China and the European Union will start the third round of EU-China strategic dialogue on Tuesday, only weeks after Beijing announced China will contribute $43 billion to help tackle the European debt crisis.

"Our partnership with China is one of interdependent equals who share broad common interests and we have an obligation to engage on a wide range of global issues," Catherine Ashton, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy said ahead of her visit to China.

Ashton said the EU's relations with Asia: "are of global consequence and needless to say, of the utmost importance to the European Union".

Ashton arrived in China on Sunday for the first leg of a five-day mission to Asia.

She will be in Beijing for the EU-China strategic dialogue until Tuesday before traveling to Hong Kong.

Aside from co-chairing the EU-China strategic dialogue with State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Ashton will also have a number of high-level meetings in Beijing, including meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie.

In Hong Kong Ashton will meet new Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and "discuss the EU's strong economic and political ties with Hong Kong".

Ashton will then travel to Cambodia where she will participate in the 19th ASEAN Regional Forum on Thursday.