Published by ChinaMNC · Huantai

What a High-Level Beijing Commemoration Signals for Foreign Founders Operating in China

A practical reading for foreign founders of the October 22, 2026 commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Long March, held at the Great Hall of the People, and what it suggests about policy continuity and the operating environment in China.

Why a Commemoration Matters to Foreign Founders

On October 22, 2026, a high-level commemorative meeting marking the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' 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 Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Vice President Han Zheng attended; Zhao Leji presided. About 3,000 people took part, including central and Beijing officials, representatives of democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, non-party figures, veterans' representatives, PLA and armed police personnel, and residents of the capital.

For a foreign founder, this is not a corporate-policy announcement. It is a signal of continuity in the political and ideological framework that shapes regulation, planning and official priorities in China. Founders who read such events carefully can better anticipate how policy messaging may flow into local implementation, compliance expectations and long-term planning assumptions.

What Was Said at the Meeting

The historical framing

Xi described the Long March as spanning October 1934 to October 1936, carried out by the Red Army's First, Second and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army. According to the speech, the march crossed more than ten provinces over 25,000 li, broke through encirclement by more than a million enemy troops, marked the failure of attempts to eliminate the Party and the Red Army, achieved a strategic shift northward to resist Japanese aggression, and opened a new phase of the Chinese revolution. Xi said the event had great significance in the history of the Party, the state and the military, and a profound influence on the process of national rejuvenation.

The four sources of victory

Xi attributed the outcome to four factors: correct Party leadership, including the establishment of Mao Zedong's core position; firm revolutionary will and conviction; independence and self-reliance combined with a fact-based approach, with Marxism adapted to China's concrete realities; and support from the broad masses. He said the Party's cause is invincible as long as it stays rooted in the people and maintains close ties with them.

The spirit and its relevance

Xi said the Long March produced a great spirit reflecting the power of loyalty, truth, justice and unity, describing it as part of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists and a lasting source of motivation. He stressed that the history of the Long March has not receded and that its path continues to extend, noting that since 1936 the Party has led successive "new long marches" in revolution, construction and reform.

Current goals and the "five musts"

Xi said that since the 18th Party Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has 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 set out five requirements for the new march:

• Stay true to ideals, convictions and purpose, fully implement the thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, remember the original mission, and rely on the people.
• Push high-quality development, meet growing public needs, coordinate the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, pursue both qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy, and promote common prosperity.
• Conduct the great struggle with new historical characteristics, better coordinate development and security, and tackle difficulties, risks and challenges with historical initiative.
• Build a world-class military on schedule for the centenary goal of the PLA, uphold absolute Party leadership over the military, and modernize national defense and the armed forces.
• Uphold Party leadership and strengthen Party building, continue full and rigorous self-governance, and ensure the Party remains the strong leadership core of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Zhao Leji, who presided, said the speech reviewed the Long March, summarized its significance, explained the sources of victory, set out the historical value of the Long March spirit, and put forward the "five musts." He called the speech political, thoughtful and instructive, and urged careful study and implementation, along with unity around the Party Central Committee, adherence to Xi Jinping Thought, and understanding of the significance of the "two establishes" and the "two upholds."

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

Nothing in the source changes registration procedures, tax rules or sector-specific licensing. The practical value lies in the emphasis on continuity, high-quality development, coordination of development and security, and Party leadership. For founders, that translates into familiar operating habits:

• Plan for policy continuity. Official messaging stresses long-term goals; build business plans around stable, documented rules rather than rumor.
• Take compliance seriously. The development-and-security theme suggests continued attention to data, cybersecurity, labor and environmental obligations.
• Use official channels. Registration, permits and filings run through local market regulation, tax and industry authorities; confirm requirements with them or qualified local advisers.
• Track local implementation. National speeches set direction; provincial and municipal authorities translate it into procedures and service standards.

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

Foreign founders who want help registering and operating a company in China can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp or WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.