(Close-up China) Embarking on a New Long March, Xi Jinping Emphasizes Five "Musts"
On the 90th anniversary of the Long March victory, Xi Jinping delivered a speech emphasizing "Five Musts" for China's new journey, linking historical spirit with contemporary development and Party building.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
Commemorating the Long March's 90th anniversary, President Xi Jinping outlined a strategic framework of "Five Musts" to guide China's future. This framework connects the revolutionary spirit of the past with current goals of high-quality development, national defense, and strengthened Party leadership, aiming to inspire continued national progress.
Imagine China is on a very long journey, like a super-long hike, just like its army did 90 years ago. President Xi Jinping is telling everyone that to finish this new, important journey, they need to remember five big rules. These rules are about believing in their goals, making life better for everyone, being brave when things are tough, having a strong army, and making sure the main group (the Party) stays strong and leads well. It's like having a good map, strong shoes, and a great team leader for a big adventure.
Analysis
The Five Musts
President Xi Jinping's address at the 90th anniversary of the Long March victory articulated a comprehensive strategic framework for China's future, encapsulated in "Five Musts." These directives are designed to guide the nation on what he termed a "new Long March," a journey filled with glory and dreams. The first "must" emphasizes upholding the Party's ideals, beliefs, and purpose, which experts like Yan Jirong of Peking University identify as the foundational spiritual pillar for all other endeavors. This highlights the enduring importance of ideological conviction in navigating contemporary challenges and ensuring the Party's continued relevance and direction.
The framework extends beyond ideological grounding to practical governance and national strength. Xi's second "must" calls for unswerving promotion of high-quality development to meet the people's growing needs for a better life, directly linking economic progress with public welfare. The third "must" stresses the courage to engage in great struggles with new historical characteristics, signaling a readiness to confront complex domestic and international challenges. Furthermore, the fourth "must" focuses on accelerating the transformation of the People's Army into a world-class military, underscoring national security and defense modernization as critical strategic supports for China's global standing.
Yan Jirong's Analysis
Yan Jirong, Dean of the School of Government at Peking University, provided a critical interpretation of Xi Jinping's "Five Musts," describing them as a "complete practical framework" for navigating the new Long March. According to Yan, these principles systematically address fundamental questions regarding the path forward, the ultimate destination, and the methods for ensuring stability and success. His analysis underscores the integrated nature of the directives, where each "must" contributes to a cohesive strategy for national development and governance.
Yan specifically highlighted the primacy of "upholding the Party's ideals, beliefs, and purpose" within the framework. He views this as the foundational element, asserting its "basic role" in the development of the Party's cause. For contemporary China, Yan suggests that solidifying the "foundation of faith," replenishing "spiritual calcium," and steadying the "rudder of thought" are indispensable for creating a prosperous future on this new journey. This perspective emphasizes the ideological bedrock upon which all other practical and strategic objectives are built.
Wang Heng's Insights
Wang Heng, Associate Dean and Professor at Renmin University of China's School of Marxism, offered further elucidation on the conceptual underpinnings of the "Five Musts." He characterized each "must" with a concise, impactful phrase, providing deeper insight into their significance. For instance, he stated that ideals and beliefs provide "faith orientation," emphasizing the moral and ideological compass guiding the Party and the nation. This aligns with the historical narrative of the Long March, where unwavering conviction sustained the Red Army through immense hardship.
Wang also elaborated on the practical implications of the other "musts." He framed high-quality development as being "people-centered," reinforcing the Party's commitment to improving citizens' lives. The spirit of struggle, he noted, represents a "spiritual wealth," acknowledging the historical resilience and determination required to overcome obstacles. Building a world-class military, in Wang's view, provides "military confidence," ensuring national security. Finally, he identified Party leadership as the "greatest advantage," highlighting its indispensable role in unifying and guiding the nation, especially as the Party prepares for the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to discuss strengthening comprehensive strict Party governance.
Key points
- China commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Long March victory with a major speech by President Xi Jinping.
- Xi outlined "Five Musts" for the "new Long March": upholding ideals, promoting high-quality development, engaging in great struggles, building a world-class military, and strengthening Party leadership.
- Experts view these "Five Musts" as a comprehensive framework for China's future development and governance.
- The speech connects the historical spirit of the Long March with contemporary challenges and strategic priorities.
- The upcoming Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee will address strengthening comprehensive strict Party governance, aligning with Xi's emphasis on Party building.
The emphasis on high-quality development and meeting people's needs suggests a continued focus on improving living standards and economic stability. Strengthening Party leadership and military capabilities could foster national unity and security, potentially leading to a more stable and prosperous future for China.
The call for "great struggles with many new historical characteristics" could signal an expectation of increased geopolitical tensions or internal challenges. A strong emphasis on Party leadership and military strength might also imply a more centralized and assertive approach, potentially leading to reduced flexibility or increased international friction.