Vladivostok Hosts Children's Parade, Chinese First-Graders' Participation Sparks Controversy
The Russian city of Vladivostok held a children's parade for the 81st anniversary of WWII victory, with Chinese first-graders participating in Eighth Route Army uniforms, sparking controversy and online criticism in China.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 18:52
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, May 5th) The Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok held a children's parade on May 3rd to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the victory in World War II. The participants included first-grade students from China, who, dressed in Eighth Route Army uniforms, marched past the rostrum led by a school teacher. After the news broke, it sparked considerable criticism among Chinese netizens, and related reports and comments were largely deleted.
As of now, Xinhua News Agency's Russian website still retains relevant reports, which include an interview with Liu Hanqi (transliteration), a first-grade student from Yiwu, Zhejiang.
According to reports from Russia's Sputnik News Agency and TASS, to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the "Great Patriotic War" (the common term for WWII in the former Soviet Union and Russia), Vladivostok hosted an international children's parade named "Grandchildren of Victory" on May 3rd, with 1,500 participants. For the first time, first-grade students from China and Laos participated in this parade.
Reports indicate that this is the second time Vladivostok has hosted an international children's parade. The first children's parade in the city was held in 2025, with North Korean elementary school students participating.
According to reports and on-site footage, 47 parade teams, consisting of 1,500 Russian, Chinese, and Laotian children, marched past the rostrum set up in Vladivostok's central square, mimicking adult parades with their still-tender steps. Among them, all the Chinese elementary school students wore Eighth Route Army uniforms, divided into two rows, and participated in the parade led by a middle-aged man who appeared to be a school teacher.
Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Russia's Primorsky Krai, to which Vladivostok belongs, said that this parade has become "internationalized," and the participation of children from China and Laos "marching alongside you has very important symbolic significance."
Xinhua News Agency reported that Liu Hanqi (transliteration), a first-grade student from Yiwu, said in an interview, "I feel very honored to be able to participate in this parade. Our ancestors shed blood and sacrificed their lives for the peace we enjoy today. As a youth of the new era, I will always remember this history and contribute to creating a better future."
The news of Chinese first-graders participating in the Vladivostok parade sparked considerable criticism among Chinese netizens. Some directly pointed out, "Other places might be fine, but that's Haishenwai (originally Chinese territory, ceded to Russia in 1860 by the Treaty of Beijing)"; others questioned, "Who organized this event? And who approved it?"; some also said, "Letting ignorant children participate in this event in Haishenwai, how will history be taught in the future?"; and some retorted, "Without approval from higher authorities, could a local elementary school organize children to participate?"
After drawing netizens' questions, almost all related reports, commentary articles, and messages on the Chinese internet were deleted. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang / Yang Sheng-ju) 1150505
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, May 5th) The Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok held a children's parade on May 3rd to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the victory in World War II. The participants included first-grade students from China, who, dressed in Eighth Route Army uniforms, marched past the rostrum led by a school teacher. After the news broke, it sparked considerable criticism among Chinese netizens, and related reports and comments were largely deleted.
As of now, Xinhua News Agency's Russian website still retains relevant reports, which include an interview with Liu Hanqi (transliteration), a first-grade student from Yiwu, Zhejiang.
According to reports from Russia's Sputnik News Agency and TASS, to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the "Great Patriotic War" (the common term for WWII in the former Soviet Union and Russia), Vladivostok hosted an international children's parade named "Grandchildren of Victory" on May 3rd, with 1,500 participants. For the first time, first-grade students from China and Laos participated in this parade.
Reports indicate that this is the second time Vladivostok has hosted an international children's parade. The first children's parade in the city was held in 2025, with North Korean elementary school students participating.
According to reports and on-site footage, 47 parade teams, consisting of 1,500 Russian, Chinese, and Laotian children, marched past the rostrum set up in Vladivostok's central square, mimicking adult parades with their still-tender steps. Among them, all the Chinese elementary school students wore Eighth Route Army uniforms, divided into two rows, and participated in the parade led by a middle-aged man who appeared to be a school teacher.
Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Russia's Primorsky Krai, to which Vladivostok belongs, said that this parade has become "internationalized," and the participation of children from China and Laos "marching alongside you has very important symbolic significance."
Xinhua News Agency reported that Liu Hanqi (transliteration), a first-grade student from Yiwu, said in an interview, "I feel very honored to be able to participate in this parade. Our ancestors shed blood and sacrificed their lives for the peace we enjoy today. As a youth of the new era, I will always remember this history and contribute to creating a better future."
The news of Chinese first-graders participating in the Vladivostok parade sparked considerable criticism among Chinese netizens. Some directly pointed out, "Other places might be fine, but that's Haishenwai (originally Chinese territory, ceded to Russia in 1860 by the Treaty of Beijing)"; others questioned, "Who organized this event? And who approved it?"; some also said, "Letting ignorant children participate in this event in Haishenwai, how will history be taught in the future?"; and some retorted, "Without approval from higher authorities, could a local elementary school organize children to participate?"
After drawing netizens' questions, almost all related reports, commentary articles, and messages on the Chinese internet were deleted. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang / Yang Sheng-ju) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.