Chapter 544: The British Ghost's Self-Protection Strategy
Chapter 544: The British Ghost's Self-Protection Strategy
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hong Kong, a five-star hotel established in 1963, is owned by Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited;
On November 11, several foreigners met in the presidential suite here.
"John.", "Anselny."
The two leading foreigners shook hands and greeted each other. If it were in the outside world, their meeting would definitely attract huge attention, because they are the heads of Hong Kong's largest conglomerates, Jardine Matheson and Swire.
After everyone exchanged pleasantries for a while, John Keswick asked, "Anthony, you should know about the operation of the container terminal in Kwai Chung, right?"
Ansini nodded and said, "Yes, the business is booming. Many factories want to use their connections to get containers. Although it has little impact on us at the moment, the trend is indeed very obvious."
John Keswick also said: "Yes, at present, one terminal cannot take away much of our business, but now it is obvious that many people are optimistic about the container terminal. Some of my long-term partners want to transfer their contracts, which is also very dangerous for us."
“So what do you want to do? It is globally recognized that container terminals will replace traditional terminals, and we can’t stop the trend,” Anthony asked back.
John smiled and said, "We can't stop the container terminals, but we can also participate in them. I received news yesterday that the Hong Kong government intends to launch 2-4 new container terminals and is preparing to fully promote the standardization of all Hong Kong terminals."
Ansini asked in surprise: "So radical?"
In fact, as early as seven or eight years ago, everyone knew that the creation of container terminals would appear in Hong Kong, but how to solve the problem of tens of thousands of traditional dock workers was a difficult problem. Moreover, Hong Kong's future was uncertain. When there were already traditional docks, investing heavily in container terminals would be too risky.
Therefore, the matter has been dragged on, but unexpectedly, in the past few years, a new force has emerged among the Chinese, which is no less large than Jardine Matheson in terms of scale. Because it involves industry, the number of jobs it has created has forced the Hong Kong government to pay attention to it.
However, the large number of factories has also provided a good new employment direction for traditional dock workers. Even if these people will not enter the factories, the overall economic development will benefit any worker.
John said: "Yes, the terminal in Singapore has been in operation for more than a year. The turnover efficiency is more than ten times that of our traditional terminals. Many goods that were originally transported between Asia, America and Europe have gone there. This is already a crisis for Hong Kong.
Now that Changxing Group’s container terminal is also in operation, it is much better than our terminal in every aspect, so it is necessary to directly go to Duo Wharf, otherwise it will seriously affect Hong Kong’s economy and even our British capital’s income in Hong Kong.”
67 years later, Hong Kong’s future attributes are clearer, and 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 afford to lose economically. If Singapore surpasses Hong Kong, wouldn’t that be a testament to the incompetence of the British Empire?
In addition, British capital in Hong Kong also brings high profits to the UK every year. They cannot allow Chinese capital to rise too strong. Even if they cannot suppress it openly, they have to use some means.
"Then how do we stop Yang Wendong from bidding?" Ansini asked again;
The rise of Chinese capital in Hong Kong is almost inevitable, especially Yang Wendong. No one can stop him. Even if you want to compete with him, you can't rely directly on privileges. Otherwise, with his global influence, if things really get out of hand, the British Hong Kong government will not be able to bear it.
John replied: "What the Governor means is that any consortium can only bid for one of the new docks, and if it is a joint consortium, then if it holds more than 16% of the shares in one of them, it cannot bid for other docks."
"This rule is good. In this way, Yang Wendong can only get one dock." Ansini thought for a moment and asked again, "Why not include the previous dock as well?"
The British in Hong Kong could not directly suppress Chinese capital, but they could formulate some policies that seemed fair but actually favored British capital based on the different situations of Chinese and British capital in a certain investment;
For example, if Chinese capital is strong, then restrictions will be imposed and any capital can only hold a certain number of shares; if British capital is strong, then just ignore it; anyway, it seems to be fair.
John shook his head and said, "No, if that happens, Yang Wendong can't participate. It would be too obvious, and the Hong Kong government doesn't want to offend him. You know, many people in Hong Kong rely on the Changxing Group.
