BEIJING, Oct. 1 -- As China marked its 65th National Day on Wednesday, overseas scholars and media lauded the country's increasing diplomatic clout, rapid economic growth, and rising cultural influence over the past six and a half decades.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has transformed from a closed, backward and poor country into an open, progressive and prosperous Asian giant, whose rapid development benefits not only its own people, but also the whole world.

Just as David Shambaugh, a well-known China expert in the United States, put it in his book, "China Goes Global", China now is a most important rising power in the world.

As the country has entered the center of the world system from the periphery, every move whenever and wherever the country makes will draw worldwide attention, he said.

Over the past 65 years, China has established diplomatic ties with more than 170 countries, resumed its seat as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, and played an important role in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), G20, BRICS and other multilateral cooperation mechanisms.

In the global arena, a series of new initiatives brought up by Chinese leaders, like "common destiny" and "new security concept", have contributed to strengthening pragmatic cooperation between China and other countries.

China's role as a responsible power has been fully embodied through its active participation in overseas peacekeeping missions, mediation for regional disputes, nuclear non-proliferation efforts, and fight against terrorism, climate change and the Ebola epidemic.

Wendy Sherman, U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs, said China, as an influential country, has played a positive role in maintaining world peace and stability.

Jose Graziano da Silva, director-general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said that for decades, China has scored remarkable achievements, made firm commitments, and played a leading role in ensuring food security.

On the economic front, China has also made achievements of world interest over the past 65 years, especially since its adoption of the policy of reform and opening up in 1978.

In 2010, the country surpassed Japan to become the second largest economy in the world.

China's foreign direct investment (FDI) topped the mark of 100 billion U.S. dollars last year, becoming the third largest global investor, while its contribution to the world economy accounted for nearly 30 percent.

In an article posted on its website, Huffington Post said the sustainable growth of the Chinese economy has brought much benefit to the world.

German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung also said that in terms of added economic strength, Asia has actually created another Germany over the past four years, with China's contribution thereto accounting for 70 percent.

Moreover, China has witnessed rapid development in the fields of science and technology.

In 2013, China launched the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft, and Yutu, China's first moon rover, drew the world's attention. By 2014, China had built more than 10,000 km of railway for high-speed trains, with another 12,000 km under construction.

Jiaolong, China's first manned deep-sea submersible, reached 7,062 meters in the Pacific's Mariana Trench in a dive in June 2012, making it possible for the country to conduct deep-sea exploration in 99.8 percent of the world's oceans.

Meanwhile, China has succeeded in promoting its culture across the world, with Confucius Institutes becoming a feature of the Chinese culture going global.

Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao said China, with an open mind, welcomes people from around the globe to study, work, do business, or even settle down in the country.

Most of the foreigners are attracted and fascinated by the Chinese culture, said the Chinese-language newspaper.