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.

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]

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.