Beijing, Oct 11 (IANS): The first World Congress on Marxism opened on Saturday in Beijing.

The congress, sponsored by Peking University, is a platform to study and discuss the exchange, spread, and development of Marxism around the world and its important role in boosting social progress and civilization development, reported Xinhua.

More than 400 Marxist scholars from 20 countries were invited to participate in the congress with the theme of "Marxism and the Development of the Human Race".

It is also the biggest academic conference on Marxism held in China.

During the two-day conference, more than 100 scholars will give speeches on topics such as "the origin and development of Marxism", and "Marxism and the global economy".

Talks on a series of topics including the development path of underdeveloped countries and Marxism, and the Chinese development path and market socialism, will also be held.

Sun Daiyao, vice president of the School of Marxism of Peking University, said the congress aims to manifest the strong vitality and widespread impact of Marxism in modern world, as well as to boost the spread, exchange and development of Marxism across the world.

It will also study and share Chinese experience to promote the progress of Chinese society and the development of the world at large, Sun added.

Du Yubo, vice minister of education, said at the opening ceremony that the congress will showcase China's research on Marxism while helping Chinese scholars expand their research.

The congress is scheduled to be held about every two years in Peking University. The next congress will be held in 2018 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth.