Experts laud legacy of Red Army’s historic victory for uncertain world, see feat as guide for future

The Long March spirit of unity, resilience and unwavering advancement remains vital to China’s modernization and offers experience for a world facing mounting uncertainty, international experts said.

China commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March victory in Beijing on Oct 22. Addressing a gathering held to mark the anniversary, President Xi Jinping called for new achievements on the new Long March, recalling how the Red Army crossed more than 10 provinces from 1934 to 1936 and opened a new chapter in the Chinese revolution.

Xi said the Long March spirit embodies the power of loyalty, truth, justice, and unity, adding that the road of the Long March continues to extend.

“On our new journey, we are now committed to realizing the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization,” he said.

The speech resonated with international observers, who see the Long March’s principles as relevant beyond China.

“As President Xi Jinping has said, the revolutionary victory of the Long March from 1934 to 1936 belongs to the correct leadership of the Communist Party of China, the heroic Chinese Red Army and the Chinese people. Their victory still echoes around the world 90 years later,” Alex Gordon, general secretary of the Communist Party of Britain, told China Daily.

Jon R. Taylor, chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography at the University of Texas at San Antonio, identified three key themes in Xi’s address: history, unity, and advancement.

Xi emphasized remembering history to create a brighter future, uniting more closely around the CPC Central Committee and carrying forward the Red Army’s cause to create new glories on a new Long March, Taylor noted.

“The Long March also underscores the nation’s determination to overcome both domestic and international challenges and to press forward toward its goals. The legacy and sacrifices of the Red Army paved the way for the future of modern China,” he said.

Prasad Wijesuriya, general secretary of the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association, said the Long March spirit remains a driving force behind China’s national rejuvenation and modernization. Its victory was not only a military feat but also a triumph of conviction, perseverance and unity under CPC leadership, he said.

Khalid Taimur Akram, executive director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future in Islamabad, said Xi’s speech recalled China’s history and underscored that courage, unity and faith can help a nation overcome even the greatest challenges.

Lawrence Loh, director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore Business School, said Xi “aptly articulated the continued relevance of the Long March spirit in spearheading sustained advancement of the country into the centenary of its founding”.

Woo Su-keun, president of the Korea-China Global Association, said the new Long March’s global significance could be demonstrated by linking China’s development with opportunities for the world.

Bernard Momanyi, editorial director of Capital FM, a Kenyan broadcaster, said, “President Xi’s speech reminds us that the strength of a nation is built not only through economic progress, but also through resilience, unity and a shared sense of purpose.”

The Long March was a pivotal, strategic endeavor that set the stage for future leadership and China’s modernization efforts, said Danny Wong Tze Ken, professor of history at the Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abdulaziz Alshaabani, a researcher at the Al Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Saudi Arabia, said the Long March spirit has long transcended China’s historical context, embodying valuable wisdom that resonates deeply with developing countries and conflict-affected societies.

Xing Yi in London and Wang Xiaodong in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at yangran1@chinadaily.com.cn