By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AS the saying goes, every country must chart its own path to development — for better or for worse. Along that path are hills and valleys, victories and losses, and moments that can either make or break a nation.

But, as with all journeys, it starts with a single step.

In The Bahamas, we’ve taken many steps to get where we are today, to be an independent country, though not without challenges and setbacks. And for some of our global partners, like China, this also rings especially true.

It’s a journey that began with a single step, followed by many others: some difficult, some defining, some forward, and others backward.

This became increasingly evident when I was invited to participate in the Seminar on Media Co-operation on World Political Parties in China last month. A key theme of the trip was learning about the many steps Chinese revolutionaries took that ultimately led to the Communist Party of China (CPC) becoming the country’s ruling party and shaping China into what it is today.

One of those defining moments is now widely known as the “Long March,” a pivotal chapter in Chinese history that contributed to the rise of Mao Zedong, founder of the People’s Republic of China. The Long March was a strategic retreat by the Chinese Communists, following a series of military defeats that ultimately led to the CPC and the Red Army’s eventual victory.

The journey covered thousands of kilometres and resulted in the loss of countless lives. But the experience renewed spirits and strengthened the resolve of those who remained. More than 90 years later, I found myself retracing some of those steps, a journey that also coincided with the CPC’s 105th anniversary.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Chinese nationals visited historical sites and watched patriotic shows that brought the memories of the past to life. And in front and centre, witnessing the pride of residents and taking in the grandeur of it all, were delegates from more than 20 countries, including me.

The stage was set at Jiangxi Province, home to Ruijin, a county-level city known as the “Red Capital” and considered the starting point of the Central Red Army’s Long March. With a population of about 46 million, Jiangxi is renowned for its rich culture, history, and natural resources. But for our group, what stood out most was its historical significance.

At the Yeping Revolutionary Site and the Red Well Revolutionary Site, preserved buildings and artefacts offered a glimpse into the early years of the CPC. These sites were not just homes or old structures. They were places where Mao lived and where meetings were held and decisions were made that helped shape the movement.

Perhaps one of the most eye-catching sights at one of the sites was the Bomb Hanging Tree, a thousand-year-old camphor tree where Chairman Mao was said to have spoken with local residents. The unusual name was inspired by a past incident, when a bomb became lodged in the tree while Mao was nearby, but did not explode. The ancient tree still stands strong today.

Then we travelled to Yudu County, home to the CPC’s Long March Departure Memorial. The atmosphere was striking and filled with patriotism from the moment of arrival. Groups gathered to pledge their allegiance and proudly pose for photographs. It was there that we were also treated to an emotional musical performance depicting the reactions of families as they watched their loved ones depart on the historic journey.

At the Long March Grand Theatre, history was also brought to life through an elaborate production depicting the first crossing of the Long March and the sacrifices made along the way. Mountains rose from the stage, waterfalls vividly came to life, and moving platforms transformed the landscape. For a moment, it felt like we were actually living in history. The show was one of the highlights of our trip.

But our journey didn’t end there.

The further we travelled along the route of the Long March, the more we began to see not just glimpses of China past, but also its future. That became particularly evident in Guizhou Province, a mountainous region where the Red Army operated for a lengthy period during the historic trip. Guizhou was easily my favourite stop of the trip and, in many ways, the perfect bridge between China’s past and its future.

The province is rich in history and culture, but it has also positioned itself as a hub for technology and innovation, identifying digital and green production forces as major development priorities.

From visiting Loushan Pass, a pivotal military site where the Central Red Army fought two major battles, and walking the same paths once trod by revolutionary soldiers, to experiencing the Guizhou Long March Cultural Digital Art Museum, the country’s first immersive digital experience of its kind, the province offered a fascinating blend of history and technology.

At the museum, history was presented through a maze of technology, utilising AI virtual interaction, holographic imaging, virtual reality, and 3D sound. It was unlike any museum I had ever visited. The experience was theatrical, immersive, and, at times, almost overwhelming.

Yet, it made clear that the past was not being forgotten. In fact, it was being preserved and presented through new eyes: the technology of the future.

Another trip highlight was visiting the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone and Exchange and Experience Centre, which showcases Guizhou’s data development journey and strategic plan for the province, including advances in the industrial internet, AI, blockchain, and 5G.

But then came another equally impressive feature known as the “Potato Bus” Wonder Loop, a driverless mini bus that transports passengers around Guiyang. It’s quickly becoming a global phenomenon. For 20 minutes, the other delegates and I sat on the bus as it moved around the city. It can carry six people at a time, but was anything but an ordinary bus. It can travel forwards or backwards without a traditional steering wheel, rear-view mirrors, or conventional controls. And it produces zero emissions.

Instead, it relies on ultrasonic radar, sensors, and high-definition cameras to read traffic lights, navigate streets, and detect obstacles.

It was 20 minutes filled with wonder, curiosity, and complete awe, while glimpsing into what could be the future of transportation. Local officials framed the bus as part of a broader push to introduce green technology.

But the trip offered far more than just a glimpse into emerging technology. In China, taking a unified and a coordinated approach appears to play an important role in almost every aspect of society, from technology and agriculture to industry, infrastructure, and community development.

“Through coordinated efforts of government, enterprises, and society, we have established a sustained and stable investment mechanism, steadily narrowing the gap with the national average level,” said Zhu Yumaio, deputy director general of Guizhou’s Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

The message was clear: development doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires the government, businesses, and communities to move in the same direction.

Our final stop was in Ningxia, an autonomous region known for its diverse landscape of deserts, rivers, and mountains. Our visit there also was an eye-opening experience— this time in seeing how land and resources can be used to create opportunities.

In Ningxia, there were long stretches of desert along the roads, with vast fields of solar panels set up.

Agriculture, too, has become a major part of the region’s development. During a visit to an agricultural base equipped with intelligent farming technology, we sampled fresh produce, including apricots, tomatoes, and watermelon. It was there that we also learned more about China’s efforts to alleviate poverty, with more than 800 million people said to have been lifted out of poverty.

One success story was Hongde Village, an ecological resettlement community we visited. Officials told us the village was lifted out of poverty in 2019, with its land transformed into spaces that benefit residents and now generate income.

It’s now home to an industrial park and a hub for high-efficiency, water-saving agriculture, while study tours and cultural tourism provide additional opportunities. The focus, it seemed, was on the community needs being addressed not simply through planning and effort, but also through the involvement of its people. In short, the people become active participants in transforming their own lives.

But perhaps their success should come as no surprise, as resilience and a unified effort have long been part of Ningxia’s history. After all, it was here, namely Jiangtaibu, as I later learned, that major groups of the Red Army reunited after enduring the hardships of the Long March, marking the expedition’s conclusion.

Overall, my trip to China was nothing short of amazing.

There are many lessons to take away from China, but one that stands out as a reminder is that nation building is not a destination, but rather a journey. It’s built one step at a time — through difficult decisions, setbacks, sacrifice, innovation, but most importantly, the willingness to keep moving.

The Bahamas has a significantly smaller population and fewer resources. But our interests and principles remain the same. Ultimately, it is up to us to decide how far we progress.