The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

The fall of 2002.

On the lawn of No. 79 Deep Water Bay.

"Give Yongxi to his ancestor, and let's take a picture of five generations living under one roof!" Lin Zhichao said happily as he directed the scene.

At this time, Wu Wenying was 94 years old (1908), Lin Zhichao was also 74 years old, Lin Ruihuan was 53 years old, and Lin Hongqian was 27 years old. The fourth generation of the Lin family, Lin Yongxi, was just born less than a month old.

The weather happened to be nice, so the Lin family quickly invited the "ancestor" and "little baby" out to take a picture of five generations living under one roof.

Last year, Lin Zhichao's father-in-law passed away, which made Lin Zhichao even more sad. Tang Zhongyuan was both a father and a friend to him;

Now his mother has become his only elder (his mother-in-law has also passed away four years ago).

Lin Zhichao himself does not feel that he is old. He is still a young and middle-aged man. There should be no problem in living to be a hundred years old. It is also a high probability to surpass Shaw.

Lin Hongqian's wife quickly handed the child in her arms to her ancestor. After she gave birth to Lin Yongxi, her family's status skyrocketed, all because this was the eldest son of the fourth generation of the Lin family.

And in their house, they have always firmly occupied the position of 'eldest son'.

Although Wu Wenying's reaction was very slow, she still held Lin Yongxi steadily and said happily: "Five generations live under one roof, five generations live under one roof, good!"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Mom, there will be many days ahead!"

Wu Wenying cried with joy and said, "Okay, my son is still so young!"

Lin Zhichao gently wiped Wu Wenying's tears and said, "We took a photo!"

It was already like coaxing a child. Tang Caiyun on the side also said: "Mom, look at the little ones smiling at you. Yongxi, call me ancestor!"

The family was filled with smiles and successfully took the photo of "five generations under one roof".

Today, the Lin family has completed its global layout:

The Changfang family: Lam Sui-wan, Lam Rui-kong, and Lam Sui-kai are in charge of the 'Cheung Kong Group', 'Cheung Kong Industries Group', and 'Media Group' respectively. They are all stomping their feet in Hong Kong, and the locals are shaking their heads. The three groups are equivalent to: Industrial Department, Science and Technology Department, and Cultural Department. They influence Hong Kong's economy and are even very influential in the world.

The second family lineage: Lin Ruihai and Lin Ruicheng, their positions have moved towards Singapore. Although the Wharf Group headed by Lim Swee Hai did not relocate, Lim Swee Hai participated in the privatization of Singapore Land through the 'Father and Son Trust Fund', skillfully organized the Singapore property into a second headquarters, and trained his eldest son, Lim Hong Chi (1978), to work in Singapore Land . It is even simpler for Lin Ruicheng. The Universal Group he controls has just acquired Singapore Neptune Shipping. Universal Group has established a second headquarters in Singapore and will gradually replace Hong Kong's position in the future.

Sanfang lineage: Lin Ruidong and Lin Ruinan, respectively in charge of Audrey Company and Audrey Investment, corresponding to the American media groups (Audrey Toys, Atari Games, Sega Entertainment, Disney, American ABC, Blizzard Entertainment and other brands), the world’s luxury goods empire (Red Bull Group, Givenchy, Gucci, Latour and other brands).

Today, there are two people in the third generation of the Lin family who are working, namely Sun Lin Hongqian, the eldest eldest brother, and Sun Lin Hongzhi, the second eldest brother. In fact, some are studying for master's degrees and Ph.D.s.

After taking the photo, Lin Zhichao asked his three sons, Lin Ruihuan, Lin Ruijiang, and Lin Ruikai, to come to his study.

"Rui Huan, how far is the progress of Watson's acquisition of European retail?"

"Dad, we are already in contact with Boots, and the initial offer is US$11 billion."

"Well, Boots is a high-quality asset. More importantly, if it is acquired, we will create huge synergies in the retail field."

"Yes, many of our Watsons products are very good, and Boots also has many products that can rely on Watsons' channels."

