Shanghai Cracks Down on “Doom-Mongering” Posts About Property Market
China’s cyberspace regulator in Shanghai has deleted thousands of online posts accused of “doom-mongering” the country’s real estate sector and misrepresenting housing policies. The move comes as authorities intensify efforts to control online narratives amid a deep property downturn.
Thousands of Posts and Accounts Targeted
According to the Shanghai branch of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), more than 40,000 posts have been removed since November 14 from platforms such as RedNote, a popular photo-sharing app, and video site Bilibili. The campaign was launched jointly by the CAC, the city’s housing bureau, and internet police.
The regulator said the sweep also resulted in penalties for more than 70,000 real estate–related social media accounts and 1,200 livestreaming rooms. Many were accused of spreading pessimistic views about the property market or posting misleading content about housing policies.
Property Crisis and Online Controls
China’s real estate sector has been in a prolonged slump since 2021, with major developers defaulting on debt and failing to complete presold homes. The crisis has eroded consumer confidence and weakened household spending, while policymakers struggle to stabilise the market.
The crackdown on online content reflects Beijing’s growing concern that public pessimism about property could spill into broader criticism of the government. Under President Xi Jinping, political dissent within China’s tightly controlled internet environment has largely disappeared. In recent years, authorities have increasingly focused on silencing economic pessimism and negative commentary about slowing growth.
Xi Calls for Stronger Cyberspace Oversight
Speaking at a Politburo study session last week, Xi urged officials to “dare to draw the sword” against networks that spread harmful online content. He also called for the use of artificial intelligence to enhance digital governance.
Shanghai’s CAC noted that part of the latest campaign targeted accounts using AI-generated property images falsely presented as real. The statement underscored the government’s commitment to maintaining what it calls “a healthy and orderly online environment” amid mounting economic pressure.
with inputs from Reuters
