NANCHANG, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) marked on Saturday the 80th anniversary of the founding in 1927 of its first revolutionary base in Jinggangshan (Mount Jinggang) in east China's Jiangxi Province.

    Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, speaking at a grandeur memorial gathering in Jinggangshan City, called for inheriting and displaying glorious revolutionary traditions of the Jinggangshan Spirit and opening up a new situation of socialism with China's own characteristics.

    In his speech, Li looked back the hard experience of the founding of the Jinggangshan Base by old-generation leaders including Mao Zedong and Zhu De 80 years ago, and he spoke highly of its importance for the Chinese Revolution and China's development and progress.

    The Jinggangshan Revolutionary Struggle opened up the correct path for the Chinese Revolution, created the first Red Regime of the Chinese Revolution, tempered a People's Army with the proletarian nature, nurtured the Jinggangshan Spirit, initiated the process to combine the fundamental theories of Marxism with China's realities, and was the glorious starting point for the Chinese revolution and construction to go from victory to victory, according to the senior Party official.

    Li hailed the recent 17th CPC Congress as a significant conference for the country's Reform and Opening-up Drive, which has entered a crucial stage. "It marks that our Party has led the whole people to start a new historic course," he stressed.

    After the gathering, Li paid a visit to an old house where Mao Zedong once stayed, and attended the inaugural ceremony of the newly-rebuilt Jinggangshan Revolution Museum. He also had a meeting with a group of singers who have participated in a contest of revolutionary songs.