“The enduring enthusiasm, the consistent hope, the astonishing revolutionary optimism of these millions of young people are like a flame... All of this, and much more, is reflected in the history of one expedition unparalleled in modern history.” Edgar Snow, a prominent American journalist, described the Long March in Red Star in China.

Recently, the International Defence College of the National Defense University organized more than 100 foreign military officers from more than 80 countries to follow the footsteps of the Red Army, visiting Ruijin, the starting point of the Long March, the turning point of Zunyi, and the base of Yan'an. In the midst of the collision between history and reality, they explored the spiritual strength of the victory of the Red Army on the Long March and perceived that "unparalleled expedition."

"An expedition of faith"

“It's too heavy to be concerned, and the chickens want to ring early because of the weather. Give me a robe with infinite love, and shake hands with kindness.”At the former site of Yunshi Mountain, west of Ruijin city in Jiangxi province, foreign military cadets stopped to listen to Peng Tingfa, a professor at the International Defence Academy, tell the moving story of "No Mei Pook."

In October 1934, the central authorities gathered at Yunshishan and embarked on a long march after the reorganization. According to the organizational arrangements, Lin Boqiu accompanied the army on the Long March, while He Zuoheng remained in the Central Soviet District to persist in the guerrilla warfare. When he said goodbye, Uncle He took off his sweater and gave it to Lin Boqiu. Lin Boyuan had a great deal of emotions and brushed down "No Plum Pit." In February of the following year, He Suheng died bravely in a siege, carrying out with his life his vow to "shed the last drop of blood for the Soviet Union." Listening to the story, Beninese army officer Lucien said, "Red Army soldiers who died for the ideals of the revolution are true heroes."

An old photograph recording the brave looks of female Red Army officers in the Central Revolutionary Base Memorial in Rikin was deeply touched by Agnes, an officer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo:“All the way, they ate and slept, and they took on tasks such as treating the wounded. As a female soldier, I know they have overcome many difficulties.”

"The Long March is a strategic transfer and a journey of faith." Yanos, a Peruvian army officer, lamented that the Red Army soldiers had no idea where they were going when they set out, and that it was not immediate interests that supported them in their unknown journeys, but the tenacity of "preservation of the revolutionary fire" and the firm belief that the revolutionary cause would triumph.

"Insisting independence is the key to defeating the enemy."

At 96 Zi Yin Road, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, a small building of green brick and tile stands silently. More than 90 years ago, the Zunyi Conference, which determined the future of the Party and the Red Army, was held here. This meeting on the great turning point of the Chinese revolution opened a new stage in the CPC's independent settlement of the actual problems of the Chinese Revolution.

At the site of the Zunyi conference, foreign military cadets learned in-depth about the conference with the introduction of the docent. After the Xiangjiang Battle, the Central Red Army plummeted from more than 86,000 to more than 30,000, and the young Communist Party of China faced a severe test of its survival. The Zunyi Conference rescued the tide at a critical moment and creatively formulated and implemented strategic strategies consistent with the practicalities of the Chinese revolution, saving the Party, the Red Army, and the Chinese revolution. In the view of Shamsbekov, a Kyrgyz army officer, maintaining independence is the key to defeating the enemy. This valuable experience still has important implications for many countries in the world today.

Once out of the meeting, they drove all the way to Maotai Ferry on the banks of the Redwater River. Facing the rolling waters, Argentine Army officer Bidella said:“While studying war history at the military school, I admired the example of Mao Zedong's battle of crossing the Equator after the Zunyi Conference. The Red Army, which numbered 30,000, flexibly implemented strategic maneuvers amid the siege of hundreds of thousands of enemy troops, and deftly got out of the difficult situation. I wanted to visit the site at the time, and today I finally got my wish.”Uruguayan army officer Gomez added: "Mao's art of command lay in being grounded in the realities of the battlefield, being adept at mobilizing and confusing the enemy, creating warplanes and firmly taking the initiative on the battlefield."

The trip to Loushanguan also impressed the foreign officer cadets. This insidious area, where "one man is at the gate, and no man can open" is the battlefield where the Red Army achieved a major victory after crossing the Equator two times. In 1935, the Red Army won its first major victory since the Long March here. Upon climbing the rugged mountain trail to the battle site of Xiaojianshan, Guo Li, a teaching translator at the International Defence Academy, said that Xiaojianshan was the highest point for controlling Loushanguan, which the Red Army finally captured after several deadly battles. Gazing at the battle site, Nicaraguan army officer Varennes lamented: "The outstanding commanding art and the vigorous will to fight greatly inspired the Red Army's powerful fighting force."

"Bringing together the power of the people"

In Yangjialing, Yan'an, Shaanxi, rows of quaint caves silently tell the story.

After the Long March of the Red Army reached northern Shaanxi, faced with the dire shortage of resources in the base area, the soldiers and the people shared both the salt and the lack thereof, thus forming a bond of “shared life and death, intertwined like water and milk” between the military and the civilian populace.The strict discipline of "not taking a single line from the masses" during the Long March rose to the fine style of "seeing only public servants, not officials" in the Yan'an cave.

Walk into the cave where Mao lived and feel the rustic "Yan'an style." Alongside the cave, vegetable fields once cultivated by Mao Zedong himself attracted foreign military officers to raise their phones to take pictures. Jose, a Mexican military officer, said: "The tradition of sharing the happiness and suffering of the people and the hard work and plain manner are very worth learning."

"The Chinese Communists regard the interests of the people as the supreme interest of the Party and gather the strength of the people." Doris, a Venezuelan military officer, told of her visit.

"Today China adheres to the people-centered philosophy of development, which is the inheritance of a glorious tradition." "What I admire is that China is committed not only to enhancing the well-being of its own people, but also to sharing modernization opportunities with developing countries through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," said Andia, a Congolese military officer.

"When it comes to the Long March, ideals, beliefs, autonomy, and people are the most frequent words in their exchanges." Wang Bin, a professor at the International Defence Academy who traveled along the way, told reporters that "the spirit of the Long March has won the high respect of everyone on the trip with its power to travel through time and space."

From the Red Capital of Ruijin to the turning city of Zunyi to the shrine of the revolution in Yan'an, this 25,000-mile red journey enshrines a glorious history of suffering and reveals a bright future. When foreign officers encountered the Long March, the path laid out with faith, wisdom, and blood, struck a deep spiritual chord with them. (Looking ahead to a new era)