China a 'cast-iron proof' of success of Marxism: Xi

President Xi Jinping today defended as "totally correct" the ruling Communist Party's adherence to Karl Marx's theory of socialism for 97 years, saying it has profoundly changed China from the "sick man of Asia" to the second-largest economy of the world.

Marxism has strong influence in China where students begin learning the theories of Marx and Lenin in middle school.

China, the world's second-largest economy after the US, has seen decades of market-driven growth.

"There might be setbacks in the development of socialism in the world, but the overall trend for human society development has never changed, and it will never change," Xi told a special function here organised to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Marx.

"Marxism has not only profoundly changed the world, but also China," the President said.

Marxism had pointed out the direction forward, offering a brand-new choice for the Chinese people in their struggle to survive, and setting the scene for the birth of the CPC, Xi said.

Since the CPC's birth, it has combined the fundamental principles of Marxism with the reality of Chinese revolution and construction, transforming the Chinese nation from "the sick man of East Asia" to the one who has stood up by uniting and leading the people through the long-term struggle, he said