Chapter 200 Changes in Hong Kong

In 1842, Britain forced the Qing Dynasty to sign the Treaty of Nanjing through the Opium War and occupied Hong Kong Island. The purpose of Britain's war of aggression against China was to forcibly open the door to China by force and open a broad market for British industrial products. The reason why Britain chose Hong Kong was completely It is a fancy to its unique geographical location. The British occupied Hong Kong. In addition to being used as a bridgehead for the invasion of China militarily, the British deliberately built it into a base for British trade with China economically.

Therefore, shortly after the opening of Hong Kong, the United Kingdom declared Hong Kong as a free port to attract businessmen from all over the world to Hong Kong for transactions. The free port policy implemented by the United Kingdom has continuously attracted businessmen from all over the world to bring capital and goods to Hong Kong, and the re-import trade of Hong Kong and Taiwan has developed.

After 65 years of operation, Hong Kong has gradually developed into a base for Britain's dumping products in the Far East and a center for re-import trade with the Asia-Pacific region, especially to China. It has not only become a trade center port for the mainland China, but also a leading commercial port in the Far East.

As the largest commercial port in the Far East, more than 130 cargo ships of more than 100,000 dead tons of various countries enter Hong Kong every day. However, in the past few months, the indifference of Sino-British relations has had a negative impact on Hong Kong's trade. The decrease in the number of ships entering Hong Kong is the most direct reflection, and the more direct response is probably hundreds of merchant ships stranded in the port. Most of these merchant ships are stranded in Hong Kong because there are not enough goods. Don't stay in the berth area and pay a high berth fee every day.

Meihe Foreign Bank in Kowloon is a U.S. foreign bank with patented shipping. In the past few years, Meihe Foreign Bank has long been the largest U.S. shipper in Hong Kong, and it has been engaged in the import and export of Chinese goods for more than ten years. As the largest U.S. shipper in Hong Kong, it has caused a storm of boycotts. Among them, the damage should be the slightest, but for Guangzhou, Shanghai and other commercial ports that want to compete with Hong Kong for the status of a Far East commercial port, this boycott is a good opportunity to compete for the status of Hong Kong's Far East trade port.

Under the indulgence of merchants, not only British capital was boycotted, but also Hong Kong, the British Far East trade center, was also boycotted. It was difficult for any merchant ship engaged in Hong Kong re-import trade to get a waybill of goods. With the semi-cooperation of the state, this boycott was a blow to Hong Kong's re-import trade and shipping. It is so serious that hundreds of merchant ships from thousands of tons or even 10,000 tons moored in Hong Kong's port berths at this time are proof of this.

In order to maintain the status of Hong Kong's Far East trade port, Hong Kong did not hesitate to provide berthing fees during the boycott period to ensure that merchant ships of various countries do not transfer. However, the fact is that for shipowners, the last thing they want to see is that merchant ships are stranded in the port and have no goods to be transported.

On the other hand, many Chinese shipping companies have bought old ships and opened ocean routes during the boycott. This immediate impact is something they have to consider.

"Last month, China Merchants Shipping Bureau alone purchased 12 ocean-going merchant ships with a total of 43,500 deadweights. In a month, the tonnage of China's domestic ocean-going merchant ships increased by 100,000 tons, opening up as many as 23 new ocean-going routes. Three days ago, Chinese merchant ships arrived in New York Harbor for the first time..."

In the office on the third floor of Meihe Yanghang, Bruce? Forsace looked at Jack in front of him? Johnson is making a report.

"Now, it can be said that every day we stop in Hong Kong, the Chinese will open a new route, which is lower than 10% of our company's freight rate, so that they can get more orders. British companies may sacrifice the company's interests for the benefit of the United Kingdom, but for American companies, we have no This obligation!"

Looking at the big class, Bruce specifically emphasized.

"Americans have no obligation to sacrifice for Britain!"

"But, Bruce, you must know that in the past ten years, we have received the support of the Bank of England many times. At this time, they asked us. No matter what, we must help them! This is related to our future!"

Jack? Johnson seemed a little helpless. As an adventurer, 23 years ago, he bought an old flying scissors and came to the East. It took 23 years to establish the shipping company with 120,000 tons of ocean-going merchant ships. In the process, he was supported by HSBC. He knew that now When I give back to the British, other German, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and even Dutch companies can leave Hong Kong, but I can't, at least not at the moment.

However, as a ship owner, he clearly knows that the 93,000 tons of merchant ship stranded in Hong Kong now has to pay a berth fee of more than 100,000 yuan a day. Despite the instructions of Hong Kong's British axe, the company can enjoy a 70% discount, but the berth fee of more than 40,000 yuan a day and the staff salary paid in vain. However, the company is suffering serious economic losses. Although HSBC provided the company with an interest-free loan of one million Hong Kong dollars a month ago, in fact, this million yuan cannot make up for the company's monthly loss, with a loss of tens of thousands of yuan a day, which is by no means a loss that Meihe can bear.

