In China, there is a saying every generation has its own Long March. Why is that? Is the Long March merely a legendary tale each generation aspires to experience, or does it symbolise a commitment to the nation every generation seeks to fulfill? This raises a fundamental question: What is the Long March, and why does it hold such a special place in the hearts of Chinese people?
I sought answers to these questions while visiting revolutionary sites and former residences of leaders such as Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai in Yan’an, final destination of Long March. China Media Group CGTN’s efforts to preserve and document historical evidence further helped me explore its context, logic, and significance, deepening my understanding of this historic journey.
The story begins with establishment of Jiangxi Soviet by Communist Party of China (CPC), an independent self-governing republic that became Party’s revolutionary base. It served as a stronghold for promoting CPC’s ideology and revolutionary vision. However, Kuomintang (KMT) and Nationalist forces viewed it as a threat and launched military campaigns to destroy Jiangxi Soviet and eliminate CPC leadership. As Nationalist troops tightened their encirclement, Red Army was compelled to relocate. Against this backdrop, Long March began in 1934 as a strategic retreat to preserve CPC and Red Army.
Some have questioned the logic of Long March because of enormous human cost. Approximately 86,000 people departed from Jiangxi Soviet, but only around 6,000 reached Yan’an. Nearly 80,000 participants lost their lives while crossing snow-covered mountains, raging rivers, treacherous terrain, and enduring harsh weather, all while fighting Nationalist forces. At first glance, the decision may appear irrational. However, a closer examination of Party’s strategy and thinking reveals a different perspective.
The CPC and Red Army assessed the situation objectively and pragmatically, setting aside emotions, pride, and unrealistic expectations. Their guiding principle was simple: to do what was best for people and for China’s future. This approach also reflected a traditional Chinese saying: “A wise person adapts to changing circumstances, while a knowledgeable person acts according to the situation”. Recognising Red Army was vastly outnumbered and outgunned by Nationalists, CPC concluded relocation was the only viable option. Although thousands sacrificed their lives during the Long March, the strategy ultimately ensured survival of CPC and laid foundation for establishment of modern China.
At the same time, the Long March profoundly shaped CPC and its members, forging a unique political identity. It produced a generation of leaders deeply committed to their ideology and national purpose. It cultivated courage, resilience, and ability to endure hardship with dignity. It reinforced the belief Party members should always be prepared to make ultimate sacrifice for their cause. It fostered equality, mutual respect, and discipline, as leaders and ordinary soldiers shared same hardships throughout the journey. Success of Long March demonstrated unity among Party members was essential to achieving their objectives. It underscored importance of public support, emphasising interests of people must always come first. This principle was reflected in Chairman Mao’s “Eight Points for Attention”, which instructed Red Army soldiers to be courteous, honest, respectful towards people, refrain from taking their property, pay fairly for supplies, and treat women with respect. The Long March reinforced importance of
discipline and an effective chain of command, highlighting that everyone, regardless of rank or position, must abide by the rules.
Perhaps most importantly, the Long March gave CPC a distinct identity. Before the march, the Party and Red Army were widely regarded as closely aligned with Soviet Union. Afterward, however, CPC developed its own ideological path, which later evolved into Marxism adapted to Chinese conditions. It also concluded China’s revolution would primarily be led by peasantry rather than urban industrial working class, distinguishing its revolutionary strategy from those of Soviet Union and Europe.
The CPC also identified what it considered enduring key to success: the Spirit of Long March. This spirit embodies unwavering faith in one’s ideals, perseverance, resilience in the face of hardship, determination never to give up, willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause, honesty and integrity, people-centered governance, equality, unity, and respect for rule of law. These qualities have made the Spirit of Long March relevant to every generation, inspiring not only Chinese people but also many observers around the world.
In conclusion, the Spirit of Long March continues to inspire successive generations as they confront new challenges and pursue new national goals. According to this perspective, current generation, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, is undertaking its own Long March into a New Era. The challenges of this era are defined by what President Xi has described as principal contradiction between “unbalanced and inadequate development and the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life”.
His vision seeks to advance Chinese modernisation, achieve national rejuvenation, and build a modern socialist country in all respects with Chinese characteristics. This new march must also overcome challenges such as hostile propaganda, trade disputes, technological restrictions, and threats to national unity. These issues are increasingly complex and multidimensional.
For this reason, President Xi consistently emphasises both the central role of CPC and enduring relevance of Spirit of Long March. Through Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and initiatives such as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), China International Import Expo (CIIE), Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), Global Governance Initiative (GGI), AI governance efforts, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), he aims to advance China’s development while carrying forward this spirit.
From this perspective, it is expected the present generation will successfully complete its own Long March, overcome its challenges, and accomplish its national objectives.
