Lessons for China's modernization journey from the Long March

Editor's note: Zheng Haizhen, a special commentator for CGTN, is an assistant researcher at the Department for Global Governance and International Organization Studies, China Institute of International Studies. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In the mid-1930s, China's Communist revolution was on the brink of defeat. Pursued by vastly superior forces, the Red Army – the military force of the Communist Party of China (CPC) – embarked on a grueling retreat across some of the country's most difficult terrain. Known as the Long March, this arduous journey would become a defining episode in modern Chinese history. A pivotal moment came in January 1935, when Communist leaders gathered in Zunyi, a city in southwest China's Guizhou Province, to reassess their strategy amid mounting military setbacks. The meeting helped establish Mao Zedong's leadership and set the revolution on a new course, turning a desperate struggle for survival into a lasting symbol of strategic adaptability and perseverance.

Nine decades later, China has undergone profound changes. Yet the spirit of the Long March continues to hold profound relevance. Speaking at a gathering in Beijing on October 22, 2026, to mark the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, General Secretary Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of the Party's leadership, firm revolutionary ideals and convictions, independence and self-reliance, seeking truth from facts, and the support of the people. His remarks offer a perspective on how China draws upon its historical experience to advance modernization in an increasingly complex international environment.

The Four Crossings of the Chishui River: How strategic flexibility can turn the tide

The Long March was not a military operation that unfolded according to a fixed plan. It was a struggle marked by difficult decisions, unexpected setbacks and constant strategic adjustments. The Zunyi Meeting in January 1935 marked an important turning point, helping reshape the Communist Party of China's military leadership and approach to the campaign ahead.

One of the clearest demonstrations of this new approach came in the weeks that followed. In early 1935, the Central Red Army, with roughly 30,000 troops, faced an encirclement by a much larger force led by the ruling Kuomintang, the CPC's then principal military adversary. With its survival at stake, the Red Army needed to avoid a decisive confrontation on unfavorable terms. Between January and March, it crossed the Chishui River, which runs through southwest China, four times, repeatedly changing direction to mislead its pursuers and exploit gaps in their deployment. Rather than following a predictable route, the army used rapid maneuvers to break out of the encirclement and regain the initiative. The campaign, known as the Four Crossings of the Chishui River, has since become one of the most celebrated examples of tactical ingenuity in the history of the Long March. Its enduring lesson is that when confronted with seemingly overwhelming odds, success may depend not on rigidly sticking to an original plan, but on reading changing circumstances and adapting accordingly.

This historical experience offers valuable insights into contemporary development. As global supply chains undergo restructuring and technological competition intensifies, China faces the challenge of maintaining long-term strategic objectives while adapting to a rapidly changing environment. Its progress in electric vehicles, renewable energy and space technology illustrates the importance of sustained investment, independent innovation and long-term planning. Although the circumstances are fundamentally different, the military decisions made during the Long March and China's modernization efforts today point to a common principle: Development strategies must be grounded in a country's own realities and adjusted as circumstances evolve.

The story of 'half a quilt': The enduring bond between the Red Army and the people

The Long March was not only an extraordinary military undertaking, it was also a journey shaped by the close relationship between the Red Army and the people, whose support played an essential role in overcoming immense difficulties. One of the most memorable stories from the Long March is that of "Half a Quilt."

In November 1934, three female Red Army soldiers stayed at the home of Xu Jiexiu, a villager in Rucheng County, Hunan Province. Before leaving, they cut their only quilt in half and gave one half to their host. Though a simple gesture, the story has become a lasting symbol of the close bond between the Red Army and ordinary people. It illustrates how trust and solidarity grow through compassion, discipline and genuine concern for others.

The historical lesson extends beyond the revolutionary era. The support of the people was indispensable to the victory of the Long March, and maintaining close ties with the people remains essential to national development. Today, this principle finds expression in China's people-centered development philosophy. From large-scale poverty alleviation and rural revitalization to improvements in infrastructure and public services, a central objective of Chinese modernization is to ensure that the benefits of development are shared more broadly and equitably among the people.

From the Long March to Chinese modernization: Meeting the challenges of a new era

Xi described the new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects as a new Long March for the Party and the Chinese people. He called for carrying forward the great Long March spirit by remaining committed to the Party's ideals, convictions and fundamental purpose, pursuing high-quality development, overcoming risks and challenges, building world-class armed forces, and strengthening Party leadership and Party building.

The challenges facing China today are fundamentally different from those of the revolutionary era. Instead of struggling to survive military encirclement, China is navigating profound changes in the international landscape, rapid technological transformation and the demanding task of advancing Chinese modernization. But the historical emphasis on independence, self-reliance and seeking truth from facts remains relevant to how the country approaches these new challenges.

Self-reliance does not mean closing the door to the outside world. China's space program offers a concrete example. Built on decades of independent technological development, China's space station today provides opportunities for international scientific cooperation. The experience demonstrates that strengthening domestic capabilities and expanding international engagement are not mutually exclusive. They reinforce each other.

The enduring lessons of the Long March also extend beyond China's borders. At a time of rising protectionism, uneven global development and growing uncertainty, countries face the shared challenge of finding development paths suited to their national conditions while maintaining cooperation to address common problems.

The historical significance of the Long March lies not only in the Red Army's ability to overcome extraordinary hardship, but also in the lessons it offers about leadership, strategic adaptability, solidarity and perseverance. The Long March ended 90 years ago, but the pursuit of development continues.

For China today, carrying forward the great Long March spirit does not mean repeating the past. It means drawing on historical experience to address contemporary challenges, advance Chinese modernization and contribute to shared development. That is perhaps one of the most enduring lessons of the Long March, both for China and for a world undergoing profound changes.

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