Speech at a Ceremony Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March

– To carry forward the spirit of the Long March and succeed in our present long march, we must put the people at the very center of our hearts, remain committed to serving the people and relying on them in all endeavors, and engage in a tireless struggle to make life better for them.

The victory of the Long March told us that the people possess boundless wisdom and strength. Only by believing in the people, relying closely on them, and giving full play to their enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity can we channel strength into an impenetrable great wall. In essence, the Long March told the story of a deep emotional bond between the Red Army and the people. When passing through Shazhou Village, Rucheng County, Hunan Province, three female Red Army soldiers sought shelter in the home of an elderly villager named Xu Jiexiu. Upon their departure, they cut their only quilt in two, leaving half with Xu Jiexiu. The elderly Xu said, "Who are the Communist Party members? The people who have only one quilt, but give half to the people. They are the Communist Party members." Ultimately, the Long March succeeded because the CPC and Red Army stood together with the people, maintained a close bond with the people, and shared the same destiny as the people. This is also a fundamental guarantee that enables us to overcome all difficulties and dangers. Reliance on the people is precisely what allowed the CPC to grow its strength, and precisely what has allowed China's socialism to constantly advance. The reason why the CPC has won the support of the people, and why socialism has won the same support, is that they have made life better for the people.

On our new long march, the whole CPC must remember that the nature of a political party and government is determined by whom they serve and whom they rely on for their support. We must uphold our fundamental political stance of standing on the people's side, put the interests of the people above all else, and constantly advance our endeavors to make life better for them. Rallying and leading all Chinese people, we must use our own tireless efforts to constantly secure and improve standards of living for the people, allow all people to benefit more fairly and thoroughly from the fruits of reform and development, and take steady steps towards our goal of common prosperity for all.

There is an old saying: "The water that keeps a ship afloat can also upset it." This is something we must never ever forget. The people are the skies above us, and the earth below us. If we forget the people, and become distanced from them, we will lose our support, like a river with no headwater or a tree with no roots. We will achieve nothing. Therefore, we must uphold CPC's principle of relying on and serving the people, preserve our close ties with the people, readily subject ourselves to the criticism and oversight of the public, remain mindful of the difficulties ordinary people face, and search constantly for means of bringing people prosperity, so as to ensure that the CPC always has the trust and support of the people, and ensure that our cause has an inexhaustible source of strength to carry it forward.

Solidarity is a powerful force. Not only does it enable us to overcome all difficulties, but it is also an important guarantee for gathering support and accomplishing feats. On our campaign to rejuvenate the Chinese nation, we must consolidate solidarity between China's various ethnic groups; enhance solidarity among various political parties, groups, ethnicities, social strata, and other actors; remain committed to preserving China's national unity as well as its social harmony and stability; and resolutely oppose all separatist activities that aim to sabotage our unity and solidarity. We need to pool the wisdom and strength of all Chinese people, and tap the creative and developmental potential of our entire society, turning the monumental force unleashed when all Chinese people unite and work together into a powerful driving force for the rejuvenation of our nation.

– To carry forward the spirit of the Long March and succeed in our present long march, we must stay on the right course, keep sight of the bigger picture, and make sound overall arrangements, engaging in a tireless effort to accomplish our overall tasks, fulfill our plans, and achieve our goals.

The victory of the Long March told us that to remain undefeatable, a political party must stand at the forefront of the times, keep in step with the flow of history, lay out sound overall plans, seize the strategic initiative, and stay committed to achieving its goals. The Long March took the CPC and the Red Army over towering peaks, across treacherous rivers, and through bleak grasslands, but every leg of the journey, every charge through enemy lines, and every battle fought formed part of a bigger strategic picture. Not only did the CPC and Red Army win the fight, they also seized the initiative strategically. This was an embodiment not only of spirit, but also of wisdom.

On our new long march, we need to balance domestic conditions with global ones; coordinate the cause of the CPC with that of the country, and advance various initiatives in a coordinated fashion, remaining mindful of conditions globally, nationally, and within the Party. We must identify strategic priorities, make key breakthroughs, seize the initiative, prevent systemic risks, and avoid being upended by crisis, so as to ensure the sound progression of our greater cause.

The overall task of Chinese socialism is to achieve modernization and national rejuvenation. In a constant effort to move closer to the completion of this overall task, we must coordinate our "five-pronged" overall plan of economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress; advance the "Four Comprehensives" strategy in a coordinated fashion; and work wholeheartedly to achieve our "Two Centenary Goals." Development is critical to upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must continue to make economic development our central task, and guide a new normal of economic development with our five-point development philosophy, so as to resolve difficulties in development, cultivate new advantages, and lay down stronger material foundations to underpin Chinese socialism. Reform is the key move that will decide China's future. With an unequivocal commitment to reform, we must break free from the shackles of outdated thinking, dismantle the barriers erected by vested interests, and clear away institutional obstacles impeding the development of productive forces and social progress, in order to further modernize China's national governance system and capacity. Innovation is the primary driving force behind development. It is imperative that we liberate our minds, seek truth from facts, and move forward with the times. We must resolutely advance innovation in theory, practice, and systems, and in many other areas, so that the causes of the CPC and country retain their strong creative vitality and constantly advance into new territory.

– To carry forward the spirit of the Long March and succeed in our present long march, we must build a solid national defense capacity and strong military that is commensurate with China's international standing and that can meet the country's security and developmental needs, and engage in a tireless effort to preserve national security and world peace.

