Shanghai Lockdown Spurs Emigration Among Chinese Youth

The recent harsh lockdown in Shanghai due to COVID-19 has sparked a significant discussion about emigration among Chinese youth. After enduring over two months of strict lockdown measures, many residents, both local and expatriate, are contemplating leaving the city or even the country. This phenomenon has given rise to the term “rùn” (润), a homophone for the English word “run,” symbolizing the desire to emigrate.

Many Shanghai residents who had previously considered relocating for better opportunities and education for their children, now find their resolve strengthened by the lockdown’s chaos and food shortages. The stringent measures have led to a surge in online discussions and searches related to emigration, reflecting a broader societal discontent.

The term “run” has become increasingly popular, akin to the previous buzzwords “involution” (内卷) and “lying flat” (躺平), which describe the societal pressures faced by Chinese youth. Unlike these terms, “run” focuses on the active pursuit of leaving the country to escape oppression and seek a better quality of life.