Published by ChinaMNC · Zhangdian

What a Major National Commemoration Signals for Foreign Founders Operating in China

A practical reading of the October 22, 2026 commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Long March, and what the official messaging means for foreign founders registering and running companies in China.

Why a National Commemoration Matters to Foreign Founders

On October 22, 2026, a major commemorative event marking the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Red Army's Long March was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Senior national leadership attended, and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. For foreign founders building businesses in China, official occasions like this are not merely ceremonial. They reveal the priorities, vocabulary, and expectations that shape policy communication, and understanding them helps founders read the business environment with more confidence.

This article summarizes the factual content of the official report and translates the themes into practical orientation for foreign entrepreneurs who are registering a company in China or already operating one. It does not speculate about future policy and does not offer legal or tax conclusions.

What the Official Report Actually Said

The setting and the participants

The event took place on the morning of October 22 at the Great Hall of the People. The hall carried the theme of the commemoration, with the Party emblem and the year markers 1936–2026 displayed, ten red flags on either side, and a slogan on the second-floor gallery. Zhao Leji presided over the meeting. Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Vice President Han Zheng attended. The report states that around 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 personages, veteran comrades, representatives of the People's Liberation Army and the armed police, and representatives of residents of the capital. The meeting opened at 10 a.m. with the national anthem.

The historical account

In his speech, Xi Jinping described the Long March from October 1934 to October 1936, in which the Party led the First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies and the Twenty-Fifth Army. The report says the Red Army crossed more than ten provinces, covered 25,000 li, broke through encirclement and interception by over a million enemy troops, and completed a strategic transfer northward to resist Japanese aggression. Xi paid respects to older-generation revolutionaries including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Zhu De, to Red Army commanders and soldiers, to the people of all ethnic groups who supported the march, and to surviving veterans, and proposed a moment of silence for martyrs.

The four explanations of victory

According to the report, Xi explained the victory through four points: correct Party leadership, with the establishment of Mao Zedong's core position described as decisive; firm revolutionary will and conviction; independence and practicality, meaning the basic tenets of Marxism must be closely combined with China's concrete realities; and the support of the broad masses, described as the source of strength for the Party and the army.

The call to continue the "new Long March"

Xi stated that the history of the Long March has not receded and that its path continues to extend. He noted that since the victory, the Party has led the people through repeated "great marches" in revolution, construction, and reform. He 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 has been achieved on schedule, and the country is now working toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country, advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

The report lists "five musts" for carrying forward the Long March spirit: uphold the Party's ideals, convictions, and purpose and implement the thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era; steadfastly promote high-quality development and meet people's growing needs for a better life, coordinating the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, pursuing both qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, and promoting common prosperity; carry out the great struggle with many new historical characteristics, better coordinate development and security, and overcome difficulties and risks with a sense of historical initiative; accelerate building the people's army into a world-class military and realize the centenary goal of the military on schedule; and uphold Party leadership and strengthen Party building, advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance.

Zhao Leji, in presiding, said the speech reviewed the Party's leadership of the Long March, summarized its significance, explained the path to victory, and set out the "five musts." He called for studying and implementing the speech and for unity around the Party Central Committee, guided by the thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

How Foreign Founders Can Read This Practically

Language of continuity, not sudden change

The report emphasizes continuity: long-term goals, staged objectives, and disciplined execution. For founders, the practical takeaway is orientation rather than prediction. Official communications of this kind restate established frameworks such as high-quality development, the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan, and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy. Founders benefit from becoming familiar with these terms because they recur in policy documents, local government work reports, and industry guidance.

Development and security are discussed together

The speech pairs development with security and calls for coordinating the two. In practice, foreign-invested companies encounter this pairing in routine compliance areas such as data handling, cybersecurity, and cross-border information flows. Founders should treat compliance as part of business planning rather than an afterthought, and should seek professional advice on the specific rules that apply to their sector and structure.

High-quality development as a shared reference point

The emphasis on high-quality development and on both qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth offers a shared vocabulary for conversations with local authorities, partners, and investors. Founders can frame their plans around quality, technology, and long-term contribution, which aligns with how local governments describe their own priorities.

The mass-support theme and local relationships

The speech's emphasis on public support and close ties with the people translates, in a business setting, into the importance of local relationships. Foreign founders operating in China typically work with local authorities, industrial parks, and community stakeholders. Building those relationships early and maintaining them consistently is practical, not political.

Discipline and long-term commitment

The repeated theme of perseverance through difficulty is a reminder that China operations reward patience and consistent execution. Registration, licensing, banking, tax registration, and staffing are sequential processes that require accurate documentation and steady follow-through. Founders who plan for realistic timelines and maintain complete records encounter fewer delays.

Practical Checklist for Founders

• Follow official sources. Use government websites and official releases for regulatory updates rather than secondary commentary.
• Learn the recurring policy vocabulary. Terms such as high-quality development and development-security coordination appear throughout official documents.
• Build compliance into the plan. Address data, cybersecurity, and reporting obligations alongside commercial planning.
• Invest in local relationships. Engage local authorities and park administrators early and transparently.
• Plan for sequence and patience. Treat registration and licensing as a staged process with documentation requirements.

Next Steps

Foreign founders who want support with company registration and ongoing operations 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.