Chinese schoolchildren participate in Russia's Vladivostok parade; CCP state media's furious criticism deleted

The participation of Chinese schoolchildren in a Victory Day parade in Vladivostok, dressed in historical Chinese military attire, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, exposing deep-seated historical sensitivities and drawing sharp criticism from within China's own state media.

An article published by People's Daily, under the poignant title "Whose Victory Are Chinese Children Cheering For on the Streets of Vladivostok?", vehemently condemned the event. The piece highlighted the historical context of Vladivostok, known as Haishenwai to the Chinese, as territory seized by Tsarist Russia through unequal treaties in the 19th century. It decried the irony of Chinese children celebrating on land historically taken from their nation, drawing parallels to the humiliating "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" parades under Japanese occupation.

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History can be turned, but the wrongdoer should at least have basic acknowledgment and remorse, rather than using the land snatched from others as a stage to celebrate victory, and letting Chinese children go to cheer for them.

The article's author expressed profound sorrow, arguing that while diplomacy requires pragmatism, national dignity and historical memory should not be bartered away. The act of having Chinese children participate in a Russian victory parade on historically contentious ground was deemed to have crossed the line from friendly exchange into a deeply insensitive display, particularly given the historical grievances associated with the region.

However, the powerful critique from People's Daily was swiftly removed, leaving many Chinese netizens lamenting the apparent suppression of a rare moment of nationalistic introspection from an official organ. This deletion has fueled further discussion about the complexities of Sino-Russian relations and the delicate balance China strikes between its strategic partnership with Russia and the preservation of its own historical narrative and national pride. The incident underscores a unique perspective within China, where historical memory, particularly concerning territorial concessions, remains a potent and sensitive issue, often viewed differently than in Western countries.

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Diplomacy needs pragmatism, and international exchanges are worth encouraging, but no matter how pragmatic, national dignity and historical memory cannot be sold together, and children cannot be directly stuffed into others' victory narratives, especially choosing such a sensitive location.