The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

It’s Spring Again (1984).

On this day, Lin Zhichao was invited to a banquet held by the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong.

At the banquet, reporters from various countries gathered together, and Hong Kong celebrities and dignitaries also attended, including Hong Kong Governor Youde.

After all, these foreign journalists are Hong Kong’s window to the world. In liberal Hong Kong, reporters have a higher status (here I am not referring to later generations of online reporters).

For example, in his previous life in 1988, when a foreign reporter asked Li Fuzhao whether he had any personal interests involved in the four-day suspension of trading during the '87 stock market crash' (which was indeed inappropriate), Li Fuzhao cursed the Australian reporter; in an instant , the world's public opinion was in an uproar, and what followed was overwhelming public opinion. Li Fuzhao was eventually investigated and sentenced to four years in prison just for embezzling 800,000 Hong Kong dollars (his net worth is at least one billion).

Although it is just an example, it is enough to prove that in many areas, reporters are truly the ‘uncrowned kings’.

Even Lin Zhichao never loses his grace and dignity when facing reporters. When some reporters even deliberately bring up his problems with women, Lin Zhichao can at most make a joke or two, making it impossible to tell that he is angry.

At the Foreign Correspondents' Club that night, although the protagonists were supposed to be journalists, everyone asked Lin Chi-chao to give a speech. His popularity was even lower than that of Hong Kong Governor Edward Youde.

In response to requests from reporters to express his views on Hong Kong's future and leases, Lin readily agreed.

His political emotional intelligence is very high. Because of this, he is an excellent friend with heads of state in many countries and has very good personal relationships. He summarized some elements - when contacting important people, you need to understand their situation and have topics to talk about. Of course, you can't be humble; nor can you be too frivolous and annoying. I believe this principle is correct. The most important thing is to make your own position clear, and if everything is measured, others will naturally be polite to you.

In other words, it is not the best position to take both sides, as this will not please both sides; on the contrary, you must have your own position and let everyone see your position and consider your position. In short, those who can do it are not ordinary people, and Lin Zhichao is not ordinary people.

"In fact, some progress has been made. Everyone may be able to find this carefully, because the two sides can sit down and talk seriously. This is progress."

"There is really no reason for us to worry too much about the day 13 years from now. It is best for everyone to change their thinking habits, accept today's status quo, and stop worrying unnecessarily about the problems 13 years from now. In this way, we can Ensuring that Hong Kong's status quo is maintained while stimulating traditional confidence in this place can in turn help Hong Kong provide benefits to China, thereby better ensuring Hong Kong's future."

“We have gone through a lot of changes in Hong Kong—from the beginning, Hong Kong was just a romantic but difficult imperial outpost, and then it became a train station where many people who were forced to flee temporarily lived in, waiting to escape to other paradises. Today's Hong Kong is different - it has become a real home and base for the millions of immigrants who have flowed into Hong Kong over the past thirty years; their children are also willing to stay, or are happy to come back to make a living after studying abroad. The business opportunities that Hong Kong can provide today cannot be easily matched by other places."

“Although many people talk about Hong Kong’s survival in 13 years’ time, what best reflects the public’s feelings is the increasing investment in Hong Kong. In this regard, I think some of you will definitely have some objections to my involvement in certain local real estate properties. I am interested in corporate activities. Let me tell you, I am involved in acquisition activities not because I want to go against the traditional British-owned foreign companies, but like most other people in Hong Kong, I am full of confidence in the future of Hong Kong. Control starts from one link Moving to another link, or from one group to another, just means that some of the funds brought by commercial success need to find another way out. Therefore, if Hong Kong's textile, shipping or banking sectors acquire assets elsewhere Or enterprises, that only reflects Hong Kong’s economic strength and that we have entered the ranks of multinational enterprises.”

"I have always adhered to the spirit of reciprocity. Of course, we all develop under the same sky, and competition and mergers are inevitable. Even so, we cannot abandon the attitude of peace as the most important thing."

"Finally, let me talk about my views on the future of Hong Kong: 1. I think the role that Hong Kong can play is far beyond the next 13 years. Of course, we all must understand our responsibilities and work hard to maintain Hong Kong's progress and social progress. stability and economic prosperity.”

"Second, I believe that the outstanding and wise Hong Kong government will adopt practical and liberal economic policies and continue to understand the needs of the increasingly complex city residents."

"3. I believe that as time goes by, other countries and regions will increasingly try their best to learn from Hong Kong's successful examples, and Hong Kong will become a model for world economic development."

"Four. I also firmly believe that the logic of freedom of shipping will eventually be accepted by even today's critics in the future."

"5. Finally, I want to express my love for Hong Kong here - I will choose to try anything that is beneficial to the development of Hong Kong. If you ask me which industry I love the most, I think I will definitely say the cultural industry and the technology industry. , for so many years, I have been hoping that they can become an important part of Hong Kong's economy. Of course, I have not succeeded yet, but as long as it is beneficial to Hong Kong, I will do it!"

"Thanks!"

