This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March by the Red Army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and also the 90th anniversary of American journalist Edgar Snow’s first visit to the CPC’s Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia revolutionary base. On September 3, the International Friends’ Salon Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Long March was held in Beijing, co-hosted by the BPAFFC and the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives (ICCIC-Gung Ho).
The Salon aimed to delve into the historical significance and contemporary value of the Long March, review the contributions of international friends represented by Edgar Snow to the Chinese revolution, carry forward the Long March spirit and the spirit of internationalism, revisit the profound friendship defying the obstacles of mountains and oceans, and contribute to advancing a new Long March in the new era and building a community with a shared future for humanity. More than 70 participants from 28 countries attended the event, including descendants of international friends, Chinese and international experts and scholars, and international students.
Wang Yu, Executive Vice President of the BPAFFC, stated in his welcome remarks that the Long March is not only an epic of the Chinese nation but also has transcended national borders and resonated worldwide. The perseverance and solidarity embodied in it provide cultural nourishment for building a community with a shared future for humanity. The BPAFFC stands ready to join hands with international friends on a new-era Long March and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Michael Crook, Chair of the ICCIC, introduced the background of the Long March. He pointed out that Edgar Snow’s objective reporting on the Red Army and the Long March inspired international friends including his parents to support the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The Chinese Industrial Co-operatives (Indusco) movement set up by Edgar Snow, Rewi Alley, and others was in line with the Long March spirit.
Speakers. included winners of Chinese Government Friendship Award Laurence Brahms, Rafael Zerbetto, Fadhili Mpunji; interntional experts David Ferguson Álvaro López, Khan Shahid Afraz as well as Chinese experts Sun Hua and Fan Xingsheng. From different perspectives, they articulated their understanding of the Long March spirit and the contributions of Edgar Snow and other international friends. Drawing on their own experiences, they also discussed how the new generation of international friends can better integrate into Chinese modernization and help the world truly understand China.
The panel discussion featured guest speakers including Christian Wagner, PH.D candidate, New Media School, Peking University; Natasa Gaberova from Serbia, International Expert, Beijing Foreign Studies University; Hendy Yuniarto from Indonesia, International Expert, Beijing Foreign Studies University; and Abhilash Sarma, Member of the Standing Committee, ICCIC-Gung Ho, and son of Ravi Sarma from Singapore, also a friend of the Chinese people. They shared from cross-cultural perspectives the inspiration from the Long March victory and Edgar Snow’s contributions. They also reflected on how to spread the Long March stories to the world and into the future, and better practice internationalism on a new-era Long March.
During the Salon, participants watched documentaries about the Long March and Edgar Snow, and viewed historical photos of international friends. The precious photos recording the support of older-generation international friends for the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression evoked strong resonance. The salon climaxed with a group recitation of Chairman Mao Zedong’s classic poem The Long March.
Chinese and international participants remarked that the salon was not only a look back across time and space, but also a relay of spirit for the future. They pledged to carry forward the spirit of internationalism and continue to serve as envoys promoting people-to-people friendship between China and other countries.
The event received strong support from China International Communications Group, China Media Group, Peking University, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Capital Normal University, and the Center for China and Globalization. Jiao Yutong, Vice President of the BPAFFC, also attended the event.