Singapore has always wanted to ask the Changxing Group to move its entire business there. If he really agrees, the entire Hong Kong economy will suffer huge losses, and even the British Empire will suffer the same. Therefore, in terms of Hong Kong infrastructure, real estate or public rights, some of the profits must be given to him. "
"That's true. There are indeed too many factories under the Changxing Group. They can support several towns." Anthony nodded.
There are a total of 18 districts in Hong Kong. Currently, at least 5 and a half districts are tightly controlled by the Cheung Hing Group. The first is Tsim Sha Tsui, where the Cheung Hing Group started its business. The second is Kwun Tong. The third is Sha Tin Town. The fourth is Tseung Kwan O. The fifth is Kwai Chung. The other half is North Point on Hong Kong Island, which is estimated to 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 factories or in other factories around them. Invisibly, a very large interest group has been formed. Even local real estate developers and government officials have to rely on the Changxing Group.
Once these factories leave, Hong Kong's overall economy may be able to stabilize, but this certainly cannot happen to the hundreds of thousands of people in these towns. With such a large number, even Jardine Swire cannot handle it, so the Hong Kong government naturally needs to pay attention to it.
"Industry is not our specialty, so don't think too much about it." John added, "I asked you out today because I want each of us to take over a dock. This will also be beneficial to us. As long as we control some of the docks, the better the development of Chinese industry in Hong Kong, the more we can benefit, right?"
“Okay, container terminals are the future of Hong Kong, and naturally Swire is happy to participate.” Anthony nodded in agreement.
In the traditional era, Swire occupied one-third of the ports, and nowadays, container terminals must also be involved.
"Okay, then we'll go to see the Governor tomorrow, and HSBC's Sanders will go with us." John added, "Things are different now. Yang Wendong will definitely encroach on the interests of the port. We have to work together to come up with a reasonable way to protect our interests."
"Yes, I understand." Ansini also knew that the rise of Chinese capital would inevitably seize the profits of British capital;
Originally, the port industry had been stable, and Yang Wendong could at most obtain the profits of Huangpu Port through indirect holding. This did not really matter to them. Huangpu Port itself was in trouble, otherwise it would not have been 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 started, and the scale of Chinese capital has also increased, which is bound to lead to competition.
The next day, several major British-owned companies in Hong Kong, as well as HSBC's Sanders and Governor Trench, gathered at the Governor's House.
John Keswick first told the things he had agreed with several major British financial groups, and then said: "Governor, I wonder how many docks there will be this time?"
Trench said: "According to our investigation, Hong Kong still needs 2-3 more docks. However, considering the speed of Hong Kong's industrial development in the future, we are going to offer the ownership of four docks at once this time. They will be acquired by four consortiums respectively, and no consortium can acquire more than 4% of the shares of the other three."
Sanders also explained: "Everyone, this is also to consider the reasonable way to restrict Yang Wendong. Otherwise, with his financial resources, it is really possible to take down these people."
"Could it be that the financial strength of the Changxing Group is greater than ours?" Ansini asked in disbelief. Sanders shook his head and said, "I don't know, but it is very likely that the reality is stronger than I imagined. Over the years, the various industries of the Changxing Group have accounted for nearly 10% of the total export share of Hong Kong. I don't know their profit margin, but it will not be low.
Moreover, a few years ago, Changxing Group started to build factories in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and even Europe. We are not clear about the production capacity and profit situation in these foreign places;
Furthermore, just looking at the property reserves of Changxing Real Estate Company in Hong Kong, plus Changxing Shipping and the previous data of Changxing Group, I estimate that its financial strength is no less than that of Jardine Matheson. "
John Keswick was very unhappy when he heard this, but there was nothing he could do. Jardine Matheson started out by exporting overseas, and this field itself was not what Jardine Matheson was good at. No one could have imagined that running a factory in Hong Kong could achieve such a level.
"Well, there's no point in discussing this." Trench said, "Since Yang Wendong can only get one wharf, you have to get three. In this way, most of the wharf interests in Hong Kong are still in our hands.
