On December 5, 2025, overseas Chinese entrepreneur Hu Liren living in the United States uploaded a video on the social platform X, explaining that on the morning of December 5, 2025, there was a government crackdown on residents in the Hongkou District of Shanghai, China. It involved clashes between riot police and residents at the Navy base family housing complex on Guangling Er Road, Lane 380, resulting in a stampede.
A woman with a loudspeaker urged, “Warriors, do not become accomplices of corrupt officials. This matter has nothing to do with you. We are defending the military, which is defending your reputation. Corrupt officials are making scapegoats out of you.”
In the crowd were not only riot police but also many young men wearing blue clothes, masks, and sporting crew cuts. Some residents demanded these individuals remove their masks, leading to chaos and shoving. Someone shouted, “There’s a stampede happening.” Amidst the commotion, a resident pulled off the mask of one of the young men with a crew cut who then covered his face with his hands, hiding behind the riot police, and quickly put on another mask.
Another man shouted loudly, “You are all good soldiers… I’ll say it again, you are facing our country’s military, your seniors. Treating them like this is unprecedented and outrageous.”
The aforementioned woman continued to address the soldiers, “Do not believe the lies of bad people, do not become scapegoats. Young warriors, you must respect yourselves, do not stand in front of the wrongdoers.”
A man questioned loudly, “Why are the active-duty soldiers all at the back? What unit are they from? If you are righteous, do not wear masks. This incident will be exposed nationwide…”
Violence erupted at the scene with some people being hit. The woman implored, “Stop hitting them, you little soldiers…” Another man pointed at a large yellow tent behind the police and soldiers, saying, “Someone went in, release them, release them.” The scene descended into chaos.
Currently, Chinese media has not reported on this incident, and the reason for the conflict remains unclear. However, in early November last year, the forced eviction of retired military personnel from their welfare apartments by the Shanghai naval base of the People’s Liberation Army Navy sparked protests and discontent among the retirees and their families, leading to clashes.
During the eviction, the welfare apartments, previously designated by the General Logistics Department of the military during retirement, were now classified as military dormitories, necessitating current residents to vacate. In the forced eviction operation, the military resorted to extreme measures such as cutting off water and electricity and welding the doors shut. Over a thousand retired military personnel and their families were affected, some holding high ranks.
In early November last year, family members and former military personnel staged protests within the Shanghai naval base’s housing complex.
Videos from the scene at that time showed elderly people lining up on both sides of the road in the housing complex, holding banners protesting against illegal encroachment, pledging to defend their legal housing rights, and supporting the clearance of unauthorized housing in accordance with governmental regulations. Many residents took photos during the demonstration.
It is unclear whether the current conflict is related to the clashes that occurred last November.