Post-Pandemic Legislative Transition Analysis in China’s Metropolises: Street Vending between Prohibition and Legalization

The governance of the street vendor economy has always been an important part of the social grass-roots governance. To stimulate the economy and ensure employment in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, the Chinese government's policy towards the street vendor economy has transitioned from prohibition to legalization. This paper traces the three distinct historical phases of China's economic policy concerning street stalls in the 21st century, shedding light on the resistance encountered during the process of legalization. Subsequently, it uses policy comparative analysis to explain the legislative transition and the underlying reasons for these changes in three major Chinese metropolises: Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing. The results show that the city's legislative turning and diversion strategies cannot achieve the expected effect. So the paper proffers suggestions for future policy-making. The suggestions include Person-centered place designation, flexible time, and rights protection policy.