KABUL - The strength, prestige and reputation that China has gained under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) over the past decades in the comity of nations would further grow in the years ahead, Afghans from all walks of life reckoned on the eve of the party's 18th National Congress.

"On behalf of the Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan I want to congratulate the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to the people of the People's Republic of China, as well as the members of the CPC," second Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili told Xinhua.

Describing the CPC congress as a significant and important event in China, the Afghan vice-president said that the congress will bring changes in the top leadership which will be historic for the CPC as well as the government.

However, he noted the changes will not affect China-Afghanistan relations.

"I think definitely, there will be changes in the top leadership of China after the upcoming event, but those changes will not affect the friendship between Afghanistan and China; rather, it will further enhance the friendly ties between two countries," Khalili said to Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

Faizullah Jalal, a Kabul University professor and eminent political observer, also hailed China's achievement under CPC leadership.

"Before establishing the new China by CPC, China was among the poorest countries in the world, but today it is the second economic power in the globe and the credit goes to CPC," Jalal told Xinhua.

"In terms of security, China is the safest country; the rate of unemployment is low while she is the most populous country in the world. China has taken the whole world by surprise by building such a strong economy and surpassing Japan and other western economic powers," the professor said, adding that "made-in-China" products have dominated the markets in Europe, Africa, Asia and even the United States.

The change of leadership in CPC does not mean the change of policy in China. The new leaders and the sound leadership of China would also take the country toward more progress, he stated.

In terms of military power, China has a capable army equipped with modern weaponry including submarines and nuclear arms, Jalal remarked.

China, with its peaceful co-existence and friendly foreign policy, has developed cordial and friendly relations with nearly all countries on all continents, Jalal said.

Adopting a non-expansionist policy, China opposes war and always supports political settlement for disputes in the world, which is why China is calling for political solution to the lingering crisis in Syria.

"The people of China will continue to move ahead under CPC to achieve more progress," Nazari Pariani, editor-in-chief of local newspaper the Daily Mandegar noted in talks with Xinhua.

He also said that socialism with Chinese characteristics would remain the ruling principle in China on its path toward more progress and welfare.

"By adopting non-interference and co-existence with all the nations, China's foreign policy has led in developing cooperative relations with all the countries," Pariani said, adding that "availing this policy, China was able to win the trust of all and invest in economic projects in every corner of the world today," Pariani maintained.

"China had enormously achieved in the field of economy and produced cheap goods and thus enabling poor people like me to buy made-in-China home appliances," Ghulam Haider, an ordinary Afghan citizen, said.