Running discussion on SP, page-20116

This reaffirmation of the relationship at zero cost to Huayou reduces competitive tension though. Had it not occurred we might have hoped another party might have become a more useful strategic partner.

I remember reading accounts from folks that attended AGMs and elsewhere statements from Klaus to the effect that the chinese wanted to see more work done on the ground before increasing their investment. A whole heck of a lot of drilling work has been done since then.

From Huayoy's standpoint this underscoring of their trusted knowledgeable advisor role makes it more not less likely they will know where NF is at in any moves he makes (the process of asking for help tells the person being asked what the person doing the asking currently needs) so easier not harder to time any hostile takeover.

I know there is a school of thought that argues this new strategic relationship agreement reduces rather than increases the chances of a hostile takeover and I'm interested to hear that line of argument run because to me the exact opposite appears to be the case.