BEIJING—Decades into China’s capitalism-fueled economic miracle, President Xi Jinping is promoting Karl Marx as a rallying symbol for the nation.
To mark the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth this month, Mr. Xi launched a high-profile campaign celebrating the German philosopher. Communist Party newspapers hailed “Das Kapital,” Marx’s critique of capitalism, as “holy scripture.” Comics portrayed his life’s lighter moments—like when he was detained for rowdy drinking. State television aired a prime-time documentary and a talk...