The legacy of the Long March can inspire countries around the world with its experience on building a more peaceful and prosperous future for all, a vision that continues in China's modern governance, according to David Bromwich, former chair of the New Zealand-China Friendship Society.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, a remarkable revolutionary feat achieved under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
From October 1934 to October 1936, the CPC-led Red Army broke through the encirclement of Kuomintang forces, crossed more than 10 provinces, and braved raging rivers, snow-capped mountains and treacherous grasslands before finally completing their epic 12,500-kilometer military maneuver.
In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), Bromwich drew on China's historical experience to further reflect on what the Long March spirit means for today's world. He believes that different countries and societies can draw on these historical lessons to build consensus, promote cooperation and create a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.
"So, learn from the conviction of the Red Army, of the Communist Party, and what they did for the people, and take the people with you in that vision, I think it's the lesson to the world," said Bromwich.
Emphasizing that the spirit of the Long March continues to resound, the former Friendship Society chair praised China's modern approach to governance under the leadership of Chinese president Xi Jinping.
"The rest of the world, 83 percent of the world, is looking to China. Xi has statements like a 'harmonious global community.' It's not competing, it's not exploitation, and it's basically a peaceful approach to global governance, absolutely," Bromwich said.
"We see the world in this 21st century, not as China's world, but as China sharing the world. So I think that is what is happening, and that's a continuation from the Long March. Firstly, it was in communities in China. It spread to the whole of China. People share that vision. Now, without being aggressive and without dominating and informing people how to behave, the rest of the world is starting to pick up on that harmony, peace, prosperity," he said.
Long March spirit offers lessons for peaceful, prosperous world: friendship advocate
At least 16 people have been killed and 11 seriously injured as of 05:20 on Friday after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Thursday night, according to Nagqu City's earthquake relief headquarters.
Local rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the epicenter of the quake in Baqeng County in Xizang’s Nagqu City, with an advance team from the Baqen County Fire and Rescue Brigade, consisting of eight personnel and two vehicles, successfully rescuing one trapped survivor after arriving at the scene in the early hours of Friday.
The Xizang Fire and Rescue Corps immediately mobilized 347 rescue personnel, 82 fire vehicles, and 15 search-and-rescue dogs, along with over 4,200 pieces of equipment and more than 9,400 items of logistical support supplies, to the quake zone.
Public security departments in Xizang also dispatched over 300 police officers to assist emergency rescue and relief operations. The police contingent will help evacuate residents to safe areas, assess structural damage to buildings, and ensure security in affected areas.
The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 22:33 on Thursday at a depth of 10km, was monitored at 32.40 degrees north latitude and 93.79 degrees east longitude, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
Xizang has activated a Level-II earthquake disaster emergency response, according to the regional emergency command center.
Maru Township, at the epicenter of the earthquake, is about 70 km from the county seat.
Lhawang Dagpo, deputy head of the township, said there had been reports of collapsed houses in Maru, and that rescue and relief operations were underway in villages across the township.
He added that the tremor was clearly felt at the township government office, where the walls of the office building sustained cracks.
Strong shaking was reported in the county seat of Baqen, where power was cut off and telecommunications services were disrupted.
Tremors were also felt in other parts of Xizang, including Qamdo and Nyingchi.
The office of the State Council earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level-IV emergency response after the earthquake, sending a work team to the affected areas to guide emergency response and disaster relief work, according to the ministry.
A 4.3-magnitude aftershock was felt in Zadoi County in Qinghai Province, which borders Baqen County, at 23:12 on Thursday, according to CENC.
Strong tremors were felt in townships along the border between the two counties, with cracks appearing in some houses. No building collapses or casualties have been confirmed in these areas.
At least 16 killed in Xizang earthquake: local emergency command
