Published by ChinaMNC · Jiangchenghanizuyizu

What China’s Long March 90th Anniversary Means for Foreign Founders Operating in China

A practical ChinaMNC briefing for foreign founders on the official 90th anniversary commemoration of the Red Army’s Long March, drawing only on the published government account and explaining how its policy themes relate to company registration and operations in China.

Commemoration Held in Beijing

Foreign founders building a company in China should track the policy language that senior leadership uses at major national events, because it often signals the direction of economic and regulatory priorities that later reach local authorities. On 22 October, a 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, President of the People’s Republic of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. The event was chaired by Zhao Leji. Senior leaders including Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Vice President Han Zheng attended.

The published account records that about 3,000 people took part, including officials from central Party, state, military and mass organizations, Beijing municipal leaders, representatives of democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, non-party figures, veteran representatives, military personnel and members of the public.

Core Message of the Speech

According to the official account, Xi stressed that remembering history is the way to open up the future. He called for unity around the Party Central Committee, for carrying forward the spirit of the Long March, and for continued effort on the new journey. For founders, the practical takeaway is not the ceremonial detail but the framing: continuity, long-term effort and collective purpose are presented as the basis for national progress.

Historical Facts Stated

The speech recalled that, between October 1934 and October 1936, the Party led the First, Second and Fourth Front Armies and the Twenty-Fifth Army on the Long March. The source states the march covered more than ten provinces and a distance of 25,000 li, broke through encirclement and interception by more than a million enemy troops, and completed a strategic transfer northward to resist Japanese aggression, opening a new phase for the Chinese revolution.

Policy Themes Relevant to Business

Although the event was commemorative rather than economic, the official text sets out several themes that matter to foreign-invested enterprises planning registration, expansion or long-term operations in China.

• High-quality development: The speech calls for steadily promoting high-quality development, meeting people’s growing needs for a better life, and achieving both qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy. For founders, this signals continued attention to the quality, compliance and sustainability of business activity, not only speed of expansion.
• Common prosperity: The text refers to promoting common prosperity for all people. Investors should expect ongoing public attention to employment practices, regional balance and the social impact of business operations.
• Development and security: The speech stresses better coordinating development and security and tackling risks and challenges. This is a reminder for founders to build robust compliance, data, supply-chain and risk-management structures from the start.
• Independent initiative and practical problem-solving: Xi said the victory came through independence and self-reliance and seeking truth from facts, and that Marxist principles must be closely combined with China’s concrete realities. For foreign founders, the practical point is that market entry strategy should fit local conditions, local rules and local consumer realities rather than relying only on models imported from other markets.
• Reliance on the people: The speech states that the people are the source of strength for the Party and the military. In operational terms, this underlines the importance of understanding local talent, customers and community expectations.
• Party leadership and discipline: The text calls for upholding Party leadership, strengthening Party building and continuing full and rigorous Party self-governance. Foreign founders should read this as a signal that administrative processes in China will continue to be shaped by formal rules and accountability systems.

What Founders Should Do With This Information

This was not a business-policy announcement, and the source contains no new registration rules, tax measures or investment incentives. Founders should therefore avoid reading it as direct guidance on market access. Instead, use it as context for how official priorities are communicated.

Practical Steps

First, ensure your China entity’s governance and compliance documentation reflect the latest published rules from the relevant authorities rather than assumptions drawn from speeches. Second, when preparing a business plan for local partners or authorities, frame growth in terms of quality, compliance and contribution to local development, which aligns with the themes stated in the source. Third, review your risk-management arrangements, including data handling, labor practices and supply-chain resilience, given the emphasis on coordinating development and security.

Engage Professional Advice

Company registration, capital requirements, sector-specific licensing and tax obligations in China depend on the specific rules applicable to your entity and industry. The commemoration text does not change those requirements. Founders should confirm procedures with qualified local counsel or registered agents and monitor official government portals for updates.

Conclusion

The 90th anniversary meeting reaffirmed a leadership narrative centred on historical continuity, long-term effort, high-quality development, common prosperity, security and Party leadership. For foreign founders, the value lies in understanding the policy vocabulary that shapes the operating environment, while relying on current official rules and professional advice for concrete decisions about registering and running a company in China.

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