He practised medicine for many years and opened clinics of his own in both Tianjin and Beijing.

There's the cash price, or sticker price, and there's the discounted cash price you might get if you ask.

However under British listing rules, they would have to vote on a deal if the offer is raised to 25 percent of BHP's total market value.

"We are still having constructive conversations. We are still seeing Chinese companies listing here," Leibowitz said.

With most products, the listed price actually means something.