But morally, he knew that he had to do this.

"Big class, since the declaration of war, we have lost more than 3 million yuan. We no longer owe the British morally. If the contradiction between them and the Chinese can't be solved in the next year, then will we stay here for a year? If that's the case..."

After a little silence, Bruce said with regret.

"I think I and every employee of the company have to consider accepting employment from other companies. At that time, Meihe Yanghang will no longer exist because of huge debts. This is something we must consider!"

"Is it possible to last for a year?"

Jack? Johnson asked rhetorically, but there was no trace of confidence in his words.

"The war between Japan and Russia has been going on for a year and a half, and now, who knows how long the war between China and Japan will last. There is a British alliance between the British and Japan. In this war, they are bound to stand on the side of Japan. It is for this reason that Britain to fall into the current embarrassing situation, thus dragging Tired of British business interests, but British-funded companies can directly get subsidies from the British political axe, but what about us?

With a wry smile, Bruce shrugged his shoulders and said.

"Indeed, in order to show support to us, HSBC has provided us with interest-free loans, but these loans will one day need to be repaid by foreign banks. If they last for a year, the company will have to bear more than 10 million yuan of debt. At that time, I'm afraid my Johnson class will be a tiger to us. The staring British shippers will swallow us in one bite, and is it possible for HSBC, which helps us today, to stand by our side and support us? No! They will stand very happily beside the British shippers and force us to sell Meihe by forcing us to borrow money. At that time, Meihe will be finished!"

Looking at his ocean, Bruce said seriously.

"Mr. Johnson, maybe the temper of the West tells you that we should abide by morality, but we have to see who we preach morality with, the British?"

Hummed the last three words in a mocking tone, and Bruce continued.

"The British have never been moral, and we must clearly recognize this!"

Bruce's warning silenced Johnson. After a long silence, he looked at Bruce and asked.

"So, Mr. Bruce, tell me, what should we do?"

In the face of the de facto loss and the impact of the British on foreign shippers in Hong Kong in the past two decades, Johnson understands that in any case, he must make an appropriate choice when there is still a trace of capital in the United States and the United States.

"Close the Hong Kong Foreign Bank and transfer the headquarters of the Foreign Bank to Shanghai. At the same time, submit a list to the Shipping Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce of China to assure them that the United States and the Foreign Bank are willing to accept the control of the Shipping Department at any time!"

Bruce spit out a clause that once contradicted ship dealers from all over the world. Foreign shipping companies must sign a contract with the China Shipping Agency, and this contract is equivalent to handing over half a company. The reason why Hong Kong's transit trade has developed greatly in the past year is precisely because of this provision of the China Shipping Administration, which means It handed over part of the foreign bank's control over merchant ships. For now, if it accepts this, it means that the United States and foreign banks must withdraw from Hong Kong and Singapore. Of course, Japan has long ago. Now there are two merchant ships in the United States and the United States and two merchant ships detained in Kaohsiung Port for investigation because of the transportation of weapons exported to Japan. The U.S. Embassy in China once protested about this, but the explanation given by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very simple. The merchant ship will be returned after the investigation, but no one knows when the investigation will end, and there is no specific timetable for China.

Every time the foreign bank sent people to contact the relevant departments of China's political axe, they were shieling. The Shipping Department said that it was the matter of the Navy, the Navy said that it was the matter of Investigation Bureau, and the Bureau of Investigation said that it was the matter of the Shipping Administration. Finally, Bruce, who was responsible for the negotiations with the Chinese Political Axe, concluded the investigation. I don't have any confidence.

"This is equivalent to handing over our company!"

Johnson almost instinctively rejected this clause. It was because he was unwilling to submit to this clause that he changed the place of registration to Hong Kong.

"It's just a part of the power. Don't U.S. shipping companies have similar obligations to the post office? Moreover, if we sign, there is another advantage for the company!"

Refuting the words of the big class, Bruce specifically emphasized another sentence.

"If we do this, the relevant Chinese departments will soon end their investigation of our merchant ships!"

The relevant department, when Bruce proposed this department, Johnson's expression changed slightly and seemed very helpless. In fact, this expression appeared on the face of the boss of the shipping company where almost every merchant ship was seized. The relevant department was really a very "nothing" department.

"If the war is not over, I'm afraid that the relevant departments will not end the investigation!"

Relevant departments, this is one of the most profound "institutions" that Bruce has known in the past few months, and shipping merchants in various countries also have a deep understanding. No one knows which department the relevant departments are, and they don't know what the relevant departments are doing. All they know is that those polite Chinese officials will always return. Answer them, "The relevant departments are now in charge of this matter, which has nothing to do with them," but as for where the relevant departments are, I'm afraid that Chinese officials can't answer.

"The relevant department is an unfathomable department. It is like a ghost around you all the time. Everyone may face the relevant department, but everyone does not know what department the relevant department is!"

