Very possible. Rick doesn't necessarily "like" Carson, but they did cross paths on ONP. However, Rick, you remember, is IN China, so he knows a lot of other analysts and firms over there. There are more besides MW who are in the loop for the word on the streets of Hong Kong.
i believe you are off base. Rick is a distant acquaintence of Carson - I doubt more. Several of the short writers have written him angry emails due to his criticism of some short arguments. I would take him at face value - he heard multiple concerns stated 'on the street' in China by other firms that had intended to vet CCME and came up unsatisfactory. there is nothing particularly complex, suspicious, or insidious about this position.
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