Published by ChinaMNC ยท Kaiyuan
What China's 90th Anniversary of the Long March Means for Foreign Founders Operating in China
A ChinaMNC briefing for foreign entrepreneurs on the official commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March, highlighting key messages from President Xi Jinping's speech and their relevance to business operations in China.
Official Commemoration in Beijing
On October 22, a grand gathering was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark 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. The event was attended by senior leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng. Zhao Leji presided over the meeting.
Key Messages from President Xi's Speech
Remembering History to Forge Ahead
President Xi emphasized that only by remembering history can we create the future. He called on the entire Party, the military, and people of all ethnic groups to unite more closely around the Party Central Committee, carry forward the great Long March spirit, and continue striving to advance the cause pioneered by revolutionary predecessors, creating new glories on the new Long March.
The Significance of the Long March
Xi noted that from October 1934 to October 1936, the Party led the Red Army's First, Second, Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army in a great Long March that shocked the world and made history. The Red Army traveled through more than ten provinces, covered 25,000 li, shattered the encirclement and interception by over a million enemy troops, declared the complete failure of the Kuomintang reactionaries' attempt to eliminate the Communist Party of China and the Red Army, successfully achieved the strategic shift to resist Japanese aggression in the north, and opened up a new situation for the Chinese revolution. This earth-shaking revolutionary feat is of great significance in the history of the Party, the country, and the military, and has had a profound impact on the process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The Path to Victory
Xi stressed that revisiting history is to draw wisdom and strength for forging ahead. He explained that the victory of the Long March was inevitable and embodied the winning formula for the Party and the people's army to march forward. This path of victory was achieved through the correct leadership of the Party, and the establishment of the Party's correct leadership and Comrade Mao Zedong's core position was of decisive significance. It was also achieved through firm revolutionary will, as revolutionary ideals and beliefs can unleash immense power to overcome enemies and move mountains. The path relied on independence and seeking truth from facts, as only by closely integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China's concrete reality can China's problems be solved. Finally, it was achieved through the support of the broad masses of the people, who are always the source of strength and strong backing for the Party and the people's army.
The Great Long March Spirit
Xi pointed out that the Red Army's Long March created extraordinary miracles and forged the great Long March spirit. Where there is spirit, there is strength. The great Long March spirit fully demonstrates the power of loyalty, truth, justice, and unity. As an important part of the spiritual pedigree of Chinese Communists, it transcends time and space and remains a valuable asset and powerful motivation for overcoming difficulties and forging ahead.
Continuing the Long March in the New Era
Xi emphasized that the history of the Long March is never far away, and the road of the Long March continues to extend. Since the victory of the Long March 90 years ago, the Party has united and led the people in carrying out one great Long March after another in various historical periods of revolution, construction, and reform, winning one great victory after another. Since the 18th National Congress of the Party, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been achieved on schedule, and historic achievements and changes have been made in the cause of the Party and the country. We are now striving on the new journey to build a great modern socialist country in all respects, achieve the second centenary goal, and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization.
The New Long March and Its Requirements
Xi noted that the new journey is an expedition full of glory and dreams, and it is a new Long March for the Party and the people. To carry forward the great Long March spirit and take the new Long March well, we must uphold the Party's ideals, beliefs, and purposes, fully implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, keep in mind the original aspiration and mission, and rely closely on the people to create new historical achievements. We must unswervingly promote high-quality development and continuously meet the people's growing needs for a better life, coordinate the implementation of the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, promote effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, and promote common prosperity for all people. We must have the courage to carry out great struggles with many new historical characteristics, better coordinate development and security, overcome difficulties, risks, and challenges with a historical initiative, and ensure that the great ship of the Chinese rejuvenation braves the waves and steadies its course. We must accelerate the building of the people's army into a world-class military, always adhere to the Party's absolute leadership over the people's army, achieve the centenary goal of the military on schedule, and promote high-quality modernization of national defense and the military. We must uphold the Party's leadership, strengthen Party building, persistently advance full and rigorous Party self-governance, and continuously achieve the Party's self-purification, self-improvement, self-innovation, and self-enhancement, ensuring that the Party always remains the strong leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Implications for Foreign Founders
While the commemoration is a domestic political event, the speech underscores several themes that are relevant to the business environment in China. The emphasis on high-quality development, common prosperity, and the coordination of development and security signals a continued focus on sustainable and inclusive growth. Foreign founders should note the commitment to economic growth that benefits all, which may translate into policies supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. The call for unity and resilience can also be seen as a message of stability, which is crucial for long-term business planning.
Additionally, the speech's mention of the Party's leadership and adherence to socialism with Chinese characteristics reaffirms the political context in which businesses operate. Understanding this context can help foreign entrepreneurs navigate regulations and align their strategies with national priorities.
Practical Takeaways
- Stay informed: Monitor official communications for policy directions that may affect your industry.
- Align with national goals: Consider how your business can contribute to high-quality development and common prosperity.
- Engage with local networks: Building strong relationships with local partners and authorities can help you navigate the business environment.
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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