Liu Yunshan (back, C), a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attends a symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 27, 2013. [Xinhua]

BEIJING -?A senior official with the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called on experts and researchers to "advance with the times" and embrace innovation in carrying out the research of Mao Zedong Thought.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, asked researchers and scholars to have a thorough scientific understanding of the historical feats and role of Mao Zedong and his thoughts.

The official called for efforts to further interpret the value of Mao's thoughts in modern times and thus pool "strong spiritual strength" to fulfill the Chinese Dream of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Liu made the remarks at an academic workshop Friday, a day after China marked the 120th anniversary of the birth of the late Chinese leader.

Calling the study and research of Mao Zedong Thought a fundamental task of the CPC's ideological and theoretical construction, Liu urged scholars and experts to base their research on practical issues and blend theory with practice.