But my current policy can only prevent Yang Wendong. If other Chinese investors get involved, I won’t be able to say anything.”
The Hong Kong government must maintain fairness between the Chinese and British on the surface. If it dares to come up with any policy that directly benefits British capital, it will definitely suffer the consequences.
Therefore, there is no problem in providing appropriate policy support, but there is not much that can be done.
John nodded and said, "Mr. Governor, if we cannot compete with other Chinese companies, then we have lost too much."
Other British foreigners also recognized that Yang Wendong was a special case. Although they were competitors, many people here actually had some respect for this Chinese who started from scratch. If this person was a British person starting a business in the UK like this, he would probably have been hailed by the British Empire as a global entrepreneurial hero or even a representative of the British economy.
Sanders, on the other hand, frowned, as 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 would auction their operating rights in three months. The policy was.
Yang Wendong naturally learned about this matter very 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. He said, "Mr. Yang, the Hong Kong government is obviously afraid that we have strong financial resources and will take over all the docks."
"This policy is indeed good. At least I can't say anything about it." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
The Hong Kong government's public reason was to prevent monopoly and protect the rights of Hong Kong citizens and factory owners. Yang Wendong couldn't say anything about such a big deal.
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 very difficult. After all, the cost of maintaining ships is very high, while the maintenance cost of ports is very low after they are built.
Unless the location is wrong, there is nothing that can be done. However, the Hong Kong wharf had always been very popular before he traveled through time in his previous life. Although it has been surpassed by several wharves in the mainland, it is still a world-class wharf.
Zheng Zhijie analyzed: "In this case, it would be best for us to take over the second pier, so that it can be connected to our existing pier and reduce operating costs."
"Just do it." Yang Wendong didn't ask any more questions, and said, "But the Hong Kong government's operation is not impossible to break."
Zheng Zhijie also agreed and said: "Yes, if other Chinese investors also get involved, then they have no reason to refuse. However, for such a large project, there are not many Chinese investors in Hong Kong who can afford it.
Moreover, the Hong Kong government also has a requirement in the tender document that only large companies with experience in ports and shipping can be invited to tender. In this case, if we want to find a puppet to acquire other docks, it may not work. "
"Why do we need to find a puppet? Why not just find a powerful partner?" Yang Wendong asked in return.
"Who does Mr. Yang want to find?" Zheng Zhijie asked.
Yang Wendong smiled and said, "How many people in Hong Kong are suitable, have good relations with us, and have sufficient financial resources?"
Zheng Zhijie immediately thought of someone and asked, "Are you talking about Bao Yugang?"
"Yes, make an appointment with him for me." Yang Wendong nodded.
Day 2, Four Seasons Hotel Presidential Suite:
"Hello, Baosheng." Yang Wendong smiled and shook hands.
Bao Yugang also agreed to shake hands and said, "Mr. Yang, long time no see. Your business is growing bigger and bigger."
"Haha, Bao Sheng, you are almost the same. Your fleet is also expanding very quickly." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
The Middle East crisis can be said to be a godsend for ship owners. An old ship that could only be sold as scrap metal is now worth a fortune, and after ordering a new ship, the investment can be recovered in one or two years.
Whether it was Changxing Shipping, Bao Yugang's Global Shipping, or several other shipping companies, they all took the opportunity to expand wildly; the British fleet, on the contrary, reacted very slowly and did not dare to invest, for fear that one day the war would end and they would suffer heavy losses on the ships they purchased at high prices.
Not only in the real estate industry, but also in various industries such as industry and shipping, British capital has gradually declined. If it were not for the huge assets of their ancestors, they would have been crushed by Chinese capital long ago.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the two got straight to the point, and Yang Wendong also told Bao Yugang his thoughts.
After listening to this, Bai Yugang said, "Mr. Yang, do you want me to participate in the bidding for one of the docks?"
Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Yes, Bao Sheng, you have been in the shipping business for more than ten years, and you should know how important it is for a fleet to have its own dock."
Bao Yugang nodded and asked, "But according to the Hong Kong government's regulations, if you invest here, you can only own 16% of the shares at most, right?"
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(End of this chapter)