High-level strategic talks between China and the European Union have kicked off in Beijing.
The talks come ahead of a new round of negotiations next month connected to a China-EU investment treaty.
Analysts believe the two-day dialogue will provide a good opportunity for the two sides to continue pushing bilateral ties to a new high.
Cui Hongjian is head of Department for European Studies with China Institute of International Studies.
He mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the EU headquarters last year, which has helped push the China-EU partnership to an uNPRecedented high.
"So, against this new backdrop, I believe this dialogue will improve the strategic trust [and] understanding between the two sides. And it will play an important role in China-EU relations for a long time to come."
The dialogue in Beijing is the fifth round since of talks since their initiation and the first since the two sides jointly adopted the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation in 2013.
Among dozens of fields where the two sides have pledged to strengthen cooperation is the banking sector.
Sergio Lugaresi is an adviser from the Italian Banking Association.
"I'm most interested in banking but also in institutional cooperation. Whilst in China there is an opening and reform of the banking sector, in the European Union we have achieved a banking union in the Euro area. And this, I think, is an opportunity for Chinese that want to invest in this sector in Europe."
The event also includes activities marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union.
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini are leading the delegations.