Watsons has been acquiring European retailers since 1998, including the 1.3 billion euro acquisition of KG, the Dutch health and beauty products retail group, Europe's third largest pharmacy chain. Now it is once again eyeing Boots, Europe's largest beauty chain, which is very ambitious.

The reason why Watsons dares to expand on such a large scale is that Watsons has formed a huge scale in Asia in recent years. With the help of Hong Kong culture and Watsons' overseas development for more than ten years, Watsons is currently worth nearly 10 billion US dollars.

If the acquisition of British Boots is successful, Hutchison Whampoa will be one of the largest retailers in the world, with much more cash flow than the infrastructure industry.

Lin Zhichao commented: "The Changshi Group has developed quite smoothly in Europe in recent years, which just makes up for the economic downturn in Asia. This is the benefit of asset transfer."

Lin Ruihuan nodded. Canary Wharf invested by Cheung Kong Group in the UK has become the Wall Street of Europe, with all 18 million square feet of commercial area in the two phases leased out; Cheung Kong Group is also developing shopping malls and apartments in the UK, and is developing a Europe's largest shopping mall has attracted much attention; Cheung Kong Infrastructure has begun to purchase infrastructure assets in Europe, and has initially achieved results. Hutchison Whampoa has developed even more smoothly. It made a profit of more than 100 billion Hong Kong dollars from the sale of Orange, and then continued to develop telecommunications in Europe. It acquired many retail companies, acquired several European ports, and even Canada's Husky has become a long-term business. The real group has brought a book value increase of 100 billion Hong Kong dollars and received a large amount of cash dividends every year.

The Cheung Kong system is not the Cheung Kong system in the previous life. It has developed more fiercely in this life. If the acquisition of Boots is successful, the assets of the entire Cheung Kong system will be at least three times that of the previous life.

The performance of the other two companies, Yangtze River Industrial Group and Media Group, is not bad at all; especially Yangtze River Industrial Group, which is only its subsidiary Yangtze Telecom, still has a market value of more than 200 billion Hong Kong dollars. This is because although the telecommunications industry has become less popular with the Internet bubble, the "Little Smart" business invested by Yangtze Telecom has shown explosive growth and returns.

It is precisely because the Lin family is so large that Lin Zhichao moved his second house to Singapore to add a solid insurance policy.

Time flies, and another five years has passed.

In early 2007, still at Villa No. 79 in Deep Water Bay, Lin Zhichao and his seven sons came to the underground study.

"The global economic bubble has been born, especially in Europe and the United States. The economic bubble is already quite big. It is expected that in one year, the world will encounter a global financial crisis." Lin Zhichao sat at his desk, facing the man who was already in his fifties. said the sons.

The summoning of the seven sons this time was naturally a matter of planning for the financial crisis.

The seven sons have become accustomed to it. They have made remarkable achievements in their careers over the years, all because of the guidance of their father. However, they are a little confused about the global economic crisis - how big is this crisis?

Lin Ruihuan said: "Father, was it the real estate bubble in the United States that first exploded?"

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "It is expected that the subprime mortgage crisis will break out in the United States in more than half a year. I believe you have also studied that in the five years before 2006, due to the continued prosperity of the U.S. housing market and the Interest rates are low and the U.S. subprime mortgage market is developing rapidly. Therefore, the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis will eventually evolve into a global financial crisis next year."

Lin Ruihuan immediately said: "Then we have to sell off some assets and take advantage of this half year. Vodafone wants to buy the equity of Hutchison Whampoa's mobile communications business in India, and the price is 11 billion US dollars. It must be sold as soon as possible! "

After investing in India for so many years, it’s finally time to pay off. This transaction was not done in India, and naturally it would not pay attention to the Indian government, so there is no argument that it cannot be recovered.

In recent years, Hutchison Whampoa's telecommunications industry in Europe and Asia has frequently received good news, and profits have been astonishingly high. So much so that the European Commission also named and criticized Lin Zhichao's family for engaging in monopoly. Of course, this was just out of envy and jealousy, with no real harm.

Everyone nodded. After all, my father gave me instructions and everyone knew what to do next.

Lin Zhichao added: "With the advent of the Internet age, our family should also reduce its influence. Therefore, if this asset sale is a listed company, we will pay more dividends. Later, we will use your personal investment company to invest in properties, stocks, etc. to strengthen Personal investment strength.”

