35 mtpa is a drop in the ocean now, let alone by 2025. And if the economic conditions ever supported an expansion in remote west Africa (from china) of a third cost quartile itabirite expansion then the much cheaper pillars basin will gobble those tonnes first.
And if I do accept you proposition that theses lease will "save" china then what is the obvious corollary - much lower iron ore prices. A successful SDL and a successful china are mutually exclusive.
SDL Price at posting:
32.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held