Market manipulation on ASX, page-90

Yes, I do know that. I was referring specifically to Li spod. As I understand it, the Chinese futures market offers no contracts covering that specific product -- hence the benchmark pricing services offered by Fastmarkets, S&P Plats, etc. To clarify, I wasn't suggesting there is zero capacity to gain some kind of (indirect) futures-based exposure to Li, just not directly to spod.

The int'l majors will have access to whatever futures they need, wherever it is.

To clarify further, the theory (that int'ls are shorting PLS over and above normal levels) is just a theory, as I alluded to previously.
It's eminently feasible to use the Chinese futures market to gain indirect exposure but it's equally possible that there's a greater desire to get closer exposure to actual spod -- hence the pure play producer proxy theory.

With respect, I be careful trying to get too creative/clever wrt manipulation theories in a futures market for product 'x' to have a direct impact on a producer of product 'y'. Yes, they're in the same family (all Li-based), but there are some significant differences in their respective markets. (I should prolly disclose that my default nature is generally the opposite of entertaining conspiracy theories. The vast majority of times it has served me well, but there's always the exception. So, that's my particular bias.)

All just imo as one participant.