Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for advancing the great cause pioneered by the country's revolutionary forerunners and making new achievements on the 'new Long March', as China commemorates the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army's historic Long March.
"Only by remembering history can we create a brighter future," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, when addressing a gathering held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to mark the anniversary.
Under Xi's proposal, all attendees to the gathering stood up and observed a moment of silence for the revolutionary heroes who gave their lives during the Long March and in revolutionary struggles across China.
From October 1934 to October 1936, the CPC-led Red Army marched 12,500 kilometers through more than 10 provinces during the Long March, opening up a new chapter in the Chinese revolution, Xi said.
This earth-shattering revolutionary feat holds great significance in the history of the Party, country, and military, and has a profound impact on the path toward the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said.
Xi stressed that the Party's correct leadership and the establishment of Mao Zedong's core position were decisive for the victory of the Red Army's Long March.
The Party and the Red Army relied on firm conviction, Xi said, adding that troops with noble ideals and firm beliefs are invincible.
Xi emphasized the importance of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities in addressing the country's issues and problems.
He further underscored that the people will always be the source of strength and a strong support for the Party and the people's armed forces.
Xi said the great spirit of the Long March demonstrates the power of loyalty, truth, justice and unity. He noted that it will always be a precious treasure and a powerful driving force inspiring the whole Party to overcome difficulties and forge ahead courageously.
He said the road of the Long March continues to extend.
On the new journey, Xi said, the Party is committed to realizing the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.
To forge ahead on the 'new Long March', Xi said, it is imperative to stay committed to the Party's ideals, convictions, and purpose and rely closely on the people to create new achievements.
Efforts must be made to better ensure both development and security and seize the historical initiative to overcome difficulties, combat risks and meet challenges, he stressed.
Xi also emphasized the importance of moving more quickly to reinforce the people's armed forces to world-class standards and adhering to the Party's absolute leadership over the military.
It is also vital to uphold the leadership of the Party, strengthen Party building, and persevere with full and rigorous Party self-governance, he added.
Other leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, who are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, as well as Vice President Han Zheng, attended the gathering, alongside some 3,000 other participants.
Zhao, who presided over the event, said Xi's speech was of immense political, ideological and guiding significance, urging earnest efforts to study and grasp its essence and ensure its effective implementation.
He called on the whole Party, the entire military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Xi at its core and strive to build China into a great country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.