On October 22, 2026, the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, the College of International Education at Shanghai University (SHU) held a lecture on the Long March at its Baoshan Campus.

The lecture was delivered by Cui Xiliang, professor of linguistics and applied linguistics at Beijing Language and Culture University, director of the International Communication Institute of Chinese Calligraphy, and president of the Peking University Alumni Calligraphy and Painting Association.

Chen Xiumeng, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committee of SHU’s Office of International Affairs and vice dean of SHU’s College of International Education, moderated the event. More than 100 international students from over 50 countries attended.

In the opening remarks, Chen outlined the domestic and international context in which the Long March took place and discussed aspects of the Long March spirit, including firm ideals and convictions, a willingness to endure hardship and make sacrifices, strict discipline, unity, and close reliance on the people.

Cui then discussed Mao Zedong’s poem “The Long March” in both Chinese and English, focusing on how it portrays the Red Army’s journey and conveys determination and optimism. He also demonstrated Chinese calligraphy, writing lines from the poem with a brush and ink on Xuan paper as students gathered around to watch. Through the demonstration, he showed how brushwork and composition conveyed the poem’s imagery.

During the interactive session that followed, students shared their thoughts on Chinese characters and poetry and exchanged views on the aesthetics of Chinese calligraphy. The session gave them an opportunity to explore the Long March spirit through poetry and calligraphy.

The lecture brought together historical discussion, literary interpretation, and a live calligraphy demonstration, offering international students another way to engage with Chinese history and culture. It also formed part of the College of International Education’s efforts to deepen international students’ understanding of China and foster mutual understanding across cultures.

 Source: Shanghai University