BEIJING -?The key congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which declared a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, was not only important for China's development, but the whole world, experts at an international think tank symposium said Thursday.

Addressing the symposium in Beijing, Huang Kunming, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said the milestone congress held last month focused on people's aspirations for a happier life and set the action plan and blueprint for future development.

China's development in the new era would bring the world more opportunities, Huang said. "China is willing to make joint efforts with other countries to build a better world."

With the theme "The 19th CPC National Congress: Implications For China and the World," the symposium attracted more than 240 think tank experts and former political heavyweights from China and 31 other countries, regions and international organizations.

"Xi Jinping's report to the 19th CPC National Congress has epoch-making significance," said former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

"China has reached world advanced level in terms of economy and technology, and I believe that China's development will also contribute to other Asian countries," he said.

During the 19th CPC National Congress, the CPC enshrined "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" in its Constitution.

Clarifying the two centenary goals, the CPC also rolled out a two-step approach to making China into "a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful by the middle of the century."

Sergei Luzianin, director of Institute of Far Eastern Studies of Russia, said the CPC congress and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era not only served as the guidance for China's development, but also responded to world concerns such as fighting poverty and safeguarding security.

Under the CPC leadership, China has achieved stable and sustainable development in a world of uncertainty, said Peter Kagwanja, chief executive of Africa Policy Institute of Kenya.

Kagwanja said it is important for Africa to learn from China, especially its success in poverty reduction.

Thursday's symposium was jointly sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.