Published by ChinaMNC · Linxiang

What China’s 90th Anniversary of the Long March Means for Foreign Founders Operating in China

A ChinaMNC briefing for foreign founders on the official commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March, highlighting the leadership messages and their relevance to company registration and operations in China.

Official Commemoration of the Long March’s 90th Anniversary

On 22 October 2026, a grand meeting marking 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. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. Senior leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Vice President Han Zheng attended. Zhao Leji presided over the meeting.

Key Messages from the Speech

Xi Jinping emphasized that remembering history is essential to opening up the future. He called on the whole 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, continue striving, and advance the cause pioneered by earlier revolutionaries on a new long march.

Xi reviewed the Long March from October 1934 to October 1936, when the Red Army’s First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army undertook a historic expedition. He noted that the Red Army traveled through more than ten provinces, covered 25,000 li, broke through encirclement and interception by over a million enemy troops, and achieved a strategic transfer to the north to resist Japanese aggression. He described this as a earth-shaking revolutionary feat with far-reaching influence on the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

According to Xi, the victory of the Long March was inevitable and embodied the winning path of the Party and the people’s army. He attributed this victory to several factors: correct Party leadership and the establishment of Comrade Mao Zedong’s core position; firm revolutionary will and ideals; independence and seeking truth from facts, integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s concrete reality; and the support of the broad masses of the people.

The Long March Spirit and Its Modern Relevance

Xi stated that the Long March created extraordinary miracles and forged the great Long March spirit, which demonstrates the power of loyalty, truth, justice, and unity. He described this spirit as an important part of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, transcending time and space, and serving as a valuable source of motivation to overcome difficulties.

He stressed that the history of the Long March is never distant and its path continues to extend. Since the victory of the Long March 90 years ago, the Party has led the people through successive great marches in revolution, construction, and reform, achieving one victory after another. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been realized on schedule, and historic achievements and changes have been made in Party and state undertakings. The country 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 modernization.

Five Musts for the New Long March

Xi pointed out that the new journey is a glorious and dream-filled expedition, 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, he outlined five requirements:

• Uphold the Party’s ideals, convictions, and purpose: Fully implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, remember the original mission, and rely closely on the people to create new historical achievements.
• Steadily promote high-quality development: Continuously 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.
• Undertake great struggles with many new historical features: Better coordinate development and security, overcome difficulties, tackle risks, and meet challenges with a historical and proactive spirit, ensuring the great ship of Chinese rejuvenation braves the waves and steers steadily.
• Accelerate building the people’s army into a world-class military: Always uphold the Party’s absolute leadership over the people’s army, achieve the centenary goal of the People’s Liberation Army on schedule, and advance national defense and military modernization with high quality.
• Adhere to Party leadership and strengthen Party building: Persist in advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance, continuously achieve self-purification, self-improvement, self-renovation, and self-enhancement, and ensure the Party remains the strong leadership core of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Implications for Foreign Founders in China

For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, the official commemoration offers insight into the policy environment and leadership priorities that shape the business climate. The speech underscores a continued focus on high-quality development, common prosperity, and coordinated development and security. These themes are reflected in China’s regulatory and economic policies, which foreign-invested enterprises should monitor.

The emphasis on unity, loyalty, and collective effort also signals the importance of aligning with local regulations and understanding the broader national development strategy. Foreign founders are encouraged to stay informed about official announcements and policy directions, as they can affect market access, compliance requirements, and growth opportunities.

While the Long March commemorates a historical event, its spirit of perseverance and adaptation resonates with the challenges of establishing and growing a business in a dynamic market. Foreign entrepreneurs can benefit from a thorough understanding of China’s legal and regulatory framework, as well as the cultural and political context in which they operate.

Practical Takeaways

• Stay updated on policy trends: Regularly review official government websites and announcements to understand shifts in economic and regulatory priorities.
• Focus on compliance: Ensure your company adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, particularly in areas related to development and security.
• Engage with local networks: Building relationships with local partners and understanding the business culture can facilitate smoother operations.
• Leverage professional support: Consider consulting with experts who can provide guidance on company registration, tax, and legal matters.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.