The victory of the Long March told us that the people's army was the foundation of the revolution and the hope of the people, and that absolute CPC leadership over the army guaranteed victory on the battlefield. The Long March tested, tempered, and strengthened the people's army, initiating a new phase in its growth. The Long March was the glory of the people's army. A glorious people's army must therefore carry forward the spirit and fine conduct that the Red Army demonstrated during the Long March.

On our new long march, under the guidance of CPC's goal of building a strong military, we must continue to implement our military strategies in view of new conditions and strive to build a world-class army.

A country needs a strong army before it can truly be strong and secure. With a firm commitment to strengthening the military through political means, we must uphold absolute CPC leadership over the armed forces, preserve the nature, mission, and character of the people's army, and ensure that the spirit of the Red Army goes on. We must cultivate a new generation of revolutionary soldiers that have soul, competence, mettle, and character; and forge a highly competent military with iron-clad beliefs, convictions, and discipline as well as an unbreakable sense of duty. With a firm commitment to strengthening the military through reform, we must resolutely deepen reform in national defense and the armed forces, address institutional, structural, and policy issues that are hindering the development of national defense and the armed forces, further modernize the way in which the military is organized, and accelerate the establishment of a distinctly Chinese system of modern military strength. With a firm commitment to governing the military according to the rule of law, we must build a distinctly Chinese system of rule of law in the military, promote a fundamental transformation in the way that the military is governed, and raise the standard of law-based governance in national defense and the armed forces. With a firm commitment to war preparedness, we must continue to regard combat effectiveness as the standard that matters most, broaden and deepen our preparations for military conflict, enhance simulation-based training, and rapidly raise our capacity to prevail in information warfare. At the same time, we should move forward with an integrated military-civilian development strategy, better integrate the development of national defense and the military into the framework of China's economic and social development, and form a highly-effective, multi-factor, and multi-domain developmental layout for the deep integration of military and civilian sectors. We should strengthen our national defense mobilization capacity and reserve strength, and consolidate unity between the government and the armed forces and between the people and the armed forces. And we should enhance international military security cooperation, actively assume responsibilities and obligations commensurate with China's international standing, work with other countries to meet global security challenges, and make a bigger contribution to the preservation of world peace. The entire military must be more mindful of potential dangers and crises, and enhance its sense of mission. Making sure that every minute counts, they must continue to advance the modernization of China's defense and military capabilities and ensure that they shoulder the crucial responsibility of protecting the country's sovereignty, security, and development interests.

– To carry forward the spirit of the Long March and succeed in our present long march, we must strengthen CPC leadership, remain committed to governing it strictly, and engage in a tireless effort to advance the great new undertaking of Party-building.

The victory of the Long March told us that leadership by the CPC is a fundamental guarantee ensuring that the causes of the CPC and people will succeed. Mao Zedong once said, "Who brought the Long March to victory? The Communist Party. Without the Communist Party, a long march of this kind would have been inconceivable. The Communist Party of China, its leadership, its cadres and its members fear no difficulties or hardships." The leadership of the CPC has guaranteed the success of China's revolution, socialist construction, and reform. As the most essential attribute of Chinese socialism, and the greatest strength of this system, this leadership must be resolutely upheld and improved.

On our new long march, all members of the CPC must consciously uphold and maintain CPC leadership; stand on the side of the CPC and the people; and remain loyal to, share the concerns of, and assume their responsibilities and obligations to the CPC, doing their utmost to fulfill the duties and tasks entrusted to them. With the combined efforts of all Party members, the CPC will always stand with the people and always stand at the forefront of the times.

Heroes are those who know themselves and can overcome their own weaknesses. The closer we come to our dream of national rejuvenation, the more arduous the task of reform and opening up becomes, and the more we must emphasize Party-building. Being prepared for danger in times of peace is the key to survival and development. The "four tests" and "four dangers" that our Party faces are long term, complex, and grave. Upholding the centralized leadership of the CPC Central Committee, we must ensure that all Party organizations, members, and officials enhance their political integrity, keep in mind the bigger picture, follow the CPC Central Committee as the core of the Chinese leadership, and act consistently with CPC Central Committee policy, maintaining a high degree of unity with the CPC Central Committee in the way of thinking, in political principles, and in their actions. We must continue to promote comprehensive governance of the CPC with strict discipline; focus on strengthening the governance capacity and pioneer nature of the CPC; improve and regulate political life within the Party under new conditions; make a persistent and determined effort to improve Party conduct and combat corruption; raise the capacity of the CPC to remain pure and to improve, renew, and surpass itself; improve CPC leadership and governance whilst enhancing its ability to resist corruption and withstand risks; and ensure that the CPC remains the firm leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The question of how to carry forward the spirit of the Long March, and how to succeed in our present long march, is among the most important issues we currently face. The spirit of the Long March is a precious asset, one which the CPC and Chinese people won at great cost through great struggle. We must always remember, learn from, and carry forward the spirit of the Long March, turning it into a powerful source of inner strength driving our Party, our country, our people, our military, and our nation towards a better future.

Comrades,

During the 80 years that have passed since the victory of the Long March, the CPC has led the Chinese people through revolution, socialist construction, and reform. Embarking on one long march after another, we have captivated the world with a series of monumental achievements.

Today, we are closer than ever to the goal of national rejuvenation, and more confident and capable than ever to realize this goal. Our generation, having inherited this cause from our predecessors, must not only fight for today, but also carve out a better path for tomorrow.

The blueprint has been drawn, and now we must forge ahead. As we advance on this path, we must vigorously promote the spirit of the Long March, and draw on this spirit to inspire and encourage the whole CPC, military, and all Chinese people, especially young people, to devote themselves to making the country strong; to continue the great cause our predecessors started; and to write a new, glorious chapter in our new long march to attain the "Two Centenary Goals" and realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.