Shanghai Police Crack Down on Halloween Celebrations

Shanghai police have intensified efforts to clamp down on Halloween celebrations, detaining individuals in costumes across the city and requiring some to remove their makeup. The crackdown follows last year's gatherings where costumes carried political messages, seen as dissent. Authorities have explicitly prohibited cosplaying and the display of Halloween decorations in downtown areas, with reports of people being escorted away. Despite no official ban on festivities, local businesses received notices to discourage costume events. Officially sanctioned events, such as those at the Shanghai Disney Resort, proceeded without interference. These actions reflect broader concerns over the spread of Western culture and the authorities' vigilance against political expression.