The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Time flies and it’s December in a blink of an eye.

On the 19th, the "Joint Statement" was officially finalized, and Hong Kong's economy began to take off again.

In fact, since the initial signing of the "Joint Statement" in September, the Hang Seng Index has been soaring, rising from more than 900 points to more than 1,200 points; at the same time, Hong Kong real estate has also begun to pick up.

On the third day after the "Joint Statement" was finalized, Hutchison Whampoa and the Hong Kong government jointly held a press conference on the "Whampoa Garden Project", and Lin Zhichao also attended the scene in person.

At the press conference, Ma Shimin, CEO of Hutchison Whampoa and Chairman of the Board of Directors of HK Electric, handed a huge check of HK$601 million issued by Hutchison Whampoa to the Registrar General of the Hong Kong Government, Ji Xinli (British).

This huge check of HKD 601 million is the land compensation fee for Huangpu Dockyard, including the land premium of HKD 391 million, plus road construction fees of HKD 210 million.

This price is already very low. You must know that at the peak of real estate, the land compensation fee for this land was about 1.4 to 1.9 billion Hong Kong dollars. Now it is equivalent to saving 1 billion Hong Kong dollars in land compensation fees. What's more, if the deal is negotiated at the peak, not only will you have to pay a high land fee, but you will also have to face a three-year real estate trough.

After receiving the check, Ji Xinli later told reporters: "This huge investment in reconstruction plan is beneficial and constructive, showing that Hong Kong real estate developers are confident in real estate and Hong Kong's future."

The implication is that the Hong Kong government is willing to accept this land premium because this project will help boost Hong Kong's real estate market and restore Hong Kong's confidence.

Subsequently, Ma Shimin announced the plan of the project: "The entire huge project is to build 94 residential buildings on about 19 hectares (about 2 million square feet) of the former Huangpu Dockyard site, with a total of 11,224 residential units, with a total floor area of 7.64 million square feet, and a shopping mall area of ​​1.72 million square feet. It is planned to be developed in 12 phases within 6 years, with a total investment of 4 billion yuan. The first phase of the off-plan construction will be launched in April next year."

Thunderous applause!

Isn't this the size of a Taikoo City?

Next, enter the reporter's question and answer session.

In the previous sessions, it was obvious that Ma Shimin was highly valued, while Lin Zhichao never expressed his opinion. Moreover, Ma Shimin is also the chairman of the board of directors of Hong Kong Electric Group, and Lin Zhichao does not hold this position concurrently. As for the president of Hong Kong Electric, of course he is still the original president Bruga.

Reporter: "Mr. Ma Shimin, how much benefit do you think the Whampoa Garden project can bring to Hutchison Whampoa?"

Ma Shimin: "The cost of this project is HK$4 billion, including land compensation. The residential floor area is 7.64 million square feet. According to the current property prices, in fact, the total residential sales price is the cost price (the average residential sales price in Hong Kong and Kowloon is Price is about HK$650), maybe a little more. But we are optimistic about Hong Kong’s economic prospects, so we believe that this project alone can bring huge profits to Hutchison Whampoa from the residential project alone, not to mention that this project still has 1.72 million The shopping mall area of ​​​​square feet can be said to bring long-term stable rental income to Hutchison Whampoa.”

This question and answer must be of concern to Hutchison Whampoa shareholders!

Soon, after asking this question, reporters quickly turned their attention to Lin Zhichao. Just now was just an appetizer. Hong Kong reporters would choose to interview Lin Chichao more often, even if he was the Governor of Hong Kong.

Reporter: "Lin Sheng, Yihe announced that it will relocate to Bermuda. Does the Cheung Kong Department have this plan?"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "I have talked about this issue on many occasions. Today I reiterate again that every listed company under my ownership will not be relocated. My confidence in Hong Kong does not only come from this charming city of Hong Kong." , and I feel that if I stay, I can do more things for Hong Kong. I also believe that those Hong Kong people who have moved overseas will return to Hong Kong sooner or later to develop."

