Even Winnie the Pooh and Quarantine Workers... Citizens Criticizing Chinese Society with Halloween Costumes

"Some Makeup Reflects Social Issues"

In Shanghai, China, some citizens expressed their criticism of Chinese society through 'Halloween costumes.'

According to a report by Voice of America (VOA) on the 1st, various citizens dressed up in Halloween costumes flooded the streets of Shanghai, including Huaihailu (淮海路), the night before.

In a video capturing the scene, a young man dressed as a quarantine worker called 'Dabai' pretended to poke the nose of someone dressed as a witch with a cotton swab. 'Dabai,' referring to quarantine workers in white protective suits, symbolizes China's harsh three years of 'Zero COVID.'

Those dressed as Dabai carried cotton swabs and acted as if they were testing citizens. VOA interpreted their actions as a criticism of the Chinese authorities' abuse of power and control.

At the Halloween festival in Shanghai, China, a quarantine worker dressed as "Dabai" pretends to poke the nose of a person dressed as a witch with a cotton swab.
[Image source=Hong Kong Ming Pao]

There was also someone dressed as Winnie the Pooh, a figure censored by Chinese authorities. The Chinese government has restricted related content because President Xi Jinping is said to resemble Winnie the Pooh. Some use Winnie the Pooh as a symbol of opposition to the Chinese regime.

Additionally, there were people wearing the Shanghai Composite Index chart, which has been declining, around their necks, others dressed as Chinese writer Lu Xun encouraging young people to raise their voices, and some dressed as high school students with dark circles under their eyes from exam stress.

VOA reported, "Since protests against 'Zero COVID' erupted in major Chinese cities at the end of November last year, there have been no group actions of similar scale for a year," adding, "Although the theme of the Shanghai Halloween street festival that started last weekend is 'fun,' some costumes reflect social issues."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.