Chapter 544 The self-protection strategy of the British ghost
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hong Kong, a five-star hotel established in 1963, is a Land subsidiary of the Jardine Matheson Group;
On November 16, several ghost guys met in the presidential suite here.
"John.", "Ansany."
The two leading ghost guys shook hands and greeted each other. If the outside world was outside, the meeting between these two people would definitely attract huge attention, because they are the heads of the largest conglomerates in Hong Kong, Jardine Matheson and Swire.
After everyone chatted for a while, John Keswick asked: "Ansany, you should know about the operation of the container terminal in Kwai Chung, right?"
Anseni nodded and said: "I know, business is very hot, and many factories want to rely on connections to get containers. Although it has not had a big impact on us at the moment, the trend is indeed very obvious."
John Keswick also said: "Yes, currently one terminal cannot take away much business from us, but now it is obvious that many people are optimistic about the container terminal. Some of my long-term partners here want to relocate their contracts, which is very important to us." It’s also very dangerous.”
"Then what do you want to do? The replacement of traditional terminals by container terminals is globally recognized, and we cannot stop the trend." Anseni asked rhetorically.
John smiled: "We can't stop the container terminals, but we can also participate. I received news yesterday that the Hong Kong government intends to launch 2-4 new container terminals and is preparing to comprehensively promote the standardization of all terminals in Hong Kong. .”
Ansany asked in surprise: "So radical?"
In fact, everyone knew that container terminals would be created in Hong Kong as early as seven or eight years ago. However, how to solve the problem of tens of thousands of traditional dock workers was a problem; and the future of Hong Kong was unclear. When there were already traditional terminals, heavy investment was needed to build containers. At the dock, the risk is too great;
Therefore, this matter has been delayed, but I did not expect that in the past few years, a new force has emerged among the Chinese. In a few years, its scale is no less than that of Jardine and Swire, and because it involves industry , the number of jobs it has created even the Hong Kong government has to pay attention to;
However, because of the large number of factories, it has brought a good new employment direction for people in traditional docks. Even if these people will not enter the factory, the general economic development will be good for any worker.
John said: "Yes, the terminal in Singapore has been in operation for more than a year, and the turnover efficiency is more than ten times that of our traditional terminal. Many goods that were originally transported between Asia, the United States and Europe have gone there, which is very important to Hong Kong. It is said to be a crisis;
Now the container terminal of Changxing Group is also in operation. In every aspect, it is much better than our terminal. Therefore, it is necessary to directly access multiple terminals. Otherwise, it will seriously affect the economy of Hong Kong and even our British capital in Hong Kong. income. ”
67 years later, Hong Kong’s future attributes have become more clear. Coupled with the decline of the British Empire, there is an urgent need to have a strong point in Asia;
Even because of the existence of Singapore, Hong Kong cannot lose economically. If Singapore surpasses Hong Kong, wouldn't it mean that the British Empire is incompetent?
In addition, British capital in Hong Kong will bring high profits to the UK every year. They cannot allow Chinese capital to rise too strong. Even if they cannot suppress it openly, they still have to use some means.
"Then how to prevent Yang Wendong from participating in the bidding?" Anseni asked again;
The rise of Chinese capital in Hong Kong is almost inevitable, especially Yang Wendong. No one can stop him; even competing with him cannot rely directly on privileges. Otherwise, with their global influence, things will really get into trouble. , the British Hong Kong government can’t stand it either.
John replied: "What the Governor means is that any consortium can only participate in one of the several new terminals. And if it is a joint consortium, if it holds more than 16% of the shares in one of them, it cannot participate in the bidding of other terminals."
"This rule is good. In this way, Yang Wendong can only get one pier." Anseni thought for a while and asked: "Why not include the previous pier?"
Hong Kong and Britain cannot directly suppress Chinese capital, but they can make some policies that seem fair but are actually biased in favor of British capital based on the different circumstances of a certain investment between China and Britain;
For example, if Chinese capital is strong, then restrictions will be imposed on how many shares any capital can hold; if British capital is strong, then it doesn't matter; it seems fair anyway.
John shook his head and said: "No, in that case Yang Wendong will not be able to participate. This is too obvious. The Hong Kong government does not want to do anything too extreme to offend him. You also know how many people in Hong Kong now rely on the Changxing Group;
Singapore always wants to ask Changxing Group to move the entire company there. If he really agrees, the economy will suffer huge losses for the entire Hong Kong, even for the British Empire. Therefore, in Hong Kong’s infrastructure and real estate Or in terms of public rights and interests, part of the profits must be given to him. ”
"That's true. There are indeed so many factories under the Changxing Group that they can feed several towns." Anseni nodded.
