BEIJING, July 16 -- The head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Liu Qibao urged social scientists to stick to Marxism in their studies on Thursday.

Liu made the remarks during an inspection tour at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), saying that Marxism is the fundamental ideology of the Party and the state.

Liu urged philosophers and social scientists to use the stances, viewpoints and methodologies in their academic studies, and keep the social sciences in the right direction.

As the country's leading social science institution, CASS should take the responsibility of consolidating Marxism's guiding status, and become a "strong position" for Marxism.

He urged social scientists to strengthen explanation and study of Marxism's basic principles and the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as the spirit of President Xi Jinping's remarks.

He also called for more foreign exchanges and cooperation in social sciences research, strengthening China's social sciences status in global academic community.