The ruling Communist Party of China is commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Long March with a series of events including exhibitions, tours, and media productions designed to reinforce national unity and the party’s long-term vision. The anniversary falls on October 22, marking the end of the historic military retreat undertaken by the Red Army from 1934 to 1936 during the Chinese Civil War.
The Long March involved a strategic withdrawal by the Communist forces to evade the Kuomintang’s Nationalist troops. Starting from Ruijin and Guocheng in Jiangxi province, the Red Army covered approximately 10,000 kilometers before arriving in Yan’an, a remote area in Shaanxi province, where they established a new base of operations. The retreat, noted for its extreme hardships and sacrifices, is viewed as a defining moment in the Communist revolution and is frequently invoked by party leaders and state media to inspire perseverance and collective effort.
Ahead of the anniversary, local governments and cultural institutions have organized events at significant locations along the route. Museums and memorial halls in Beijing have opened exhibitions displaying photographs and artifacts from the march, including wooden walking sticks and torches used by the soldiers. The Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution recently launched an exhibition titled “Promoting the Great Long March Spirit, Embarking on the Long March of the New Era,” drawing large visitor numbers since its opening.
Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi attended the exhibition opening alongside representatives from the military, party officials, and members of the public. Cai urged the Chinese people to adopt the Long March spirit and support the leadership of President Xi Jinping in advancing national rejuvenation. A notable feature of the exhibition is an installation called “Frozen Memories,” which enables visitors to experience the severe cold endured by Red Army troops during their passage over snow-covered mountains.
In addition to exhibitions, media programming includes the release of a five-episode documentary series, “Three Days in Zunyi,” marking the significance of the southwestern province of Guizhou. The province hosted the pivotal Zunyi Conference in January 1935, where party leadership underwent a critical change that elevated Mao Zedong to leadership roles in the party and military. This shift is credited with preserving the Communist cause during the civil war.
Other commemorations include the opening of the Red Army Long March Library in Luzhou, Sichuan province, which holds extensive materials related to the campaign and marked its inauguration with the publication of six new books on the Red Army’s experiences in the region. Meanwhile, Gansu province, where three Red Army forces converged to conclude the march, has introduced a tour aimed at young visitors. The itinerary allows participants to follow historical Red Army routes, visit revolutionary sites, and observe the development of communities along the path.
Shanghai, noted as the birthplace of the Communist Party, also contributed to the anniversary celebrations with a special concert hosted by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. These multifaceted activities reflect an enduring effort by the party to link contemporary national objectives with the legacy of the Long March and its symbolism of endurance and unity.