In downtown Shanghai and the French concession, it was common to grab a drink or a meal without seeing many local residents. A large, iconic expat community remains, similar to the Bund’s embankments or Yuyuan Gardens, yet many foreigners have left in recent times after enduring the Covid-19 lockdowns, growing anxious about the next disruption and the ongoing uncertainty.
After spending 20 days in a quarantine hotel, the first thing the wife of one expatriate said upon returning home was that she wanted to leave. Supporters of the city often spoke about the good life here, yet Juan, a 50-year-old Andalusian architect, recalls a different experience. Shanghai’s quarantine window shifted from three months to a nine-day schedule, and the period of arrests, chaotic food deliveries, transfers of positive cases to quarantine centers, and unfulfilled promises of rapid openings left many of the city’s 25 million residents exhausted. (Source: local observers and residents)
The impulse to depart among foreign residents has grown, with a recent survey suggesting that a large majority are contemplating relocation. Relocation firms have their hands full, from closing Chinese bank accounts to arranging pet health permits. There is no precise data on how many will leave, but the warning signs are clear. “I belong to three WeChat groups where hundreds of foreigners discuss flights and departures,” says Marcos, who plans to move to Thailand soon. (Source: community surveys)
Lively and multicultural
Shanghai is often described as the most westernized Chinese city and a bridge between East and West, pulsing with energy and diversity akin to New York or London. After the Opium Wars, foreign powers returned in greater numbers, and the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere persisted even as political tides shifted. People note that life here can feel easier than in Beijing due to a higher percentage of English speakers and a more relaxed social rhythm, though the city still carries a formal tone in some quarters.
The pandemic has made leaving the country harder because of limited flights, yet the advantages of staying remain. Jorg Wuttke, head of the European Chamber of Commerce in China, observed that many Europeans left at the pandemic’s start and suggested that further departures could follow. The closing of the renowned restaurant M on the Bund became a symbolic reminder of changing foreign ties, and only a few Korean eateries remain on their original streets. Foreign-focused businesses have faced real challenges. (Source: European Chamber of Commerce in China)
Carlos, a renewable energy engineer, plans to return to Europe after eight years in Shanghai. The quarantine period began chaotically when the neighborhood committee sealed his home after he and his partner tested positive. Facing concerns about their cats if they were moved to quarantine facilities, he argued with authorities and sought consular assistance. “I could picture myself here for another decade. I love the city and its culture and cuisine, and earnings here often exceed what one can make back in Europe. Still, we haven’t left China in three years, and we miss family milestones in Spain,” he says. His decision to depart is driven by uncertainty rather than the current turmoil. “We don’t know how long this will last: mandatory testing every 48 hours, new quarantines, and rising airfares—none of it feels profitable. We won’t go back unless Spain becomes a feasible option, and Shanghai returns to normal,” he adds. (Source: interview accounts)
The image of the so-called angry expatriate—critical of the government, the cuisine, and local life, living in a closed social bubble solely for the salary—has long existed. The lockdown intensified strains even for long-term residents. One retiree who has lived in Shanghai for a decade notes that Mandarin comes naturally to their child, and reflects that there may be few better places to raise children outside Spain if safety and other concerns are addressed. “I will miss Shanghai a lot,” they say. (Source: resident reflections)
Many argue that it is premature to speak of a mass exodus. Some who promised to leave will stay, others will return later, and the Pearl of the Orient is expected to regain its shine once the health crisis subsides. (Source: local commentary)
Authorities will re-limit 2.7 million people for major testing
Shanghai plans a sweeping testing operation affecting about 2.7 million residents on a Saturday, part of a broader effort to move past the city’s recent confinement. The affected area covers the southwest Minghang district, with a potential lift of restrictions once sample collection concludes. The notice does not specify actions for residents who test positive, but the policy aligned with China’s zero-Covid approach typically requires quarantine for positives and their close contacts, often extending to entire buildings. On a Thursday, nine new local infections were reported citywide, though Minghang recorded none. (Source: local health authorities)
Social media chatter reflected anxiety about possible extended isolation if positive results appear. Some users questioned whether confinement would intensify after testing, while others feared what would happen if test results were abnormal. (Source: social media commentary)
Since the harsh quarantine period, the city has started to revive. Subways and buses have resumed service, and parks and riverfronts see more visitors. Yet some neighborhoods, such as a closed building in Xuhui, still face ongoing restrictions that have prompted protests. (Source: local coverage)
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