China Intensifies Long March Narrative Push with International Forum
Event summary
- The 'Together on the Long March' forum was held in Lanzhou, Gansu Province on July 18, 2026.
- Over 50 Chinese and foreign experts and journalists attended the event organized by CICG and local partners.
- Participants toured key historical sites along the Red Army's Long March route from July 13-18.
- CICG editor-in-chief Gao Anming emphasized the importance of communicating China's narrative through the Long March spirit.
The big picture
This forum represents China's strategic effort to reinforce its national narrative through historical commemoration and international communication. The event aligns with broader trends of cultural diplomacy and soft power projection, particularly as China seeks to shape global perceptions of its development model. The focus on the Long March spirit suggests an attempt to connect historical resilience with contemporary challenges in modernization.
What we're watching
- Narrative Effectiveness
- How CICG's international outreach will impact global perceptions of China's modernization efforts.
- Cultural Translation
- Whether the Long March spirit can be effectively communicated across linguistic and cultural barriers.
- Tourism Development
- The pace at which 'red tourism' will drive economic development in Gansu Province.