China to introduce Marxism studies in Beijing colleges

China's capital Beijing will spend more than USD 31 million annually to promote the study of Marxism in colleges to "build socialist universities with Chinese characteristics."
According to a guideline issued by the city government, Beijing will encourage reforms in Marxist research to build "socialist universities with Chinese characteristics."
Marxism is a compulsory course in college and includes modern Chinese history and political structures, but is underfunded and perceived as indoctrinatory leading to student dissatisfaction, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Beijing will spend 200 million yuan (USD 31.5 mln) annually to promote the study of Marxism in colleges, it reported.

Schools and teachers will be encouraged to base the teaching of Marxism more on practices and real-life experience. It also promised rewards for high-performing young teachers and professors, and better funding for their projects.
The initiative was announced as China has held the first world international conference on Marxism in Beijing.