Police out in force to prevent rowdy Halloween celebrations in Shanghai

28/10/2024 12:38

        Shanghai police patrolled the downtown streets over the weekend to crack down on Halloween celebrations in China's most international city.
        
        Local authorities appeared to be trying to prevent a repeat of last year, when Halloween revellers thronged central Shanghai, with some dressed in costumes that poked fun of the Chinese stock market, youth unemployment and strict COVID-19 policies.
        
        This weekend, the police presence, online postings about a crackdown and constant rain kept the revelry to a minimum.
        
        At least half a dozen people in costumes that turned up in Shanghai's Zhongshan park on Friday night were seen by Reuters witnesses being led away by police.
        
        There was no official city-wide notice banning Halloween, though local district officials sent notices to businesses in advance of the weekend encouraging family-friendly celebrations and discouraging activities in which adults would be wearing costumes.