China's leading newspaper, the People's Daily, is to
publish an editorial on Oct. 22, marking the 70th anniversary of
the Red Army's successful strategic move, the Long March.
At this moment when the whole country is celebrating the 70th
anniversary of the Long March, we especially cherish the memory of
the martyrs who died for the country, for independence of the
nation and liberation of the people, the editorial says.
We hereby pay our utmost tribute to all participants in the
great Long March and all who contributed to the victory of the
country's revolution, it says.
The Long March was a famous military maneuver carried out by the
Workers' and Peasants' Red Army led by the Communist Party of China
(CPC) from 1934 to 1936, moving from Jiangxi in east China to
Shaanxi in northwest China.
Though many soldiers died on the way, the Red Army finally
arrived at Yan'an after the 25,000-li (12,500-kilometer) trek.
The victory of the Long March realized the strategy of going up
north to fight Japanese aggression, promoted the propositions of
the CPC, sowed the seeds and forged the force of revolution, the
editorial says.
The Long March formed the first generation of collective
leadership of CPC with Mao Zedong at the core, established the
ideological line of seeking truth from facts and accomplished the
significant turn from setbacks to victory for Chinese revolution,
it says.
The Long March is an unparalleled revolutionary undertaking in
human history, a miracle worked by the CPC and the Red Army, and an
immortal monument in the history of Chinese revolution, it
says.
The spirit of the Long March remains powerful 70 years after its
completion. The spirit is found in upholding the fundamental
interests of the state and the nation, ideals of revolution and
firm belief that just cause is sure to win, says the editorial.
The spirit of the Long March is defying hardship and
difficulties for the cause of saving the nation and the people,
adhering to independence, seeking truth from facts and being
realistic, it says.
The spirit of the Long March is taking the interests of the
whole into account, being disciplined, upholding solidarity,
relying on the masses, sharing weal and woe with the people, and
fight for the people, it adds.
We must unswervingly study the history of Chinese revolution
including the Long March and closely link it with the study of
Marxism, with the education of strengthening ideals and belief,
with the building of the advanced character of the Party, the
editorial says.
To advance following the steps of the Long March, we must better
understand our national conditions and the road of socialism with
Chinese characteristics, strengthen the consciousness and firmness
in carrying out the Party's basic theories and programs, and
further carry on the revolutionary tradition, it says.
(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2006)