EU should fulfill role of true strategic partner

Three days before Premier Li Keqiang and his European counterparts issued their communiqu�� after his one-day visit to the European Union headquarters on Monday, a source on the European side let me see a draft of the planned release.

I am cautious about reporting on such documents, because although negotiations take place before the big wigs arrive, there might be last minute discussions that result in changes to the script. However, this is the first time in my journalistic career, I saw for myself the give and take that goes on in reaching an agreement at such meetings.

My source expressed disappointment that Brussels had decided to say "no" to so many of Beijing's proposals, as the document showed. He also said the document had largely been watered down.