As the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) approaches, the upcoming landmark event in the history of the ruling party of the world's largest developing country has already attracted increasing attention from across the world.[Special Coverage]
The following is a selection of quotes by foreign leaders and observers about the significant role the CPC has played in China's rapid development.
Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian president:
The CPC has led China to successfully implement a lot of difficult reforms in different fields and different social spheres.
The reason for China's achievements and confidence lies in the CPC's strict self-governance, commitment to reform and sustainable development, promotion of Chinese culture, and contribution to the world.
Liow Tiong Lai, Malaysian transport minister:
All of China's achievements in recent years are inseparable from the good leadership and hard efforts of the CPC, whose philosophy requires that utmost attention should be paid to the welfare of the people.
"Every political party should learn from the CPC on its stance to side with the people, because only in this way can the nation achieve ever-lasting prosperity."
Khairy Tourk, a professor with the Stuart School of Business of the Illinois Institute of Technology:
The CPC plays a very important role in China's achievements, and the party is a product of China and a combination of the country's many experiences in the past.
"China is a huge country and the CPC is the backbone of China. It provides the country with a vision, and transits this vision into the reality."
Maria Teresa Montes de Oca, director of the Institute of Chinese Studies at the University of Havana:
The CPC has played a "vital role" in China's rapid development since the start of the Asian country's reform and opening-up process in 1978.
"The CPC has a very active and direct role in making economic and political decisions in the country."
Luis Delgado, academic director of Venezuela's Center for Higher Studies in Development and Emerging Economies:
The CPC is a "cutting-edge organization" that in a way "divides China's history into two" as it has been leading "the building of a modern China" since 1949.
"With its sound policy, and strong and steely political will ... (China) presents a model to follow for developing countries."
Jon R. Taylor, a political science professor with University of St. Thomas in Houston:
"If it was not the party, China would not be where it is today. People can disagree with that all they want, but imagine where China would be today without the CPC in its primary role as the leading party."