Lin Ruihuan knows that the key point here is him. The Cheung Kong Industrial Group he leads has a current market value of more than 900 billion Hong Kong dollars; he holds 42% of the shares, which is equivalent to a wealth of 50 billion US dollars. And Bill Gates' wealth is only $56 billion.

But in fact, Hutchison Whampoa's market value is as high as more than 900 billion Hong Kong dollars, but it is not included in Lin Ruihuan's net worth.

"Yes, father!"

Next, Lin Zhichao said: "There is also the matter of crude oil. It is currently only 60 US dollars per barrel. As the bubble economy reaches its peak, I believe it is possible to hit 120 US dollars per barrel next year. Then with the advent of the financial crisis, The price will plummet again, possibly as low as thirty or forty US dollars. You guys should discuss this and do less futures; the main thing is that Husky can do it."

Tell your seven sons the information you know so that it won't go to waste. Anyway, he doesn't do these things now.

Lin Ruihuan immediately said: "Futures are risky, we brothers need to discuss it. Ruihai and Ruicheng will ask for more money if they follow up on the bottom. You two go for it, don't be greedy, just make a small profit, so as not to be targeted."

The assets of the second house are indeed smaller. Lin Zhichao sometimes subsidizes their cash flow and allows them to personally invest in properties, gold, stocks, etc.

"yes, Sir!"

The brothers all agreed without any doubts.

Everyone understands that they are already quite wealthy and there is no need to fight.

Ten years later.

2017.

Lin Zhichao stepped down as chairman of Octopus Financial Group, and his replacement was Lin Hongtao, the eldest son of Lin Ruijiang, the third generation of the Lin family, who was only 39 years old.

After resigning from this position, Lin Zhichao accepted an exclusive interview in Singapore.

The interview was conducted in an office, which is the Singapore headquarters of Family Office.

The reporters who came to interview were stunned when they saw the 89-year-old Lin Zhichao, who looked very young and energetic.

"Hello Mr. Lin, I am Qiao Sen, the exclusive reporter for this interview!"

"Hello, I'm sorry to trouble you today!"

“You’re welcome”

After a few simple greetings, everyone got down to business.

"When did you meet Lawyer Li and what do you think of him?" The reporter first asked questions about the founder of Singapore.

"We met in the 1950s, when he was still a lawyer. He was very willing to help poor workers. His thinking was very layered. We often communicated about problems together and finally reached a lot of consensus. I miss him very much. He is a great leader. ” Lin Zhichao sincerely missed his old friend.

Lawyer Li passed away in 2015, and Zheng Yutong also passed away in 2016. Friends passed away one by one, and Lin Zhichao was also a little sad.

Sometimes immortality is not a good thing!

In comparison, staying young is a good thing.

Qiao Sen listened carefully and then said: "Lawyer Li also spoke very highly of you, saying that Hong Kong quickly emerged from the financial crisis because of you."

Lin Zhichao waved his hand quickly and said: "This is him praising me. I am just a businessman and do not have such great leadership. Hong Kong quickly came out of the trough after 1998 because the government at that time found many new economic growth areas. point."

Qiao Sen said: "But we know that Hong Kong's Hong Kong culture, comics, games and other cultural industries all originated from your companies, and the concepts were first proposed by these companies."

Lin Zhichao said: "It is impossible for a company to affect society if it does something. Only when the government pays attention to it can it affect the Hong Kong economy."

Qiao Sen understood that this person was too modest!

He continued: "Cheung Kong Industries Group is the representative of Hong Kong's technology industry and has also led the development of Hong Kong's technology industry."

Lin Zhichao said: "It can serve as a demonstration!"

Qiao Sen said: "Today, Hong Kong's GDP has reached US$450 billion, while Singapore's is US$340 billion. The gap between the two is still huge, but which region are you more optimistic about?"

This question is very sharp!

Currently, Hong Kong's per capita GDP is close to Singapore's per capita GDP, both at US$60,000. Hong Kong is slightly better.

