Possible changes to DRC minng code, page-166

It shows the Chinese are willing to continue to invest even against a deteriorating investment environment. The problem is that the Chinese are increasingly making an influence grab and grabbing resources along the way. If they end up with Glencore’s assets as a result of the changes to the mining law, international western investors will start treating the DRC as a pariah state and the country will become sanctioned by international originations like the IMF and World Bank who will likely pare back support IMO. The Chinese aren’t bound by the same corruption limitations as companies from the West. For example, Australia has laws that can see people jailed in Australia for engaging in corruption in foreign countries. Also as mentioned previously the Chinese contribute very little to maintaining security in the country via the UN security mission in the DRC. They seem to want to take the benefits but not stand up to the responsibilities. The run up to December will be critical to see if free and fair elections can be conducted. I doubt Kabila will be going anywhere but the longer he stays the longer things remain the same. Esh