Residents of the Siberian city of Chita have expressed their indignation over a City Day fireworks show that was accompanied by Chinese songs, the Baikal Daily news website reported Monday.
Some of the residents believed they heard anthem of Manchuria playing: “Chita City Day celebrations were closed with the Manchurian anthem!” local resident Stas Zakharov wrote on his Facebook page, adding that he was pleased with the fact that ?€?at least a half [of the festival visitors] disagreed with what was happening, to say the least.?€?
The city administration commented on the public displeasure, saying that a song called ?€?I love Manchuria?€? and another song about a talking dragon were played at the festival.
?€?There was no anthem of Manchuria — they do not even have it. They only have the [Chinese] national anthem,?€? the chairman of Chita’s culture committee Nikolai Volkov said.
He explained that the fireworks were given to the city as a gift from Chinese officials on Chita City Day.
?€?Why did we have such a huge firework show? It was a gift,?€? Volkov said. ?€?Gifts vary. Some people give you a picture as a gift, and they gave us fireworks,?€? he added.
?€?There is no money, but hang on in there. And we do ?€” with Chinese support,?€? a resident wrote on his social network page, Baikal Daily reported.