Carry forward great spirit of Long March in country's quest for new achievements: China Daily editorial

BEIJING, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The following article was published today by China Daily.

The enduring spirit of the historic Long March continues to inspire the Chinese people to overcome hardships and make new strides in the country's modernization.

From October 1934 to October 1936, the Red Army, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, marched through more than 10 provinces during the Long March, opening up a new chapter in the Chinese revolution.

This earth-shattering revolutionary feat holds great significance in the history of the Party, the country and the military, and has a profound impact on the path toward the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, President Xi Jinping said at a gathering held in Beijing on Thursday to mark the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.

The Long March spirit features firm revolutionary ideals and convictions, dauntless courage and sacrifices, independence and truth-seeking, strict discipline and unity, and close ties with the people.

Today, as China advances toward national rejuvenation, the Long March spirit remains a powerful source of inspiration and strength, reminding the nation that great achievements require unwavering conviction, collective determination and persistent struggle.

The speech delivered by Xi at the gathering carried a profound message: History must not merely be remembered. Its wisdom and strength must be translated into action today.

Xi stressed that only by remembering history can the nation create a brighter future, calling for new achievements in the new Long March.

The new Long March is an expedition of opportunities and challenges. To carry forward the Long March spirit and successfully navigate this new journey, the Party must remain steadfast in upholding its ideals, convictions and fundamental purpose. It should always serve the people wholeheartedly and closely rely on them.

The country should unswervingly pursue high-quality development and continuously meet the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. It should accelerate the creation of a new development pattern, adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, and promote effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy.

Facing rising external uncertainties, the nation should courageously undertake a great struggle with new characteristics, one that requires better coordination of development and security.

To that end, it needs to be ready at all times to withstand major tests of high winds and choppy waters and even perilous storms, as Xi noted.

The country must also accelerate the development of its armed forces into a world-class military. The military should always uphold the Party's absolute leadership and advance national defense and military modernization with high quality.

Xi urged the Party to continually strengthen its building and self-governance. In the process, it should constantly strive for self-purification, self-perfection, self-renewal and self-improvement; and strengthen its political leadership, ideological guidance, organizational capacity among the people and the ability to mobilize society so that it always remains the strong leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The great spirit of the Long March demonstrates the power of loyalty, truth, justice and unity. It will always be a precious treasure and a powerful driving force inspiring the nation to overcome difficulties and forge ahead courageously, as Xi pointed out.

The significance of the great spirit of the Long March also extends beyond China's borders. At a time when humanity faces climate change, technological revolution, inequality and geopolitical confrontation, the spirit offers a lasting reminder that cooperation, resilience and commitment to common goals can overcome seemingly impossible difficulties.

China's pursuit of peaceful development, green transformation and mutually beneficial cooperation shows how one nation's steady advancement can contribute to wider human progress.

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, the nation, under the leadership of the Party, must turn remembrance into motivation, conviction into actions, and aspiration into progress. The Long March continues. Its spirit should illuminate the nation's path toward new achievements.

SOURCE China Daily