When combined, 城管 (chéngguǎn) literally means “city management.” It's an abbreviation for the full, formal title: `城市管理行政执法局` (Chéngshì Guǎnlǐ Xíngzhèng Zhífǎ Jú), or the Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau.
The Chengguan are a uniquely modern Chinese phenomenon, established in 1997. They were created to offload the responsibility for minor, non-criminal urban infractions from the regular police (`警察 jǐngchá`). Their mandate is to maintain urban `秩序 (zhìxù)`, or order, which is a high priority for the government as it seeks to present its cities as modern, clean, and developed. However, this has created a major social friction point. The people most likely to violate minor urban bylaws—such as setting up a food stall without a license—are often the most vulnerable members of society, like migrant workers or the unemployed trying to make a living. The Chengguan's enforcement actions against these groups are frequently documented in viral videos showing them confiscating goods, overturning stalls, and engaging in physical violence. Consequently, they have become one of the most despised and feared symbols of state power at the street level. Comparison to Western Concepts: A common Western analogue is a “bylaw officer” or “code enforcement officer.” Both deal with non-criminal municipal rules. However, the comparison largely ends there. A bylaw officer in a Western city might issue a fine or a formal warning. In contrast, the Chengguan are known for immediate, physical enforcement, including confiscation of property and physical altercations. The legal ambiguity of their authority and the lack of robust oversight mechanisms give them a degree of power and impunity that their Western counterparts do not have, leading to a much more negative and fearful public perception.
In daily life, the term `城管` is used with a heavy negative connotation. It's a fixture in news reports about social conflict and a common trope on Chinese social media.