Yes I believe they have better access to the higher level of govt.

Just remember this is a joint venture between kry and China rail, not Vz, which has stated they want majority control going forward in these developments. So it boils down to whether they have the neccesary influence to get Vz to honour the existing contract if it gets transfered to them or not. So far we all know the answer as it stands.

In these negotiations with Vz China Rail may get informed along these lines, who knows, and that doesn't mean that it will piss off China and cause that kind of grief at all, they may simply back out, time will tell. Still a high risk game imo.