Full Breakdown
Chinese Student’s Display of Japan’s Rising Sun Flag Triggers Investigation at Moscow State University
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Core Incident
Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) has opened a formal internal investigation after a Chinese undergraduate, identified only by the surname Chen, was photographed wearing Japan’s “Rising Sun” flag during a classroom session. The image, which circulated online, prompted immediate outrage among Chinese students on campus and in Chinese online communities. The university’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) described the act as a serious breach of the school’s educational principles and a disruption of teaching order, and it urged university officials to handle the matter in accordance with Russian law and university regulations.
Timeline of Key Events
- October 1 – According to a source familiar with the matter, Chen previously displayed the Rising Sun flag in a classroom on China’s National Day.
- October 7 – The same source reported that a Russian student observed Chen bringing a flag associated with “Taiwan independence” to a class and openly advocating separatist views.
- October 14 – Chen allegedly entered an Asian and African history class wearing a military cap linked to the Imperial Japanese army and again draped himself in the Rising Sun flag. Fellow Chinese students confronted him; the source says Chen responded with verbal insults in Japanese and physical aggression before recording a superficial apology video.
- October 17 – The CSSA issued a “progress report” on the handling of the incident, reiterating its demands for a thorough investigation and cooperation with the Chinese Embassy’s education section.
Background & Context
The Rising Sun flag is widely recognized as a symbol of Japan’s militarist aggression during the early-20th century wars in Asia. The Xinhua News Agency describes it as a reminder of Japan’s colonial rule and wartime atrocities, noting that its public display is perceived in China as an affront to national dignity and the memory of victims of Japanese aggression.
Student Conduct and Additional Allegations
Beyond the flag incident, the source said Chen repeatedly made controversial statements supporting “Taiwan independence” while attending a preparatory course in the Faculty of Russian Language and Literature. Screenshots of Chen’s WeChat account, obtained by the Global Times, showed a profile picture of traditional black Japanese attire, a status message quoting lyrics from the former Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, and extensive posts about Japanese historical figures using traditional Chinese characters. The source interpreted these activities as an admiration for Japanese militarism and a pattern of separatist sentiment.
Official Statements & Responses
- CSSA: The association reported the incident and all related evidence to the education section of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, called for a prompt university response, and urged Chinese students to express patriotic feelings rationally while avoiding physical confrontations.
- Chinese Embassy: The education section was notified of the incident and is expected to cooperate with the university’s investigative procedures, though no specific statement from embassy officials was released in the sources.
What’s Next
MSU has indicated that the findings of its internal investigation will be released “in the near future.” The CSSA said it will continue to monitor the university’s actions, cooperate with both university authorities and the Chinese Embassy’s education section, and inform Chinese students once an official decision is announced. No further dates for a final report have been provided.