Commercialization is a solution

Zhou Haiwang, deputy director of the Institute of Population and Development at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences

I believe the crux of the issue is that the government didn't imagine the bar street would become that popular when it came into being and create such huge conflicts between residents and fun seekers. The closure may seem sudden but is essential to put an end to the confrontations.

However, entertainment and nightlife are an important part of life for the expatriate community. When they consider settling down in a city, they not only take its economic power into consideration, but also its cultural life.