The rise of great powers: starting from military industry

Finally, let’s get down to business.

Liu Tao expressed his concerns directly about the current war between Iran and Iraq and demanded that the safety of their ships' navigation be guaranteed.

"Mr. Usamai, I don't want to see our ships attacked by you, so as not to affect the friendship between you and me, and the friendship between the two countries!" Liu Tao said.

Usamai said quickly: "We in Iraq will never attack our friends' ships. Please rest assured, my friend!"

Iraq's import of weapons and ammunition, as well as the import of daily necessities and industrial products, all come from China by sea, and they are basically transported by Liu Tao's fleet.

Furthermore, part of Iraq's oil via sea route is transported by Liu Tao's fleet.

After receiving Usamai's confirmation, Liu Tao showed a satisfied look.

Subsequently, Usamai also proposed to import a batch of weapons, including Type 80 main battle tanks and Aegis anti-aircraft missiles.

Liu Tao naturally agreed without hesitation. Iraq is a big customer, and the customer is God. People take the initiative to talk about orders and business comes to their door. There is no reason not to do it.

Over the years, a delicate balance has gradually formed. The oil-producing countries in the Middle East have made a lot of money by exporting oil. Their citizens often lie down and count their money, and the social welfare is frighteningly good. Panshan Group and Huaxia earned a large amount of foreign exchange from oil-producing countries in the Middle East through export trade, and used this foreign exchange to purchase raw materials such as iron ore and copper ore around the world, as well as import grain. The United States not only sells grain It also sells Boeing aircraft to China and imports cheap industrial products from China to curb inflation.

This has also allowed China to integrate into the world trade system very quickly. The total import and export volume has hit new highs every year, and China's foreign exchange reserves are not in the same predicament as they were at the beginning of reform and opening up.

Although China's foreign exchange reserves have just reached tens of billions of dollars, the main reason for this is the rapid depreciation of the U.S. dollar, which makes China spend as much as possible after earning U.S. dollars, as long as its foreign exchange reserves are sufficient.

The next morning, Liu Tao invited Malaek to have tea with him.

When talking with Maraek, Liu Tao expressed concerns about the safety of his fleet sailing in the Persian Gulf.

Liu Tao is more worried about the Persians than the Iraqis, because since the Persians overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty and established an Islamic theocratic regime, the Persians have been full of religious fanaticism, fearless of death on the battlefield, and have been very external. Strong.

He did not have absolute confidence that the Persians would not attack his ships.

If one's own oil tanker was attacked by the Persians, it would be really hard to explain.

As for reason, the Persians have it, but not much.

Liu Tao had to emphasize the seriousness of this matter and asked the Persians to promise not to attack their ships.

Malaek did not expect that this was the reason why Liu Tao asked him to have tea.

"Liu, my friend, please rest assured about this. We Persians are sincere to our friends, and we will never attack our friends' ships." Malaek quickly assured.

In recent years, the trade between Persia and China has been very close, and the two sides have had a lot of cooperation.

The war was in Persia, which caused great damage to Persia. Persia needed to import food, clothes and other living materials from the outside, as well as a large number of various industrial products.

And these are almost all imported from China.

In addition, there are a large number of weapons and ammunition.

If it weren't for imports from China, Persia would have been unable to support itself.

The importance of China to Persia is clear to Persia.

If it weren't for obtaining American aircraft parts from this middleman and selling oil from this middleman, how could Persia be able to support itself until now.

"Mr. Malaek, we have a friendly relationship and we don't want any unpleasant scenes to happen." Liu Tao smiled and said, "You also know that we also have trade relations with the Iraqis. I hope you can understand this."

"Of course, if the Iraqis bomb oil pipelines, oil wells or refineries, that shouldn't be the case. We will also help persuade them. Look at these years, you have no oil pipelines or refineries in Abadan and Khomeini Port. "We were bombed." Liu Tao said, "In addition to fighting and killing, there are many things worth doing in this world."

Malaek nodded and said: "Yes, to be honest, we also hope to end this war as soon as possible. This war has caused great trauma to us in Persia, but the Iraqis are unwilling to return to the pre-war border line."

At the beginning, the attitude of the Persians was very tough. If they wanted to cease the war, the Iraqi army would have to withdraw from Persia, and the two countries would restore their pre-war borders. At the same time, Iraq would have to pay huge compensation for the war to make up for the damage caused to Persia.

Saddam did not agree to such harsh conditions at all. The battlefield advantage was in the hands of Iraq, and Iraq was not a defeated country.

Now, the attitude of the Persians has softened, and they no longer mention compensation, but insist that the Iraqis withdraw from Persia.

Liu Tao smiled and said, "Mr. Malaek, as a friend, we will convey your attitude and demands to Iraq. We are willing to make constructive contributions to world peace."

"We have always emphasized that peace and development are the themes of today's world. We should cooperate for win-win results and seek development together." Liu Tao said.

By now, the two countries have actually begun to think of ending the war.

After all, it has been eight years since the Iran-Iraq war broke out.

Although benefiting from high oil prices, both parties are not burdened with huge foreign debts like the original time and space.

But whether it is Iraq or Persia, both sides are beginning to feel that they are unable to bear it. It is not that the foreign exchange reserves are about to be exhausted, but that the casualties on both sides are too great, and the soldiers are tired of fighting for many years.

Liu Tao is actually willing to see the Iran-Iraq War end, because China has changed from a net oil exporter to a net oil importer, and high oil prices are not conducive to China's development.

However, the Iran-Iraq war has continued until now, and it does not mean that it will end. It needs an opportunity for both sides to step down, and there must be a plan that both countries are willing to accept.

At present, there is little hope that the Iran-Iraq war will end this year.

It just so happened that he could make a good profit from the Iran-Iraq ship attack war. The money he made was no less than the money he made from selling weapons.

Malaek once again represented Persia, hoping to purchase another batch of tanks and armored vehicles, and at the same time hoped that the Panshan Group would train soldiers.

Liu Tao directly agreed to Malaek's request. After all, it was all money. Even if Persia paid half with foreign exchange and half with oil, Liu Tao agreed, because oil is money, and the current market situation, The price of oil may continue to rise due to the ongoing Iran-Iraq ship attack war.

He is not afraid of the Persians cheating, because as middlemen, the Persians have a lot of oil sales through him.