Just in case there is any lingering doubt about the Chinese government directly or indirectly financing in partnership with Nevada Lithium for Thacker Pass, the Elko Daily Free Press published an article by Nathan Havenner back on 3 September that includes the following paragraph... and should place the last nail in the coffin for that idea once and for all:

Zawadzki said that an investment in terms of a business partnership or equity ownership with a Chinese company in Thacker Pass is forbidden under U.S. law, and Lithium Nevada Corp. will not partner with any companies at Thacker Pass forbidden under U.S. law.