Yes there is competition between NOT and KWG.  They have different visions and each wants theirs to be the one that is adopted/funded.  That said both companies will benefit if the other moves the transportation infastructure agenda forward.

The Canadian embassy has no role in securing visas for the trip.   All anyone needs is an written invitation from a Chinese company to get a business visa.  Often the embassy will facilitate introductions and meetings as part of its mandate to promote Canadian business.  Hopefully that is not the case here as that would indicate that KWG isn't very advanced in building their network in China.  Hopefully the real messaging from the embassy involvement is conveying that Canada is open for Chinese infastructure involvement in the ROF.

I suspect that KWG is along for the ride on this one and the real issue is a deal between China and Canada to swap infastructure investment for resource access.

... Been There