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Published by ChinaMNC · Chencang

What China's Long March 90th Anniversary Speech Signals for Foreign Founders Building a Business in China

A practical read of the October 22, 2026 commemorative meeting in Beijing, framed for foreign founders registering or operating a company in China.

Why a Commemorative Meeting Matters to Foreign Founders

On October 22, 2026, a high-level commemorative meeting marking the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Red Army's Long March was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, state president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. Senior leaders including Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended, and Zhao Leji presided.

For a foreign founder, a historical commemoration may look far from the practical work of registering a company, hiring staff, or managing compliance. But the speech laid out priorities that shape how China's policy environment is presented at the highest level. Understanding those themes helps founders read the signals that frame regulation, growth targets, and national security in the years ahead.

The Main Themes of the Speech

History as a Source of Direction

Xi opened by noting that remembering history is how a country opens the future. He described the Long March, from October 1934 to October 1936, when the Red Army's First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army crossed more than ten provinces over some 25,000 li, broke through encirclement by over a million enemy troops, and completed a strategic transfer northward to resist Japanese aggression. He said this victory had deep significance for the Party, the state, and the military, and for the process of national rejuvenation.

He explained the victory as resting on four foundations: correct Party leadership, firm revolutionary conviction, independent and realistic decision-making, and support from the people. He said the basic tenets of Marxism only solve China's problems when closely combined with China's concrete reality — a point that matters for founders, because it signals continued emphasis on policies adapted to domestic conditions rather than imported models.

The Spirit of the Long March

Xi described the Long March as creating extraordinary miracles and forging a great spirit, which he said embodies the strength of loyalty, truth, justice, and unity. He called it a valuable source of motivation for overcoming difficulties and moving forward. For business readers, the practical translation is a continued emphasis on resilience, collective effort, and long-term commitment — themes often echoed in official communications to investors and enterprises.

From History to Current Priorities

Xi said the Long March continues and that since 1936 the Party has led repeated "new long marches" through revolution, construction, and reform. He noted that since the 18th Party Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics entered a new era, the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects was achieved on schedule, and the country is now working toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

He then set out five requirements for the new journey, which are the most relevant part for founders:

What Founders Can Take Away

Two of the five requirements deserve particular attention from anyone planning to register or operate a company in China.

Development and Security Together

The call to better coordinate development and security indicates that economic growth and risk management are treated as linked goals. In practice, foreign founders should expect continued attention to data, cybersecurity, supply chains, and national security reviews alongside market-opening measures. Build compliance into your China entity from the start rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Quality Growth and Common Prosperity

The emphasis on high-quality development, reasonable quantitative growth, and common prosperity suggests a policy focus on sustainable, inclusive growth rather than pure speed. For founders, this points toward businesses that align with domestic demand, employment, and broader social goals — and toward careful, realistic planning of growth expectations.

Leadership Continuity

Zhao Leji, who presided, described the speech as highly political, thoughtful, and instructive, and called for it to be studied and implemented. He stressed unity around the Party Central Committee with Xi at its core, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and called for continued effort to advance national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization. For foreign founders, this confirms that policy direction remains centrally driven and consistent, which is useful for long-term planning.

Practical Steps for Foreign Founders

About the Event

The meeting was attended by about 3,000 people, including senior central and Beijing officials, leaders of other political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of personages without party affiliation, veteran comrades, representatives of PLA and armed police personnel, and representatives of capital residents from all walks of life. Also present were members of the Political Bureau and Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing, vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, vice chairmen of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, the president of the Supreme People's Court, and vice chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

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

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