Published by ChinaMNC · Deqin

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

A practical briefing for foreign founders on the official themes highlighted at the 90th anniversary of the Long March, and how to translate them into compliance, resilience and long-term planning for China-registered companies.

Why a Historical Commemoration Matters to Foreign Founders

On 22 October, a commemorative meeting marking the 90th anniversary of the Chinese 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, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Vice President Han Zheng attended. Zhao Leji presided.

For foreign founders registering or running a company in China, the event is not merely historical. The language used in official settings often signals the priorities that shape policy implementation, regulatory expectations and the operating environment. This article summarises the facts of the meeting and draws practical, non-legal observations for foreign-invested enterprises.

What Happened at the Meeting

The Great Hall auditorium was decorated for the occasion. A banner read “Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese Red Army’s Long March.” The stage featured the Communist Party of China emblem, the years “1936–2026,” and ten red flags. A slogan on the second-floor gallery called for unity around the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core, implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying forward the Long March spirit, and striving for national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernisation.

The meeting began at 10 a.m. with the national anthem. About 3,000 people attended, including central and Beijing officials, representatives of democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, non-party figures, veteran comrades, PLA and armed police personnel, and residents of the capital.

The Speech: Key Points

Historical Reflection

Xi noted that from October 1934 to October 1936 the Party led the First, Second and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army on the Long March. The march crossed more than ten provinces, covered 25,000 li, broke through encirclement by over a million enemy troops, and achieved the strategic transfer north to resist Japanese aggression. He said this opened a new phase of the Chinese revolution and had a profound influence on national rejuvenation.

Sources of Victory

Xi attributed the victory to several factors: correct Party leadership and the establishment of Mao Zedong’s core position; firm revolutionary will and ideals; independence and seeking truth from facts, applying Marxism-Leninism to China’s concrete realities; and support from the people. He stressed that the Party and the army draw strength from the people and must maintain close ties with them.

The Long March Spirit

According to Xi, the Long March created an extraordinary miracle and forged a great spirit reflecting the power of loyalty, truth, justice and unity. This spirit, part of the Party’s spiritual lineage, remains a valuable source of motivation for overcoming difficulties.

From History to Current Goals

Xi said the Long March continues. Since 2012, 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. The country is now working toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernisation.

Five “Musts” for the New Journey

Xi set out five requirements: uphold the Party’s ideals, beliefs and purpose and implement Xi Jinping Thought; pursue high-quality development and common prosperity while coordinating the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy; carry out great struggles with new historical features, balancing development and security; build the people’s army into a world-class military and meet the centenary goal of the PLA; and uphold Party leadership and full and rigorous Party self-governance.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders should treat these themes as background context for business planning. The emphasis on high-quality development and balancing development with security suggests continued attention to compliance, data protection, risk management and alignment with national priorities. The focus on Party self-governance and discipline signals that official dealings will continue to be scrutinised, so maintaining transparent records and ethical practices is prudent.

The reference to the people as the source of strength can be read as continued attention to social responsibility, labour practices and community relations. The stress on independence and applying principles to China’s realities may indicate that policies will be adapted to local conditions rather than copied from abroad.

For company registration and operations, the practical implication is to build resilience: maintain proper corporate governance, keep documentation complete, monitor regulatory updates, and ensure your China entity’s activities align with published policy directions. The speech did not announce new foreign investment rules or tax measures, so founders should not infer specific legal changes from it.

How to Use This in Your China Strategy

• Monitor official messaging: Speeches at major commemorations can foreshadow policy emphasis. Track them alongside formal regulations.
• Strengthen compliance: Development-security balance points to continued scrutiny of risk and data handling.
• Invest in people and community: The people-centred theme supports sound labour and social responsibility practices.
• Plan long term: The “new journey” framing suggests continuity in national goals, useful for multi-year planning.
• Seek local advice: This article is factual summary, not guidance on registration, tax or licensing.

Conclusion

The 90th anniversary meeting restated historical achievements and set out broad goals for modernisation, development, security and Party governance. For foreign founders, the event is a reminder that China’s operating environment is shaped by long-term national priorities. Keeping informed, maintaining compliance and planning for continuity remain sensible approaches.

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