We're building a super chaebol in Hong Kong

After everyone exchanged pleasantries, staff from the Governor's Office came to ask what they would like to drink, and Su Cheng ordered a cup of hot coffee.

"I wonder what matter Governor MacLehose has summoned me for this time?" Su Cheng said, sitting on the sofa and facing MacLehose.

"Don't rush, Mr. Su. There are still three people who haven't arrived. We'll talk when they get here," MacLehose said with a smile.

There are still three people?

Su Cheng was a little surprised.

Originally, he thought that this time it was due to Jardine Matheson, and MacLehose was helping to invite Su Cheng over to discuss the sale of Wharf's shares.

Now it seems that it shouldn't be that matter!

"Yes, in addition to Mr. Su and Mr. Newbigging, I have also invited John Swire, the taipan of Swire Group, Michael Sandberg, the taipan of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and Mr. Pao of World-Wide Shipping Group," MacLehose said, nodding.

Su Cheng was even more surprised after hearing this.

The people MacLehose invited were all very influential figures in the Hong Kong business community.

Now it seems that there should be something very important to discuss!

However, since MacLehose said to wait until everyone arrived before talking, Su Cheng was not in a hurry.

Soon, Y.K. Pao, Michael Sandberg, and John Swire also arrived at the Governor's Office within ten minutes.

Seeing Su Cheng here, everyone's eyes towards Su Cheng changed.

In the past, Su Cheng was a junior in their eyes.

Therefore, when talking to Su Cheng, they unconsciously carried a hint of respect, even Michael Sandberg was the same.

In the Governor's Office, after a few people shook hands and greeted each other, they sat down and waited for Governor MacLehose to speak.

Regarding this invitation, Michael Sandberg obviously didn't have any curiosity, so he should have already known the purpose of this visit.

As for Y.K. Pao, judging from his expression, he should have been invited over suddenly and had no idea what was going on.

"Everyone is a representative of the Hong Kong business community. This time, I have invited everyone to discuss a very important matter. With the increase in Hong Kong's population, the flow of people between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island is becoming increasingly close. Now, the entire Hong Kong only has one cross-harbor tunnel, which is very congested during peak hours. This seriously affects Hong Kong's economic development. Therefore, it is necessary for us to build a second cross-harbor tunnel as soon as possible. The investment in cross-harbor tunnels is very large. Relying solely on the government will definitely not be possible. So today, I have invited everyone to discuss the construction plan of the cross-harbor tunnel and the possibility of cooperation." After seeing everyone seated, MacLehose didn't waste any time and directly stated the purpose of inviting everyone here today.

Hearing MacLehose's words, Su Cheng finally understood the reason for this visit.

Why didn't MacLehose mention a cross-sea bridge and instead directly talked about a cross-harbor tunnel?

Because everyone knows that Victoria Harbour is a world-famous waterway, and it is impossible to build a bridge.

If a bridge is built, it will have a serious impact on Hong Kong Port, a world-class port, and a devastating blow to Hong Kong's economy. In addition, Hong Kong is famous for its urban landscape on both sides of Victoria Harbour. Building a bridge would also greatly affect Hong Kong's landscape.

This is also the reason why MacLehose didn't mention a cross-sea bridge at all and directly talked about a cross-harbor tunnel.

In 1972, Hong Kong's first cross-harbor tunnel—the Cross-Harbour Tunnel—has played an important role in Hong Kong's economic development since its completion.

Now, so many years have passed, it is time to study the second cross-harbor tunnel.

"Governor, I personally strongly support the construction of the second cross-harbor tunnel. I wonder what plans the government has?" John Swire, the taipan of Swire Group, took the lead in asking.

Su Cheng glanced at the taipan of Swire Group, thoughtful.

Su Cheng was not familiar with John Swire, and there was even basically no contact between the two.

However, Su Cheng didn't underestimate this tycoon, who was not very prominent among the top tycoons.

His Swire Group's business includes real estate, aviation, beverage and food chain, marine services, and trade and industry, and its position in Hong Kong is no less than that of Jardine Matheson.

The most important thing is that Hong Kong's airline, Cathay Pacific Airways, belongs to Swire Group.

After the return of oil funds gradually, Su Cheng will also pay attention to Cathay Pacific Airways in the future.

During the time when Su Cheng went out to avoid the limelight, Li Yihui sold more than 10 million tons of crude oil one after another.

Therefore, Su Cheng's current funds are very sufficient.

He already has the full strength to snatch Cathay Pacific Airways from Swire Group.

However, before that, Su Cheng plans to settle Hongkong Electric Holdings first.

You have to take one step at a time, and you can't offend too many people at once.

Otherwise, no matter how rich Su Cheng is, if the British consortia in Hong Kong unite to deal with him, he will not be able to bear it.

"Governor, I also strongly support closer ties between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. It is necessary to start construction of the second underwater tunnel as soon as possible! If the Governor's Office needs support, I represent Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation to fully support it!" Michael Sandberg also stated.

"Governor, for this second underwater tunnel project, if you need financial support, I can participate!" Su Cheng also directly stated.

After that, Y.K. Pao and Newbigging also represented the forces behind them, supporting MacLehose's second tunnel project.

After all, this is a good investment project.

After the first underwater tunnel, the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, was completed, it has already made a lot of money.

Therefore, since the government wants them to participate in the second underwater tunnel, they will naturally not miss such a good opportunity.

The construction cost of an underwater tunnel is indeed very high, but compared with the profit, what is that little investment?

In 1972, the Cross-Harbour Tunnel was completed and opened to traffic, with a total investment of 320 million Hong Kong dollars.

Now, only a few years have passed, but it has already recovered the cost.

After that, it is making money.

Of course, nowadays, with the rise in various prices, if it is built now, this investment will at least double.

But 500 to 600 million is nothing to the bigwigs present.

Why doesn't the Governor's Office do it themselves?

Don't look at the Hong Kong government's large family business, but there are also many places that need to be spent. It is good if the city's finances do not run out every year.

The construction of the underwater tunnel will take at least a few years, and it will take a few years to recover the cost.

Therefore, the Hong Kong government basically cannot afford this money themselves.

Moreover, giving a portion of the profits to these Hong Kong businessmen will make them more attached to Hong Kong.

In recent years, British consortia have gradually withdrawn from Hong Kong and returned to Europe, resulting in a decrease in Hong Kong's annual commercial investment.

If these withdrawn funds are returned to the United Kingdom, that's fine. MacLehose, as a Briton, even strongly supports it.

However, these people not only withdraw their assets back to the United Kingdom, but many British companies have also withdrawn their companies to other European countries or the Americas.

This is also the reason why MacLehose invited the bigwigs over.

Keeping these most important people in the Hong Kong business community, Hong Kong will not be afraid of anything.