The Long March, which laid the foundation for revolution and paved the way
for New China, is a matter of great pride for the nation, President Hu Jintao
said Sunday.
At a grand ceremony held in Beijing to commemorate the victory of the Long
March 70 years ago, Hu recalled the valour and determination of the Red Army.
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Veteran Red Army soldier Li Zhanrong, 86, sits in front of
the Long March Monument at Jiangtaibao of Xiji County in Northwest China's
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region yesterday. The Long March ended at
Jiangtaibao on October 22, 1936, after which the Red Army headed to Yan'an
where the new CPC headquarters was established.
[Xinhua]
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The Long March was a famous
military manoeuvre conducted by the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army led by the
Communist Party of China (CPC) from 1934 to 1936 to combat the then Kuomintang
regime.
Though many soldiers died on the way, the Red Army finally arrived at Yan'an
in northern Shaanxi Province after the 12,500-kilometre trek, where the new CPC
headquarters was established.
The aim of the ceremony, Hu said, is to encourage the Party, the army and
people of all ethnic groups in China to "advance valiantly along the socialist
road with Chinese characteristics."
President Hu, also general secretary of CPC Central Committee and chairman of
the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivered the keynote speech at the
ceremony on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the CMC.
Hu recalled the history of the Long March, describing it a rarely-seen
expedition in the history of human warfare and referred to the long time it
took, the perilous route it traversed and the great disparity of force between
the Red Army and enemy troops.
The victory of the Long March reflects the outstanding capabilities of the
Chinese Communists in leading the revolutionary war, the undaunted spirit of the
Red Army officers and soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives for national
independence and people's emancipation, he said.
Hu said the Long March was a crucial turning point for the Chinese Revolution
which ushered in a new dawn and opened up a bright future for the Party to unite
and lead the people to defeat Japanese aggressors; and strive for building a new
country.
Also present at the official memorial service were former President Jiang
Zemin, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice-President Zeng
Qinghong and other top State and Party leaders.
Wu, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC
Central Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National
People's Congress, presided over the ceremony.
The ceremony was broadcast live on national radio and television and several
websites.
