The Long March, one of the defining episodes in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC), unfolded across thousands of kilometers from 1934 to 1936. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, the places where the Red Army passed through remain important for understanding China's revolutionary history and the values associated with it.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has visited a number of those historic sites during inspection tours across China. From the Zunyi Meeting site in southwest China's Guizhou Province to Yudu County, the starting point of the Long March in east China's Jiangxi Province, he has repeatedly called for efforts to draw inspiration from Chinese revolutionary history and fine traditions during his visits.   

Here are some of the places Xi has visited along the Long March route.

Yudu: Where the epic Long March began

In May 2019, Xi traveled to Yudu County in Jiangxi Province, where the Central Red Army gathered before setting out on the Long March in 1934.

At the memorial marking the departure of the Central Red Army, Xi paid tribute to a monument marking the departure of the Long March by the Central Red Army and met families of the Red Army veterans and revolutionary martyrs.

Noting that China is on "a new Long March," he said that the country will depend on firm faith and strong will of the whole Party and all people to overcome major challenges at home and abroad and secure new victories in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Battle of Xiangjiang: Remembering sacrifice

During an inspection tour in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in April 2021, Xi visited a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March, laying a flower basket in tribute to the Red Army soldiers who died in the battle. The battle in late 1934 was among the most difficult episodes of the Long March, with the Central Red Army suffering heavy casualties. The force numbered 86,000 when it set out, but just over 30,000 survived the battle.

Noting that the battle was a life-or-death event in China's revolutionary history, Xi stressed the importance of CPC members staying true to their ideals and convictions.

During the tour, Xi urged Party members to draw strength and the power of faith from the CPC's centenary endeavors, maintaining firm resolve and the courage to prevail over major difficulties and challenges.

Zunyi Meeting: Critical time

The heavy losses in the Xiangjiang battle were followed by another pivotal moment during the Long March: the Zunyi Meeting. 

Held in January 1935, the meeting came at a critical point in the Long March, after a series of military setbacks had exposed serious problems in the Red Army's strategy and leadership. Against this backdrop, the Zunyi Meeting marked a major shift. The Red Army moved toward more flexible strategies, including maneuvering and engaging weaker enemy forces.

In June 2015, Xi visited the site of the Zunyi Meeting during an inspection tour to southwest China's Guizhou Province. During his visit, Xi reviewed historical documents, photographs and artifacts related to the meeting and the Long March.

The Zunyi Meeting's distinct features, including the establishment of the correct CPC Central Committee leadership, as well as innovative formulation and implementation of strategies that suited the Chinese revolution's characteristics, still have significance today, Xi said.

Shazhou: 'Half a quilt' story about bond with people

The Long March was more than a military trek. It also left behind stories of interaction between the Red Army and local communities.

One of the best-known is the "half a quilt" story at Shazhou Village. According to the story, three female Red Army soldiers sought shelter at the home of an impoverished villager named Xu Jiexiu in November 1934. When the soldiers left, they cut their only quilt in two and gave half to Xu. 

Xi later cited the story as an example of the close ties between the CPC and the people during his speech at the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March in 2016. Xi said the Long March succeeded because the CPC and the Red Army stood together with the people, maintained close ties with them and shared their fate.

In September 2020, Xi visited the home of Zhu Xiaohong, grandson of Xu, at Shazhou Village during an inspection tour to Hunan Province. Zhu's family runs catering and restaurant services in the village while he works as a guide at a scenic spot.

"It was with the support of the people that our Party attained its glorious history and achievements. The change in your family also told a story that the Party sticks to its people-oriented nature and honors its words," Xi said while talking with Zhu.

Jiangtaipu: The spirit of perseverance

Another theme Xi has repeatedly emphasized is perseverance.

In July 2016, Xi visited Jiangtaipu in Xiji County during an inspection tour to northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where Red Army forces joined together during the Long March. He paid tribute to the fallen, visited the memorial facilities commemorating the event and called for carrying forward the spirit of old revolutionaries.

Xi described the Long March as a historic achievement and emphasized ideals, sacrifice, perseverance and the determination to overcome difficulties as key elements of its spirit.

The great spirit of the Long March is a vivid reflection of the revolutionary character of the CPC members, which we should continue to inherit and carry forward in combination with new realities, Xi said, adding that the new Long March to advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics must be continued and carried out for an extended time.

"Every generation of us should see our own long march through," he said.

(With input from Xinhua)