The article examines the history and current state of the studies of the ideas of the Frankfurt School by the Chinese scholars based on examples of the most characteristic scientific articles and monographs. It shows the formation of studies of the Frankfurt School in China (1970s – early 21st century), which theoretical concepts were used not only as a critical theory of modern society, but also for the further development of the theory of Chinese Marxism by the Chinese scholars. It is noted that the interest of the Chinese philosophers in the Frankfurt School increased at the beginning of the 21st century, as can be seen in relevant histories and reviews of Western Marxism (Yu Wujin, Chen Xueming, Yi Junqing, Zhang Yibing, Zhou Suiming, etc.). In addition, this study analyzes more narrowly focused works that explore certain concepts of this direction of Marxist thought (Wang Fengcai, Fu Yongjun, Wang Xiaosheng, Ye Xiaolu, Chen Shibu). The considerable attention is paid to the definition of the Chinese scholars’ interpretations of concepts of the leading representatives of the Frankfurt School – “Dialectic of the Enlightenment” and “Critical Theory” by M. Horkheimer (Chen Beijie, Bao Guiqin, Bao Guoxiang, Hu Xuming, Chen Xueming, Yang Haifeng, Wu Youjun, Wang Fengcai, Fang Jinggang, Huang Xiaohan); T. Adorno’s “culture industry” and idea of non-identity (Xie Yongkang, Zhao Yong, Kou Yao, Zhang Wenxi, Wang Fusheng); H. Marcuse’s social-critical theory and theory of alienation (Shi Wenxue, Jiang Chongmu, Zhu Chunyan, Wang Shouchang, Ou Litong, Chen Xueming, Wei Hongjuan); E. Fromm’s theory of social criticism, theory of alienation and theory of personality (Tian Xinyuan, Chen Aihua, Sun Zhe, Li Xin, Han Wenyan, Liu Lidan, Xie Hui); J. Habermas’s theory of communicative action (Chen Xueming, Huang Zhifang, Bai Yongxue, Xu Lijuan, Han Miao). It is proved that in the works of the Chinese philosophers the greatest focus is paid to the Frankfurt School’s criticism of pop culture, ideology, instrumental rationality, as well as to the problems of science and technology, alienation, aesthetics, psychoanalysis, etc. The article provides an overview of the Frankfurt School’s research directions in China – humanitarian issues (Chen Zhenming, Jin Yu, Rong Jian, Li Zhongshang, Zhang Fengyang, Chen Zhenming), social and critical theory (Xu Chongwen, Chen Zhenming, Li Chaozong, Zhang Yibing, Hu Daping, Zhao Min, Yue Haiyun, Chen Yixin, Cao Weidong, Yang Haifeng, Feng Ziyi, Xi Ge), cultural criticism (Chen Zhenming, Du Jun, Ji Jingyan), understanding modernity (Feng Ziyi, Xi Ge).