Veterans of the Long March, 96 year old Liu Hailin and 95 year old Kang Wenhua, carrying the torch of the Long March spirit into the future. Photo taken Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, 19th October 2016. Photo: CRIENGLISH.com

 
The statistics are staggering. More than 80 thousand took part in the Long March in some way, with perhaps just 8000 or less seeing it through to the end. For more than a year they marched through raging rivers, snowy mountains, treacherous bogs and across arid grassland. Some travelled as far as 12,500 kilometers. They were supported along the way by many ordinary people, who had little to give, but gave what they could. Together they created the spirit of the Long March.

96 year old Liu Hailin is a living link with this crucial moment in Chinese history. For many he embodies that long March spirit, enduring pain, suffering, showing fortitude, determination and solidarity to achieve a better future. He also ensures that the memory of the event is being carried forward to new generations.

"In 1935, I joined the Red Army, which was led by the Communist Party of China. The good deeds of the CPC should be appreciated and remembered. I hope that people all over the world can work together to build a bright future"

About two hour's drive from Yan'an, regarded by many as the spiritual home of the revolution, is Wuqi, site of a crucial battle against nationalist forces, overseen by Mao Zedong himself. Today it is a 'must-see' for so-called `Red Tourists' following in the footsteps of the founders of modern China.

"This is the site of the 'Qieweiba' battle. On October the 21st 1935 Chairman Mao Zedong chose here as the main battlefield to launch the last battle against the Kuomintang during the Long March. It also brought the one year long arduous march of the Central Red Army to an end."

It was at this time a crucial theme emerged - that those in government should never forget the harsh lives of ordinary people. It's a theme that is echoed in government circles today.

"I think that this is the secret weapon of the CPC," says Wang Peng is Assistant Researcher, China Institute, Fudan University, "and it's emphasized by President Xi Jingping that we must emerge, that we must live with the people, to refresh out party, and promote the power and capability of the government and make people living happier in a more harmonious way and make out society great."

Li Wen, Deputy Director, Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences believes there is a direct relationship between the Long March and China's challenges today.

"The realization of the Chinese dream can be called a new Long March, requiring our inheritance of its spirit. That is embodied in the effort of eradicating poverty through development, strong will in party management and the anti-corruption campaign, as well as the uniting power of different walks of life to build a stronger and more prosperous China."

Today Yan'an is a bustling city of more than two million people, set to more than double in size with the creation of new civic buildings and homes, improving the lifestyles of the people of the city and surrounding areas.

That development, says Professor Li Daguang, from the College of Defence Studies, is a physical example of the Long March spirit.

"The spirit of the Long March will support China in achieving its contemporary goal of implementing the 'moderate prosperity' programme in an all-round way, helping us sort out problems we encounter during the process."

For the thousands of 'Red Tourists' who visit ever year, Yan'an provides inspiration and a reminder perhaps that .. by tapping into the Long March spirit, even better times lie ahead.