonight, and there were police everywhere. My 6-year-old was wearing a pirate hat, and they even asked him to take it off.”

According to SCMP, users on Chinese social media platforms report that people in costume have been asked to provide names, ID numbers, and phone numbers to officers. Others have noticed their social media feeds devoid of Halloween photos. “Was dressing up banned this year on Julu Road? Why haven’t I seen a single photo in my feed?” one user questioned.

Is Halloween officially banned? Not exactly. While there’s no formal ban on Halloween, government-sanctioned events at places like the Shanghai Disney Resort and Happy Valley amusement park continue as planned. However, rumors and unofficial reports have circulated for weeks suggesting authorities are trying to minimize the presence of Halloween.

In early October, the government reportedly sent notices to local businesses discouraging Halloween celebrations. The BBC confirmed this, noting that some establishments were advised not to hold costume contests “to maintain social order.” Reuters cited a Jing’an shop owner who was asked by authorities to limit Halloween activities. Some universities have also advised students to avoid Halloween parties and limit their participation in gatherings.

And why? The scenes from this year stand in stark contrast to Halloween 2023 in Shanghai. Many attribute this year’s heavy police deployment to last fall’s costumes, which were not just festive but also subtle—or not so subtle—critiques of the government. Costumes included pandemic-style PPE suits, large video surveillance cameras, censored Weibo messages, and even references to unemployment among graduates.

These costumes were colorful but carried a message, referencing strict COVID Zero policies, government surveillance, and China’s slowing economy. Others wore blank sheets of paper, symbolizing the “White Paper” protest—what Human Rights Watch described as the “largest demonstration movement in China in a generation.”

So why the crackdown now? Last year, Shanghai authorities framed Halloween as “a sign of cultural tolerance” and praised it for blending “Western traditions and Chinese creativity.” According to CNN, the city called it a “glimpse into the evolving cultural landscape of a vibrant city.” But this year is different. For Alfred Wu, a National University of Singapore professor, there’s a simple explanation for the contrast between 2023 and 2024.

Last year was the first Halloween after the intense COVID restrictions, and young people seized the opportunity to celebrate. “This year, authorities are much more prepared, and they do not agree with these kinds of activities,” Wu told CNN. Costumes from last year’s Halloween have disappeared this year. However, a few defiant costumes have been noted, including a person in a blonde wig with a blindfold over one ear, possibly mimicking former U.S. President Donald Trump following the assassination attempt this summer.

Image | Vincent Chan (Unsplash) | Janko Ferlič (Unsplash)

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