Beijing Women's Federation

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March by the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, deepen the study and promotion of the great Long March spirit, and strengthen education in ideals, convictions, patriotism and respect for revolutionary traditions among Party members and officials, the Beijing Women’s Federation organized a visit to the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution on the afternoon of October 16 for Party members and officials from its administrative organs and affiliated public institutions. They toured the special exhibition The Great Expedition: Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March by the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army as part of an immersive themed Party Day activity, encouraging everyone to draw on the Long March spirit and renew strength for women to press ahead in the new era.

The exhibition is divided into seven sections and features 357 photographs and charts, 1,061 items (or sets) of cultural relics and historical documents, more than 300 of which are on public display for the first time. It gives a full-picture account of the Long March led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), highlighting its glorious course, valuable experience, great significance and far-reaching impact. These exhibits vividly interpret the Long March spirit embodied by Red Army soldiers, who feared no sacrifice, never gave in to setbacks, worked hard through hardship and held fast to their beliefs. They also showcase the remarkable journey of the Party leading the people to carry on revolutionary traditions and achieve new historic accomplishments over the years, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress.

During the visit, participants listened attentively to the guides and paused to take in the photographs, charts, cultural relics, historical documents, video materials and physical exhibits that had survived the fires of war. They carefully examined historical records, revisited the moving story of the “Half a Quilt,” and learned how women Red Army soldiers braved dangers and fought their way forward through blood and hardship. They also retraced the epic journey the Red Army, from the bloody battle at the Xiangjiang River and the four crossings of the Chishui River to the clever crossing of the Jinsha River, the daring seizure of the Luding Bridge, the trek over snow-capped mountains and the march across the grasslands. The visit delivered a deeply moving lesson in revolutionary history, spiritual renewal and a test of Party commitment.

Participants came to see more clearly that the Long March was a great expedition that affirmed ideals and convictions, tested the truth, awakened the people and opened up new possibilities. They gained a deeper appreciation of the great Long March spirit forged with the lives and blood of CPC members and Red Army soldiers, of the devotion of revolutionary families who put the country ahead of their own homes, and of the original aspiration of Communists to share a bond of blood with the people and stand with them through life and death. The experience further strengthened their resolve to carry forward the Long March spirit and stay true to their mission in the new era.

The group also visited the weapons exhibition hall, where they viewed military equipment up close and gained a firsthand understanding of how the People’s Armed Forces have grown from small beginnings into a powerful force. The visit deepened their understanding of the history of the armed forces under the Party’s leadership in overcoming difficulties and defending the country.

Participants unanimously agreed that, as they embark on a new journey, they must further elevate their political awareness, firmly uphold the core position of the CPC Central Committee and that of General Secretary Xi Jinping, and resolutely uphold the CPC Central Committee’s authority and its centralized, unified leadership. They pledged to translate the strength drawn from the Long March into a conscious political commitment and concrete action in their work. They pledged to internalize the Long March spirit, put it into practice, and translate it into tangible results in performing their duties.

They also stressed the importance of fulfilling their responsibilities in their respective posts, establishing and practicing a correct understanding of governance performance, strengthening political and ideological guidance, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of women and children with dedication and care. They will further advance initiatives that encourage women to contribute and excel, make greater efforts to promote positive family values, family education and family traditions, and continue to deepen reform and Party building within women’s federations. By enhancing the political commitment, progressive nature and mass orientation of women’s federations, they aim to unite and lead women in forging ahead on the Long March of the new era and making greater contributions to the high-quality development of the capital.

[Reflections from Young Party Members and Officials]

Yang Shiyi, Department of Family and Children’s Affairs: The exhibition deeply moved and inspired me. Yellowed letters and timeworn artifacts vividly brought to life the epic struggle of revolutionary forebears who fought with extraordinary courage and sacrifice. As a women’s federation official, I gained a deeper appreciation of the founding mission of the century-old CPC. Blessed to live in a time of prosperity and entrusted with weighty responsibilities, I will translate my loyalty to the Party into practice, carry forward the revolutionary legacy, remain grounded in my post, and serve the cause of women and children through concrete action and a strong sense of responsibility, living up to the times and to my youth.

Yan Yan, Beijing Women’s Development Research Center: Each precious artifact and every frame of historical footage brought the arduous, heroic years of the Long March vividly back to life. I was deeply moved and came to appreciate even more how hard-won our peaceful, prosperous life is today. As a young official in the capital’s women’s federation, I will keep revolutionary history alive in my memory, carry forward the revolutionary legacy, and draw guidance from the great Long March spirit. I will remain mindful of my duties, work diligently at my post, study and think with diligence, hone my professional skills, embrace challenges without hesitation, and strive for excellence through practical action. By contributing to the development of our cause, I will continue to grow while joining forces with others to march forward on the Long March of the new era.

Wu Dan, Beijing Women and Children Social Service Center: The exhibition The Great Expedition took me back to the Long March, a journey paved with unwavering faith. The reconstructed scenes of snow-capped mountains and grasslands, the yellowed pages of Red Star, and the heavily patched food pouches gave me a personal understanding of the conviction that “revolutionary ideals soar higher than the sky.” The Long March was both a heroic anthem of an army’s arduous journey and a solemn, moving epic of countless revolutionary families who put the nation before their own households. I will put the Long March spirit into practice in my work, carry out services for children’s welfare and the promotion of family traditions, serving as a trusted companion to women and a guiding hand in family development.

Sun Yibing, Beijing Women’s International Exchange Center: The victory of the Long March was a triumph of both faith and conviction, and of the power of the people. With unwavering faith, Red Army soldiers overcame one obstacle after another, creating a spiritual legacy that transcends time and place. As a Party member and official at the Beijing Women’s International Exchange Center, I will carry forward the revolutionary legacy, fulfill my duty by telling the stories of women in China and in the capital in the new era, and walk our own Long March through concrete action and a strong sense of responsibility.

Chai Sijie, Beijing Women’s Cadre School: Visiting the exhibition in person helped me understand the weighty power of faith behind the lines, “The Red Army fears not the trials of the Long March; to it, ten thousand rivers and mountains are but a trifle.” It also deepened my understanding of the conviction that “revolutionary ideals soar higher than the sky.” As a young official in the women’s federation system, I will carry forward the revolutionary legacy, uphold the great Long March spirit, and keep my passion for work alive. I will serve women with dedication and care, and take steady, practical steps along the Long March of the new era that our generation is called to complete.