There are a total of 18 districts in Hong Kong. Currently, at least five and a half districts are tightly controlled by the Cheung Hing Group. The first is Tsim Sha Tsui, where the Cheung Hing Group started, the second is Kwun Tong, the third is Shatin Town, the fourth is Tseung Kwan O, and the fifth is Kwai Chung. , the other half is in North Point of Hong Kong Island, and it is estimated that it may become one in the future.
These districts all have large factories of the Changxing Group. A large number of people around them work in the factory or in other factories around the factory. Invisibly, a very large interest group has been formed, including local real estate developers and government personnel. , all have to rely on Changxing Group.
Once these factories are gone, Hong Kong's overall economy may be able to stabilize, but the hundreds of thousands of people in these towns will definitely not be able to. With such a large number, even Jardine and Swire cannot solve it, so the Hong Kong government naturally needs to pay attention.
"Industry is not our specialty, so we don't need to think too much." John added, "I asked you to come out today because I want each of us to take over a pier. This will also be good for us. As long as we control part of the pier, the Chinese industry in Hong Kong will The better the development, the more we will benefit, right?”
"Okay, the container terminal is the future of Hong Kong, and I, Swire, are naturally happy to participate." Anseni nodded in agreement.
In the traditional era, Taikoo accounted for 1/3 of the terminals. Nowadays, container terminals naturally have to participate.
"Okay, then we will go to the Hong Kong Governor together tomorrow, and Sanders from HSBC will go with us." John added: "It's different now. Yang Wendong will definitely encroach on the interests of the terminal. We have to think of a reasonable solution together." Methods to protect our interests.”
"Yes, I understand." Anseni also knows that the rise of Chinese capital will inevitably seize the profits of British capital;
Originally, the terminal industry has been stabilized, so Yang Wendong can only obtain the income from Huangpu Terminal through indirect holdings. This fact does not matter to them. Huangpu Terminal itself is not good, otherwise it will not be the turn of Chinese capital.
But now the industry is undergoing major changes. The old industry is about to die, but the new industry has not yet begun. The scale of Chinese capital has also increased, which will inevitably cause some competition.
The next day, several major British tycoons in Hong Kong, as well as HSBC's Sanders and Governor-General Taylor, gathered at the Hong Kong Government House;
John Keswick first told what he had agreed with several major British financial groups, and then said: "My lord, the Governor of Hong Kong, I wonder how many docks there will be this time?"
Dai Linzhi said: "According to our survey, Hong Kong currently needs 2-3 piers, but considering the future development speed of Hong Kong's industry, we are planning to launch the ownership of 4 piers at once, and they will be obtained by 4 consortiums. , no one consortium can obtain more than 16% of the shares of the other three.”
Sanders also explained beside him: "Everyone, this is also to consider reasonable ways to restrict Yang Wendong, otherwise with his financial resources, it is really possible to win these."
"Is it possible that the Changxing Group's financial resources are greater than those of ours?" Anseni asked with some disbelief. Sanders shook his head and said: "I don't know either, but it is very likely that the reality is stronger than I imagined. Over the years, the share of the entire Hong Kong exports, the various industries of the Changxing Group are close to 10%, and their profit margins are close to 10%. Not sure, but not low;
Moreover, a few years ago, Changxing Group began to build factories in Bay, Singapore, Malaysia and even Europe. We don’t know the production capacity and profit situation in these places;
Furthermore, just looking at the current property reserves of Changxing Real Estate Company in Hong Kong, plus the data of Changxing Shipping and the previous Changxing Group, I estimate that his financial strength is no less than that of Yihe. ”
John Keswick was very unhappy when he heard this, but there was nothing he could do about it. He made his fortune by exporting overseas. This field itself was not what Jardine was good at. No one could have imagined that a factory in Hong Kong could actually do this. level.
"Okay, there is no point in discussing these." Dai Linzhi followed up: "Since Yang Wendong can only get one terminal, then you have to get three. In this way, most of the terminal interests in Hong Kong are still in our hands; < br>
But my current policy can only prevent Yang Wendong. If other Chinese capital is involved, I will have nothing to say. ”
On the surface, the Hong Kong government must maintain fairness between China and the UK. If it dares to introduce any policy that directly benefits British capital, it will definitely not be tolerated;
Therefore, it is okay to provide appropriate support in terms of policies, but there is not much that can be done.
