Chinese primary school students being organized to participate in last Sunday’s (3rd) victory parade in Russia’s Vladivostok (Haishenwai) has sparked controversy. The official magazine Safe Campus, run by People’s Daily, published an article condemning the event as a shameless performance, stating that it is even more serious than visiting the Yasukuni Shrine: “Diplomacy requires pragmatism, but no degree of pragmatism should come at the cost of our national dignity and historical memory.”
The article, titled “On the Streets of Vladivostok, Who Are Chinese Children Really Cheering For?”, was posted Wednesday night on the magazine’s official WeChat account.
The article says that a group of first-grade Chinese students was taken to Vladivostok, Russia to participate in the international children’s parade “Victory’s Great-Grandchildren,” marching in formation with children from Russia and Laos. Local officials smiled broadly, claiming it was an important symbol of “children of three countries standing side by side.” “This symbol cuts to the heart.”
The article states: “Vladivostok is not a place whose history can be easily detached. It has another name: Haishenwai. Behind these three characters lies the humiliating memory of the mid-19th century, when Tsarist Russia forcefully seized Chinese land through unequal treaties—a blood-soaked historical account of Chinese residents being expelled, massacred and erased in this area. That is the most indelible, poignant, and defining ‘symbol’ this place holds for our nation!”
The article asserts that, while history can be turned over, at the very least, the perpetrators should acknowledge and feel guilty, instead of treating stolen land as a stage for celebrating their victory, making Chinese children wave flags and cheer for them. “The children are innocent; they do not understand yet. But don’t the leading teachers and parents understand? Don’t the organizers understand? This scene can’t help but evoke memories of the 1940s, in areas occupied by Japan, of Chinese participating in ‘Sino-Japanese Co-Prosperity’ parades under the bayonets of Japanese soldiers.”
The article criticizes: “Nowadays, no one is forcing us at gunpoint, yet some are voluntarily taking their first-grade children to the land snatched from our ancestors, lining them up, letting them wave flags and chant slogans, serving as backgrounds for others—this kind of active participation is intolerable.”
The article continues: “Diplomacy needs to be pragmatic, and international exchanges are worthwhile—but no degree of pragmatism should come at the price of national dignity and historical memory. To shove children right into someone else's victory narrative—especially choosing such a sensitive location—is well beyond the bounds of ‘friendly activities’.”
The article finally questions: “Frankly speaking, such an open, shameless performance is far more severe than someone secretly visiting a certain shrine (referring to Yasukuni Shrine). How will the world see us?… On the streets of Vladivostok, in what way should our children be standing there?”
According to the official People’s Daily website, Safe Campus magazine is supervised by People’s Daily and published by New Safety magazine since its founding in 2009. It is currently the only professional periodical in China focusing on safety in schools at all levels.