The Communist Party of China (CPC) has managed to create an impressive model of success that fits China's realities, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said ahead of the upcoming CPC congress.

Meanwhile, that unique development path has allowed China to generate enormous opportunities for other countries, added the president, who also leads the ruling Progressive Party of Serbia (SNS).

MODEL OF SUCCESS

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, "the specific model that China created so far has shown so many terrific results," the president said to Xinhua in an interview.

"Socialism with Chinese characteristics means something very important -- that China keeps its independence, its foreign policy and its sovereign state," he said, noting that China always makes decisions independently and in accordance with international law.

Meanwhile, innovation, reform and modernity have become keywords of China's progress and prosperity, and the CPC has led China to successfully implement a lot of difficult reforms in different fields and different social spheres, added the president.

The reason for China's achievements and confidence, Vucic said, lies in the CPC's strict self-governance, commitment to reform and sustainable development, promotion of Chinese culture, and contribution to the world.

He pointed out that anti-corruption forms the precondition for development and is essential to leading a party of some 89 million members.

CPC members "symbolize the future of all other people" in China and "need to be a role model to all the others," said the president.

The CPC's battle against corruption, he added, has given "significant strength" to the party's leadership to show the nation and the world that "China is very resolute" in the rule of law and in bringing higher living standards to the people.

Moreover, he pointed out that because of the CPC's development plans China has continued its long stretch of impressive growth, registering 6.9 percent in the first half of the year.

As a result, Europeans' skepticism of the Chinese model has faded away, noted the president.

In a nutshell, "China should stay with something that fits you, that brings you good results, and that is socialism with Chinese characteristics," said Vucic.

Since its 12th national congress in 1982, the CPC has always stressed "socialism with Chinese characteristics." The 19th congress, set to open on Oct. 18 in Beijing, is expected to set a blueprint for China to continue its growth and development plans.

MOST IMPORTANT INITIATIVE

With an eye on the international landscape, the Serbian leader said China's Belt and Road Initiative is a globally significant vision that will generate enormous benefits for the world.

The Belt and Road Initiative, put forward in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC, is "one of the most important initiatives that we have today in the contemporary world," said Vucic.

It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and is aimed at promoting trade, financial integration, infrastructure connectivity and people-to-people exchanges along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

The initiative is not only good for China and its people, but also good for many countries, added Vucic, whose country is an enthusiastic participant.

"I can say, as a representative of a very small country, I would like to encourage members of the CPC to carry on this Belt and Road Initiative and all other initiatives, because we have the full trust and the full confidence in them and their initiatives," he said.

"People and the world will be much richer with good initiatives than without them," the president pointed out.

He also noted that over the past five years, China has become more closely connected to the rest of the world, while at the same time staying firmly on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and promoting its culture globally.

"Chinese are becoming not only a part of world politics but a part of world culture," he said. "You are becoming one of the most decisive factors of the world culture, world communications, and that is something you need to be proud of."

All that shows that socialism with Chinese characteristics works, he said.

MORE INTER-PARTY COOPERATION

Calling the CPC a natural ally of the SNS, Vucic said his party looks forward to deepening cooperation with its Chinese counterpart.

The two parties need to "deepen our cooperation, as we need to learn more from our Chinese friends," said the president, whose country has a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

"We would like to have different types of meetings more often with the CPC and we will be ready to do so. I would be ready to learn a lot about seriousness, responsibility, and the way that the CPC implements its own conclusions," he said. "It's something we have to admire."

"We will do our best to strengthen our ties and to learn much more from the Chinese example," Vucic said, adding that some of the CPC's achievements could also be repeated in Serbia.

The CPC, he commented, is a strong party that has good plans and programs for the people, stands ready to heed criticism and purify itself, and is committed to delivering the best results to the country.

The SNS, he said, will "do everything to boost cooperation."