Maggiolo's so-called "chop challenge" brought another brief moment of silence before one of the Chinese officials said the document didn't need a chop because it had his signature on it.

CNN: Vito Maggiolo: 'I challenged the Chinese'

The document proposed that Chinese partner Guangdong Provincial Highway Construction Co. agree to the transfer of the extra cost from Hopewell's balance sheet to that of the project in the form of shareholder loans.

CNN: HANGING ON AT HOPEWELL