Beijing’s last days in freedom?

Temperatures in Beijing climbed above 30 degrees for the first time this year in early May, and it shows in the cityscape. During the holidays, the city’s more popular gathering places are crowded with people. Like, for example, the shopping mile in the Sanlitun district, where stores are open as usual. About two dozen photographers stand on the shopping mile wildly snapping photos of every stylish-looking Beijing woman who strolls by – or even chase them with their video cameras drawn. A young, eccentrically dressed man in a hat and glasses draws attention with loud singing and dance moves. A young father films his daughter dancing with his cell phone. The video will probably end up on TikTok.