The Chinese government held a solemn ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 22 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a significant speech at the event. The ceremony was attended by approximately 3,000 participants, including high-ranking officials, representatives of various social components, and members of the public.
In his speech, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of the Long March, which is considered a crucial event in the history of the Communist Party of China. He called on the Party, the military, and the people to maintain their unity and strive for national modernization. Xi Jinping also paid tribute to the historical leaders Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Zhu De, as well as the people who supported the Red Army during the Long March. The participants observed a minute of silence to honor the memory of the revolutionaries who lost their lives during the Long March and other revolutionary struggles.
Xi Jinping outlined five key priorities that should guide China's development as it continues on the "new Long March." The first priority is to remain committed to the ideals and convictions of the Communist Party of China. The second priority is to pursue high-quality economic development and improve the living standards of the population. Xi Jinping stressed the need to balance economic growth, social progress, and common prosperity. He emphasized that China's modernization should lead to qualitative improvements in the economy and a more equitable distribution of development benefits.
The third priority outlined by Xi Jinping is to enhance China's ability to address national and international challenges. In the face of a complex geopolitical environment and persistent economic uncertainties, the Chinese President called for strengthening the country's risk anticipation, security preservation, and resilience. The fourth priority concerns the modernization of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Xi Jinping reiterated the goal of transforming the PLA into a world-class military through institutional reforms, technological innovations, personnel training, and enhanced operational capabilities.
Xi Jinping's fifth priority is to strengthen the leadership of the CPC and its internal discipline. He called for deepening the Party's governance, consolidating its unity, and improving its organizational, mobilization, and political leadership capabilities. The Chinese President emphasized that the Party's leadership is essential for China's development and that it must maintain its commitment to socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi Jinping's speech was aimed at inspiring the Chinese people to continue striving for national rejuvenation and development.
The Long March, which took place from 1934 to 1936, was a series of military retreats undertaken by the Red Army to evade the Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek. The event has become a defining moment in Chinese history and a symbol of the Communist Party's resilience and determination. Xi Jinping's commemoration of the Long March was an opportunity to draw parallels between the revolutionary era and China's current development goals. He emphasized that the spirit of the Long March, including perseverance, strategic adaptability, and collective discipline, remains relevant today.
The commemoration of the Long March's 90th anniversary reflects China's efforts to balance its revolutionary heritage with its contemporary development goals. As China navigates complex geopolitical relationships, economic challenges, and technological rivalries, the government is seeking to promote a sense of national unity and purpose. Xi Jinping's speech highlighted the importance of maintaining the Party's leadership, pursuing high-quality development, and strengthening national defense. The "new Long March" metaphor underscores China's ambition to become a modern, socialist country and a major global player.
Key points
- Xi Jinping calls for continued development and modernization in the spirit of the Long March.
- The Chinese government commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March with a ceremony in Beijing.
- Xi Jinping outlines five priorities for China's development, including commitment to the Communist Party's ideals and convictions, high-quality economic development, and modernization of the People's Liberation Army.
