Reborn since 1993

Chapter 1407 Making a Nest
Upon hearing Yang Bohua's report, the Telecom Tsar, who was over sixty years old, took off his glasses and rubbed his sore eyes. After all, he was getting on in years and had a lot of things to deal with, so he was inevitably a bit tired.

Known as the "Telecommunications Tsar" and currently the head of the Ministry of Information Industry, he is naturally known for his iron-fisted approach and extremely tough methods.

The Telecom Tsar's actions, whether right or wrong, are clearly left for future generations to judge. At his age, the Ministry of Information Industry was the last dance of his career, and he didn't really care much about fame and fortune.

Under his leadership, the domestic telecommunications industry underwent a major transformation, entering the era of modern communications.

But to be honest, only this leader could manage the transformation of the behemoth that is the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Only his skill could mold and reshape this industry with nearly a million employees, repeatedly splitting and reorganizing it. Anyone else would probably have been forced to leave the stage long ago.

This year, under the iron fist of this leader, the telecommunications industry was dismantled again, and the domestic communications industry was divided into four giants: China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Satellite Communications.

But this telecom czar still felt it wasn't enough and planned to split up a few more companies, breaking up the major players into a domestic version of the "Seven Sisters" of the telecommunications industry, and adding China Netcom and China Railcom.

This split allows several companies to check and balance each other, preventing any one from becoming dominant. The competition among them enables the rapid completion of the domestic telecommunications infrastructure, price wars, and the improvement of communication technology.

The entire domestic telecommunications industry is being developed according to this leader's wishes. If any company disobeys, he will deal with it decisively. No matter how controversial the situation, nothing can stop him from pushing things forward.

Not only does it take a tough stance against domestic telecom giants like China Telecom and China Unicom, but it also adopts the same attitude towards overseas telecom giants. It even goes so far as to bang on the table in front of certain important figures, both domestically and internationally.

Therefore, facing this telecom czar, not only are the major domestic telecommunications giants intimidated, but overseas telecom giants are also having a headache. Without his approval, those overseas telecommunications equipment giants simply cannot enter the domestic market!

Facing the telecom czar, Yang Bohua, without any personal bias, reported on the Cyberport plan mentioned by Li Dongling, which aimed to expand Hong Kong Telecom into the Southeast Asian telecom market.

Yang Bohua was highly trusted by the Telecom Tsar, but he knew the man's temperament well. The Tsar was intolerant of any wrongdoing. Even though Yang Bohua had a close relationship with Dongling High-Tech, he dared not add fuel to the fire or influence the Tsar's judgment in this matter.

Upon hearing Yang Bohua's words, a smile appeared on the face of the head of the Ministry of Information Industry, and he said with a hint of satisfaction, "Cyberport did a good job!"

Hearing this from the mouth of the Telecom Tsar, Yang Bohua knew that he was genuinely quite satisfied with Hong Kong Telecom's expansion plan.

"All that effort we put into supporting Dongke in acquiring Gangcheng Telecom has finally paid off!"

The Telecom Tsar remarked with emotion that Yang Bohua had been instructed by the Telecom Tsar to travel to Hanxi and approach Li Dashanren when he proposed that Dongke acquire Gangcheng Telecom.

As the head of the Ministry of Information Industry, he would never allow the lifeline of Hong Kong's communications industry after its return to the mainland to be taken away by an overseas company. That would be a disgrace to his career.

The telecom tsar wasn't really concerned about whether it was the Li family of Hong Kong's Cheung Kong that supported PCCW's acquisition of Hong Kong Telecom, or the acquisition of Cyberport that was supported by Dongling Hi-Tech. However, the acquisition of Cyberport was definitely a better option.

"I also want to see what kind of impact Cyberport can make in the Southeast Asian telecommunications market. It's an experimental field, so there's no need to follow the rules!"

The head of the telecommunications company spoke to Yang Bohua, which was actually an expression of his attitude.

In his eyes, everything Hong Kong City Telecom did was an experiment, and he could accept it regardless of whether it succeeded or failed.

The inland telecommunications industry is still developing and cannot go overseas in the short term. However, Cyberport can take the lead in going overseas to test the waters, which also serves as a demonstration for the inland telecommunications industry, allowing them to learn from Cyberport's experience.

"If Hong Kong City Telecom can successfully expand overseas, it could be an opportunity for the domestic telecommunications industry, and even the mobile phone industry!"

Yang Bohua found an opportunity to speak, but in reality, he was speaking up for Dongling High-Tech without making a sound.

If Hong Kong City Telecom acquires telecommunications companies in Siam, Malaysia, and other places, it's not simply about acquiring shares in those local telecommunications companies.

If Gangcheng Telecom has the final say in the local telecommunications industry, then even if Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco, Qualcomm, and other companies with more mature technologies take the bulk of the orders for communication equipment such as base stations and servers, could some of the smaller orders be given to inland communication equipment manufacturers such as Huawei, ZTE, and Datang Telecom?

For domestic telecommunications equipment companies, the biggest need is an opportunity to showcase themselves to the outside world, and wherever Gangcheng Telecom goes, there is an opportunity to showcase inland telecommunications equipment!
After Cyberport acquired Hong Kong Telecom, it placed orders with ZTE and Huawei, allowing their equipment to enter Hong Kong. This marked the first time that the two companies had entered the mainstream telecommunications equipment market outside of mainland China!

