Published by ChinaMNC · Gangcheng

What China’s Long March 90th Anniversary Means for Foreign Founders

A practical reading of the October 22, 2026 commemorative meeting in Beijing for foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, focusing on policy signals and strategic themes.

Why a Commemorative Meeting Matters to Foreign Founders

On October 22, 2026, a high-level meeting marking the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Red Army’s Long March was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi Jinping delivered a major speech, and senior leaders Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended; Zhao Leji presided. For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, such official occasions are not merely historical ceremonies. They set the tone for how the leadership frames perseverance, self-reliance, and long-term planning—themes that can inform how you structure your China strategy and read policy signals.

Key Themes from the Speech

Remembering History to Open the Future

Xi emphasized that remembering history is the way to open the future. He called on the whole Party, military, and people of all ethnic groups to unite more closely around the Party Central Committee, carry forward the spirit of the Long March, continue working hard, and push forward the cause opened by revolutionary predecessors. For founders, the practical takeaway is that official rhetoric continues to stress continuity and long-term commitment—useful context when evaluating the stability of China’s policy direction.

The Long March in Brief

Xi reviewed the period from October 1934 to October 1936, when the Party led the Red Army’s First, Second, Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army on what he called a world-shaking Long March. The Red Army crossed more than ten provinces, marched 25,000 li, broke through encirclement and interception by over a million enemy troops, declared the complete failure of the Kuomintang reactionaries’ plot to eliminate the Communist Party and the Red Army, achieved the strategic transfer north to resist Japan, and opened a new situation for the Chinese revolution. He described it as a heroic epic engraved in the history of the revolution and remembered by the people.

Why the Long March Succeeded

Xi explained that victory was inevitable and contained the winning path of the Party and the people’s army. He attributed it to correct Party leadership, with the establishment of Mao Zedong’s core position described as decisive; to firm revolutionary will and ideals that can unleash enormous power; to independence and seeking truth from facts, applying the basic tenets of Marxism in close connection with China’s concrete reality; and to the support of the broad masses, who remain the source of strength and strong backing for the Party and the people’s army.

The Spirit of the Long March

Xi said the Red Army created an extraordinary human miracle and forged the great Long March spirit. He stated that where the spirit is, there is strength, and that this spirit demonstrates the power of loyalty, truth, justice, and unity. As an important part of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, it transcends time and space, remains fresh, and is a precious asset and powerful driving force to overcome difficulties and move forward.

From History to Current Policy Priorities

A New Journey and the Second Centenary Goal

Xi stressed that the history of the Long March has never faded and its road keeps extending. Since victory 90 years ago, the Party has led the people through repeated great marches in revolution, construction, and reform, winning one victory after another. Since the 18th Party Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects was achieved on schedule, historic achievements and changes have been made, and the country is now working on the new journey to fully build a great modern socialist country, realize the second centenary goal, and advance national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

Five Musts for the New Long March

Xi outlined “five musts” for carrying forward the Long March spirit and walking the new Long March. They are: uphold 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 and meet people’s growing needs for a better life, coordinate the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, promote effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, and advance common prosperity for all; be brave in carrying out the great struggle with many new historical features, better coordinate development and security, and use historical initiative to overcome difficulties, tackle risks, and meet challenges; accelerate building the people’s army into a world-class military, uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the people’s army, achieve the centenary goal of the military on schedule, and advance national defense and military modernization with high quality; and uphold Party leadership and strengthen Party building, persist in full and rigorous Party self-governance, and ensure the Party remains the strong leadership core of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

What Zhao Leji Added

Zhao Leji, who presided, said Xi’s speech reviewed the great course of the Long March under Party leadership, summarized its great significance, revealed the winning path of the Party and the people’s army, expounded the historical value of the Long March spirit, and set out clear “five musts” for carrying it forward and walking the new Long March. He described the speech as highly political, thoughtful, and instructive, and called for careful study and implementation. He urged closer unity around the Party Central Committee, adherence to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deep understanding of the decisive significance of the “two establishments,” enhancement of the “four consciousnesses,” firming of the “four confidences,” and implementation of the “two upholds,” so as to carry forward the Long March spirit, walk the new Long March, and strive to advance national development and rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

Practical Implications for Foreign Founders

• Read continuity, not just ceremony: Official occasions reinforce the leadership’s emphasis on long-term goals and perseverance. When planning market entry, consider multi-year horizons rather than short-term tactics.
• High-quality development and common prosperity: The speech reiterates these priorities. Foreign founders may wish to align their value proposition with productivity upgrading and inclusive growth narratives when engaging local partners and officials.
• Development and security: The call to better coordinate development and security signals continued attention to risk management. Ensure your China operations maintain robust compliance, data, and supply-chain risk frameworks.
• Independence and self-reliance: The emphasis on applying principles to China’s concrete reality and on independent effort suggests continued focus on domestic capabilities. Foreign firms can position themselves as complementary partners bringing global expertise while respecting local priorities.
• People-centered approach: The stress on relying on the people and on common prosperity underlines the importance of local employment, talent development, and community engagement for foreign-invested enterprises.

Attendance and Scale

The meeting was attended by Politburo members and Secretariat members in Beijing, vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, vice chairmen of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, state councilors, the president of the Supreme People’s Court, and vice chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Also present were about 3,000 people, including principal officials of central Party, state, military, and mass organizations and Beijing municipality; leaders of central committees of democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and representatives of personages without party affiliation; representatives of veteran comrades; representatives of PLA and armed police officers and soldiers; and representatives of people from all walks of life in the capital.

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