This longer chapter tells of an unsual sting before exploring the consequences of stings for the family members of predators (who often had no idea what was taking place under their roofs).

In the context of a sting of an old man who’d been abusing his granddaughter and is confronted by COBRA, this chapter introduces a key question that the book seeks to answer: Why do paedophile hunters persist with extreme methods (of publicly exposing suspected paedophiles) when less harmful alternatives are easily available?

This chapter explains how the author came to enter the world of paedophile hunters, including his first-ever meeting with them.

Sino-African joint ventures (JVs) are part of a developing relationship between China and African nations that presents opportunities as well as challenges. The ICBC Standard Bank Plc JV provided an opportunity for the South African Standard Bank Group to realize proceeds that would release capital to further its growth strategy across the African continent. China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank of China entered into the ICBCS JV to elevate its global markets capabilities. In recent years, the SB Group has wished to exit the ICBCS JV but is restricted from doing so by the terms of its Sale and Purchase Agreement with ICBC. This case study affords insights into some of the challenges of exiting a Sino-African banking JV agreement and explores the multifaceted impacts of Sino-African banking JVs. This knowledge is vital for informed decision-making by policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders involved in these collaborations. The primary sources used in the case study were shareholder cautionary announcements, the Sale and Purchase Agreement, annual reporting statements, and press releases.

This chapter (again) illustrates how difficult the relation between hunters and police is, and how hunters often have great distrust of police.

This case study examines the dispute between Micron Technology, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), and Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co. Ltd. over the alleged theft of Micron’s trade secrets in integrated circuits (ICs), specifically dynamic random-access memory chips. This dispute offers a lens through which to analyze China’s strategic efforts to strengthen its semiconductor industry by overseas investment. It begins by introducing China’s ambitious policy framework aimed at achieving self-reliance in the semiconductor industry, set against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on global IC supply chains. It then turns to the case adjudicated by Taiwanese courts in 2020, where UMC and Jinhua faced allegations of trade secret misappropriation from Micron. Finally, this study compares the different legal and regulatory approaches of Taiwan and the United States in addressing such disputes, highlighting the challenges in regulating global supply chains amidst evolving geopolitical and economic landscapes.

China, as one of the world’s largest creditors, has recently faced numerous defaults on its loans by recipient states, bringing the issue of Chinese debt restructuring to the forefront. This case study unpacks this process, with a particular focus on Zambia, a country emblematic of the broader dynamics at play. The primary aim is to elucidate the mechanisms and negotiations employed by China, a major global creditor, in debt restructuring agreements with low-income countries, with an emphasis on its engagements in Africa. The case study starts with an analysis of the Zambia case, highlighting the negotiation tactics and terms of agreements between Zambia and China. This serves not only as a snapshot of China’s dealings with a specific country but also as a springboard for broader discussions. Subsequently, the case study broadens its scope to encompass China’s lending dynamics in the African continent. Furthermore, the case study establishes a global context by acknowledging China as the world’s largest official creditor. It critically questions China’s choice to remain outside the Paris Club and considers China’s inclination or aversion toward coordinated debt restructuring.

Gold mines in Kyrgyzstan that are owned and operated by Chinese investors have experienced several problems in recent years, chief among them being labor disputes with local workers. These disputes mark a pattern of dysfunction in one of Kyrgyzstan’s most critical industries. They are further significant for a number of additional reasons. First, they shine a light on the realities of doing business in a controversial sector in a developing country. Second, they demonstrate labor issues from the host state side, specifically the difficulties of finding decent work for Kyrgyz laborers, and how certain industries may thereby engage in predatory practices. Third, they show the ineffectiveness of government intervention. This case study will expose readers to the causes of the problem and encourage them to critically assess the responses of various stakeholders to the disputes and the extent to which different fields and concepts of governance may be applicable in addressing the problems. These fields and concepts range from corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the “Green Silk Road.”

In this chapter, the author sets out on his first-ever sting (with a Scottish group called Wolf Pack Hunters). He is called to give a witness statement at a local polic station and gets to know Oliver, who ultimately introduces him to COBRA.

The author sets out for his first sting with COBRA. A long night of driving across London in pursuit of a predator ends up becoming a goose chase. But it gives him a good feel of what hunting entails.