On October 28, 2024, news reports indicate that the Chinese authorities have strictly prohibited people from engaging in “cosplay” on Halloween, but Chinese youth, unwilling to stay silent under political pressure, have shown resistance. Prior to Halloween, following Shanghai’s lead, young people in cities like Hangzhou and Guangzhou took to the streets dressed in various costumes for cosplay, only to be taken away by the police.
Videos from mainland China show that on October 27, on Zhongshan Road in Hangzhou, young people gathered on the streets to celebrate Halloween by dressing up. The Chinese police were seen on-site arresting individuals in costume. Not only were there people dressed as Spider-Man and Batman, but also a young person dressed as Fan Bingbing was taken away by the police.
Despite the Chinese authorities’ attempts to tighten control, they were unable to contain the overwhelming crowds.
On the evening of the 27th, in Guangzhou’s Dongshan Gate pedestrian street, locals reported that people in costumes were being asked to remove their attire.
Overseas Chinese netizens commented below related videos online:
“A regime that is afraid of ghosts and talks big about ‘four confidences,’ do you believe them?”
“The stability maintenance funds will increase again.”
“It appears that Halloween in Shanghai has turned into a ‘soft protest day’ used to mock the government.”
“Without the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese people’s imagination would flourish completely.”
“What a wonderful holiday. It seems that the Chinese people are being ruled and controlled by a group of paranoid lunatics.”
During last year’s Halloween in Shanghai, there were many role plays that pointed out social issues. This year, tension mounted in Shanghai on the eve of Halloween, with authorities increasing police presence and rumors circulating about a ban on citizens engaging in “cosplay” on Halloween. Despite the ban, young people in Shanghai once again took to the streets in costume, some chanting “freedom,” prompting the police to respond aggressively by driving them away and making arrests.
Prominent human rights lawyer Wu Shaoping, currently residing in the United States, told Dajiyuan that these young people in China are expressing political demands. “As the whole society is under intense pressure, once a creative spark that resonates with everyone emerges, these young people may express their emotions in a more intense way, reflecting their dissatisfaction with the Communist regime. I believe this is what the Chinese authorities fear the most.”