China school slammed for making pupils salute teachers arriving in cars on cold mornings

A viral video of primary school pupils in eastern China saluting teachers on cold mornings has sparked a storm of outrage online.

The incident happened at Jianqiao Primary School in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, a century-old institution known for its status as a key local school and a model of civility.

In the clip, four pupils wearing patrol armbands stand at attention at the school gate.

Each time a teacher’s car drives in, they salute and shout “good morning”. In less than a minute, they greet 10 cars.

The particular salute is known as a symbol of the Young Pioneers, a children’s organisation led by the Chinese Communist Youth League.