Overview of the 2026 China Momentum Media Research Tour
The 2026 China Momentum large‑scale media research tour kicked off on May 11 in Yudu County, Jiangxi Province. With the theme “Forward on the Long March of the New Era,” 31 research teams fanned out across the country to showcase how historic sites are blending tradition with modern innovation.
Starting Point: Yudu County
Yudu is famous as the place where more than 80,000 Chinese Red Army soldiers began the Long March in 1934, embarking on a grueling 12,500‑kilometre journey. Today, the county honors that legacy while looking forward to new economic opportunities.
The Long March Legacy Lives On
On the banks of the Yudu River, a live performance called “Farewell” recreates the autumn of 1934, when local residents tried to stop the Communist‑led troops as they headed west. Many of the volunteers in the show are descendants of the original Red Army soldiers, keeping family stories alive for new generations.
Student Guides in the Memorial Park
Every weekend, student leaders gather at the memorial park that marks the Long March’s starting point. Yudu boasts over 2,500 student guides who together give more than 10,000 tours each year, helping visitors understand the history and significance of the site.
From Red Army Village to Modern Agriculture
The once‑quiet Red Army village of Tantou has transformed into a selenium‑rich vegetable industrial park. Chili peppers, cucumbers, and other produce are packed in cold‑chain trucks, labeled with traceable QR codes, and shipped straight to supermarkets in the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macau Greater Bay Area.
Selenium‑Rich Farming Success
In 2025, Tantou’s total income hit 3.55 million yuan (about US $522,000)—more than 40 times its 2018 figure. Yudu now hosts 186 selenium‑rich agriculture demonstration sites, producing over 3.8 billion yuan worth of goods annually.
Smart Manufacturing at Wetex Group
At Wetex Group Co., Ltd.’s intelligent spinning mill, fully automatic lines run nonstop. A digital platform that combines AI and digital twins displays real‑time data on production progress, orders, and energy use. This setup enables efficient management, risk control, and full product traceability.
Digital Upgrades Across Yudu
To date, 109 companies in Yudu that meet a certain size threshold have completed digital upgrades. These improvements are pushing the traditional textile and clothing sector toward greater intelligence and modernization.
Impact of the China Momentum Tour
The China Momentum Large‑Scale Media Research Tour launched in 2024 and has now run for two consecutive years. In 2025 alone, 319 reporters visited 175 cities. Through multimedia platforms and People’s Daily Online’s 18 foreign‑language channels, the program created more than 900 multimedia works and reached a combined audience of over 1.8 billion people across different channels.
Conclusion
The 2026 tour highlights how Yudu County is honoring its revolutionary past while embracing modern agriculture, smart manufacturing, and digital innovation. By sharing these stories with a global audience, the China Momentum initiative helps bridge history and future development, inspiring both locals and viewers worldwide to see the possibilities that lie ahead.
