Long March a 'stately monument': Xi

Xi says Long March never ends 

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for carrying forth the spirit of the Chinese Red Army in the Long March eight decades ago and moving forward in "a new long march."

The Long March is an ongoing process, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), at a gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.

"A nation that forgets its origins will find itself in a blind alley," Xi said.

"No matter which stage our undertaking has developed to and how great the achievements we've made, we should carry forth the Long March spirit and advance in 'a new long march,'" he added.

During the process, Xi said the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics should be upheld.

Xi called on people to abandon complacency, the idea of seeking comfort and reluctance to work hard or forge ahead.

Each generation has its own "long march," and they should proceed in their own way, Xi said.

"Today, our 'long march' is to realize the 'two centenary goals' and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation," Xi added.

 Xi demands strong army, solid troops

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged building a solid national defense and strong armed forces that are commensurate with China's international status and national security and development interests.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks at a gathering on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.

He also noted that the Party's absolute leadership over the armed forces is the fundamental guarantee for the army's victory.

"To build a strong country requires efforts to build a strong army, and only with a strong army can the country be secured," Xi said.

He called for efforts to foster a new generation of Chinese servicemen who are "soldiers with soul, high calibre, guts and virtue," and to build rock-solid troops with "iron-like beliefs, conviction, discipline and commitment."