And even if we win the Zinin jurisdictional challenge, as seems likely, that's not going to stop Zijin's efforts to make their hold over at least the disputed northern tenement a ground reality. That was foreshadowed by their promise in the latest media release to move at 'Zijin Speed'.
They'll no doubt continue to ignore the latest injunction, probably promising to cover the Cominiere fines (which in the end amount to chicken feed for Zijin), whilst rushing ahead to cement their claim on that ground and probably the power plant also over the next year or so that it'll probably take to reach a final award in our Cominiere case. Not hard to see this strategy playing out. Of course it still might just end up with them still having to hand it back after all this litigation is unravelled, but holding and working the ground will provide some advantages. At the very least in the propaganda delivery to the DRC government, who will still ultimately need to enforce any ICC/ICSID decisions.
Only have to look at Spratney Islands to understand how the "Developing Country China", with one of the largest armed forces in the world operates.
Depends how far DRC and China are prepared to push their luck.
Is China prepared to drift closer to North Korea and Russia and alienates itself in that process from the rest of the world?
Will the Chinese population accept that? How far can Xi push them, before becoming a victim of his own ambition?
We know China has a habit of putting their feet on an item and state this is mine, but fuck them this time around.
Only have to look at this week's Biden's remark regarding Xi.
Pretty blunt public observation, dunno if Xi would have found that very funny, but it actually was not a slip of the tongue, but a measured warning.
Not diplomatic, but right between Xi's eyes, it seems it is the only thing Xi understands, bit of a shock therapy with a 4 x 4. All IMO, but one has to read between the lines.
Biden might be older than Xi, but thinking he is a fool is making a horrible mistake.
One only had to watch the face of Blinken and there was no surprise on his face, but determination. Biden's remark was very intentional.
Will China totally ignore international law?
We know China wipes its arse off with international law, don't know how far DRC is prepared to push this issue, it is not like Dig Oil.
This is multi times more important and valuable.
AVZ happens to be the fishbone in the sandwich and a lot of people's throats.