SOFIA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- With China's efforts to safeguard world peace, promote sustainable development and boost international cooperation in all areas demonstrating its sense of responsibility to create a better world and a better life for all, the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is of great importance, both to China and the world, a Bulgarian scholar has said.

Mariana Malinova Tian, an associate professor with the Institute for Historical Studies of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences who has authored books on China, made the remarks to Xinhua ahead of the congress, which will open in Beijing on Oct. 18.

"We are talking about (the) congress of the world's largest party, which ... leads the most populous country, the second largest economy and a major geopolitical player," she stressed.

Tian, who spent several years in China from 2006, said she herself witnessed many of the stunning successes the country has achieved in a wide range of spheres -- from improving public welfare to the introduction of smart technologies and utilization of space and the ocean for peaceful purposes.

At a time when the world is faced with many challenges, such as policy uncertainties in the United States and the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union, China has been making great global contributions, she said.

She cited the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, calling it "the project of the 21st century" which is contributing not only to regional but also to global development.

The initiative aims to build the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which will enhance the historical trade routes and create greater links between Asia, Europe and Africa.

Tian attributed China's success to continuous reform and improving governance. "The formula for the CPC's governance success contains an enviable combination of wisdom and flexibility," she remarked.

She emphasized the CPC's strong support for development of science and education, and involving the academic community in solving the country's internal problems and shaping its positions on global issues.

She also said the CPC is one of the few parties in the world to tighten party discipline, noting that a number of senior officials as well as lower-ranking functionaries have been punished in the party's battle against corruption

Tian has authored two books on China, "Bulgarian-Chinese Relations in Modern History" and "Genesis and Development of Chinese Civilization".