Abstract: Since the reform and opening up, the socialist ideology with Chinese characteristics has gradually formed and is being constantly enriched and developed, which is playing a significant role in leading the ideology for China’s reform, opening up and socialist modernization construction. At present, the socialist ideology with Chinese characteristics has the economic, political, cultural and social functions, but it is also faced with three major challenges. Along with the economic globalization, the parallel Western ideology does not stop for a moment its penetration. A variety of social thoughts never stop their surging. The ideology of the audiences is usually lost during the networking era to some extent by the massive mixed information. To ensure the epochal character and advancement of the ideology, control the leadership and speaking right of the ideology, and promote the coordinated development of the ideological construction and economic development has become the realization path of the future functional construction of socialist ideology with Chinese features.

Key words: ideology; socialism with Chinese characteristics; functional orientation; realization path