Published by ChinaMNC · Laian

What China's Long March 90th Anniversary Coverage Signals for Foreign Founders Operating in China

A practical reading of an official Chinese government article on the 90th anniversary of the Long March, framed as context for foreign founders registering and running a company in China.

Why a Historical Commemoration Matters to Foreign Founders

Foreign founders building a company in China often encounter official communications that seem purely political or commemorative. One recent example is an article published on the Chuzhou government website covering a high-level meeting in Beijing marking the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Red Army's Long March. At first glance it has little to do with company registration or operations. Read carefully, however, it offers a useful signal about the policy language, priorities and official tone that shape the environment in which foreign-invested businesses operate.

Below is a practical summary of what the source article actually says, followed by guidance on how foreign founders can use this kind of official communication when planning or running a China-based entity.

What the Source Article Reports

The event and its setting

The article states that a commemorative meeting marking the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Red Army's Long March was held on the morning of 22 October at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping, described as 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. The report names Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Vice President Han Zheng as attendees, with Zhao Leji presiding.

The article describes the hall's decorations, including a banner with the meeting's title, the Party emblem, a "1936–2026" marker and ten red flags, as well as a slogan on the second-floor balcony calling for unity around the Party Central Committee, implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying forward the Long March spirit and pursuing Chinese-style modernization.

The speech's core points

According to the article, Xi's speech emphasized that remembering history enables a better future, and called on the 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 and continue striving on a "new Long March."

The speech paid respects to earlier revolutionaries including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Zhu De, to Red Army commanders and soldiers, to the people of all ethnic groups and revolutionary base areas who supported the Long March, and to surviving Red Army veterans. A moment of silence was proposed for revolutionary martyrs.

The article recounts that from October 1934 to October 1936 the Party led the Red Army's First, Second and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army on a march spanning more than ten provinces and 25,000 li, breaking through encirclement and interception by over a million enemy troops, and completing a strategic transfer north to resist Japanese aggression.

The speech attributed the Long March's victory to several factors, as reported: correct Party leadership, including the establishment of Mao Zedong's core position; firm revolutionary will and ideals; independence and seeking truth from facts, meaning close integration of Marxist fundamentals with China's concrete reality; and support from the broad masses.

The article further states that the Long March produced a great spirit embodying the power of loyalty, truth, justice and unity, described as part of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists and a lasting source of motivation.

From history to current policy themes

The report links the anniversary to present-day goals. It says that 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 the country is now working toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

The speech set out what the article calls "five musts" for carrying forward the Long March spirit: upholding the Party's ideals, convictions and purpose and relying on the people; steadfastly promoting high-quality development, meeting growing needs for a better life, coordinating the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and the "Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy," achieving effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy and promoting common prosperity; pursuing a great struggle with many new historical features, better coordinating development and security and tackling difficulties and risks with historical initiative; accelerating building the people's military into a world-class force and achieving the centenary goal of military building on schedule; and upholding Party leadership, strengthening Party building and advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance.

Zhao Leji, presiding, described the speech as political, thoughtful and instructive, and called for it to be studied and implemented, along with the "Two Establishments," "Four Consciousnesses," "Four Confidences" and "Two Upholds." The article notes that about 3,000 people attended, including central and military officials, Beijing municipal leaders, representatives of democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, veteran comrades, military and armed police personnel and residents of the capital.

How Foreign Founders Can Read This Practically

• Language signals policy direction. The emphasis on high-quality development, coordination of development and security, and common prosperity reflects themes that recur in economic policy communication. Founders should expect regulatory and policy documents to use this vocabulary and should read them with it in mind.
• Official media is a primary source. Xinhua reports republished on local government sites, such as the Chuzhou page hosting this article, are a reliable way to track the stated priorities of the central leadership. Following local government portals can help founders anticipate how national themes are translated locally.
• Stability and continuity are the message. The article's framing stresses continuity of leadership and long-term goals. For founders, this suggests that China-facing business planning should assume policy continuity over multi-year horizons rather than short-term shifts.
• Keep commemoration and compliance separate. This article is a political commemoration, not a business regulation. It does not change registration requirements, tax rules or licensing procedures. Founders should treat it as context, not as compliance guidance.

Practical Steps for Founders

When you encounter official articles like this one, a simple routine helps: identify the source (here, Xinhua via a local government portal), separate factual reporting from political rhetoric, note recurring policy phrases for later cross-reference with business regulations, and consult professional advisers before making operational decisions.

For registration and ongoing operations, foreign founders should rely on the specific rules and procedures published by the relevant authorities, and on qualified local professionals, rather than on commemorative coverage.

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

Foreign founders who need hands-on support registering and operating a company in China can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp or WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.