John nodded and said: "Mr. Governor of Hong Kong, if we can't compete with other Chinese companies, then we will lose and have nothing to say."
Other British ghosts also agree. Yang Wendong is a special case. Although he is a competitor, many people here actually have a little admiration for this self-made Chinese. If this was a British person who started a business in the UK, I am afraid that He has long been praised by the British Empire as a global entrepreneurial hero and even a representative figure of the British economy.
Sanders, on the other hand, frowned. He felt that this policy might not be so perfect.
A few days later, the Hong Kong government officially announced that it would launch four container terminals and prepare to auction their operating rights in three months. The policy is.
Naturally, Yang Wendong learned about this matter quickly. After reading the policy, he knew that this was obviously to protect the interests of British capital.
Zheng Zhijie is also a smart man and said: "Yang Sheng, the Hong Kong government is obviously afraid that we have sufficient funds to take over all the terminals."
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"This policy is indeed okay, at least I can't say anything." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
The public name of the Hong Kong government is to prevent the emergence of monopolies and protect the rights and interests of Hong Kong citizens and factory owners. Yang Wendong cannot say anything about such a big and big reason;
After all, he also wants to monopolize
The port industry has very stable long-term returns. Although it is not as good as some technology companies, the risk is almost zero. Even if there is a global economic crisis, life will not be difficult. After all, the cost of ship maintenance is very high, and ports Maintenance costs are very low after completion;
Unless the location is wrong, there is nothing you can do, but Hong Kong's docks were always very popular before he traveled through his previous life. Although they have been surpassed by several from the mainland, they are still world-class docks.
Zheng Zhijie analyzed: "In this case, it is best for us to take over the second pier, so that it can be connected with our existing terminal and reduce operating costs."
"You can just do this." Yang Wendong said without asking further: "But the Hong Kong government's operation is actually not impossible to break."
Zheng Zhijie also agreed: "Yes, if other Chinese investors also participate, then they have no reason to refuse, but for such a large project, few Chinese investors in Hong Kong can afford it;
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Moreover, the Hong Kong government also has requirements in the tender document that only large companies with experience in ports and shipping can be invited to tender. In this case, we may not be able to find a puppet to acquire other terminals. ”
"Why are you looking for a puppet? Just find a capable partner," Yang Wendong asked.
"Who is Yang Sheng looking for?" Zheng Zhijie asked.
Yang Wendong smiled and said: "How many people are there in Hong Kong who are suitable, have good relations with us, and have sufficient financial resources?"
Zheng Zhijie immediately thought of one person and said, "Yang Sheng is talking about Bao Yugang?"
"Yes, make an appointment with him for me." Yang Wendong nodded and said.
The next day, Four Seasons Hotel Presidential Suite:
"Hello, Mr. Bao." Yang Wendong smiled and shook hands.
Bao Yugang also agreed and shook hands and said: 'Yang Sheng, long time no see, your business is getting bigger and bigger. ’
"Haha, Mr. Bao, you are about the same. Your fleet is expanding very quickly." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
The crisis in the Middle East can be said to be a godsend opportunity for ship owners. An old ship that could only be sold for scrap iron is now worth tens of thousands of dollars, and a new ship can pay back its investment in one or two years after ordering it.
Whether it is Changxing Shipping, Bao Yugang's Global Shipping, or several other shipping companies, they all took the opportunity to expand wildly; on the contrary, the British-owned fleet responded very slowly and did not dare to invest, for fear that one day the war would end and they would buy it at a high price. The ships lost blood.
Not only in the local industry, but also in various industries such as industry and shipping, British capital is gradually declining. If it were not for the strong assets of their ancestors, they would have been crushed by Chinese capital.
The two chatted for a while and then went straight to the topic. Yang Wendong also informed Bao Yugang of his thoughts.
After hearing this, Bai Yugang said: "Yang Sheng, do you want me to participate in the bidding for one of the piers?"
Yang Wendong nodded and said: "Yes, Mr. Bao, you have been shipping for more than ten years, and you should know how important it is for the fleet to have your own dock."
Bao Yugang nodded and asked: "But according to the regulations of the Hong Kong government, if you invest here, you can only own 16% of the shares, right?"
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(End of chapter)