Published by ChinaMNC · Shenqiu

What China’s Long March 90th Anniversary Means for Foreign Founders: A Practical Guide

A business-oriented reading of the October 22, 2026 commemorative event at the Great Hall of the People, drawing out practical implications for foreign founders registering and operating companies in China, based strictly on the published government report.

Why a Historical Commemoration Matters to Foreign Founders

On October 22, 2026, China held a high-profile commemorative event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing marking the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Red Army’s Long March victory. The official report, published by Xinhua and carried on gov.cn, describes speeches, symbolism, and policy direction. For foreign founders registering or running a company in China, the event is less about history and more about signals: it illustrates how official narratives frame leadership, resilience, self-reliance, and long-term planning — themes that echo in business regulation and administrative practice.

This article does not offer legal or tax advice. Instead, it translates the published facts into a practical orientation for foreign entrepreneurs who need to understand the policy environment in which they will operate.

Key Facts from the Official Report

The gathering took place on the morning of October 22 at the Great Hall of the People. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. Senior leaders Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended. Zhao Leji presided over the meeting.

The report states that Xi emphasized that remembering history enables a better future, and called for unity around the Party Central Committee, carrying forward the spirit of the Long March, and continuing to advance the cause pioneered by earlier generations. The hall displayed the event title, the Party emblem, the years “1936–2026,” and ten red flags. A balcony banner called for unity around the Party Central Committee, implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and pursuit of Chinese modernization.

Xi paid respects to earlier revolutionary leaders including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Zhu De, to Red Army commanders and fighters, to people who supported the Long March, and to surviving Red Army veterans. He proposed a moment of silence for martyrs.

He described the Long March from October 1934 to October 1936, when the Party led the First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army across more than ten provinces over 25,000 li, breaking through encirclement and pursuit by over a million enemy troops. He said it declared the failure of the Kuomintang reactionaries’ attempt to eliminate the Party and the Red Army, achieved a strategic shift north to resist Japanese aggression, and opened new prospects for the Chinese revolution.

Xi identified four sources of the Long March victory: correct Party leadership, including the establishment of Mao Zedong’s core position; firm revolutionary will and ideals; independence and self-reliance combined with seeking truth from facts; and support from the broad masses. He said the spirit of the Long March embodies the power of loyalty, truth, justice, and unity, and remains a valuable source of strength.

He noted that since the victory, the Party has led successive “long marches” in revolution, construction, and reform. Since the 18th Party Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects was achieved on schedule. China is now working toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

Xi outlined five “musts” for the new long march: uphold the Party’s ideals, convictions, and purpose and implement the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; promote high-quality development and common prosperity while pursuing the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy; carry out great struggles with new historical characteristics, balancing development and security; accelerate building the people’s armed forces into a world-class military and achieve the centenary goal of the military; and uphold Party leadership and strengthen Party building with full and rigorous self-governance.

Zhao Leji said the speech reviewed the Long March, summarized its significance, explained the winning path, and set out the “five musts,” describing the speech as politically, ideologically, and practically guiding. He called for study and implementation, unity around the Party Central Committee, guidance by Xi Jinping Thought, and deeper understanding of the “two establishments,” stronger “four consciousnesses,” “four confidences,” and “two upholds.”

Attendees included members of the Political Bureau and Secretariat of the Party Central Committee in Beijing, vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, state councilors, the president of the Supreme People’s Court, and vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. About 3,000 people attended, including officials from central Party, state, military, and mass organizations and Beijing, representatives of democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, veteran comrades, PLA and armed police personnel, and residents of the capital.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

1. Expect a Policy Environment Shaped by Long-Term Goals

The report frames current work around the second centenary goal and Chinese modernization. For founders, this means regulations and incentives are often tied to multi-year strategic plans rather than short-term cycles. When registering a company, anticipate that sector policies may reference national development priorities. Build flexibility into your business plan and monitor official announcements.

2. High-Quality Development and Common Prosperity Are Recurring Themes

Xi’s speech explicitly links high-quality development with meeting people’s growing needs and promoting common prosperity. Foreign founders should expect continued emphasis on quality, compliance, and social contribution. This can affect areas such as labor practices, environmental standards, and consumer protection. It is prudent to align your operations with these expectations from the outset.

3. Balancing Development and Security

The speech calls for better coordination of development and security. In practice, this suggests that regulatory reviews may consider national security implications, including in data, technology, and critical sectors. When establishing a company, foreign founders should map out which approvals may apply and seek local professional advice on sector-specific rules.

4. Self-Reliance and Adaptation to Local Conditions

The emphasis on independence and seeking truth from facts, and on adapting principles to China’s specific realities, mirrors the need for foreign founders to localize. A model that works elsewhere may need adjustment for Chinese consumers and regulations. Treat market entry as an exercise in adaptation, not replication.

5. Leadership and Governance Matter

The report stresses correct leadership and Party building. For companies, this translates into the importance of clear governance, reliable local partners, and understanding the role of Party organizations in some enterprises. Foreign founders should familiarize themselves with how company governance interacts with local requirements, especially in joint ventures or larger entities.

6. Unity and Stability as Operating Conditions

The call for unity around the Party Central Committee and the emphasis on stability suggest that predictability is valued. While this is a political message, it also implies that abrupt regulatory changes are less likely than gradual adjustments. Founders can plan with a medium-term horizon but should maintain compliance systems that can respond to policy updates.

7. The Symbolism of 1936–2026

The anniversary marks 90 years since the Long March victory. The official narrative connects past resilience to present challenges. For entrepreneurs, the practical lesson is perseverance and long-term commitment. Building a company in China often requires patience with administrative processes and a willingness to adapt over time.

Checklist for Foreign Founders

• Review sector policies against national priorities mentioned in official speeches and plans.
• Assess security-related approvals if your business touches data, technology, or critical infrastructure.
• Localize governance and understand the possible role of Party organizations in your entity.
• Build compliance for quality and labor standards consistent with high-quality development goals.
• Plan for the long term and maintain flexibility for gradual policy adjustments.

Conclusion

The October 22 commemoration was a political event, not a business regulation. Yet the themes it highlights — long-term planning, quality development, security, self-reliance, and governance — are relevant context for foreign founders. They do not replace specific legal and tax requirements, but they help explain the direction of policy. Foreign entrepreneurs should combine this context with professional advice when registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.