Editor's note: The following article is taken from the Chinese-language "Commentaries on International Affairs" and first published on China Plus on March 19.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Italy, Monaco and France starting on Thursday. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the visit will give a boost to the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, sending a clear message that, regardless of changes in international circumstances, China always takes the European Union (EU) as an important strategic partner and its ties with Europe are a diplomatic priority.

In his letter to the students from a Rome boarding school who recently wrote to him about their shared hopes for a better future, President Xi encouraged them to become modern-day Marco Polos and cultural ambassadors between China and Italy. 

And his visit to France will coincide with the centennial celebration of France's welcoming of the first generation of students from China and the 55th anniversary of Sino-French bilateral ties.

Five years ago when President Xi visited Europe shortly after becoming head of state, both sides pledged to enhance their partnership for peace and mutual development. In the years that followed, the bilateral relationship has continued to reach new heights despite their differences in history, culture and social institutions.

There have been situations where China has found itself in economic and trade competition with its European partners. But this hasn't stopped the development of strong bilateral ties. China and the EU have been each other's largest trading partner for years, with two-way trading of nearly 740 billion yuan (some 110 billion U.S. dollars) in the first two months of this year. This is up almost 9 percent compared to last year.

This achievement owes a lot to the efforts made by both sides to pursue cooperation based on a win-win approach, which can be seen in the embrace of the Belt and Road Initiative as a way to increase the connectivity between Asia and Europe.

President Xi's visit to Europe will provide a new dynamism for sustainable development in the global economy, and open up new horizons for the promotion of friendly relations and win-win cooperation.

Five years ago during his visit to Europe, President Xi quoted Gottfried Leibniz when he said: "Only the sharing of our talents will light the lamp of wisdom." Five years later, when relations between China and Europe are on the cusp of another moment in the sun, let's hope the visit brings some brightness to the increasingly challenging international situation.

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