Chapter 3110
Sitting opposite Schneider, Simang couldn't believe that the words that just reached his ears came from the mouth of a high-ranking official from Haihan. He had been vaccinated by Thomas before he came, and he also expected that Haihan's diplomat might deny his accusations in various terms, but he never expected that the other party did not deny it, but decisively shifted the responsibility for the matter. All clean.
If they really followed Schneider's statement and went to the military and propaganda department to question Haihan, they would probably be kicked back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a ball.
Seeing Schneider still looking innocent, Simang was furious. The other party obviously didn't take him seriously at all, so he made such a ridiculous reply.
He was about to get angry, but Thomas next to him had already seen his reaction and quickly said: "Master Shi, you are just joking. The situations we are talking about involve relations between the two countries and are of course the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
Schneider smiled and said: "But the military and propaganda departments are not agencies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. What do you want me to do? As the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, teach them a lesson?"
Schneider's response was obviously a bit confusing, but Thomas had to be patient and continue to deal with him: "From the standpoint of an ally, we hope that Mr. Shi can stop these very unfriendly behaviors to our country as soon as possible, otherwise our country will retain Power to take further measures”
Schneider shrugged and said: "All I can do is convey your opinions to the relevant departments. As for whether they will stop, that is not something I can decide."
"I am also standing in the position of an ally, and I would like to advise you not to treat everything as a conspiracy against your country, and never try to use any abnormal means to stop these activities, so as not to trigger a more serious incident. Consequences.”
"Also, regarding the matter of Xingdao, I suggest that your country directly contact the local authorities of Xingdao to negotiate, instead of always bringing trivial matters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I believe that you, like me, have a lot of official business to deal with. There is no need to waste everyone’s precious time with these rumors.”
They didn't talk much, and since the two sides couldn't reach an agreement, Schneider had no intention of spending any more time with them. He quickly got up and left on the grounds that he was busy with official duties, leaving Simao and Thomas looking at each other.
"Why did I listen to what he said, and we became the wrong party?" Simon said with some annoyance: "Mr. Thomas, your attitude just now was too weak, you should let me negotiate with him!" < br>
Thomas said: "Sir Simang, didn't you notice his tone? He seems to know something. If our attitude is too tough, maybe he will break up."
Simang said: "Are you talking about the kidnapping of our people a few days ago? Maybe Schneider is also an insider?"
Thomas said: "Who knows? If the Haihan official was really organizing it behind the scenes, it wouldn't be surprising if he knew about it."
Simon didn't answer. If Schneider really knew the inside story of that matter, it would be equivalent to having a handle on the embassy. If the two sides were at odds and the other party revealed the matter, it would indeed not look good on face.
But in this way, the purpose of their trip was completely failed. Instead, Schneider was ridiculed.
We were unable to get an explanation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If we continue to pursue the case, we have no choice but to negotiate directly with the Executive Committee. But when it gets to that point, things hit the sky and there is no room for maneuver. Even Simang, who has a hot temper, does not dare to make a decision rashly.
However, Schneider is a member of the Executive Committee, and when negotiations reach his level, it is actually no different from dealing directly with the Executive Committee.
In other words, Schneider's attitude probably represents the intention of the executive committee.
Only then did Simang understand why Thomas was not optimistic about the outcome of this trip before coming to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After the meeting, Schneider did not return to the Ministry of Commerce. Instead, he went straight to Fort Victory, found Ning Qi who was discussing matters with Tao Donglai, and informed the two of them about the negotiation process with the Portuguese. "Why does this kind of article appear in the Haihan Times? The actions of Xingdao can just be carried out quietly as before. Why should there be such a big fanfare to stimulate the Portuguese."
Although Schneider acted extremely tough in front of the Portuguese just now, the problems that existed in the process still need to be clarified afterwards.
Ning Qi has always been responsible for Haihan's publicity work. The Haihan Times newspaper office is under the jurisdiction of the Propaganda Department, and the Propaganda Department is affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Education. They are all agencies under Ning Qi.
The Portuguese acted in accordance with diplomatic procedures and did not go to Ning Qi to trouble him first. However, Schneider blocked the matter for the Propaganda Department, so naturally they had to ask Ning Qi face to face.
Ning Qi spread his hands and said: "This matter has nothing to do with me, just ask Lao Tao!"
Schneider looked at Tao Donglai and said, "Old Tao, is this what you mean?"
Tao Donglai nodded and said: "I arranged for someone to write the article, but the purpose of doing so was not to stimulate the Portuguese."
Seeing that he had stopped there, Schneider couldn't help but urge: "Old Tao, don't just say half of your words!"
Tao Donglai asked: "Do you have time now?"
Schneider smiled: "Yes, you speak slowly and I listen slowly."
Tao Donglai said: "It just so happens that Ning Qi and I are also discussing things related to Xingdao, so just listen together."
"In recent years, the development of Xingdao has become increasingly constrained by the growth rate of the population, and there has even begun to appear a trend of reverse migration, with part of the population migrating from the local area to the country. If no intervention is done, the population of Xingdao may There will be negative growth in the next few years. It should not be difficult for you to imagine what will happen locally. ”
Schneider responded: "But judging from the financial reports over the years, the local economic situation in Xingdao is actually not bad, and the income is still increasing year by year. How come the population is in the situation you mentioned?"
"This is exactly the problem." Tao Donglai explained: "Although local income has increased, the living environment has not improved greatly, and conditions in all aspects are far worse than those in China. After some local people become rich, , they will choose to move to China for the sake of their own or their offspring’s development prospects.”
Ning Qi added next to him: "Judging from statistics in the field of culture and education, the number of people from Xingdao coming to Sanya to study has increased tenfold in the past five years, and more and more young children are being sent back to China. Studying. The proportion of those who return to study in China and their relatives who come back to take care of them is actually not too high.”
"It is worth noting that those who are able to return to the country to study and live are often the upper class of local society, military lieutenant colonels, or children of gentry. The gradual loss of these people has a great impact on the local area. Profound.”
Tao Donglai said: "Lao Shi, if you were the governor of Xingdao and encountered such a situation, what would you do?"
(End of chapter)