Xi Calls for New Achievements on New Long March as China Marks 90th Anniversary

On 22 October 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech in Beijing commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Red Army’s historic Long March. In a gathering that blended solemn remembrance with forward‑looking rhetoric, Xi urged the nation to pursue “new achievements on the new Long March,” linking the revolutionary legacy of the 1930s to contemporary strategic objectives. The address, broadcast by state media outlet CGTN, underscores how the Party continues to marshal historical symbolism to legitimize its present‑day policy agenda and to frame China’s role in an increasingly contested international order.

Historical Resonance of the Long March

The Long March, a 9,000‑kilometre trek undertaken by the Chinese Communist Party’s Red Army between 1934 and 1935, remains a foundational myth of the Party’s legitimacy. By recalling this epoch, Xi taps into a narrative of perseverance, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph that has been cultivated since Mao Zedong’s era. The 90th anniversary, therefore, is not merely a ceremonial milestone; it is a strategic moment to reaffirm the Party’s claim that its historical destiny continues to guide China’s development trajectory.

In the speech, Xi emphasized the moral lesson that “only by remembering history can we create a brighter future.” This formulation aligns with the Party’s longstanding emphasis on historical continuity, suggesting that the lessons of the Long March are intended to inform contemporary challenges—from economic restructuring to geopolitical competition. By invoking the past, Xi positions the Party as the custodian of a collective memory that legitimizes current policy directions.

The timing of the address also dovetails with the Party’s broader campaign to embed “red culture” into education, media, and public life. Recent directives from the Central Committee have called for the integration of revolutionary history into curricula, reinforcing the notion that the Long March’s spirit should permeate all sectors of society. Xi’s invocation of the Long March thus operates on multiple levels: commemorative, educational, and political.

Xi’s Call for a “New Long March”

When Xi spoke of “new achievements on the new Long March,” he was articulating a vision that extends the metaphor of the historic trek into the realm of modern national development. The phrase suggests a renewed mobilization of resources and willpower to confront contemporary objectives, ranging from technological self‑reliance to the expansion of China’s global influence. By framing these goals as a “new Long March,” Xi casts them as collective endeavors that require sacrifice and unity, echoing the Party’s historic mobilization tactics.

The speech did not enumerate specific policy measures, but the broader context of recent Party congresses and State Council white papers indicates that the “new Long March” likely encompasses the twin pillars of high‑quality growth and national security. Analysts at think‑tanks such as CSIS have noted that the Party’s current strategic narrative emphasizes “great power resurgence” and “strategic self‑confidence.” Xi’s language dovetails with these themes, reinforcing a narrative that China must forge ahead despite external pressures.

Moreover, the call for new achievements resonates with ongoing efforts to bolster the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and to deepen regional partnerships. By invoking the Long March’s spirit of perseverance, Xi subtly signals that China will continue to pursue its overseas infrastructure and investment projects, even as some partner countries reassess their engagement amid shifting geopolitical currents. The speech, therefore, serves as a diplomatic cue to both domestic and foreign audiences that China’s strategic momentum remains unabated.

Domestic Implications and Party Cohesion

Domestically, the speech functions as a rallying cry to reinforce Party cohesion at a time when China faces a series of internal challenges. Economic restructuring, demographic shifts, and social expectations have placed pressure on the Party to deliver tangible improvements in living standards. By linking these challenges to the historic sacrifice of the Long March, Xi seeks to galvanize public support and to legitimize the Party’s continued central role in steering the nation’s destiny.

The address also reflects the Party’s ongoing emphasis on ideological education. Recent Xinhua reports have highlighted a surge in “red education” activities across schools, factories, and community centers. Xi’s reminder that “only by remembering history can we create a brighter future” reinforces the imperative for citizens to internalize Party narratives, thereby strengthening ideological conformity and reducing the risk of dissent.

In addition, the speech underscores the Party’s intent to maintain tight control over the military and security apparatus. As Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Xi’s presence at the commemorative gathering signals the continued integration of the armed forces into the Party’s political project. The historical symbolism of the Long March, a military retreat that became a political triumph, provides a potent reminder of the inseparability of Party and army—a message that resonates with senior military leaders and reinforces loyalty to the central leadership.

