Divergent Paths: Civic Engagement and Public Response to COVID-19 Lockdowns in Wuhan and Shanghai

Disaster relief has consistently been the most government-supported form of non-governmental activity in China, and the labor-intensive nature of COVID-19 lockdowns provided significant opportunities for volunteer services, potentially signaling the development of Chinese civil society. This paper examines the dynamics of civic engagement during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Wuhan and Shanghai to explore how relationship between volunteers and local government affect volunteers' attitudes toward the government Through in-depth interviews with 20 Chinese citizens who volunteered during the Wuhan and Shanghai lockdowns, the study investigates the varying motivations and types of volunteerism in these two cities. Overall, municipal culture and policies influenced the level and quality of civic engagement, which in turn affected people's attitudes toward the government. In Wuhan, the initial lax measures and severe manpower shortages necessitated broader civic participation beyond gated communities, fostering a sense of patriotic civic engagement and a positive view of the government among volunteers. Conversely, Shanghai's stricter lockdown and decentralized governance model led to limited volunteer roles and a reliance on resident-driven resource allocation, resulting in less favorable public perceptions of government policies. This research highlights the interplay between governance structures and civic engagement, contributing to our understanding of civil society development in China during public health crises and the relationship between the government and civil society in general.