Reporter: "So, Cheung Kong will still insist on developing and investing in Hong Kong, right?"

Lin Zhichao: "Hong Kong is our foundation, and our main investment is in Hong Kong; and when funds are abundant, we will choose to develop outwards to bring better returns to shareholders. In the past two years, Cheung Kong has Now that Hong Kong has invested 20 billion, I believe no company has as much confidence in Hong Kong as we do."

Investing against the market requires great courage and judgment.

Li Jiacheng in his previous life also made his judgment after the negotiation.

In this life, Lin Zhichao has undoubtedly been Hong Kong's stability optimist by making large investments in adverse market conditions.

In the past, some people might have said that Lin Zhichao was too adventurous, but now there are only voices of admiration.

After the press conference ended successfully, Lin Zhichao returned to Hutchison Building.

"Sir Lin, Hutchison Whampoa's profit this year is expected to exceed HK$1.5 billion, and our cash flow is also very sufficient. We can actually consider investing overseas!" Ma Shimin said in the office.

Lin Zhichao nodded. In his hands, Hutchison Whampoa actually made 700 million Hong Kong dollars by exchanging U.S. dollars alone. Coupled with other gains (gold speculation, increased retail share, prediction of real estate situation, etc.), the financial situation is actually more than one billion Hong Kong dollars more than the same period in the previous life.

In the previous life, Hutchison Whampoa did not establish the European and American Investment Division until 1986 to invest heavily in European and American industries. Because at that time, the sales of Whampoa Shipyard brought a lot of profits to Hutchison Whampoa. At the same time, the acquisition of Hong Kong Electric occurred in 1985 and consumed almost all of Hutchison Whampoa's cash flow.

Now, Hutchison Whampoa has increased its revenue by more than one billion, and Hutchison Whampoa's cash flow at this time is exactly this number. As for the Huangpu Garden project, it is mainly based on loans. After all, the funds can be collected quickly from the sale of the off-plan properties. There is no need to consider this. It is definitely the most cost-effective development with loans.

"Which country's investment are you most optimistic about?" Lin Zhichao did not veto, but started discussing.

After Ma Shimin thought about it, he said: "Of course Europe and the United States are the first choice, and the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries are the best. Next year, a European and American investment strategy department can be established to analyze specific investment projects."

Lin Zhichao said: "Don't rush to invest in Europe and the United States first. You should immediately organize and establish a Japanese investment division."

Ma Shimin asked in confusion: "Japan?"

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "Japan opened its financial market last year and allowed the yen to be freely convertible. Through these analyses, I have concluded that the yen will appreciate, and the real estate and stock markets will also experience an explosion. As for the European and American Investment Division, this is waiting for Huangpu Garden After the funds are withdrawn, we will consider it slowly.”

Ma Shimin immediately said: "No problem, I will arrange it as soon as possible!"

The boss did not reject the suggestion of investing in Europe and the United States, and he was waiting for the sale of Huangpu Garden, which showed that the boss would invest heavily in Europe and the United States in the future, which he was very willing to see.

Next, the two talked about the development of Hutchison Whampoa and Hong Kong Electric. Overall, Ma Shimin can now be regarded as Lin Zhichao's number one general. Because he is not only the president of Hutchison Whampoa, but also the chairman of the board of directors of HK Electric. Lin Zhichao has not even intervened in the affairs of HK Electric.

Because HK Electric is first of all a public company with stable growth, and its profits this year are expected to exceed HK$800 million. At the same time, HK Electric has a rich real estate business, and its profits are expected to grow very fast in the future.

Of course, Lin Zhichao is also concerned about the development of Hong Kong Electric and will gradually make arrangements later.

Today, the Lin family controls four of the top ten listed companies in Hong Kong - Cheung Kong Group, Hutchison Whampoa, Hong Kong Electric and Wharf Group.

