Published by ChinaMNC · Zhengyang

China’s Leadership Reaffirms Long-Term Policy Direction at 90th Anniversary of the Long March: A Briefing for Foreign Founders

A high-level national meeting in Beijing underscored continuity in China’s policy priorities, including high-quality development, the socialist market economy, and the broader environment for business and investment. For foreign founders, the event signals the importance of aligning with national development goals and maintaining robust compliance and risk management when operating in China.

Event Overview

On October 22, 2026, a major national meeting commemorating the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army’s Long March was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. Senior leaders Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended, and Zhao Leji presided over the meeting. Approximately 3,000 people participated, including central and local officials, representatives of democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, non-party figures, veterans, military personnel, and residents of the capital.

Key Themes from the Speech

Remembering History to Guide the Future

Xi emphasized that remembering history enables a better future. He called on the Party, the 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 striving, and advance the cause pioneered by earlier generations.

The Long March: A Defining Chapter

Xi reviewed the Long March from October 1934 to October 1936, during which the Red Army’s First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army traversed more than ten provinces over 25,000 li, overcame encirclement and interception by over a million enemy troops, and achieved a strategic shift to resist Japanese aggression. He described this as a historic feat with profound significance for the Party, the state, the military, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Sources of Victory

According to Xi, the victory of the Long March was inevitable and stemmed from several factors: the correct leadership of the Party and the establishment of Comrade Mao Zedong’s core position; firm revolutionary will and ideals; independent and realistic application of Marxism to China’s specific conditions; and the support of the broad masses. He stressed that the Party and the people’s army derive strength from the people and that maintaining close ties with the people is essential for success.

The Spirit of the Long March

Xi stated that the Long March created an extraordinary human miracle and forged a great spirit embodying loyalty, truth, justice, and unity. This spirit, as part of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, remains a valuable source of strength for overcoming difficulties.

Continuing the New Long March

Xi noted that since the victory of the Long March 90 years ago, the Party has led the people through successive “new long marches” in revolution, construction, and reform. 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 has been achieved on schedule, and historic achievements and changes have been made. The Party is now striving to build a great modern socialist country in all respects, realize the second centenary goal, and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization.

Five Musts for the New Journey

Xi outlined five requirements for carrying forward the Long March spirit and embarking on the new long march:

• 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 on the people to create new achievements.
• Promote high-quality development: Meet the people’s growing needs for a better life, coordinate the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, achieve effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, and promote common prosperity for all.
• Carry out great struggles with new historical characteristics: Better coordinate development and security, overcome difficulties and risks with historical initiative, and ensure the steady progress of the ship of Chinese rejuvenation.
• Accelerate building the people’s army into a world-class military: Uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the military, achieve the centenary goal of the military on schedule, and advance national defense and military modernization with high quality.
• Uphold Party leadership and strengthen Party building: Persist in full and rigorous Party self-governance, continuously achieve self-purification, self-improvement, self-innovation, and self-enhancement, and ensure the Party remains the strong leadership core of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Implications for Foreign Founders

For foreign entrepreneurs registering or operating a company in China, the meeting reaffirms several policy priorities that can affect business planning. The emphasis on high-quality development and common prosperity suggests continued focus on sustainable, inclusive growth. The call to coordinate development and security underscores the importance of robust compliance, data security, and risk management. The commitment to the socialist market economy and the Party’s leadership indicates that the broader policy environment will remain stable, with long-term goals guiding regulation. Foreign founders should align their strategies with national development objectives, monitor policy signals from high-level meetings, and maintain strong local partnerships and legal counsel. While the speech does not introduce specific new measures for foreign investment, it reinforces the continuity of China’s development path and the importance of understanding the political and ideological context in which businesses operate.

Conclusion

The 90th anniversary commemoration served as a platform to reiterate China’s long-term development philosophy and the leadership’s priorities. For foreign founders, staying informed about such events helps anticipate policy trends and adapt business practices accordingly. This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.