The Shanghai government initially praised last year's Halloween festivities as a form of joyful collective therapy reflecting cultural tolerance. However, this year's clampdown on celebrations indicates heightened official restrictions on personal expression and public gatherings.
Officials clamped down on Halloween celebrations following political expressions they had engendered in the past, demonstrating an increasing discomfort and control over spontaneous collective activities in Shanghai.
Last year's Halloween was marked by creativity and political commentary, with participants using costumes to symbolize resistance against lockdowns and societal issues, which the government is now seeking to suppress.
This year's restrictions reflect a broader trend of tightening control over personal and social expression in China, which has intensified since the anti-lockdown protests of 2022.
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