The usually vibrant city of Shanghai has now been turned into a highly policed environment as the Communist authorities take extreme steps to repress what it sees as a potential disruption during this period of Halloween. This year, especially in the wake of last year’s incidents when some of the masked were attired in costumes that reflected their criticism of the government’s various policies, law enforcement has increased manifold. This article examines the rationale behind this clampdown and its implications for freedom of expression in China.
Halloween in Shanghai
Over the past years, the celebration of Halloween has become very popular in China’s urban areas, more so in metropolitan cities such as Shanghai. Being a Western holiday by definition, it is very well embraced by the youth through costume-wearing parties and theme events. Last year, however, the celebrations took a very political turn, in that the attendees of these parties used their costumes in protest against the Chinese government. Many were costumed as the stock market performance; others depicted youth unemployment, while others referenced to the strict COVID-19 restrictions.
This backlash from the events has made authorities more proactive this year. With the expectation of unrest or politically sensitive expressions, police have been deployed across the city to discourage big gatherings or the enforcement of strict regulations on costumes.
Increased police presence
Shanghai police, with heightened vigilance, patrolled the hot areas like Julu Road and Zhongshan Park during the Halloween weekend. It has been reported that police went up to people in costume and asked them to remove their disguises. Some were even detained for a while for wearing outfits considered inappropriate or provocative. There are also eyewitness accounts of police asking costumed individuals to leave public areas and breaking up crowds before they could get too big.
This was not only for maintaining order but also a very public demonstration of authority in the name of dissuading any political interpretation of Halloween celebrations. These enhanced police measures reflect broader concerns about public assembly and dissent within the Chinese government.
Official warnings and restrictions
While Halloween parties were never banned outright, advisories have gone out to local businesses not to hold costume-related events. Owners of bars say they are being asked to sign agreements promising not to host costume competitions or anything else that could disturb social order. That pre-emptive action underlines the determination of the government to control public perception and project stability during festive seasons.
While some Shanghai amusement parks had announced they would ban costumes from their Halloween events, Jinjiang Action Park encouraged people to wear “colorful” outfits not representing any specific themes that might be deemed controversial.
Reaction on social media
The effort to suppress Halloween revelry soon went viral on Chinese social media sites like Weibo. Users quickly vented their anger over what they saw as an overreaction on the part of the authorities. “Even in relatively liberal Shanghai, the extent of freedom is constantly shrinking,” complained one commenter. Such comments reveal a sense of dismay on the part of citizens, who feel their rights to free expression in public space are increasingly curtailed.
Yet, even with police presence and local authorities issuing warnings, organized Halloween-themed activities still occurred in places such as Shanghai Disneyland. But this was carefully managed to avoid any political connotation, which would attract the interest of law enforcement agencies.
The greater ramifications
The heavy-handedness on the part of Shanghai authorities raises profound questions about the freedom of expression in China. The response by the government seems to emanate from the fear of public dissent after the citywide protests broke out at the end of 2022, known as the “White Protest,” against COVID-19 policies. These were one of the most major acts of defiance against government authority since those that took place in Tiananmen Square.
The reason this happens is because even harmless celebrations like Halloween wear political hues as authorities are continuously wary of large public gatherings. The clampdown is a grim pointer that in the balance between cultural expression and state control, the scale hangs delicately within the country.
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