There has been little word from inside the Chinese or Indian camps as to how they currently see the negotiations.

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However, word that the Chinese were increasing reserve requirements on banks again in order to fight inflation and property prices, has put a damper on the mood.

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No word yet on when exactly the Chinese will pick the winning rover, but expect whichever model emerges victorious to head skyward sometime in 2012.

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The Chinese seem to have regarded him as a mandarin, which he was, defining that word as a senior civil servant behaving with careful correctness.

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