The day after Hutchison Whampoa announced the 'Whampoa Garden', New World Development Co., Ltd. and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council also announced an agreement to jointly build the Hong Kong International Convention and Exhibition Center in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island. The Trade Development Council will provide the land and New World Responsible for construction, with a budget investment of HK$1.8 billion. In the large-scale property cluster of the Convention and Exhibition Center, the two companies respectively hold interests according to the agreement. The convention and exhibition center consists of four buildings, two hotels, one office building, and one residential building. The lower podium is connected to the four buildings and serves as a conference and exhibition venue.

Stimulated by these good news, Hong Kong real estate has officially announced that it is out of the trough and is about to usher in a new round of rising tide.

Saturday.

Lin Zhichao, Zheng Yutong, Li Shauji, and Li Jiacheng were playing cards at Zheng's villa No. 12, Repulse Bay.

The favorite activity of Hong Kong's richest people is golf. Sometimes they would go abroad to play golf together. Lin Zhichao would even use his own private jet. The second is playing cards and mahjong. Everyone often gets together to play, and the winning or losing of a game can amount to millions of Hong Kong dollars.

Of course, they are all entertainment in nature. In this circle, everyone is not a ‘gambler’, but more of a ‘good luck’ player.

Originally, whether he was playing golf, cards or mahjong, Lin Zhichao was always a sure winner, but he usually played casually and didn't use his brain much when playing cards. In this way, he can have a good time with everyone, so as not to always win, everyone Lack of interest.

Lin Zhichao said while playing cards: "A Tong, how about Deng Lianru, the chairman of the Trade Development Council? I rarely interact with him. I only heard that she has made a whirlwind of trade diplomacy activities and amazing achievements."

Zheng Yutong said with a smile: "She is a capable woman, and she knows how to do things. There is nothing she can't handle, so she can be an ambassador."

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "I didn't expect you to think highly of him. That is the blessing of Hong Kong's industry and commerce. It seems that he is another rising star in politics!"

Tang Lianru was originally a director of Swire \u0026 Company. At the age of 43 (1983), she succeeded Kan Yueqiang as chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (Trade Development Council). She was indeed young.

Zheng Yutong said: "Achao, you are preparing to retire in the past few years and you don't pay attention to politics?"

Li Jiacheng and Li Zhaoji looked at Lin Zhichao one after another, expressing curiosity.

All friends know that Lin Zhichao's "five sons" all graduated from prestigious schools and are quite capable. They were entrusted with important tasks by their father early on. Even the media knows that Lin Zhichao’s fifth son is actually the powerful or actual leader of five group companies.

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Why retire? The cake in Hong Kong has been divided. Isn't it time to expand overseas? I am just studying overseas investment to see what projects can be done."

Hong Kong’s cakes are indeed distributed!

Kwok Desheng is second only to Cheung Kong Group in the field of real estate development. Since the success of the first phase of New Town Plaza (Shatin), Sun Hung Kai has now set its sights on commercial shopping centers in new towns to strengthen the development of rental properties. Lin Zhichao has no plans to invest in shopping malls in new towns. His commercial center only invests in urban areas. Guo Desheng also participated in the real estate development of KMB, which was actually equivalent to controlling KMB.

Lee Shau Kee's Henderson Land is the third largest developer of real estate (residential properties), and it also owns Towngas and Hong Kong Ferry. Of course, he actually lost the Miramar Hotel Group.

Zheng Yutong got the two large-scale commercial projects of New World Center and Convention and Exhibition Center as he wished, but in the field of real estate development, even Hang Lung is inferior.

As for Li Jiacheng, the development trend has been good in recent years. The current market value of CK Hutchison Real Estate has reached half the size of Henderson Land, and he has become a member of the core circle of Hong Kong business tycoons.

Today's Hong Kong real estate industry is more concentrated than in previous generations, especially in the field of real estate development (residential), where a few real estate companies are basically monopolizing it.

