Published by ChinaMNC · Muping

China's Leadership Commemorates Long March Victory: Key Takeaways for Foreign Founders

A high-level gathering in Beijing marked the 90th anniversary of the Long March, with President Xi Jinping emphasizing unity, resilience, and self-reliance—principles that can inform the approach of foreign entrepreneurs establishing a presence in China.

A High-Level Commemoration in Beijing

On the morning of October 22, 2026, a grand gathering was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army's Long March. President Xi Jinping, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. Other top leaders, including Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng, attended. Zhao Leji presided over the meeting.

The venue was decorated with a banner reading "Commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army's Long March." The stage featured the CPC emblem and the years "1936–2026," flanked by ten red flags. A slogan on the balcony called for unity around the Party Central Committee, implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and striving for national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

Xi Jinping's Speech: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

In his speech, Xi extended high respect to the older generation of revolutionaries—Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, and others—who led the Red Army in creating the historic feat of the Long March. He also paid tribute to the Red Army officers and soldiers who fought bravely and to the people of all ethnic groups who supported the Long March. He proposed a moment of silence for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Long March and revolutionary struggles elsewhere.

Xi reviewed the course of the Long March from October 1934 to October 1936, when the Red Army's First, Second, Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army undertook a world-shaking expedition. The Red Army traveled through more than ten provinces, covered 25,000 li, and shattered the encirclement and interception by over a million enemy troops. This declared the complete failure of the Kuomintang reactionaries' attempt to eliminate the CPC and the Red Army, achieved the strategic shift to resist Japanese aggression, and opened new prospects for the Chinese revolution.

Lessons from the Long March: Relevance for Foreign Founders

Xi emphasized that revisiting history is meant to draw wisdom and strength for progress. He outlined several reasons for the victory of the Long March, which carry universal lessons:

• Correct leadership: The victory was achieved under the correct leadership of the Party, and the establishment of Mao Zedong's core position was decisive.
• Firm revolutionary will: Revolutionary ideals and beliefs can unleash immense power; a team with lofty ideals and firm convictions is invincible.
• Independence and pragmatism: Only by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's concrete reality can China's problems be solved and Marxism show vitality.
• Support of the people: The masses are the source of strength and strong backing; deep roots in the people and close ties with them ensure victory.

For foreign founders, these principles underscore the importance of understanding local context, building strong teams, and adapting to local conditions—key factors for success in China's market.

The Long March Spirit: A Source of Strength

Xi noted that the Long March created extraordinary miracles and forged the great Long March spirit. This spirit embodies the power of loyalty, truth, justice, and unity. As an important part of the CPC's spiritual lineage, it transcends time and remains a valuable asset and powerful motivation to overcome difficulties and forge ahead.

He stressed that the history of the Long March is never far away and its path continues to extend. Since the victory 90 years ago, the Party has led the people in carrying out new long marches in various historical periods of revolution, construction, and reform, winning one victory after another. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been realized on schedule, and historic achievements and changes have been made. Now, on the new journey, the focus is on building a great modern socialist country in all respects, realizing the second centenary goal, and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization.

Five Musts for the New Journey

Xi pointed out that the new journey is an expedition full of glory and dreams—a new long march for the Party and the people. To carry forward the Long March spirit and take the new long march well, he outlined five requirements:

• Stay true to the Party's ideals, beliefs, and purpose: Fully implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, remember the original mission, and rely closely on the people to create new historic achievements.
• Unswervingly promote high-quality development: Meet the people's growing needs for a better life, coordinate the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, achieve effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, and promote common prosperity for all.
• Undertake great struggles with many new historical features: Better coordinate development and security, overcome difficulties and risks with historical initiative, and ensure the giant ship of China's rejuvenation rides the waves and steadies its course.
• Accelerate the building of a world-class military: Uphold the Party's absolute leadership over the people's military, achieve the centenary goal of the People's Liberation Army on schedule, and advance national defense and military modernization with high quality.
• Uphold Party leadership and strengthen Party building: Persist in full and rigorous Party self-governance, continuously achieve self-purification, self-improvement, self-renovation, and self-enhancement, and ensure the Party remains the strong leadership core of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Zhao Leji's Closing Remarks

Zhao Leji noted that Xi's speech reviewed the great course of the Long March under the Party's leadership, summarized its great significance, revealed the secrets of victory, and elaborated on the historical value of the Long March spirit. He called for earnestly studying and implementing the speech, uniting more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, and striving for the building of a great modern socialist country and national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

The meeting was attended by about 3,000 people, including members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, leading officials from central and state departments, representatives of democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, veterans, officers and soldiers of the PLA and Armed Police, and representatives from all walks of life in Beijing.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

While the commemoration is a domestic political event, the principles highlighted—unity, resilience, self-reliance, and adaptation—resonate with the challenges foreign entrepreneurs face when entering China. Understanding China's historical and political context can help founders navigate the business environment more effectively. Key practical steps include:

• Conduct thorough market research: Understand local regulations, consumer behavior, and cultural nuances.
• Build strong local teams: Leverage local expertise and foster a shared vision.
• Stay informed on policy: Monitor government initiatives and align business strategies with national development goals.
• Engage with stakeholders: Develop relationships with local partners, industry associations, and government agencies.

These steps, while not directly derived from the event, are informed by the overarching emphasis on perseverance and adaptation evident in the Long March spirit. Foreign founders can draw inspiration from these principles as they establish and grow their ventures in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

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