Going forward, the stronger Gangcheng Telecom becomes, as long as Chrysanthemum Factory and its communication equipment technology and quality can keep up, Gangcheng Telecom will definitely receive more orders from them.

Besides communication equipment, there are also contract phones from telecom operators. When the digital mall is located, contract phones will definitely be given priority to Hasee phones, but other domestic phone brands will also benefit. Dongling Hi-Tech has never been one to monopolize the market.

Even installment loans, interest-free installments, and credit card purchases for mobile phones all require cooperation with banks.

In China, mobile phones are usually purchased with full payment, but overseas, it's very common to buy mobile phones and computers on installment plans or by credit card, which involves loans!
As long as these are done at Hong Kong City Telecom's business halls, there is an opportunity to entrust these overseas mobile phone loans to Peregrine Bank and other domestic banks!

In other words, Hong Kong City Telecom's overseas expansion is not just about its own overseas expansion, but also involves many other industries such as communication equipment, mobile phones, banking, and insurance, which can also benefit from it!

The Telecom Tsar certainly understood Yang Bohua's meaning. In fact, this was also the reason why he was determined to make the mainland's 3G standard one of the globally accepted standards, no matter what.

It's not a big deal that no one is using the mainland's 3G standard now. As long as it's officially recognized, mainland China will remain a player at the table during the 4G and 5G eras, retaining the right to play its cards and potentially promoting it overseas in the future. And if the domestic standard is used, domestic communication equipment, mobile phones, computers, and other devices will naturally follow suit!
"As long as Cyberport needs help, the Ministry of Information Industry and telecommunications companies will do their best to provide support!"

"I will pass on the message to Li Dongling!"

After seeing the weary-looking Telecom Tsar finish his call, Yang Bohua bowed and left. With this statement, Hong Kong Telecom's overseas expansion was now unimpeded on the mainland.

……

"plum!"

When they arrived at a horse farm in the port city in a Rolls-Royce, Khalid of the Qatar Foundation was already waiting at the door.

"Manager Khalid!"

After getting out of the car and shaking hands with Khalid, Li Dongling walked towards the horse farm. Khalid had invited Li Dongling, the great philanthropist, and Li Dongling was going along with it, intending to use the horse farm for some business.

"This horse is a gift from me, on behalf of the Al Thani family, to you, Li!"

"This is a thoroughbred bred for racing. With a professional trainer and rider, believe me, this horse will definitely become the champion of the Hong Kong horse racing!"

Once inside, Khalid immediately had someone lead out a horse with a white body, black hooves, smooth lines, and a powerful, muscular build, and addressed it to Li the Great Philanthropist.

As a member of the royal family of Middle Eastern oil kings, Khalid has been familiar with horses and falcons since childhood. After arriving in the port city, he acquired several racehorses, preparing to make a name for himself in the port's horse racing scene.

Li Dongling looked at the horse in front of him and reached out to stroke its mane. The horse snorted, clearly indicating that it was a temperamental horse.

“Li, you can name it!” Khalid looked at Li Dongling.

Li Dongling glanced at Khalid. Faced with Khalid's friendly intentions, the philanthropist Li could not very well refuse.

Looking at the horse in front of him, Li Dashan couldn't help but think of the outstanding racehorse in his previous life, a horse that was said to be top-notch in every aspect except for its brain. It was 90% new when it retired, and its only injury was a stiff neck. He said a name, "Let's call it Golden Ship!"

Having named the racehorse, it was considered that the philanthropist Li had accepted the gift, and Khalid was naturally in a great mood.

"Land in Hong Kong is really too difficult to apply for, otherwise, I would definitely give you a horse farm!"

Khalid complained, then said, "Li, when you get to Qatar, the Al Thani family will have even more gifts for you!"

Khalid spoke to Li the Great Philanthropist with a mysterious expression.

Looking at Khalid's expression, Li Dongling scratched his head. Based on the collection style of the Middle Eastern oil tycoons that the media had exposed in his previous life, tigers, lions, and even whales were probably on their collection lists.

Of course, most of the super-rich have some collecting hobbies. In addition to collecting materials from the periodic table, Bill Gates also keeps a whale shark, which is no less extravagant than that of the richest people in the Middle East oil-producing countries.

To be honest, the collection room in Li Dashanren's villa mainly contains antiques. He has no interest in collecting wild beasts as pets. If he forgets to feed them one day, the owner might become the next victim. Not all wild beasts are like Gong Baiwan.

"There will be a chance!"

Li Dashanren said to Khalid, "Li Dongling will have to go to the Middle East sooner or later. After all, there are so many oil-rich countries. The Hong Kong Future Industry Fund is counting on them to invest money!"

But that's all in the past. As for the gifts that Khalid and his group prepared, the philanthropist Li will probably politely decline and keep his distance.

"The popularity of 3721 has exceeded our expectations!"

After sitting down, Khalid enthusiastically brought up 3721.

Currently, 3721's listing application has been approved by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which is incredibly fast. Zhou Hongyi has also started the roadshow, which is extremely popular and almost every session is packed. The scale of subscription for 3721 shares continues to set new records.

Zhou Hongyi and her team have been conducting intensive roadshows and promotions these past few days. Next week, 3721 will be officially listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The entire process will take no more than twenty days, which is quite astonishing. The Hong Kong media have dubbed what happened to 3721 as the "Hong Kong stock internet speed"!

It's obvious to everyone that 3721's stock price will definitely surge on the day of its listing; the only question is how high it will rise!

(End of this chapter)