Chapter 967: When an old troublemaker meets a new colleague (first update, please subscribe)
Malaya is independent!
Is this good news?
The answer is obvious, which means that Britain will leave Asia in a real sense. Although Malaya and Singapore will become part of the Commonwealth in the future, that is it.
In any case, when the British chose to let them be independent, it meant that Britain left Asia,
Well, except Hong Kong Island.
In fact, it doesn’t matter whether the British leave or not. It is very wise for them to leave now.
After all, in fact, Nanyang’s influence on the two places must be much higher than that of Britain. Not to mention Nanyang’s garrison in Malaya, its economic influence is unmatched by any other country. Moreover, after several years of hard work, the Tangshan population in Malaya has increased to 5.3 million, accounting for 57% of the population, and the number of people with the right to vote has reached 72%.
The time for Malaya's independence is indeed ripe now. After they become independent, Nanyang can launch a comprehensive layout.
In the future, Nanyang can form the closest alliance with these Tang countries. Although Li Yi'an has always rejected the establishment of a so-called "alliance", the reason for his rejection is because he is pulling a group of The poor guys are there to entertain themselves, or in other words, they drag a group of poor guys to help them.
Nanyang would definitely not do that kind of thing.
But nothing is absolute. For Li Yi'an, he will also go to your own circle of friends, and this circle of friends is connected by blood, such as Malaya, Singapore, and Mindanao , Surabaya, this is not just a circle of friends, but also responsibilities and obligations.
But now that the British are smart, Li Yian sees an opportunity.
After thinking about it, Li Yian said.
“Cocos Islands and Christmas Island.”
"What?"
Aiden was stunned and said.
"Your Excellency means..."
Having recently studied the independence issue of British Singapore, he certainly knows where these two places are.
They are both overseas territories of British Singapore and are located in the Indian Ocean. The Cocos Islands are a small island with an area of only a dozen square kilometers. Last year, Australia showed strong interest in it and made a request to purchase it. However, it encountered strong resistance from the Deputy Commissioner of British Singapore and protests from the public.
Although the British Singaporean authorities finally rejected Australia's request under pressure, in fact, everyone knew that this was London's attitude - in London's view, the independence of Malaya and Singapore was inevitable, and Nanyang's influence in the two countries must also be unprecedented. Therefore, the United Kingdom came up with the idea of transferring the Cocos Islands and Christmas Island to Australia.
It must be said that when it comes to offshore balancing strategies, the UK has always been a master, or rather... the UK is an old troublemaker, and it is almost their instinct to be a troublemaker.
Even if it is an "ally", we must stir it up. If there is shit or not, stir it up first.
“Before Singapore becomes independent, London must promise its territorial integrity, which includes two islands!”
Li Nian smiled and put forward his request - to maintain Singapore’s territorial integrity. !
In another world, for the sake of the so-called "balance", the British first authorized British Singapore to transfer the Cocos Islands to Australia. After finding that there was no resistance, they then transferred Christmas Island, which covers an area of more than 100 square kilometers and is home to a large number of Chinese people. Sold to Australia.
For Singapore, although Christmas Island has more than one hundred square kilometers, it is not important at all and will only increase its financial burden. However, for Nanyang, its strategic location is very important, and There are airports and ports on it, and Nanyang wants to enter the Indian Ocean.
Christmas Island is one of the best bases. When the time comes, it can be leased or bought from Singapore through negotiation.
"This..."
Faced with the conditions offered by Li Yian, Aiden hesitated. Originally, they had plans for these two places - to hand them over to Australia and the United Kingdom. The reason for this is also its usual trick. Before its colonies become independent, they always want to do something to weaken the colonies as much as possible in order to have better control and obtain maximum benefits at the same time.
And Australia is also very interested in these two places, but the opposition from Singapore is very strong.
Now it seems that Singapore’s strong opposition is supported by Nanyang.
Nanyang, I am also interested in these two places! The so-called maintenance of Singapore's territorial integrity is simply an excuse. Who doesn't know that Malaya and Singapore are almost the biological sons of Nanyang. Compared to giving to Nanyang, Britain is more inclined to give to Australia. After all, the latter is its biological son!
But thinking about the Suez Canal and, of course, the strong opposition from Singapore, Eden hesitated for a moment, and then said.
"Yes, we can guarantee it!"
Then Aiden looked at Li Yian and said.
“Okay, now let’s get to the point!”
This is the biggest advantage of negotiating with the imperialists. Both sides know each other’s character and both know it. They have raised it before The conditions are just an appetizer, not a condition at all. After all, the British know very well that as long as Singapore insists, it is impossible for them to transfer the two islands to Australia.
Nanyang’s request is just to save some trouble. The real conditions have to wait until the UK comes out!
"Share!"
Aiden said.
"In the future, we will convince France to each take a certain proportion of the Suez Canal Company's shares. Eventually, Nanyang will profit from about 10% of the company's shares."
Don't look at the UK now. came to discuss the matter, but in fact the largest shareholder of the Suez Canal was France. In 1854, the French Consul in Egypt, Ferdinand de Lesseps, and the Ottoman Governor-General in Egypt, Said Pasha, signed an agreement to build the Suez Canal. contract. On April 25, 1859, the "International Suito Canal Company" established by Liseppe began to officially dig the canal. After ten years of hard work, the Suez Canal was finally completed on August 18, 1869, and officially opened to navigation on November 17 of that year.
In the following decades, the Suez Canal's ownership structure underwent many changes. Initially, 56% of the shares were owned by French citizens and 44% by the Egyptian Pasha family. In 1875, the Egyptian Pasha transferred 44% of his shares to the British, and the British immediately sent troops to the canal zone and took control of the Suez Canal. This situation continues to this day.
In other words, the United Kingdom controls the canal with 44% of its shares. Even though the British shares are not as large as those of France, the United Kingdom has a controlling stake because about 50% of the 56% in France belongs to French citizens. The official only owns 6%, and because of this, the United Kingdom is the actual control party of the Suez Canal.
In the past few decades, countless countries have been interested in the shares of the Suez Canal Company. Even large American companies have tried to acquire the company's shares, but their acquisitions have failed. was boycotted by Britain.
According to the British idea, if they had not been able to drive France away, they would have driven France away long ago and fought the canal alone. Now the British have taken the initiative to take out the shares of the Suez Canal Company, which is enough to show their sincerity. . After all, they have never let others get their hands on the Suez Canal in the past, and now taking the initiative to open the door is a great thing.
"The shares in the canal are a matter of the future. Before France agrees, this is a piece of paper. A 10% share has no meaning at all to Nanyang!"
Li Yian refused without even thinking about it.
Why refuse?
Because this is simply a hollow dumpling - the British just used an empty promise.
What canal shares?
Even if the UK is willing to transfer some, what if the French are not willing?
But the French are also willing to take 10% of the canal shares, which means nothing to Nanyang at all. That’s just an increase of tens of millions of dollars in revenue every year.
But is any problem that can be solved with money a problem?
There are so many good things in the British Empire, but the most worthless and least worth mentioning is the Suez Canal.
Besides, it is only 10% of the shares. Do these British guys really think they are easy to fool?
Rejected!
Aiden was a little confused.
After rejecting the so-called kindness, Li Yian just started smoking with a cigar in his mouth.
After a moment of silence, he said.
"Mr. Prime Minister, compared to these promises about the future, you value the immediate interests more."
(End of Chapter)