justice against HWG and Chairman Zong in the international arena, Wahaha has embroiled Danone in multiple attacks at a local subsidiary-level. Political leaders from both countries have called for an amicable solution to the dispute. Danone filed for arbitration in Stockholm on 9 May. On 4 June, Danone filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Ever Maple Trading and Hangzhou Hongsheng Beverage Co Ltd, as well as Zong's wife and daughter who run the two companies. Ever Maple Trading Ltd is the controlling shareholder of Hangzhou Hongsheng Beverage, which is the parent company of Hangzhou Wahaha Food and Beverage Sales for damages of US$100 million. Zong resigned as Chairman of the joint ventures on 5 June 2007. However, WHH challenges whether the joint-ventures have title to the WHH brand. Application for arbitration of the dispute with Danone over the trademark had been made to the Hangzhou Arbitration Committee, and was accepted on 17 June. In August 2007, Hangzhou Wahaha Foods Co, the leading joint venture company, sued the State Trademark Bureau over what it claims was "improper administrative behavior" in 1996 and 1997. However, the case was withdrawn because it fell outside the statute of limitations. Danone filed claims against 10 companies believed linked to Wahaha in Samoa and the British Virgin Islands. The High Court of the British Virgin Islands placed eight companies registered there into receivership and froze their assets on 9 November. It was reported on 22 November that the assets of two Samoan registered entities were frozen and put into receivership under the order of the Supreme Court of Samoa; Danone won arbitration in Stockholm. On 10 November, the Hangzhou Arbitration Committee ruled on the technicality that Danone had failed to appeal against its decision not to approve the transfer within the allotted time. The Wahaha labor union, citing fears of some 300 job-losses, also joined the legal fight against Danone. The union accused Danone of holding shares in companies that compete against the two big companies' 39 joint ventures. On 21 December, under political pressure from the respective governments, Danone and the Chinese partner agreed to suspend their legal battle and resume negotiations. Reasons for the breakdown Cultural issues Whilst the surrender of 51% to two foreign partners may have appeared not to interfere with control of the company, Zong resented the takeover of Wahaha by stealth. This is manifested in Zong's nationalistic defense