Even in Europe and the United States, now they all know the power of the relevant departments. His power is so powerful that even the bureaucratic Britain will have no way to start in the face of the relevant departments, not to mention the United States, and the United States and foreign banks can't figure out what the relevant departments are. Of course, it is impossible to know when the relevant departments will end the investigation of the detained ship.

Aware that Johnson seemed to have some hesitation, Bruce said quickly.

"Big class, I don't know if you have noticed something!"

"Huh?"

Johnson was stunned. What did he notice?

"Recently, the expansion of Chinese shipping companies seems to be very fast!"

"It's normal. They are rejecting us! The empty transportation capacity naturally requires them to expand rapidly in order to occupy the market that originally belonged to us!"

Johnson said without regret.

"Perhaps, in a few years, the Chinese shipping companies will be like the Japanese version of those years. They will first squeeze us out of the coastal routes, and then step by step to squeeze us out of the ocean routes. In the end, in China, all foreign shipping companies will be squeezed out. This country is developing their shipping industry. This is the inevitable development of the shipbuilding industry.

"But why do they need to rent a large number of merchant ships from various countries when their transportation capacity is developed?"

"Because their transportation capacity can't meet the demand at all, they are suppressing while borrowing rental contracts to buy companies that are willing to cooperate with them. This is the best means of American political axe in the past, but now it is just imitated by the Chinese!"

When Johnson said this, there was a trace of mockery on his face. Of course, he knew what kind of trick it was. There was no skill at all. For every company willing to cooperate with them, they would provide relatively preferential treatment, and if they were unwilling to cooperate, they would rely on both commercial and official. It suppresses and eventually forces the other party to cooperate with it.

But none of this can change the fact. With the development of China's shipping industry in the future, they are bound to swallow these companies one by one who handed over part of their power. Twenty years ago, when he was in the Meiji and branch of Japan, he had eaten in this regard. In the end, we had to sell three merchant ships to our company in exchange for the so-called "transportation quota". In the future, perhaps the Chinese will be more ruthless than themselves.

"Their ultimate goal is to swallow our Meihe to develop their own shipping!"

"Of course, this is an undeniable fact, and that's why we should seek as many benefits as possible now, use the resources we have now, and give full play to his potential, instead of wasting the resources in our hands. What do you think? Mr. Daban!"

Bruce asked another rhetorical question in addition to agreeing, which made Johnson silent.

It was not until this time that Bruce threw out the information he had already had.

"Officials of the Shipping Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce of China had informal contact with me a few days ago. If we are willing to move the registered place of the foreign bank to Shanghai, they promised to provide us with a waybill of more than 30% of our foreign bank's transportation volume last year at the average market price, which means that we will win this year. The profit can be increased by 20% at the same time!"

Then Bruce continued.

"As a shipping company registered in China, we will enjoy a standard subsidy of one Huayuan per year per ton of transportation capacity. This is completely the encouragement provided by China's political axe to promote the development of domestic shipping, and there is no need for an additional income repaid by the company!"

Listening to Bruce's words, Johnson was immediately moved. The increased waybill and the subsidy of one Huayuan per ton were unrejectable concessions.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, this proposal is made by the director of the Shipping Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce!"

"These foreign devils!"

Li Mu, who is far away from the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce of Nanjing, stored the telegram in his hand, which was accepted by Meihe Yanghang's suggestion.

"There is only silver in their eyes. As long as there is silver, they can even sell it!"

In addition to sighing, Li Mucun picked up a contract. As the director of the Shipping Department, his responsibility was to develop domestic shipping and resist the development of foreign shipping companies, but these contracts obviously violated this responsibility.

"Wait, when the navy has used up this batch of ships, it can slowly collect the net!"

When he spoke, a cold light flashed in Li Mucun's eyes. Now the reason why the Shipping Department is looking for merchant ships all over the world is, on the one hand, the boycott of the British shipping company and Hong Kong, and on the other hand, it is because the navy has pumped 120,000 tons registered in the Shipping Department, the best and latest merchant ships, and the transportation capacity has suddenly decreased. With 30% less shipping agency, it is natural to find a way to compensate for this loss.

Being sought outside is not the same as selling profits. At least in Li Mucun's view, this is an opportunity to get all those foreign shipping companies in China.

"5 years,"

With a cold hum, Li Mucun understood that five years later, it was the time to close the network. Those companies accepted the "market average price", but who set the average price? It's the Shipping Department, and whose price does the Shipping Department refer to? Naturally, it is a large Chinese-funded company. In the future, only one price reduction is enough for those foreign companies to either withdraw from the Chinese market or sell their own merchant ships. Those Chinese-funded companies can get the "commercial loan" of Zheng Axe Bank as support, foreigners... They are just foreign devils.

"I really don't know why the navy took away so many merchant ships!"

He muttered in his heart that Li Mucun began to prepare the contract with Meihe.

(to be continued)