Geopolitical Messaging to the International Community

Beyond domestic audiences, Xi’s remarks carry a calibrated diplomatic signal to the international community. By celebrating a revolutionary legacy that overcame adversity, the President subtly frames China’s current geopolitical posture as a continuation of a historic struggle against external hostility. This narrative positions China as a resilient actor that will persist in defending its interests, whether in the South China Sea, in trade negotiations, or in the broader contest for technological supremacy.

The timing of the speech, just weeks before the annual Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, suggests an intention to shape external perceptions ahead of high‑level diplomatic engagements. Analysts at MERICS have observed that Chinese leaders often use historical anniversaries to project soft power, emphasizing cultural heritage while subtly asserting political resolve. Xi’s emphasis on “new achievements” can be read as an invitation to partners to align with China’s development model, while also warning that China will not be deterred by external criticism.

Furthermore, the speech aligns with recent diplomatic overtures that stress “win‑win cooperation” and “shared development.” By invoking the Long March’s collective spirit, Xi underscores the notion that China’s rise is not a zero‑sum game but a collaborative journey. This framing seeks to counter narratives that portray China as a revisionist power, instead presenting its ambitions as rooted in a historically validated quest for national rejuvenation.

Strategic Implications for Regional Stability

The invocation of the Long March in contemporary policy discourse has tangible implications for regional stability. By casting current initiatives as part of a “new Long March,” China signals a willingness to sustain long‑term strategic projects, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, even in the face of geopolitical friction. This persistence may reassure some partner states that Chinese investment will continue, but it also raises concerns among rivals who view such projects as instruments of influence.

In the security domain, the speech reinforces the Party’s resolve to modernize the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and to protect maritime and airspace interests. The historical Long March, a military odyssey, serves as a metaphor for the PLA’s ongoing transformation into a force capable of projecting power far beyond its borders. Regional actors, particularly those in the Indo‑Pacific, will interpret this as an affirmation of China’s determination to safeguard its core interests, potentially influencing defense postures and alliance calculations.

Economically, the emphasis on “new achievements” suggests that China will continue to prioritize high‑tech sectors, green energy, and digital infrastructure. This focus could reshape regional supply chains, as neighboring economies adapt to China’s evolving demand patterns. Countries that align with China’s development agenda may benefit from increased trade and investment, while those that diverge could experience competitive disadvantages, thereby reshaping the economic landscape of East and Southeast Asia.

Long‑Term Outlook and Conclusion

President Xi’s address on 22 October 2026 exemplifies how the Chinese leadership leverages historical commemoration to articulate contemporary strategic priorities. By linking the 90th anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March to a call for “new achievements,” Xi reinforces the Party’s narrative of continuity, resilience, and purposeful destiny. The speech serves multiple audiences: it galvanizes domestic support, reasserts ideological cohesion, signals to the military the centrality of Party leadership, and projects a measured yet firm diplomatic message to the world.

In the broader geopolitical context, the speech underscores China’s intent to sustain its long‑term development trajectory despite external pressures. The emphasis on historical memory as a guide for future action reflects a consistent pattern in Chinese policy—one that blends reverence for revolutionary heritage with pragmatic pursuit of national interests. As regional actors assess China’s evolving posture, the symbolism of the Long March will continue to inform expectations of Chinese behavior in diplomatic, economic, and security spheres.

Ultimately, the significance of Xi’s call lies in its capacity to bind past and present into a cohesive narrative that legitimizes the Party’s authority while charting a path forward. Whether this “new Long March” translates into concrete policy outcomes will depend on how effectively the Party can translate symbolic rhetoric into actionable programs across the economy, the military, and foreign policy. For observers of China’s rise, the speech offers a clear reminder: the Party’s historical mythos remains a potent instrument for shaping both domestic consensus and international perception, ensuring that the legacy of the Long March continues to march forward into the 21st century.

By Prof. Marcus Chen, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: CGTN video report (22 October 2026); CGTN; Global1.News