"China always treats China-EU relations in accordance with the development of the times and from a strategic perspective," Hu said. "We will work with the EU to further outline the overall development of China-EU relations and lift China-EU comprehensive and strategic partnership to a new level."

Hu said China welcomes the EU to play a more positive and constructive role in international affairs, adding that "an economically stable and prosperous Europe is good for both the world and China."

"Whetherin the past, at present or in the future, China will always be a reliable cooperative partner of Europe," Hu said.

Van Rompuy said the EU would like to work with China to boost bilateral ties and the global economy as a whole in the spirit of cooperation, mutual trust and mutual respect.

He said the EU and China, both economic and political partners, have a lot in common despite differences in terms of development stage and level.

He said the EU will work with China to strengthen cooperation in various fields, jointly keep markets open, avoid protectionism and push the Doha round of World Trade Organization negotiations to produce outcomes as soon as possible.

Van Rompuy also appreciated China's help in maintaining the stability of the euro zone.

Van Rompuy's China tour followed the second round of China-EU high-level strategic dialogues, which were co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Catherine Ashton, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, in Hungary.