China Marks 200 Years of Karl Marx’s Birth as Xi Jinping Leads in New Era
Two centuries on, despite huge and profound changes in human society, the name of Karl Marx is still respected all over the world and his theory still shines with the brilliant light of truth, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Friday.
Mr Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a grand gathering to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth. The gathering, Mr Xi said, was a tribute to the “greatest thinker” in history and shows “our firm belief” in the scientific truth of Marxism. Inside the Great Hall of the People, a giant portrait of Marx was hung, flanked by two rows of red flags, facing about 3000 participants.
On the opposite side, a banner reads “Rally closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, uphold and develop Marxism and strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era!”
Senior leaders including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, and Wang Qishan were present. Wang Huning presided over the gathering.
It capped a series of celebrations, held in recent weeks by both the government and the public, young and old, online and offline, to commemorate Marx.
Two days ago, Mr Xi visited Peking University where the story of Marxism in China began.
The People’s Daily hailed Marxism’s crucial role in China’s modernisation in an editorial. “While the world has come to a ‘crossroad’, China is unfazed... Marxism is key to China’s stability and development,” it said.
“In the new era, Chinese Communists still need to learn from Marx,” Mr Xi told Friday’s gathering.
“Let the wonderful pictures of human society envisioned by Marx and Friedrich Engels keep rolling out in the land of China.” Xinhua