But they were wary both of China and of their own stuffy bureaucrats, and were shy of making a tilt to the West too explicit.
When Glencore announced in February that it was making a tilt for Xstrata, the mining firm in which it already held a 34% stake, it seemed little could go wrong.
Koichi Kato, who himself made a tilt in 2000 against an ineffective leadership, says that party unity will prevail for as long as everybody thinks they have a shot at high office, but that disappointment will set in as soon as a reshuffle is announced.
In a statement, the market said it "no longer intends to make an offer for the LSE" but it might make a renewed tilt if another bidder emerged.
The entire focus of her life was to muster enough energy from the only motion she could make, a slight tilt of her head, to drive the chair.
Those who observe these matters reckon that the favourite outcome is for CVC to make a second tilt at north of 950p.
The Shrews were relegated last term after finishing 23rd in League One but Robinson, who has been at the club during the current pre-season, thinks they are well placed to make a serious tilt at promotion.
The same counsel applies to Ms. McClain in real life, as she prepares to make a full-tilt, Disney-backed charge for the title of Next Tween Queen.
It has also made a dramatic tilt away from the west towards the east forming strong (economic) ties with China.
