Karl Marx greatest thinker of modern times, says President Xi on 200th anniversary

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 Friday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a grand gathering to mark the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth.

"Today, we hold this grand gathering with great veneration to mark the 200th anniversary of Marx's birth, to remember his great character and historic contributions and to review his noble spirit and brilliant thoughts," Xi said at the event.

Xi said Marx is the "teacher of revolution for the proletariat and working people all over the world, the main founder of Marxism, creator of Marxist parties, pathfinder for international communism and the greatest thinker of modern times."

Marx was born in Trier, Germany on May 5, 1818. As a philosopher, economist, historian, he left a lasting legacy on the world.

This year also marks the 170th anniversary of “The Communist Manifesto” written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It has been serving as a guiding principle for the Communist movement and has profoundly changed the world.