Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at a gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, Oct. 21, 2016. (Photo/Screenshot from CCTV)
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for carrying forth the spirit of the Chinese Red Army in the Long March eight decades ago and moving forward in "a new long march."
The Long March is an ongoing process, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), at a gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.
"A nation that forgets its origins will find itself in a blind alley," Xi said.
"No matter which stage our undertaking has developed to and how great the achievements we've made, we should carry forth the Long March spirit and advance in 'a new long march,'" he added.
During the process, Xi said the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld.
Xi called on people to abandon complacency, the idea of seeking comfort and reluctance to work hard or forge ahead.
Each generation has its own "long march," and they should proceed in their own way, Xi said.
"Today, our 'long march' is to realize the 'two centenary goals' and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation," Xi added.
