Chinese Authorities Step Up Police Patrols in Shanghai Ahead of Halloween

On Oct. 30, droves of police vehicles and security barriers lined several of Shanghai’s busiest nightlife districts a day before Halloween, as Chinese authorities aimed to prevent a repeat of previous celebrations in which young people used costumes to mock government policies and express frustrations over stagnant wages, scarce job opportunities, and China’s struggling economy.

Videos circulating on social media showed rows of police vans and officers stationed near Julu Road, Fumin Road, and Changle Road, a popular downtown entertainment area known locally as “Jufuchang.” Similar scenes were also reported along Huaihai Middle Road near the TX Huaihai shopping complex, where barricades had been erected and police vehicles were parked along the streets.

The extensive security presence drew sarcastic reactions from residents, some of whom joked that Shanghai had replaced Halloween with a police festival. “Forget the Halloween atmosphere. But there’s certainly plenty of police atmosphere,” one social media user quipped.

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Another commenter claimed patrol vehicles had been appearing in the neighborhood for at least two weeks, with security measures growing more intense as Halloween approached.

Police deployed across popular areas

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Footage shared on X on Oct. 30 showed long lines of police vehicles along streets that previously attracted large crowds of Halloween revelers.

One person filming near Huaihai Road described the scene: “Today is Halloween eve. Here on Huaihai Road, near TX [Huaihai], including Yandang Road and the bars around Fuxing Park, there are so many police deployed to maintain order. Rows and rows of police vehicles stretch as far as the eye can see!”

Reports also circulated that universities had discouraged students from celebrating foreign holidays and that some businesses were instructed to refuse entry to customers wearing masks. These claims have not been independently confirmed.

Meanwhile, Fuxing Park announced that several nighttime attractions would close from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3 for lighting equipment maintenance. The affected facilities included the park’s nighttime amusement area, sightseeing train, illuminated piano installation, and swing garden.

The official notice cited maintenance requirements and did not mention Halloween. However, the timing attracted attention because the park lies near areas traditionally associated with the city’s celebrations.

Ultraman cosplayer escorted away

Similar restrictions were reported in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. On Oct. 31, footage circulated on X showing several patrol officers escorting a young person dressed as Ultraman Tiga, a character from the Japanese superhero television franchise, away from the Hubin Intime in77 shopping complex.

The incident reportedly occurred on the evening of Oct. 30, with bystanders watching as the costumed individual was led through the crowd. The video’s circulation prompted online ridicule, with users questioning why someone wearing a superhero costume would attract police attention.

Halloween has also become an increasingly sensitive occasion for authorities in Shanghai following unusually lively street celebrations in 2023. That year, thousands of young people gathered in the city’s entertainment districts, with some wearing costumes that directly referenced China’s economic difficulties and political restrictions.

A history of political satire

Participants dressed as white-clad COVID-19 enforcement workers, known as dabai, while others portrayed surveillance cameras or the country’s struggling stock market. Some carried blank sheets of paper, recalling the 2022 White Paper protests against China’s stringent pandemic controls.

In 2024, police intensified patrols and questioned costumed participants. Reuters reported that officers led several revelers away from Shanghai’s Zhongshan Park and that businesses were discouraged from organizing adult costume events. The police response reduced the scale of public celebrations, even though authorities had not announced a citywide Halloween ban at the time.

This year’s security measures suggest that large, spontaneous gatherings remain a concern for local officials, particularly when costumes can be used to express dissatisfaction without openly organizing a political demonstration.