The current literature on Chinese urban studies and governmentality undertheorises the reform of local governance with regard to the activation and empowerment of community in China. Inspired by Dean’s and Sigley’s discussions of non-liberal or ‘Chinese governmentality’, this paper seeks to understand and conceptualise one of China’s most noted examples of community development, the so-called Shanghai model, using the Foucauldian concept of pastorship. Understood here as distinct from the notion of ‘advanced liberal’ governmentality, it is argued that Shanghai’s community governance depends on the governing concepts and technologies associated with the socio-political construction of the ‘pastoral’ relationship between local Party leaders and citizens. By focusing on the case study of Luwan district and one of its grass-roots community organisations (Wuliqiao Street Office), this paper will demonstrate the characteristics, institutionalisation and limitations of, pastoral governance.