Sanming, Fujian- A new Long March starts again to promote high-quality development of old revolutionary areas

Recently, the Sanming section of the Long March National Cultural Park officially opened, attracting experts, scholars, representatives from red tourism cities along the Long March route, descendants of revolutionary martyrs and founding generals, as well as media reporters to gather in Ninghua County, Sanming City, Fujian Province—the starting point of the Central Red Army’s Long March. Through a series of engaging activities, participants came together to discuss the preservation and utilization of red cultural relics, retrace the venerable paths of their forebears, and collectively promote the enduring spirit of the Long March.

During an event held at the Hakka Hall in the Ninghua World Hakka Culture Exchange Center, the newly launched musical drama “Waving Red Flags in the Wind” captured the audience’s hearts. The performance poignantly depicted the sacrifices and significant contributions of the sons and daughters of the Sanming revolutionary base during the tumultuous years leading up to the establishment of the New China.

Dong Lishuang, the great-granddaughter of General Dong Zhentang from the Fifth Army Corps of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, moved to tears, shared her reflections: “The musical was emotionally charged, especially the section ‘Xiangjiang! Xiangjiang!’, which reminded me of my grandfather and the countless soldiers who perished. The sacrifices made by our predecessors have paved the way for our current happiness. We must cherish our present and follow in their footsteps on our own Long March.”

Passionate stories were also shared as descendants of revolutionary martyrs visited the South Elementary School in Ninghua County, recounting the struggles and enduring spirit of their forebears. These narratives deeply resonated with students, fortifying their resolve to uphold the red legacy and connect with their heritage.

Student Deng Zhuoling expressed her motivation: “The revolutionary heroes crafted magnificent anthems with their blood and lives. Their stories have taught me the importance of remembering history and striving to be like these heroes, contributing to the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!”

A particularly noteworthy attendee was Su Xiaoxiao, a popular social media influencer from Belarus, who served as a “Cultural Experience Ambassador”. Through a combination of engaging videos and talks, she shared her insightful impressions of exploring the red legacy of Sanming. “The visit to Ninghua was a spiritual cleansing, a stimulation of thought, and an unparalleled historical journey,” Su explained.

Sanming is innovating its promotional strategies to attract more media attention and international visitors to share the Long March narrative, further enhancing the recognition and influence of the Long March National Cultural Park.

Taking a step back to reflect on history, 90 years ago, 14,000 Red Army soldiers embarked from Ninghua on a historic strategic retreat, marking an unprecedented achievement that would take them across much of China, creating a “red ribbon” that stretches 25,000 miles. Now, 90 years later, following five years of planning and construction, the historical Long March route in Ninghua was inaugurated during the event, with descendants of revolutionary heroes participating in a flag-handling ceremony for Sanming’s “Following the Long March” activity.

As the furthest starting point of the Long March, Ninghua is a treasure trove for nurturing patriotism and invigorating national spirit. After receiving flags, participants, including over a hundred members of the Sanming Communist Party, set off on a five-kilometer walk from Phoenix Mountain to Shi Bian Road, retracing the footsteps of revolutionary ancestors while committing to continue the Long March in the new era.

The spirit of the Long March remains an inspiration for every generation. As young cadres like Zhang Jinhui from Sanming’s Urban Management Bureau commit to upholding the lofty ideals of their forebears, they strive to contribute meaningfully from their positions.

Furthermore, during the event, a flag handover ceremony was held for the Red Tourism Cities Alliance along the Long March route. After receiving the flag, the representative from Xiji County in Ningxia waved it high, signifying a commitment to continue promoting the spirit of the Long March and developing red tourism.

Founded in 2018, the alliance consists of 68 red tourism cities from 14 provinces along the Long March route, reinforcing collaborative efforts to foster a robust red tourism brand while sharing resources and mutual strengths.

In recent years, a partnership has blossomed between Shanghai and Sanming. A dramatization titled “Regional Cooperation and Beautiful Villages” showcased the joint efforts to carry forward red culture during a series of educational activities.

Additionally, Sanming is actively promoting its red tourism, establishing collaborations with six local institutions, including the Sanming Central Revolutionary Memorial Hall, and Shanghai’s revolutionary venues. The introduction of the “Shanghai-Sanming Weekend Tour” train service and participation in the Shanghai Tourism Festival has significantly boosted tourism, with nearly 600,000 visitors from Shanghai in 2023 alone, marking an impressive growth of over 305.7%. Shanghai has emerged as Sanming’s largest source of external visitors.