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BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics is crucial to carry forth the Long March spirit, and China should keep marching forward.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses a gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

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.

To carry forth the Long March spirit and advance in "a new long march," people must solidify their confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said.

"While we stress confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we should by no means rest on our laurels and stop making progress," Xi said. "We must constantly discover, invent, create and march forward, so as to keep socialism with Chinese characteristics permanently invigorated."

Xi emphasized that all improvements and progress should head toward a designated direction, rather than a change in direction, or even "abandoning the very foundation where our Party, the country and the people are rooted."

During the Long March, the Red Army not only transcended the barriers of "thousands of mountains and waters," but also climbed over the barriers of the mind, Xi said, referring to overcoming the dogmatic belief that Marxism is immutable.

The most important message from the Long March is that China must combine the fundamental principles of Marxism with the real conditions of China, and march along the path of revolution, construction and reform as suitable to China's conditions.