From Long March to Chinese modernization: China's new journey forward

Editor's note: Wang Zhao is an associate research fellow at the Institute of Modern Chinese History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. This article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Ninety years ago, the three main forces of the Red Army successfully joined forces, bringing the two-year Long March to a triumphant conclusion and forging an enduring monument in history.

Ninety years later, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a gathering in Beijing commemorating the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army's Long March. In his speech, Xi called for new achievements on the new Long March. 

"On our new journey, we are now committed to realizing the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization," Xi said.

To forge ahead on the new Long March, Xi said, it is imperative to stay committed to the Party's ideals, convictions and purpose and rely closely on the people to create new achievements.

The Long March is history. But its great spirit remains a source of strength for China's journey today.

The fundamental guarantee: The Party's self-reform

The victory of the Long March was first and foremost a victory of the Party's correct leadership. Yet the formation of that correct leadership was itself the result of a profound process of self-reform.

At a critical juncture, the Zunyi Conference corrected the erroneous leadership of "Left" dogmatism and effectively established Mao Zedong's leadership position within the CPC Central Committee and the Red Army. It ushered in a new stage in which the Party independently addressed the practical problems of the Chinese revolution, saving the Party, the Red Army and the Chinese revolution.

This was the first time the Party independently applied the basic principles of Marxism to resolve its own problems. It demonstrated the defining qualities of a mature party: upholding truth, correcting mistakes and renewing itself.

The lesson remains relevant today. The Party has been able to rise again after setbacks and emerge stronger from hardship because it has consistently had the courage to confront its own problems and subject itself to rigorous self-reform.

The new Long March will also bring its own tests. Various challenges posed by internal and external factors to the Party's governing capacity will persist for the long term. 

Xi has stressed that it is vital to uphold the leadership of the Party, strengthen Party building and persevere with full and rigorous Party self-governance.

From the historic turning point of the Zunyi Conference to the comprehensive and rigorous Party self-governance of the new era, one principle runs through both: self-reform is the Party's second answer to breaking free from the historical cycle of rise and fall, prosperity and decline.

On the new journey, the Party must therefore continue to advance its self-reform with the political courage, consistently enforce discipline and combat corruption, and strengthen its political leadership, ideological guidance, ability to organize the people and ability to mobilize society.

Only in this way can the Party remain the strong leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics – and only then can the new Long March have its most reliable backbone and guide.

The defining theme: Advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization

The Long March blazed a revolutionary path suited to China's national conditions. Its success depended on independence and self-reliance, seeking truth from facts and proceeding from reality. The same principle applies to the new Long March of the new era: China must follow its own path – the path of Chinese modernization.

Xi underscored the need to unswervingly advance high-quality development and promote common prosperity for all. Efforts must be made to better ensure both development and security, and seize the historical initiative to overcome difficulties, combat risks and meet challenges, he stressed.

This offers a clear answer to the defining questions facing the new Long March: Where should China go, and how should it get there?

Chinese modernization is, in many ways, a continuation of the great spirit of the Long March. During the Long March, the story of the "half a quilt" warmed the hearts of the people, while "Ten Farewells to the Red Army" expressed the deep bonds between the army and the people. These stories reflected the Red Army's commitment to the people.

Today, Chinese modernization places the people at the center: development is for the people, relies on the people and delivers its fruits to the people. It is a contemporary expression of the Long March's commitment to serving the people.

The Long March was a path independently explored by the Chinese people. Likewise, Chinese modernization is a major achievement of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities and with China's fine traditional culture.

There is no ready-made textbook for this unprecedented endeavor. China cannot simply copy Western models. It must continue to seek truth from facts, uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground, and ground the development of the country and nation in its own strength.

The spiritual strength: Overcoming difficulties through firm conviction and tenacious struggle

The Long March was a great expedition of ideals and convictions. The story of a Red Army soldier who vowed to crawl to northern Shaanxi even after his injured leg was amputated powerfully illustrates how a force with lofty ideals and firm convictions can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The road of the new Long March will likewise never be smooth. 

"It will always be a precious treasure and a powerful driving force inspiring us to overcome difficulties and forge ahead courageously," Xi said.

Today, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world. External containment and pressure are coming one after another, while the tasks of reform, development and stability remain arduous and complex.

The greater the difficulties and obstacles, the more important it becomes to strengthen confidence in China's path, theory, system and culture; to build the morale, backbone and confidence of the entire Party, the military and people of all ethnic groups; to better coordinate development and security; and to overcome difficulties, manage risks and meet challenges with a strong sense of historical initiative.

Where the spirit resides, so does the strength. The great spirit of the Long March embodies the power of loyalty, truth, justice and unity. It transcends time and space, and continues to inspire generations.

Every generation has its own Long March, and every generation must walk its own path well. For China today, that Long March means using the Party's self-reform to lead social transformation, and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.

Remembering history is ultimately about creating the future. By rallying closely around the CPC Central Committee, vigorously carrying forward the great spirit of the Long March, and continuing to strive forward with determination and perseverance, China can write new chapters of glory and create new miracles on its new Long March.