Shanghai's crisis is news to many in the rest of China

If viewed through the lens of state media, Shanghai authorities are delivering food packages and ensuring everyone’s well-being with few glitches. There is little in authorities’ statements to signal a crisis. Official narratives have framed Shanghai residents’ resilience and resourcefulness in securing essentials—often through grass roots efforts like group-buying and bartering—as examples of positive energy.

Much of the venting from Shanghai residents frustrated by weeks of hardship is scrubbed from social media. For example, late Friday in China, a six-minute video clip showing an empty Shanghai, overlaid with what appeared to be a dozen audio recordings of residents, briefly went viral on Chinese social media. It seemed to sum up the sense of despair and anger many in Shanghai say they have felt during the citywide lockdown, which is entering its fourth week…

Many of the grievances and calls for help from Shanghai residents have also circulated on WeChat, which is owned by Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. and has more than 1 billion users. However, any information shared there is highly dependent on a user’s social circle—which leaves many outside Shanghai without a clue about the situation there.