The last words were like an oath, and everyone was shocked. Then they understood that a talented and business-savvy person like Lin Zhichao might not be able to create miracles for Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's comics industry, film industry, video game industry, etc., aren't they the best evidence?

Subsequently.

Thunderous applause!

Many people present understand that Lin Zhichao has huge influence in Hong Kong and controls the existence of Hong Kong's economy.

Afterwards, Youde came to Lin Zhichao and said sincerely: "Sir Lin, you must be the first person to love this land! Your speech tonight made everyone suddenly have confidence in Hong Kong. I thank you very much!"

He is the top leader of the Hong Kong government. He will not be included in the negotiations between the two parties. Youde has to consider the prospects of Hong Kong as a whole. Even the officials of the Hong Kong government have similar ideas to Youde.

This is why the Hong Kong government has allowed the land premium for the Whampoa Dockyard to be reduced to HK$390 million. Adding in the road construction cost of HK$200 million, the total is less than HK$600 million. Before 1982, the Hong Kong government asked for HK$1.9 billion, leaving little room for bargaining.

Now, the Hong Kong government is willing to see the boosting effect of Lin Zhichao's investment on the entire economy.

Of course, the "Huangpu Garden" project must be officially announced after the negotiations are concluded, so that it will have better results.

Lin Zhichao said: "Your Excellency, the Governor of Hong Kong, has given you the award. I believe everyone hopes that Hong Kong will be better, especially Hong Kong government officials including you. In this way, we all have the same idea, so I believe everyone will reach an agreement."

Yoder nodded and said, "Yes, Sir Lin's views are very acceptable!"

Lin Zhichao also has a position, and his position is that of a Hong Kong person - that is, Hong Kong needs development, which is a good thing for both parties. It can not only invest in the mainland economy and serve as a bridge for foreign investors to invest in the mainland, but also serve as a bridge for British investment in the mainland. bridge.

In fact, Lin Zhichao already knew some "things that others don't know". This was not a memory of his previous life, but a friend of his told him, and only him.

The next few days.

Lin Zhichao's speech was widely reproduced by the media, causing a huge sensation again and having a very good effect on the entire Hong Kong economy.

Some very few and alert speculators have already begun to buy the bottom!

However, in late March, Jardine Matheson Company suddenly announced that it would relocate to Bermuda.

What a mess!

Jardine Matheson's so-called relocation to Bermuda is actually to register and establish a group holding company in Bermuda, Jardine Matheson Holdings Co., Ltd., and exchange the shares of Jardine Helding Holdings for the shares of the original listed company Jardine Matheson Company, so that the shareholders of the original listed company become the new holding company. shareholders of the company and replaces the listing status of the original listed company.

Jardine's relocation to Bermuda was most understood as "evacuating Hong Kong". When the news came out, the whole Hong Kong was shocked.

Some people have described a long-established British-owned foreign company like Jardine Matheson, which claims to have "always represented Hong Kong in the colonial era," as announcing its intention to evacuate Hong Kong at this most critical moment, which is as shocking as dropping a "Bermuda bomb."

The next day, the Hong Kong stock market plummeted, and the Hang Seng Index once fell by more than 100 points. In the end, the Hang Seng Index plummeted 62.22 points, a decrease of 5.1%.

The stock prices of the four listed companies of Jardine Matheson fell by an average of 17.4% in two trading days. Among them, Jardine Matheson and Jardine Matheson Warrants fell by 17.3% and 29.8% respectively, forming the so-called "Jinedine Matheson Shock".

Prior to this, with Lin Zhichao's "15 billion investment" plan, the Hong Kong stock market had actually risen to 1,220 points. Warning Yihe: With this mix-up, I am afraid it will have to hover around 1,000 points again.

this day.

Lin Zhichao brought people from the Changshi Group to the construction site of the Exchange Square. Wearing safety helmets, people from the project department arranged to report the situation.

Unknowingly, his "arrogance" is getting bigger and bigger. In the past, when he inspected the construction site, people on the construction site didn't know what was going on, and he was already wandering around.

Now, as long as he inspects the site, he will definitely be accompanied by senior staff of the group, and the project department will also strengthen arrangements. Even if he had an impromptu idea today, the project department would arrange it in a short time.

"It was built very quickly! It was only three years since we acquired the land!" Lin Zhichao said with a sigh as he looked at the first and second phases of the Exchange Square.

Exchange Square is divided into three phases. The first phase is two 55-storey skyscrapers. The second phase is a 33-storey Grade A office building and a three-storey high-rise building that can be connected to Exchange Square Towers 1 and 2. 'Fu Ling Court Shopping Center' and large public gardens.

Therefore, Exchange Square is not a pure commercial building, but a comprehensive building complex that integrates shopping malls + commercial office buildings.

The person in charge of the project department said: "Well, the first and second phases will be capped this year and put into use in the second half of next year. We will complete it on time and according to the construction schedule. There have been few construction sites in Hong Kong in the past two years. Everyone is very lucky to have such a project. No As for being unemployed at home!”

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Real estate always has cycles. Maybe next year major construction sites will start to grab people again!"

Everyone laughed with him.

