Overseas experts hail practice of Marxism as key to China's development

BEIJING — Overseas experts and scholars hailed China's wise practice of Marxism by adopting the theory to its changing reality as the key of its development success, while talking about President Xi Jinping's speech commemorating German philosopher Karl Marx on Friday.

Harro von Senger, a professor at Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, said the key to China's development success lies in its capability to implement Marxism and enrich the theory with its vigorous and ample practice of Marxism.

Marxism is not only a scientific worldview, but also a scientific methodology, he added.

Von Senger stressed that the key to China's success is that it did not take Marxism merely as a doctrine, instead combining it in a flexible way with national conditions and formulating correct guidelines and policies.

On Friday, Xi commended Marxism as an open, scientific theory able to respond to the new challenges for human society in his speech at a gathering in Beijing to mark the 200th birth anniversary of the pioneer of the international communist movement.

"Marxism, for the first time, explored the path for humanity's freedom and liberation from the stance of the people, and pointed out the direction, with scientific theory, toward an ideal society with no oppression or exploitation, where every person would enjoy equality and freedom," Xi said.

Li Renliang, an expert at the National Institute of Development Administration in Thailand, said China's wise practice of Marxism in accordance with its reality shows that the scientific theory has guided China's development and the latter, in return, has enriched the profound thinking.

Midhuam Saud, vice president of Maldives China Trade and Cultural Organization, said socialism with Chinese characteristics demonstrates how China has adopted Marxism to its own development.

China has proved the feasibility of Marxism through practice, Saud added.

Gai Lin, secretary-general of the European Parliament's EU-China Friendship Group, pointed out that the Communist Party of China has the same spirit of consistently striving for ideals that Marx possessed.

Gai said this spirit has motivated China to initiate socialism with Chinese characteristics and introduce the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, in a bid to achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and build a better world.

Stephan Ossenkopp, a senior fellow of Schiller Institute in Germany, a think tank, said Xi's speech impressed him with China's emphasis on people-centric development.

Socialism with Chinese characteristics, derived from Marxism, has lifted millions of people out of poverty and propelled China's striking economic success, he added.