A video has been released showing a young boy abandoned alone on a national highway in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, sparking controversy.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 26th, the video was filmed on the shoulder of National Highway 216. The boy in the video is estimated to be around 7 to 8 years old and was crying while waving at passing cars. An influencer on a motorcycle passing by discovered the boy and approached him. The boy explained, "My father dropped me off after I fought with my brother in the car." The influencer called the father using the contact number provided by the boy, and the father said, "My wife is on her way to pick him up."
Later, a court vehicle patrolling the area discovered the boy and handed him over to the police. The boy's father, Mr. Wang, explained, "I tried to scare him because he often fights with his brother," adding that it was a disciplinary measure. However, a video apology posted by Mr. Wang on social media shortly after the incident garnered public outrage. In the video, the boy lowered his head, saying, "It was my fault for making my father angry by first upsetting my brother."
Netizens criticized, saying, "Why does the child have to apologize on behalf of the parents?" and "The parents should apologize directly." Some pointed out, "The child's remarks in the video appear to be coerced."
This incident has sparked a debate in Chinese society regarding parental discipline methods and children's rights. Online voices are calling for stronger legal responsibility for parents and improvements to child protection systems.