Officials fear that mass gatherings could turn into protests similar to those in Iran and topple the communist regime, analysts said.
Chinese communist leaders canceled New Year celebrations in many cities and dispatched a large number of police to the streets as the world was entering 2026. Analysts told The Epoch Times that, in light of the demonstrations in Iran, the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) fears mass protests could spread.
In various official announcements, Chinese authorities canceled New Year’s events and banned fireworks displays, citing public safety reasons. Announcements were issued in major cities such as Guangzhou, Xi’an, Suzhou, Zhengzhou, Hefei, and others. Beijing and Shanghai also curbed the celebrations, although they didn’t issue any official announcement.
On the evening of Dec. 31, 2025, as people around the world welcomed the New Year with extravagant celebrations, Chinese authorities deployed a large number of police and security personnel across the country to patrol the streets and prevent public gatherings, as shown in a large number of video posts on social media.
Authorities in many Chinese cities canceled previously scheduled New Year’s Eve light shows, countdown ceremonies, and fireworks displays, and police cleared public squares in advance. In megacities, such as Xi’an and Guangzhou, not only were New Year’s Eve events canceled, but traffic control was also put in place near popular sites where people would gather for celebrations.
Some universities required students to remain on campus during the holiday or to report their whereabouts. Some shopping malls and pedestrian streets even displayed notices suggesting that citizens “celebrate the New Year in place.”
Resistance
Despite the official restrictions, according to posts on social media, Chinese citizens in many cities still gathered spontaneously to mark the arrival of the new year, confronting large numbers of CCP police.
A video on social media shows that at the Intime Shopping Center in Hangzhou city in Zhejiang Province, police were on high alert, forming a human wall on the street. However, despite the heavy police presence, the young Chinese were celebrating the New Year.
Another video post shows that a crowd gathered in Shanghai on New Year’s Eve to count down to the new year together, yet there were no fireworks or lights, and the revelers fell silent afterward.
In Suzhou city in Jiangsu Province, a large number of citizens gathered at the “Gate of the East” to celebrate the arrival of 2026, but the area was completely dark, with only flashing police lights.
In Qingdao city in Shandong Province, at the Shilaoren scenic area, special police forces were on standby for New Year’s Eve. The city’s mile-long coastline was fenced off, with police searching people at each checkpoint.
There are also video posts on social media showing citizens across the country being stopped and arrested by police for setting off celebratory fireworks.
By Alex Wu
