Military formations, montage of historical milestones showcase enduring spirit of Long March

A moving on-stage performance featuring a guard of honor of modern military personnel alongside actors portraying Red Army soldiers and a video montage of some of China's key historical milestones showcased the enduring spirit of the Long March during a televised gala commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's victory in the epic military campaign on Thursday.

The Long March (1934-1936) was a defining military maneuver undertaken by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, symbolizing endurance and perseverance which ultimately paved the way for the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Titled "Ode to the Long March," the five-part gala broadcast by the China Media Group (CMG) centers on key historical junctures of the arduous 12,500-kilometer journey.

As the Gala neared its conclusion, the segment entitled "From Victory to Victory" highlighted a series of historical milestones spanning from 1945 –- from the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War -- to the present day, vividly depicting the enduring Long March spirit that serves as a source of inspiration for China to march toward its goals with confidence, unity and resolve.

Integrating music, dance, drama, and folk art, the performances at the Gala vividly recall the immense hardships the Red Army endured and showcase the firm beliefs held by the Communist Party of China (CPC), even in the face of sacrifice and suffering.

The broadcast followed a commemorative meeting held earlier on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech.

The Long March began in October 1934, when 86,000 poorly armed soldiers began a grueling 12,500-kilometer journey across some of the country's harshest terrain to establish a new revolutionary base. The march concluded in October 1936 when three main Red Army forces converged in northwestern China.

Military formations, montage of historical milestones showcase enduring spirit of Long March

Military formations, montage of historical milestones showcase enduring spirit of Long March

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on Thursday that it had intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched toward Saudi Arabia.

Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki said on the social media platform X on Thursday afternoon that the forces intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh and Medina and another over Riyadh in separate incidents.

Earlier in the day, the coalition said its forces had destroyed four drones launched toward the Eastern Province.

Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi group said it had launched four missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia over the past 48 hours.

In a televised statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the attacks targeted the Saudi Defense Ministry in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, a facility belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, and Abha International Airport in the southwestern city of Abha.

All targets were "directly hit," causing air traffic disruption and a fire at the oil facility, Sarea claimed.

In a separate development, the Houthis claimed that Saudi Arabia struck an Indian yacht near Yemen's Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea, alleging 14 Indian nationals were aboard.

Sarea said Houthi forces were carrying out a rescue operation and would provide further details later.

There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia.

Zuqar Island lies north of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's key maritime shipping routes.

The developments came amid intensified fighting in Yemen, with the Saudi-backed government forces trying to reverse Houthi territorial gains. The Houthis have also continued missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi-led coalition says intercepted drones as Houthis claim new attacks on Saudi Arabia