A spontaneous gathering of young people in Tiananmen Square, expressing in patriotic song how they feel about the current state of China — that is theme of the latest propaganda video of China’s Communist Youth League.

The 8-minute video, titled “Tiananmen Square Flashmob,” was uploaded to several social media accounts connected to the Youth League on Tuesday morning.

Yet some netizens have been quick to point out that a such a large group would swiftly be asked to leave the iconic landmark if their gathering were not a prearranged, party-backed affair.

The clip starts with footage of the square’s daily flag-raising ceremony, accompanied by China’s national anthem, “March of the Volunteers.” And the nationalistic undertones don’t stop there.

As a crowd of young people are seen wandering around — smartphones and miniature red flags in hand —a man with a guitar enters the frame, the crowd looking on in an impromptu semicircle.

The song is full of pathos and patriotic love. “My motherland, bid farewell to sorrows,” the guitarist sings, backed up by video clips of China’s past and present. The message seems to be underscoring how far the country has come under the rule of the Communist Party, which celebrated its 95th anniversary on the 1st of July.

The video joins a growing list of propaganda clips targeted at young viewers published by the Youth League in recent months.

The party’s youth arm was criticized by the party’s disciplinary body in February because it “has not resolutely carried out reforms and innovation.”

Just last week the league promoted an English-language rap video critical of foreign media and full of equally patriotic tones.

As with the rap song, the flash mob video was mocked by a few, but praised by many of the Youth League’s followers on social media. “Every time I watch videos like this, I wish from the bottom of my heart that our motherland will become stronger and stronger,” wrote one net user.

Though for some, the recent barrage of patriotism has become unsettling. “Youth League, the way you’re frequently sharing such videos really gives me an anxious sense of foreboding,” read one of the most upvoted comments. “I’m a little afraid, but I won’t cower.”

(Header image: A screenshot of ‘Tiananmen Square Flashmob.’)