"How many days does it take to build a layer?"

"It takes about six or seven days to build a layer."

Lin Zhichao nodded. This speed is not very fast, but it is not slow either!

Although Towers 1 and 2 of Exchange Square only have 55 floors, the design, planning, foundation and other work will take more than two years. If one floor is built a week, it will take almost a year to reach the top. There will be decoration work in the later stage, which is a delicate job. It takes more than a year to build a skyscraper like this.

In total, four to five years is more reasonable!

The later Bank of China Building was said to take four days to build one floor. In fact, it started from the groundbreaking in April 1985 until the official opening in May 1990. Of course, we do not rule out moving in early and finding a good time to hold the opening ceremony, but the time difference is not big.

"When will the construction of the third phase of Exchange Plaza start?" Lin Zhichao asked the senior staff of Cheung Kong around him.

After acquiring the Exchange Plaza, Cheung Kong Group can immediately come up with funds. As for Qianfian Land, the third phase was shelved because there was no money.

“The groundbreaking is scheduled for next month!”

"Well, the efficiency is good!"

Once the money is available, it can be said anytime, but it still depends on the date.

When Lin Zhichao inspected the Exchange Square construction site, he was followed by photographers from the Cheung Kong Group, because the company also wanted to do publicity and needed this material.

Therefore, regardless of the leadership of future generations, these are actually needed and necessary. As a company grows bigger, some culture will naturally emerge.

"Boss, the American RCA Company has agreed to sell all the equipment in the Taoyuan factory for US$100 million. These equipment are being shipped to Hong Kong in batches and then transferred to Shunde Midea's headquarters." Li Zhenlong, president of the Yangtze River Industrial Group, reported directly to Lin Zhichao.

Lin Ruijiang on the side clearly understood that Yangtze River Industries must have been involved in this incident, but his father did not do it through himself.

In fact, as early as half a year ago, Taiwan Taoyuan RCA was criticized by huge public opinion around the world, and subsequently fell into a stage of closure and review. In this incident, Li Zhenlong was indeed involved, but he only reminded local reporters and then overseas reporters.

The level of participation was not high, and Lin Zhichao had no intention of fighting for it. But things went more smoothly than expected. After receiving the information, the reporters immediately launched an investigation and eventually made the matter of RCA's discharge of pollutants into groundwater public.

As a large-scale production base, RCA mainly produces televisions, picture tubes, picture tubes, video projectors, and speakers. It is very rare to have a complete range of production equipment.

The Yangtze River Industrial Group used its influence to finally buy out all the 'burdens' of RCA. During the whole incident, Lin Zhichao's interpersonal relationships in the United States also contributed, and finally the money was bought with scrap metal goods. Equipment originally worth at least US$300 million was bought for US$100 million.

As for Shunde, they have already established relationships and are eagerly looking forward to receiving investment in this project.

"Well, arrange more of our technical staff and recruit overseas experts, and strive to put it into production in 2 to 3 years. As for the sewage equipment, we must not save money. I am giving back to my hometown, not poisoning the future generations of my hometown."

"no problem!"

These projects are all joint venture projects. The mainland uses land and local taxes as collateral, and then allows the products to be sold in the mainland. In the end, it is a 50-50 split.

Allowing sales in the mainland is actually ‘exchanging the market for shares’.

But in Lin Zhichao's heart, this was an investment he gave back to Shunde. He didn't expect much return. He was willing to do it if he could recover the cost and earn some bank interest.

At this time, Shunde has already taken over part of the production capacity of Midea Electrical Appliances. Now that this major project has been added, the economy will naturally take off.

In recent years, Lin Zhichao’s contribution to the mainland has mainly been in investment industries. For example, the toy industry has placed part of its production capacity in Shekou, the mainland. For example, Midea Electric has settled in Shunde, with an investment of up to 200 million U.S. dollars (including this time). Midea Electronics has He was planning to find a headquarters in Pengcheng, but he planned to be a sole proprietor; Lin Zhichao even mobilized his father-in-law's Dongfang Garment Factory to go to Shunde to invest in a clothing factory. Anyway, it was a mid- to low-end clothing factory. Lin Zhichao also repaid the country in the shipbuilding industry. He also asked Yangtze River Industries to invest in a Guangfo Expressway, which is expected to pay back in 8 to 10 years.

As for donations, it has reached 300 million US dollars. Foshan University alone has donated 200 million US dollars, Shunde has donated 50 million US dollars, and several universities have donated another 40 million US dollars.

Generally speaking, Lin Zhichao has initially fulfilled the vow he made when the plane crashed to give back to the society ten thousand times.

Later, Lin Zhichao said: "Next, one of you will be responsible for the Midea Electronics headquarters in Pengcheng, and the other will be responsible for the development of Midea Electrical Appliances in Shunde. Of course, as presidents, you only need to grasp the general direction."

"Yes, Chairman"

Li Zhenlong and Lin Ruijiang are both presidents of Yangtze River Industrial Group, but Li Zhenlong is expected to retire in five years, and now he is assisting Lin Ruijiang more. (End of chapter)