The German hometown of Karl Marx has voted to accept a controversial statue of the revolutionary philosopher from China – to the consternation of some of its citizens.

Following months of debate, a 21-foot bronze statue of the socialist thinker will be erected in the southwestern town of Trier after its council voted on Monday in favour of accepting the gift from China.

Deliberations over the present began last year after China announced that it wished to present Marx’s hometown with a bronze statue of him to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth, which will be held in 2018.