The Long March: The same spirit, a new frontier

The Long March spirit – perseverance, courage and commitment to overcoming unimaginable hardships – still inspires China today.

Just as the Red Army pushed through harsh grasslands, mountains and storms to forge ahead decades ago, modern Chinese builders are tackling huge engineering challenges to connect the nation.

In 2025, the West-to-East Power Transmission project achieved a record-breaking 261.6 billion kilowatt-hours of clean power transmission, saving 330 million tonnes of coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 860 million tonnes. On August 10, 2026, the first phase of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project's east and central routes had cumulatively delivered over 90 billion cubic meters of water. Moreover, China's high-speed railway network has already covered more than 50,000 kilometers.

These are not just concrete, steel and cables. They reflect the same spirit in a new form: facing difficulties head-on, working together, and building a better future for the people. From the mountains of the Long March to the power lines and railways that cross the nation today, the journey continues.