Oil burnerVery gross generalisation mate. Your comparison with...

Oil burner
Very gross generalisation mate. Your comparison with manufacturing and products where your friends are receiving goods are completely different to the iron ore business where it is plv that delivers the product. The chinese Need these products And plv isnt concerned about the end of the chain of production. The Chinese can be untrustworthy but so are Japanese, Australians (bond, skafe, etc), americans. The principles and standards of business is different in Asia is very different to that of Australia. You have to supervise and manage every single step of the business and have trustworthy people based in china. If not do not do business in china or in Asia or in Africa. For example your friend should have stayed in china to oversee the process. I have friends who are very successful with business in china but they have their "own" people in china to supervise the end product is as specified. If someone is not successful it is useful to look at oneself to assess whether they covered all their bases. All the best and i guess you better stay away from the resource sector as the Chinese influence is ever present.