Primary Schools Across China Require Students to Watch “First Lesson of the New Term” Long March Promo and Take Check-in Photos, Sparking Controversy

On September 1, 2026, primary schools in many places across China required students to watch the official “First Lesson of the New Term: Our Long March Road” on the first day of school and take photos as a check-in, with several young children moved to tears in groups by the promotional video’s plot.