They also enjoy a continuing monopoly over constructionandcivilengineering projects, from dams to bridges, and highways to metropolitan underground light railways.
"Construction activity generally, general construction, civilengineeringand housing, have a vital, dynamic effect on getting an economy going, " he said.
"Hopewell misjudged the speed of major civilengineeringconstruction in China, the complexities of land acquisition and budgeting, " says Michael Green of Nomura Research Institute.