Accelerating the Building of a World-Class Military: The Chinese Armed Forces Embark on a New Journey of Strong Defense
- On October 22, 2026, Chinese Communist Party General Secretary, State President, and Central Military Commission Chairman Xi Jinping delivered a major speech at an assembly commemorating the 90th...
- Military units across China organized immediate study sessions following the address to discuss the political and strategic requirements outlined by the commander-in-chief.
- International analysts and scholars have also offered perspectives on the enduring global significance of the Long March and its contemporary relevance.
On October 22, 2026, Chinese Communist Party General Secretary, State President, and Central Military Commission Chairman Xi Jinping delivered a major speech at an assembly commemorating the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army’s Long March, stdaily.com reported. The address called on the entire military to accelerate the transformation of the People’s Liberation Army into a world-class military force while promoting the great Long March spirit to advance the new journey of strengthening the country and the armed forces.
Military Units Study the Long March Anniversary Speech
Military units across China organized immediate study sessions following the address to discuss the political and strategic requirements outlined by the commander-in-chief. At the same time, frontline troops such as the 76th Group Army and naval submarine units linked the historic spirit of discipline and endurance to current combat readiness and deep-sea patrols.
International Observers Analyze the Long March Spirit
International analysts and scholars have also offered perspectives on the enduring global significance of the Long March and its contemporary relevance. Félix Valdivieso, director of the China Research Center at IE University in Spain, stated in coverage published by world.people.com.cn that strict organizational discipline, flexible strategic adjustments, and effective mass mobilization were critical dimensions of the Red Army’s historical success. Valdivieso noted that the narrative of the Long March provides the international community with a window to understand how the Communist Party of China addresses complex challenges and pursues long-term collective goals under severe survival tests.
Wansha observed that the perseverance and solidarity demonstrated during the Long March continue to resonate through modern development, particularly as local communities use red tourism infrastructure to generate employment, upgrade rural transport, and foster eco-tourism initiatives in places like Guizhou and Sichuan.
Political Loyalty and Modernization Drive Future Defense Goals
Domestically, military commentators and researchers emphasized that absolute political leadership by the Party remains the foundational principle of the armed forces. Experts from the Academy of Military Sciences noted that modern training regimes must rigorously simulate complex combat scenarios to match the evolving demands of national security.
长征精神贯穿着信仰的力量，也彰显着纪律的分量。
袁超，第76集团军某旅政治工作部主任