Crossing the Pacific by feeling the stones

THE Chinese have a saying that arose from the Long March – crossing the river by feeling the stones. In a situation of grave uncertainty – how deep is the water – you can only cross the river by slowly taking one step at a time, making sure that the next stone is firm enough for you to step on before you take the next step. If you are wrong, you change course and feel for the next stone.

During the Long March, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers had to criss-cross many rivers and stones, with the enemy behind them and possible enemies across the river, but they made it by taking bold steps forward, but repeatedly retreating or re-crossing many rivers when the way forward is blocked.