Asia equities mostly increased in value following another record close on Wall Street before the weekend.
Frankfurt ended the day 0.35 percent lower as investors appeared to be avoiding risk before a European Central Bank (ECB) meeting on Thursday, while Paris closed flat.
London's commodities-heavy FTSE 100 index however rebounded 0.35 percent as strong Chinese growth data bolstered demand hopes from the world's leading consumer of many raw materials.
Shares in mining giants Anglo American and Glencore closed more than one percent higher, while Fresnillo jumped two percent in value.
"The FTSE remained far and away Monday's best performer... and is just about keeping its head above 7,400, thanks to the dual boosts of some China-inspired gains in the commodity sector and a Brexit-dragged showing from sterling, which is down between 0.1-0.2% against the dollar," said Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell.
The world's No. 2 economy expanded an annualised 6.9 percent in the second quarter, beating forecasts in an AFP survey, and indicating it is stabilising after a long slowdown. The reading was the same as the previous three months.
XTB analyst David Cheetham however sounded a note of caution on China.
"Whilst there remains a high degree of scepticism over the accuracy of data points from the Far East, the initial reaction has been positive and attracted buyers into London-listed stocks with exposure to China," he said.
China is trying to shift from an economy reliant on state investment to one powered by consumer spending.
Its leaders are also attempting to clamp down on bad debt, which analysts fear could spark a financial crisis if not resolved.
US markets have begun the week little changed following Friday's record high on the Dow and the S&P 500.
- New boss lifts ITV -
In London, a star performer Monday was British independent television channel ITV whose shares closed up 1.31 percent to 177.30 pence.
ITV said EasyJet boss Carolyn McCall would become its chief executive from next year.
EasyJet stock gained 1.42 percent to close at 1,431 pence.
"McCall, who has built and led the management team that has transformed EasyJet's performance in the past seven years, sees amazing opportunities for ITV and will take up her role there in early January," noted Russ Mould, investment director at stockbroker AJ Bell.
Back in Asia, Shanghai equities pared steep early losses thanks to the stronger than expected growth figures.
But Shanghai stocks still fell 1.4 percent after a top-level government policy-setting conference at the weekend promised an extended crackdown on risks in the financial system.
The country's second exchange in Shenzhen dived 4.3 percent while the ChiNext gauge, a Nasdaq-style index in Shenzhen, plunged 5.1 percent to a near 30-month low.
Since April, China has launched an aggressive crackdown on risky lending as warnings mounted over a looming debt crisis due to runaway credit.
New York - DOW: FLAT at 21,640.16 points
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.35 percent at 7,404.13 (close)
Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 0.35 percent at 12,587.16 (close)
Paris - CAC 40: FLAT at 5,230.17
EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.27 percent at 3,516.35
Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.3 percent at 26,470.58 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.4 percent at 3,176.46 (close)
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Closed for public holiday
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1469 from $1.1451
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3058 from $1.3072
Dollar/yen: UP at 112.75 yen from 112.60
Oil - Brent North Sea: DOWN 20 cents at $48.71 per barrel
Oil - West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 29 cents at $46.25