At a seminar hosted by East China Normal University on Aug. 2, scholars said strengthening Marxism as a discipline will encourage the development of philosophy and social sciences in modern China. Tong Shijun, secretary of the Party committee of the university, said that it is important to assert Marxism’s guiding role while calling for the construction of sub-disciplines of Marxism. In addition to comprehensive studies, scholars should pay attention to professional studies from philosophy, political economics, scientific socialism and other aspects, he said, adding that Chinese academia should place equal emphasis on theoretical innovation and dissemination, domestic and international communication of Marxism.