Published by ChinaMNC · Lanpingbaizupumizu

What a 90th Anniversary Commemoration Says About Policy Signals in China

A practical reading for foreign founders: how official commemorations signal continuity and priorities, and why founders should track them when operating a company in China.

Why a Commemoration Matters to Foreign Founders

On 22 October, a major commemorative event was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing marking the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Red Army's Long March. The event was attended by senior national leaders, and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, who is also State President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. For a foreign founder building a company in China, a ceremony of this kind may seem distant from incorporation, tax and licensing. Yet official commemorations are one of the clearest windows into how the state frames its priorities, its language of continuity, and the tone it sets for the years ahead. Understanding that framing helps founders read policy signals rather than react to headlines.

What Happened, in Plain Terms

The gathering took place on the morning of 22 October at the Great Hall of the People. The hall was decorated with a banner for the anniversary, the Party emblem, a "1936–2026" marker and ten red flags. A slogan on the upper gallery called for unity around the Party Central Committee, implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying forward the spirit of the Long March, and pursuing national development and rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernisation. The event opened at 10 a.m. with the national anthem, and was presided over by Zhao Leji. Around 3,000 people attended, including central and Beijing officials, representatives of democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, non-party figures, veteran comrades, military and armed police representatives, and residents of the capital.

Who Attended

Alongside the General Secretary, the event was attended by Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, together with Vice President Han Zheng. Also present were members of the Political Bureau and the Secretariat in Beijing, vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, vice chairmen of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, State Councillors, the President of the Supreme People's Court, and vice chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The level of attendance signals that the occasion was treated as a major national event rather than a routine anniversary.

The Substance of the Speech

The speech reviewed the Long March, which ran from October 1934 to October 1936 and involved the Red Army's First, Second and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Army. It described a march across more than ten provinces over some 25,000 li, breaking through the encirclement and pursuit of over a million enemy troops, and completing a strategic transfer north to resist Japanese aggression. It paid tribute to the older generation of revolutionaries, including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Zhu De, to Red Army commanders and soldiers, to the people who supported the march, and to surviving veterans, and asked attendees to stand in silence for those who died.

Four Explanations of the Victory

The speech attributed the outcome to four factors: correct Party leadership, including the establishment of Mao Zedong's core position; firm revolutionary will and belief; independence and realism in applying Marxism to China's concrete conditions; and the support of the broad masses. It argued that these are the reasons the victory was inevitable, and that the same principles explain why the Party's cause advances when it stays close to the people.

From History to Present Priorities

The speech stressed that remembering history serves to draw wisdom and strength for moving forward. It noted that in the 90 years since, the Party has led successive "long marches" through revolution, construction and reform, and that since the 18th Party Congress socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. It stated that the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been achieved on schedule, and that the country is now working towards the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernisation.

The "Five Musts" and What They Signal

The speech set out five requirements for carrying forward the Long March spirit on the new journey. They are worth reading as a statement of policy direction:

• Stay true to the Party's ideals, beliefs and purpose, implement the guiding thought of the new era, remember the original mission, and rely on the people.
• Advance high-quality development to meet growing needs for a better life, coordinate the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and the "Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy", pursue qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy, and promote common prosperity.
• Carry out the great struggle with new historical characteristics, better coordinate development and security, and tackle difficulties, risks and challenges with historical initiative.
• Build the people's military into a world-class force, uphold absolute Party leadership over the military, meet the centenary goal of military building on schedule, and modernise national defence 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 the cause.

Zhao Leji, who presided, described the speech as politically, ideologically and practically instructive, summarised its "five musts", and called for study and implementation. He also called for unity around the Party Central Committee, adherence to Xi Jinping Thought, and deeper understanding of the significance of the "two establishments", along with strengthened "four consciousnesses", "four confidences" and the "two upholds".

Reading This as a Founder

For foreign founders, the practical value lies in the emphasis on continuity, high-quality development, the coordination of development and security, and common prosperity. These themes recur in regulation, industrial policy and local implementation. Founders should treat them as background signals: expect continued attention to compliance, data and security, and to quality of growth rather than speed alone. They should also note that major policy language is set at the centre and then translated into rules and local practice, which is why tracking official communications is useful when planning market entry, entity structure and long-term operations.

Practical Steps

• Monitor official government portals for the language used around development, security and regulation, and align compliance planning accordingly.
• Build governance and reporting routines that can absorb policy emphasis on quality and security without disruption.
• Keep entity, licensing and tax planning flexible enough to respond to local implementation of central priorities.
• Use professional advisers for registration and ongoing compliance rather than relying on general commentary.

None of this replaces local due diligence. It simply helps founders interpret the direction of travel and plan with fewer surprises.

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

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