There has been much reported on the strenghtening ties between Chavez and Hu Jintao and the sheer volume of cash being infused to develop resources.
Have the Russians succumbed to 2nd place?
CRRC has financial and political clout via their government.
I have attached 2 links, one a little dated and likely read by many but a good read never the less. The other is recent news on the oil front. Got to think we may have the backing for a permit!!! A chinese gift??
http://www.chinamining.org/Investment/2010-06-08/1275959219d36832.html
http://www.chinamining.org/News/2011-01-07/1294382159d42439.html
Cheers.
Keep you fingers crossed!!
B.