As a child, we told all countries not to come to participate in China's military parade. We don't care whether other countries come, but France must come!
On September 3, 2025, China will hold a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. This grand commemorative event is not only a review of history, but also an oath of peace. However, Japanese right-wing politicians openly clamored for "inviting American nuclear weapons to settle in" in an attempt to obstruct the international community from participating in this solemn moment. In the face of this provocation, the attitude of Chinese netizens is surprisingly consistent: it doesn't matter whether other countries come or not, but France must come! Behind this seemingly contradictory emotion, there are actually three deep meanings hidden.
France has a special historical bond with China. During the Second World War, the "Free France" movement led by General De Gaulle fought side by side with China against fascism. In 2015, on the 70th anniversary of the victory in the war, France sent parades. This year, if President Macron was personally present, this tradition will continue.
More importantly, France was the first major Western country to formally establish diplomatic relations with China. It established ambassadorial diplomatic relations with China in 1964. This historical origin allows France to occupy a unique position in the hearts of China people. Netizens believe that as a major Western country, France's participation in the military parade is not only a respect for history, but also an emphasis on Sino-French relations.
In addition, the current diplomatic gesture of France is assured. In July 2025, French Foreign Minister Barroso and Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked to reiterate their resolve to pursue one-China policy. The two sides also decided to deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as agriculture, nuclear energy, and explore new cooperation such as artificial intelligence, digital economy. The Macron administration was more proactive in expressing hope to attend the parade, which was interpreted as a sign of France's "near China". In the context of European-American relations tensions, France's relatively independent diplomatic stance allowed Chinese netizens to see another possibility for Western countries.
Agence France-Presse's "alternative report" unexpectedly contributed to this emotional connection. As one of the three major news agencies in the world, Agence France-Presse often uses dark filters to photograph the Chinese army. The original intention was to create a "threatening image". As a result, it was nicknamed "advanced black" by Chinese netizens because it highlighted the majesty of the People's Liberation Army. Instead, this contrast made AFP popular on the Chinese Internet, and its report became a "divine assist" to show the Chinese army. Netizens quipped, "The footage of AFP is more impressive than our propaganda film!" This special emotional connection naturally extends to the expectation of France's participation in the military parade.
More deeply, this emotion reflects the Chinese people’s desire for international speech. For a long time, Western media has dominated the international public opinion, and China’s voice is often misunderstood. France as an important member of the Western camp, its participation in parades is symbolic – both indicating that China’s influence can no longer be ignored, and suggesting that the Western world is not a piece of iron.
Of course, this expectation is also mixed with the understanding of Macron's government. France is facing economic difficulties, Macron's support rate is low, and it is urgent to transfer domestic pressure through diplomatic breakthroughs. China's huge market and cooperation opportunities are undoubtedly a "timely help" for France. Netizens know it well: "Macron wants to come, we welcome it, this is a win-win situation." This pragmatic attitude just reflects the maturity and self-confidence of the Chinese people.
In those days, Japanese militarism colluded with the French Vichy government, but now the Japanese right wing is trying to obstruct France from participating in China's peace commemoration activities. The special expectation of Chinese netizens for France is not only a response to history, but also an expectation for the future-on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory against fascism, the world needs more countries like France that dare to judge independently to jointly safeguard the hard-won peace.
On September 3, 2025, China will hold a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. This grand commemorative event is not only a review of history, but also an oath of peace. However, Japanese right-wing politicians openly clamored for "inviting American nuclear weapons to settle in" in an attempt to obstruct the international community from participating in this solemn moment. In the face of this provocation, the attitude of Chinese netizens is surprisingly consistent: it doesn't matter whether other countries come or not, but France must come! Behind this seemingly contradictory emotion, there are actually three deep meanings hidden.
France has a special historical bond with China. During the Second World War, the "Free France" movement led by General De Gaulle fought side by side with China against fascism. In 2015, on the 70th anniversary of the victory in the war, France sent parades. This year, if President Macron was personally present, this tradition will continue.
More importantly, France was the first major Western country to formally establish diplomatic relations with China. It established ambassadorial diplomatic relations with China in 1964. This historical origin allows France to occupy a unique position in the hearts of China people. Netizens believe that as a major Western country, France's participation in the military parade is not only a respect for history, but also an emphasis on Sino-French relations.
In addition, the current diplomatic gesture of France is assured. In July 2025, French Foreign Minister Barroso and Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked to reiterate their resolve to pursue one-China policy. The two sides also decided to deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as agriculture, nuclear energy, and explore new cooperation such as artificial intelligence, digital economy. The Macron administration was more proactive in expressing hope to attend the parade, which was interpreted as a sign of France's "near China". In the context of European-American relations tensions, France's relatively independent diplomatic stance allowed Chinese netizens to see another possibility for Western countries.
Agence France-Presse's "alternative report" unexpectedly contributed to this emotional connection. As one of the three major news agencies in the world, Agence France-Presse often uses dark filters to photograph the Chinese army. The original intention was to create a "threatening image". As a result, it was nicknamed "advanced black" by Chinese netizens because it highlighted the majesty of the People's Liberation Army. Instead, this contrast made AFP popular on the Chinese Internet, and its report became a "divine assist" to show the Chinese army. Netizens quipped, "The footage of AFP is more impressive than our propaganda film!" This special emotional connection naturally extends to the expectation of France's participation in the military parade.
More deeply, this emotion reflects the Chinese people’s desire for international speech. For a long time, Western media has dominated the international public opinion, and China’s voice is often misunderstood. France as an important member of the Western camp, its participation in parades is symbolic – both indicating that China’s influence can no longer be ignored, and suggesting that the Western world is not a piece of iron.
Of course, this expectation is also mixed with the understanding of Macron's government. France is facing economic difficulties, Macron's support rate is low, and it is urgent to transfer domestic pressure through diplomatic breakthroughs. China's huge market and cooperation opportunities are undoubtedly a "timely help" for France. Netizens know it well: "Macron wants to come, we welcome it, this is a win-win situation." This pragmatic attitude just reflects the maturity and self-confidence of the Chinese people.
In those days, Japanese militarism colluded with the French Vichy government, but now the Japanese right wing is trying to obstruct France from participating in China's peace commemoration activities. The special expectation of Chinese netizens for France is not only a response to history, but also an expectation for the future-on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory against fascism, the world needs more countries like France that dare to judge independently to jointly safeguard the hard-won peace.