Xi's visit will inject fresh vigor into cooperation with Europe

President Xi Jinping is scheduled to pay state visits to Italy, Monaco and France from March 21 to 26.

The timing of his trip has attracted attention as it comes when the European Union heads of state or government are gathering at the European Council on Thursday to review a fresh 10-point policy package regarding China, and less than three weeks before the next China-EU summit.

Coming at such a sensitive juncture, the visits undoubtedly have special significance and will be scrutinized for auguries of the future course of China-EU relations.