This is because Hong Kong’s GDP is more than 30% higher than in the previous life, which is due to Hong Kong culture, Hong Kong comics (webtoons), online games, and smart technology.

"Singapore"

Lin Zhichao's question and answer surprised Qiao Sen and others. They were so surprised.

Faced with this kind of problem, with Lin Zhichao's wisdom, it is certain that neither party will be 'offended'. After all, this is normal.

Nowadays, the Lin family has also taken root in Singapore (Lin Ruihai and Lin Ruicheng immigrated to Singapore).

"Why? This answer surprises me!"

“Singapore doesn’t have complicated problems, but Hong Kong does!”

Qiao Sen and others were overjoyed, but they did not expect Lin Zhichao to take the initiative to talk about what happened in Hong Kong.

"What does Mr. Lin think of Hong Kong's current situation?"

"How can I pick melons from the Yellow Terrace?"

Lin Zhichao briefly expressed his views. His views did not accuse any party, but looked at the issue of safeguarding Hong Kong.

Lin Zhichao's interview quickly received a huge response in the Chinese community. Of course, it was mostly negative in the mainland, but more pertinent in Hong Kong, and it was well received overseas.

From the perspective of overseas Chinese, Hong Kong is truly blessed to have the Lin Chi-chao family. Hong Kong culture, Hong Kong comics (webtoons), online games, and smart technology are all brought to Hong Kong by the Lin Chi-chao family.

Back then, Hong Kong people only knew about real estate speculation, and of course they still do now.

Hong Kong celebrity culture has created a large number of jobs in Hong Kong and reaped wealth overseas and in the mainland. However, Hong Kong celebrity stars also seem to be keen on speculating in real estate, which ultimately leads to high housing prices, which are even more terrifying than in previous lives.

Hong Kong comics, with just a few dozen big IPs, are already a king. Not to mention, Hong Kong has been developing online comics since 1998, and now has a huge fan base in hundreds of countries. Similarly, cartoonists in Hong Kong still buy houses after making money.

For online games, Lin Zhichao directly transferred Korean previous games. In the early days, there were also major global game IPs, such as Age of Empires, The Sims, Contra, Hong Kong Cube, etc. Today, there are 20,000 to 30,000 people in Hong Kong engaged in game development.

Smart technology, the smart technology industry led by Cheung Kong Industries Group, relies on the resources and markets of the mainland and takes advantage of Hong Kong's re-export trade advantages. For a city with a population of more than 7 million, it is already quite successful.

Of course, there are still some things that Hong Kong didn’t have in its previous life.

"Sold again! Lin Zhichao's family sold the Central Building in Hong Kong for 41.2 billion!"

"Buying Europe and North America, the Lin family keeps making big moves!"

News like this has been amplified by interested people and uploaded numerous times on the Internet.

It is true that since 2013, Lin Zhichao’s family has not acquired land in the mainland, but this is because the mainland real estate developers are very fierce, and Hong Kong businessmen such as Xu Belt and Wang Shaofu are not as wealthy as them.

Of course, the Lin Zhichao family has also begun to sell assets every year, but in fact they are only selling non-core assets in the mainland; several core commercial properties in Shanghai, Beijing, and Pengcheng have not chosen to be sold; the assets sold are more in other cities, as well as small and medium-sized projects in the three major cities.

In the Mainland, the Lin family still owns assets such as Raffles City in Shanghai (the most profitable shopping mall in the country), Times Square, the World Financial Center Building, and the Shangri-La Hotel.

At the same time, Yangtze Food and Beverage Group (brands such as Master Kong, Red Bull, Wanglaoji, and Nongfu Spring) is still developing in the mainland and has huge assets.

In short, Lin Zhichao's family still has quite a lot of assets in the mainland!

It's just that more than 100 billion assets have been sold!

If you include the assets sold in Hong Kong, the figure is probably less than 200 billion.

Still on sale!

Regarding the public opinion outside, Lin Zhichao's family rarely accepts interviews.

But one thing is for sure, the direction of media opinion is one thing, but the reality is another.

Lin Ruihuan also goes to the capital for meetings every year, and he still holds a high position. After all, everyone is not really at odds with each other.

"over"