RE: Go where the Huckleberries areHCase,
You are right in general about doing business in China. One thing however is that you don't need to JV with a local to do business in the country (my Bro-inlaw owns a plant there) just be prepared to deal with almost constant meddling from the local government.
I always laugh when I see such garbage as "The Chinese are long term thinkers" and "Chinese rely on long term relationships." When someone tells you this it is a clear indication they have no clue what they are talking about and are just regurgitating garbage the've heard from our media.
Having said that, it can be pretty complicated doing business there and there is certainly a 'Wild West' element to it at times. All of which is irrelevant to SWN because Harlan didn't meet with the Chinese to open a business. He met with them to beg for cash for YZC's Wolverine deposit.
Of course long term relationships are always a good thing, I'm just not certain telling the Chinese "Gentlemen this meeting is over" and then bragging about doing so is how I'd go about establishing one.