Published by ChinaMNC · Longmen
China's Long March Commemoration: A Guide for Foreign Founders on Political Context and Business Implications
Foreign founders operating in China should understand key political events like the 90th anniversary of the Long March. This article summarizes the official commemoration, highlighting themes of resilience, party leadership, and national development that shape China's business environment.
China's Long March Commemoration: A Guide for Foreign Founders on Political Context and Business Implications
On October 22, 2026, China commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Long March, a pivotal event in the history of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China, understanding such political milestones provides insight into the country's governance priorities and business environment. This article summarizes the official commemoration based on a government press release, offering context that can help foreign entrepreneurs navigate China's regulatory and political landscape.
Event Overview
The anniversary was marked by a grand gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi Jinping, who also serves as General Secretary of the CCP and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a keynote speech. Other top leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Vice President Han Zheng, attended the event. The hall was decorated with the CCP emblem, the years "1936-2026," and red flags, with a banner emphasizing unity around the party center and the pursuit of Chinese-style modernization.
Historical Significance of the Long March
In his speech, Xi Jinping reviewed the Long March, which took place from October 1934 to October 1936. Led by the CCP, the Red Army's First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army undertook a massive military retreat, traveling over 25,000 li (approximately 12,500 kilometers) across more than ten provinces. They broke through enemy encirclements and successfully shifted the revolutionary base to northern China to resist Japanese aggression. This feat is regarded as a turning point that ensured the survival of the CCP and its military forces.
Xi emphasized that the victory of the Long March was inevitable and stemmed from several key factors: the correct leadership of the party (including the establishment of Mao Zedong's core position), unwavering revolutionary faith, an independent and pragmatic approach (integrating Marxist principles with Chinese realities), and strong support from the masses. These principles are presented as the "winning formula" that continues to guide the party today.
The Long March Spirit and Its Modern Relevance
Xi Jinping highlighted the "Great Long March Spirit," which embodies loyalty, truth, justice, and unity. This spirit is portrayed as a valuable source of strength for overcoming difficulties. He noted that the Long March is not just a historical event but an ongoing journey. Since 2012, under the "New Era," China has achieved the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and is now striving for the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country by 2049.
For foreign founders, these themes underscore the CCP's emphasis on resilience, long-term planning, and collective effort—values that can influence policy-making and regulatory stability. The speech also outlined "five musts" for the new journey: upholding party leadership and ideology, promoting high-quality development and common prosperity, pursuing great struggles with historical initiative, building a world-class military, and strengthening party self-governance. These priorities shape China's economic and social policies, which directly affect businesses operating in the country.
Implications for Foreign Founders
While the commemoration is a political event, it reflects the broader context in which foreign companies operate. Here are some practical takeaways for foreign founders:
- Political awareness is crucial: Understanding the CCP's historical narratives and current priorities can help foreign founders anticipate policy directions and align their business strategies with national goals.
- Stability and continuity: The emphasis on party leadership and long-term goals suggests a commitment to policy continuity, which can be reassuring for long-term investments.
- High-quality development: The focus on high-quality development and common prosperity indicates that foreign businesses should consider how their operations contribute to these objectives, such as through innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.
- Compliance and adaptation: The call for self-governance and adherence to party principles may translate into stricter enforcement of regulations. Foreign founders should ensure robust compliance frameworks.
Additionally, the event highlighted the role of the military and the importance of national security, which may affect sectors related to defense and technology. Foreign founders in sensitive industries should be particularly mindful of regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
The 90th anniversary of the Long March serves as a reminder of the CCP's foundational myths and its ongoing narrative of struggle and triumph. For foreign founders, engaging with China's market requires not only legal and economic knowledge but also an appreciation of its political culture. By staying informed about such events, entrepreneurs can better navigate the complexities of doing business in China.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.
For assistance with registering and operating a company in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp or WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.