People visit the memorial hall of the Four Crossings of the Chishui River in Xishui County, southwest China"s Guizhou Province, Sept. 11, 2026. More than 90 years ago, the Red Army crossed the Chishui River four times during the Long March, breaking out of enemy encirclement. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

　　BEIJING/ISTANBUL, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Türkiye. Turkish scholars, students and political figures say the military odyssey offers insights into China"s revolutionary history and development path, while calling for deeper cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

　　The Red Army, led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), was mainly made up of soldiers from peasants" and workers" families during the Chinese revolution. Between 1934 and 1936, the army trekked roughly 12,500 kilometers to break through the encirclement of the Kuomintang forces, a journey later known as the Long March.

　　Murat Tamer, a Turkish scholar specializing in cultural exchanges between China and Türkiye, said the Long March deserved greater recognition in Türkiye. More than a historic march, it demonstrated the CPC"s determination, organizational strength and strategic thinking in the face of formidable challenges, he said.

　　The great spirit of the Long March, Tamer added, could help Turkish people better understand how China overcame difficulties and forged its own path of development.

　　A drone photo shows people visiting the revolutionary site of the Battle of Qinggangpo in Xishui County, southwest China"s Guizhou Province, Sept. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)