As the third round of China-EU strategic dialogue opens here, Beijing and Brussels are witnessing yet another milestone in their comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the talks, senior Chinese and EU officials will focus on an array of global issues in which the two heavyweights both have strategic interests.

As China's global influence rises in recent decades, it has increasingly reached out to traditional leading players in Europe and elsewhere, manifesting a strong sense of responsibility in shouldering its due share of international responsibilities.

Since the two sides initiated their annual summit mechanism in 1998, China-EU relations have achieved remarkable progress, against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world.

China proves itself a reliable partner of the EU, especially after the global financial crisis broke out in 2008. Huge purchase deals and investment contracts from China have provided EU economies with sizable relief as many of their big enterprises were confronted with dwindling orders from other parts of the world.

With regard to the eurozone debt crisis, which is currently the primary source of concern for EU members, China has offered a variety of assistance to Europe within its capability and pledged continuous support to EU's endeavor to achieve economic recovery and stable growth

As part of the efforts to boost the global financial war chest, China also announced in June to contribute 43 billion U.S. dollars to the recapitalization of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is a crucial component of the troika tasked to help resolve the eurozone debt crisis.

These deeds serve as potent arguments that China believes a united, stable and prosperous Europe serves the interests of the world, including China.

To further cement their strategic ties, China and the EU should take the opportunity of the China-EU strategic dialogue to make headway in issues such as the removal of the EU's arms embargo on China and the recognition of China's full market economy status.

In addition, the two sides should also increase coordination over other key global issues.