Heroic stories bridge generations, borders

Under the blazing July sun in Tucheng, Guizhou province, 27-year-old Bangladeshi student Md Risat Abdullah stepped into the Chishui River with his teammates to build a makeshift floating bridge from wooden planks, ropes and other materials. They were recreating a daring crossing made by Red Army soldiers more than 90 years ago during the Long March (1934-36).

"The planks were unstable on the water. It was hard to keep my balance even after a few steps, let alone to run," Risat said.

In January 1935, under enemy fire, Red Army soldiers worked through the night to build a bridge using wooden panels taken from doors lent by local residents. Carrying their weapons, they ran across the swaying walkway above the cold water.

Standing on a similar makeshift bridge, Risat understood it was more than a military initiative.

"The soldiers relied on the villagers' planks to carry them across. The villagers offered doors from their own homes because they believed the army was fighting for a better future," he said.

"The crossing taught me not only about history, but also about the bond between the army and the people."

The experience of Risat, an international student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, Hubei province, was part of a broader effort to revisit the Long March, marking the 90th anniversary of its victory. This summer, he joined journalism students from universities in 15 provincial-level regions to visit 23 historic river crossings along the route. Many of the rivers are now spanned by modern bridges.

The group included international students from six countries, whose perspectives added a cross-cultural dimension to the exploration of the Long March and its enduring influence on China.

"Ninety years ago, American journalist Edgar Snow risked his life to tell the world the story of the Long March. Today, we invite international students to bring their own perspectives to the journey and discover a China they may not have seen before," said Zhou Chengsi, an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication of Wuhan University, one of the event organizers.