China's leading newspaper, the People's Daily, is to publish an editorial on Oct. 22, marking the 70th anniversary of the Red Army's successful strategic move, the Long March.

 

At this moment when the whole country is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Long March, we especially cherish the memory of the martyrs who died for the country, for independence of the nation and liberation of the people, the editorial says.

 

We hereby pay our utmost tribute to all participants in the great Long March and all who contributed to the victory of the country's revolution, it says.

 

The Long March was a famous military maneuver carried out by the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) from 1934 to 1936, moving from Jiangxi in east China to Shaanxi in northwest China.

 

Though many soldiers died on the way, the Red Army finally arrived at Yan'an after the 25,000-li (12,500-kilometer) trek.

 

The victory of the Long March realized the strategy of going up north to fight Japanese aggression, promoted the propositions of the CPC, sowed the seeds and forged the force of revolution, the editorial says.

 

The Long March formed the first generation of collective leadership of CPC with Mao Zedong at the core, established the ideological line of seeking truth from facts and accomplished the significant turn from setbacks to victory for Chinese revolution, it says.

 

The Long March is an unparalleled revolutionary undertaking in human history, a miracle worked by the CPC and the Red Army, and an immortal monument in the history of Chinese revolution, it says.

 

The spirit of the Long March remains powerful 70 years after its completion. The spirit is found in upholding the fundamental interests of the state and the nation, ideals of revolution and firm belief that just cause is sure to win, says the editorial.

 

The spirit of the Long March is defying hardship and difficulties for the cause of saving the nation and the people, adhering to independence, seeking truth from facts and being realistic, it says.

 

The spirit of the Long March is taking the interests of the whole into account, being disciplined, upholding solidarity, relying on the masses, sharing weal and woe with the people, and fight for the people, it adds.

 

We must unswervingly study the history of Chinese revolution including the Long March and closely link it with the study of Marxism, with the education of strengthening ideals and belief, with the building of the advanced character of the Party, the editorial says.

 

To advance following the steps of the Long March, we must better understand our national conditions and the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, strengthen the consciousness and firmness in carrying out the Party's basic theories and programs, and further carry on the revolutionary tradition, it says.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2006)