China should adhere to developed Marxism, which is now represented by the Deng Xiaoping Theory and the "Three Represents" idea, said a leading philosopher here Monday.

The Deng Xiaoping Theory and "Three Represents" mean the Communist Party of China (CPC) must always represent the development of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people in China, said Wang Luolin, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), at an inaugural of the China Congress of Philosophy which began Monday morning in Beijing.

Philosophy research in China must be guided by Marxism and the study on Marxist philosophy is the most important in the country's social scientific studies, Wang acknowledged.

He urged his fellow researchers in the CASS to produce more systematic ideas and textbooks showing the latest academic attainments scored in China on Marxist philosophy.

Meanwhile, he encouraged Chinese philosophers to learn from the world's traditional cultures as well as foreign culture and philosophy.

On the issue of political orientation and fundamental Marxist principles, Wang stood for "having a clear stance and ruling out the possibility of political pluralism."

"But, on the academic question, we should be bold in bringing forth new trails and explorations and encourage different viewpoints and schools of thought to contend and learn from each other by compare notes," Wang said.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2004)