International
Long March Spirit Endures 90 Years On, Inspires Beyond China
The spirit of China’s historic Long March continues to inspire people across the world 90 years after its victory, with international observers highlighting its lessons in perseverance, unity, sacrifice and resilience in overcoming challenges.
The Long March, which lasted from 1934 to 1936, was a defining episode in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese revolution. The arduous military journey helped preserve the revolutionary movement and laid the foundation for its eventual victory.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Long March victory and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.
Australian publisher and filmmaker Harold Weldon described the Long March as a central part of China’s modern history, saying it was essential to understanding the country’s historical development.
He likened the event to the backbone of China’s modern history, emphasising its lasting significance to the country’s national identity and political evolution.
During the march, soldiers of the Red Army, led by the CPC, broke through encirclement by Kuomintang forces, crossing raging rivers, snow-covered mountains and dangerous grasslands. Some travelled as far as 12,500 kilometres under extremely difficult conditions.
Weldon described the journey as one of the greatest demonstrations of human endurance in recorded history, considering the hardships endured by the soldiers.
Khairy Tourk, a professor of economics at the Stuart School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, said the Long March demonstrated the willingness of the Chinese people to make significant sacrifices in pursuit of their goals.
He noted that sacrifice remained an essential component of achieving major victories, particularly when confronting overwhelming challenges.
Paul Ilado, editorial director of Kenya’s Radio Africa Group, said the Long March transformed what began as a military retreat into a decisive political and historical turning point.
According to him, the Red Army’s ability to survive the encirclement campaign ensured the continuation of the revolutionary movement and demonstrated the importance of organisation, discipline and long-term commitment.
He added that the historical significance of the march extended beyond military survival, providing lessons on overcoming hardship and pursuing objectives despite sustained pressure.
The Long March spirit is commonly associated with unwavering faith, determination and a refusal to surrender in the face of adversity.
Brazilian journalist Wagner Lacerda Dantas, who works with China International Communications Group, described it as the determination to pursue a collective goal even when circumstances appear almost impossible.
He identified courage, discipline, solidarity, sacrifice and confidence in victory as some of the values demonstrated during the historic journey.
Similarly, Balew Demissie, a senior consultant at Ethiopia’s Policy Studies Institute, said the Red Army’s organisational cohesion and strong convictions enabled it to withstand severe natural conditions and attacks by better-equipped enemy forces.
He observed that the soldiers maintained their discipline and commitment despite facing snow-covered mountains, marshlands and other dangerous terrain.
Yuri Tavrovsky, head of the Expert Council of the Russian-Chinese Committee for Friendship, Peace and Development, also identified endurance, sacrifice, patriotism and wisdom as qualities shaped by the Long March.
He said the experience helped produce leaders capable of confronting crises, assessing changing circumstances and identifying ways forward.
LESSONS FOR MODERN CHINA
Although China’s circumstances today differ considerably from those of the 1930s, foreign observers say the values associated with the Long March remain relevant to the country’s development and its response to contemporary challenges.
Tourk said perseverance, patriotism, sacrifice and firmness remained important values for societies seeking to overcome difficulties and maintain a clear sense of direction.
Dantas said studying the Long March offered insights into how the CPC survived difficult circumstances and developed its organisational capacity.
He identified unity, discipline, independence, autonomy and confidence in the people as important characteristics demonstrated during the period.
According to him, the party’s strength at the time rested not only on its weapons but also on its ability to maintain close relationships with the population.
Etienne Bankuwiha, a Burundian sinologist, said the Long March demonstrated the importance of strong convictions and strategic decisions in determining the future of a revolutionary movement.
He added that the experience continued to motivate China to overcome difficulties, advance modernisation and pursue its national development objectives.
Ilado said his visit to China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region provided a practical illustration of the determination associated with the Long March.
He recalled being impressed by the transformation of previously difficult terrain into productive agricultural land, describing the development as an example of what sustained commitment could achieve.
According to him, the experience demonstrated that progress often requires people to undertake difficult journeys without losing sight of their objectives.
He noted that farmers cultivating challenging land, engineers constructing irrigation infrastructure and young people leaving disadvantaged communities to pursue education could all draw lessons from the determination displayed during the Long March.
Joshua Kingdom, a research fellow at Uganda’s Development Watch Center, said the spirit could also be seen in China’s response to contemporary challenges.
He pointed to China’s efforts to withstand external pressure and strengthen cooperation with economies in the Global South as examples of resilience and determination.
INSPIRATION BEYOND CHINA
International observers say the significance of the Long March extends beyond China’s national history, with its themes of perseverance, independence and collective action offering lessons for other countries and societies.
Demissie said the success of the Long March contributed to the eventual victory of the Chinese revolution and the emergence of an independent modern Chinese state.
He added that China’s subsequent development had made it an important participant in discussions on multipolarity, South-South cooperation and the growing influence of the Global South.
Bankuwiha described the Long March as not only a landmark in the development of the Chinese nation but also a source of inspiration for people pursuing independence, freedom and liberation.
He said the experience demonstrated the importance of self-reliance, unity and sustained struggle in overcoming obstacles and achieving national development.
Dennis Munene, executive director of the China-Africa Center at the Africa Policy Institute, said the Long March spirit could encourage international cooperation in addressing shared challenges.
He identified conflicts, climate change and poverty as problems requiring sustained commitment, dialogue and collaboration among countries and communities.
Munene added that such challenges could not be resolved overnight and required determination to continue working despite setbacks.
Kingdom also noted that accounts of the Long March, including those popularised by American journalist Edgar Snow, had inspired audiences worldwide because of their universal message of overcoming fear and adversity.
He said stories of people who had confronted seemingly insurmountable obstacles could motivate others facing difficult circumstances.
The 90th anniversary of the Long March victory therefore provides an opportunity to reflect on an episode that continues to shape China’s historical narrative while drawing international attention to the enduring importance of perseverance, solidarity and collective determination.