China commemorates 90th anniversary of the Long March victory

A grand ceremony was held in Beijing at the Great Hall of the People to mark the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's victory in the Long March. During the event, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech emphasizing the need for the Party, the military, and the people to remain united around the Central Committee to pursue the "new Long March" of Chinese modernization.

Xi highlighted the "Great Long March Spirit," characterized by loyalty, truth, justice, and unity, as a vital force for overcoming modern challenges. He outlined five imperatives for China's continued development, including maintaining faith in Party ideals, promoting high-quality development, and strengthening the people's armed forces.

The commemoration also drew attention to historical symbols of the bond between the Communist Party and the people, such as the "Half Blanket" story. This anecdote recounts how Red Army soldiers shared their only blanket with a poor peasant family during the 1934 march, a gesture now used to symbolize the Party's commitment to improving living standards and social welfare in the modern era.