With the emergence of Lin Zhichao, many real estate tycoons who were supposed to be there are no longer there!

The worst thing happened to Bao Yugang. Not only did his fleet shrink by more than half, it was only 5 million tons at its peak. The most important thing was that although he sold the ship in time, he was unable to go ashore. When he sold the boat, it was already after 1979, and the price of real estate in Hong Kong was already very high, making it impossible to land it.

In other respects, there are Nan Fung Group, Sino Group, Great Eagle, Hang Lung, Hopewell, etc., all of which have experienced a significant decline in strength. In addition, their own vision is not strong, and they have misjudged the situation, and the situation is even worse. .

On the contrary, Li Jiacheng, the "unbeatable little strongman", raised hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars in the stock market at its peak in 1981, and then bought the bottom in 1983 and 1984. The market value of his subsidiary CK Hutchison Properties is now among the top ten real estate companies.

Because of this, Lin Zhichao also brought him into the core circle of Hong Kong's richest people, and everyone usually walked around more.

Zheng Yutong said: "I am a Chao and you really plan to invest in Hong Kong. It turns out that you are also planning to invest overseas!"

Li Shauji and Li Jiacheng were relieved in their hearts, because the Lin family is too big. If they develop in Hong Kong with all their strength, everyone will not have enough fun.

Lin Zhichao said: "I don't believe it, you have no plan! A cunning rabbit has three holes, not to mention that we people don't understand the principle of not putting eggs in one basket."

Facing Lin Zhichao's gaze, Lee Shau Kee said honestly: "I have no plans to invest overseas, but if Lin Sheng has a project, I will invest with him."

Li Jiacheng said: "I don't have the strength to invest overseas yet. I'll see what happens in two years! But if Lin Sheng has a project, I will really be interested."

He is completely lacking in strength and has not even invested in Shantou University in this life.

Of course, this is not a loss to the mainland, because Foshan University is larger and has more investment.

Lin Zhichao thought for a while and said: "I have been investing in Japanese real estate recently. The main reason is that the yen will appreciate and drive up the real estate. This will be a double increase. If you are interested, I will invite you to form a consortium later. Go to Japan to invest in commercial land and commercial office buildings.”

Zheng Yutong immediately said: "Okay! As long as you, Ah Chao, will be the helmsman, we will definitely feel relieved!"

Li Shauji and Li Jiacheng nodded one after another, expressing their willingness to invest.

Lin Zhichao said: "Okay, I will invite everyone to invest together later and plan to establish a real estate partnership management company."

Making money from Japan is not making money from him, so why be stingy. Moreover, Hong Kong's rich people are so powerful that they can be twisted into a rope.

In fact, the Japanese in previous lives also came to Hong Kong to invest in the late 1980s.

As a result, Lin Zhichao’s investments in Japan have increased:

Cheung Kong Group and Victoria Harbor Investment have invested US$500 million in the first phase of funding, and will inject a second phase of US$500 million in the first half of this year, totaling US$1 billion. And this US$1 billion may leverage more than US$4 billion in real estate projects.

Hutchison Whampoa estimates that it will spend US$200 million to invest in Japanese real estate or stock markets, which will lead to US$600 million in projects.

Shangri-La Hotel Group, together with the hotel tower, has invested a total of US$300 million in it, but it still needs to leverage a US$1 billion real estate project.

Uniqlo's investment is relatively small, estimated to be only US$50 million.

Now Lin Zhichao is planning to join forces with Hong Kong's richest people to set up a US$300 million company, and then leverage more than US$800 million in investment.

Real estate alone is an investment of more than 6 billion US dollars!

In terms of stocks, Victoria Harbor Investment is mainly operating and has invested US$2 billion.

Finally, there is foreign exchange. I haven’t entered the market yet, but I will definitely operate Japanese yen foreign exchange before September. In fact, even if you convert money into Japanese yen, it is equivalent to making money. (End of chapter)