Political party leaders across the globe have congratulated China on its social and economic accomplishments and contribution to the world.

Their praise came as the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China convened on Thursday.

The reform and opening-up policy initiated by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping has integrated China with the global economy, and China has constantly been implementing the policy with its own methods, said Pierre Laurent, the national secretary of the French Communist Party.

He said the CPC's quest for development has not always gone smoothly, but it has always engaged in solving problems, and insisted on governing the country with the ambition of ensuring that national development benefits every citizen.

Julie Bishop, deputy leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, said in a congratulatory message that peaceful development within China has seen hundreds of millions of people lifted out of poverty in a remarkable achievement unparalleled in human history.

The chairman of the Jatiyo Party of Bangladesh, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, said the CPC has written a new chapter in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. It has also taken China's economy to new heights, seen great political, cultural, social and ecological achievements, and improved people's living conditions.

The president of Brazil's Democratic Labour Party, Carlos Lupi ,said the CPC will become stronger through this congress and accomplish its mission of reform and opening-up.

Blade Nzimande, general secretary of the South African Communist Party, said that both the CPC and his party are committed to promoting sustainable development. His party believes the CPC will take China's development to a new level through this congress.

Besides acknowledging the CPC's domestic achievement, foreign party leaders also praised China's support for their countries and contribution to world development, saying they hoped for more communication and cooperation with the CPC in boosting bilateral relations.

Sean Dorgan, general secretary of Irish party Fianna Fail, and Mykola Azarov, leader of the Ukrainian Regions Party, said they recognize the vital role which China plays in the international community.

Azarov, who is also Ukrainian prime minister, said the congress will determine the direction of China's development, which is important not only for China but also the international community.

He said cooperation between the CPC and his party plays a significant role in bilateral relations.

Pakistan Muslim League Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed and party president Chaudhry Shujat Hussain said the CPC has been pivotal in building a prosperous China whose peaceful rise is a source of strength and stability for Pakistan and Asia.

The chairman of the Centre Party of Finland, Juha Silila, and Timo Laaninen, party secretary, said in a message: "With the growing international role of China, close ties and opportunities for open and direct communication serve as the best way of ensuring effective cooperation."

The Finnish party hopes the new Chinese leadership will continue to pursue reforms and be an active member of the international community, the message said.

Party leaders from other countries, including Cambodia, Russia, Ecuador and Tunisia, also sent congratulatory messages and called for more cooperation with the CPC.

A total of 389 television stations from 133 countries and regions used live broadcasts from China Central Television to report on the opening on Thursday of the 18th Party Congress, the broadcaster said on Friday.

The number of countries and regions represented by media organizations at the congress rose 60 percent, while the number of overseas media present increased 31.9 percent, compared with the 17th Party Congress in 2007, CCTV said, citing preliminary figures.

Xinhua and Pu Zhendong contributed to the story.

zhouwa@chinadaily.com.cn