CONDITIONS IN SHANGHAI

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A003200280004-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 28, 2005
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: January 8, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003200280004-2 (,(A
vA
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
CONFIDMTTIAL
COUNTRY China
SUBJECT Conditions in Shanghai
25X1
25X1
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
25X1
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
25X1
9 January 1953
25X1
1. The population of Shanghai is estimated at over six million. It was four
million during the Japanese occupation, dropping to three million after the
communist takeover; but since that time there has been a great influx of
refugees beeause population controls there are not so strict as in other
cities. The populationagrgwth has.also been affected by the increased
numbers of perworinel sent to Shanghai by the Chinese Communist Party and by
the army.
2. The Shanghai-Canton through train now runs on a faster schedule, requiring
only two days to me the trip.
3. The No. 24 Tracekless Tram, using reconstructed motor buses, is a round-the-
city route which went into operation on 3 July 1953. A ceremony was held to
mark the inauguration of service, and the person who supervised the recon-
struction of the buses was given a month's leave on the West Lake (Hangchow),
which is now known as the Workers' Paradise.
G.. The old greyhound-racing arena has been fitted up as a People's Cultural
Palace. The Great Eastern Hotel has been changed into the Workers' Cultural
Palace, which has a, social club and a library.
5. Licensed taxi-dancers in Shanghai are under strict control. They receive JNIP
7,000 for three dances; but since unlicensed girls get JMP 50,000 for keeping
company with a customer at his table, many girls have given up their licenses.
6. Restrictions on wearing apparel have been removed in Shanghai. Ak year ago
it was impossible to find anyone wearing foreign-style clothes, or even to
find any beautifully-dressed women; everyone took care to wear old clothes
or native-style clothing. Now, however, men in western-style suits and
women in fashion&ble dresses are to be seen everywhere. The Shanghai broad-
25X1
X ARMY
CONFIDENTIAL
x INAVY X AIR X I FBI AEC
Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003200280004-2
 Approved For Release 2005/07/13: CIA-RDP80-WA003200280004-2
CO! FIDENTIAL
25X1
casting system m)nt .ni.a.lly urges the people to appear in public well-dressed.
Restrictions were removed because Shanghai is one of the cities open to
tourists from East Europe, aril. the Commuaist authorities wish to gut on a
good show.
7. No really Large buildings have been built during recent years in Shanghai.
The new hostels, to Wch much publicity has been given, are not large,
considering the site of the _population.
8. .any douses prig; _: i ovwneel by "buzrreaucrats" aid since taken over by the
House Control Commission, are still occupied by the original owners.. So
far, the Communist authorities have not openly put too much pressure on these
tenants, and. ma-r4- se of dispute over the validity of key-money paid to the
original owners arc to ore the coverts for settlement.
9. The highest law c.ow t in. Shanghai is the China Eastern District Court, which
comes directly under the Supreme Court of the Chinese People's Government. In
Shanghai there are also 20 district law courts and a Shanghai City Law Court.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003200280004-2