With the special approval of the China Manned Space Flight Program Office, the Paintings on the Ten-thousand Li Long March, jointly created by 18 famous calligraphers and painters according to the historical facts of various critical moments of the Red Army' Long March, was carried by the Shenzhou VI Manned Spacecraft which blasted off on October 12 to the space. According to the information of the related department, it is unprecedented for the Chinese paintings and calligraphic works to flight to the space in the history.

　　The Paintings on the Ten-thousand Li Long March consists of 18 separate paintings and calligraphic works. Six famous painters and calligraphers of the army took part in the creation. Shen Wansheng wrote the calligraphic works Qilu (poem with seven characters to each of the eight lines)-Long March, which is a poem of Mao Zedong. Li Duo inscribed the name of the long scroll Paintings on the Ten-thousand Li Long March. Liu Dawei produced the painting Crossing the Grassland. Chai Jingjin finished the works Fierce Combat at the Xiangjiang River. Zhang Daoxing did the Wuyang Bridge of Ruijin. Li Xiang contributed the works Swift Troops Across the Chishui River for Four Times.

　　According to Cao Yuwen, the organizer of the "Ode to Shenzhou VI and the Long March" activity, the tableau of the scroll measures 68cm high and 29 meters long, making it the first scroll of paintings and calligraphic works in full display of the Long March. The Long March of the Red Army and the successful exploration of the space are two different "Long Marches" by the Chinese servicemen in two different space-times, but equally proclaiming the take-off of the giant dragon in the east and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

　　By Qiao Linsheng

　　(Oct. 14, PLA Daily)