India, Nov. 16 -- A video showing primary school pupils in eastern China saluting teachers on cold winter mornings has drawn widespread backlash and sparked intense debate across mainland social media.

(Also read: Chinese school faces backlash over 'human bridge' exercise where parents knelt for students)

The incident, reported by South China Morning Post, took place at Jianqiao Primary School in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, a century-old institution recognised for its long standing reputation as a model of civility.

In the viral clip, four young pupils wearing patrol armbands stand stiffly at the school gate. Each time a teacher's car enters, the children salute and shout "good morning". Within less than a minute, they deliver the gre...