siyi visit

So hard to draw conclusions here. Too many unanswered questions.

There has been an astonishing - totally unpredictable turnaround on SiYi's part.

This is what they said on their web site just 3 months ago following the SBN/SBL visit to SiYi:

"The parties have discussed about the project cooperation of 2009, expressing opinions on the adjustment of product configuration of the current 4-in-1 test device and the incoming 8-in-1 test device. In addition, they have also made thorough research and discussion regarding the prospect of drug prevention market in China and in the whole world, clarifying scope of marketing. All of the parties have expressed great sincerity and confidence in their project cooperation. And, they’ve also put forward constructive suggestions and strategic proposals to perfect this cooperation. Finally, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the parties signed the memorandum"

The big question - the most important question - is 'was SiYi being sincere then or were they just posturing'?

If they were sincere, then what has happened since to so change their sentiment?

If, instead, they were posturing, why were they? Was it because they always had an evil intent - such as 'stealing' our technology? (Could this have been the role of the professor - crack the technology during the quality accreditation process and then come over to SiYi to help them develop the A Rui device without the need for SBL?).

I don't know the answers to these questions - and only SiYi would.

All I would say is that if SiYi was being sincere in December, SBL/SBN must have done something rerally insensitive to offend them to this extent. If so, the board must be held fully accountable for such - and pay the price.

If, on the other hand, SiYi has had a devious intent from day 1, then SBL/SBN cannot be fully blamed - although it could be argued that their cross-cultural negotiation and relationship-building skills are naive and/or ineffectual.

As others have already said though, this China story is not necessarily over yet. If SiYi can do a complete about-face once, then they can do it twice.

Interesting that the SiYi website - and its one-product offering - is still active.