industrial overlord

Chapter 648 Malacca Throat

Singapore, an island country at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, covers an area of ​​714 square kilometers, which is only equivalent to a slightly larger county in mainland China.With a population of about 500 million, it is about the same size as a medium-sized city in China.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, Singapore has been a British colony and was occupied by Japan during World War II, thus forming a strong colonial culture.After the end of World War II, Singapore first restored its status as a British colony and later merged into Malaysia.Due to the large proportion of Chinese in Singapore's population, and the Chinese are a minority in Malaysia, Singapore has always been discriminated against in the Federation of Malaysia. In 1965, Singapore was expelled from the Federation of Malaysia and was forced to declare its independence as a country, and today's Republic of Singapore came into being.

In the early days of the nation, Singapore was so poor, with a severe shortage of land and unemployment as high as 12%, that many people worried about whether the country would survive.This time coincided with the period of global industrial transfer, Singapore seized this opportunity, took advantage of the island country’s advantages in maritime transportation, vigorously developed export processing trade, and quickly became a major exporter of electronic products in the world, as well as a financial and shipping center in Southeast Asia. China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are collectively called the "Four Asian Tigers".

Along with the swell of the economy, there is also a sense of superiority among Singaporean politicians and even citizens. They increasingly regard themselves as important players on the world stage, like to get involved in major international events, and make their voice heard on various international political issues.The most unreasonable thing is that this country, where Chinese account for 99% of the total population, has the strongest anti-Chinese voice among Southeast Asian countries.

A simple example can illustrate that among all Southeast Asian countries, Singapore is the latest one to establish diplomatic relations with China.Although some people argue that this may be related to issues such as the status of overseas Chinese, this does not explain why a Chinese country is less willing to accept China than other foreign countries.

In Singapore, the existence of anti-China thoughts is a norm. It is not surprising that this kind of thoughts will rise for a while whenever there is a major issue.This time, the anti-China wave in Singapore is more turbulent than ever before, and the reason is actually related to Lin Zhenhua.

"No way? Director Chen, in order to trick me into working for you, can you even make up such a reason?" Lin Zhenhua sat behind the executive desk in his office and said to Chen Tian, ​​who came to visit with a smile.

Chen Tian was ordered to go to Singapore to investigate the recent anti-China situation. He went around to Xunyang to ask Lin Zhenhua to go with him. The reason he said was that "the person who untied the bell had to tie the bell".

"Boss Lin, you can doubt my character, but you can't doubt my honesty." Chen Tian also said to Lin Zhenhua with a smile. .

"This time a group of politicians in Singapore instigated an anti-China wave, and it really has something to do with you." Chen Tiandao.

"I would like to hear the details." Lin Zhenhua said.

Chen Tiandao: "This matter has to start with you talking about the port project of the St. Goga Islands. Singaporean newspapers had a particularly strong response to this matter, saying that this is the first time that the Chinese Navy has established a military base overseas. This will pose a huge threat to world peace."

"Fuck!" Lin Zhenhua couldn't help but swear, "World peace is none of their business?"

Chen Tian laughed, Lin Zhenhua's words sounded domineering, but after careful consideration, it was indeed the case.A tiny country is actually worried about world peace. Isn't this a funny line in a Hong Kong movie?
Chen Tian thought so in his heart, but he still said: "Look at what you said, everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world, not to mention that there are more than 500 million people. In the past few days, Singapore newspapers have become a mess. Even the Chinese Empire Words like 'ism' have already appeared."

"So you, Director Chen, have to go to put out the fire?" Lin Zhenhua asked.

Chen Tiandao: "It's not my job to put out the fire, but when something happens, we have to go and see what's going on. Tell me, is this the trouble you caused?"

Lin Zhenhua said: "Are you still unreasonable? You forced me to talk about the St. Goga Islands, okay? What do you mean I caused trouble? Besides, a country with a lot of boogers, protesting Just protest, do you really treat it as a dish? We are such a big country, and if we don’t get protested several times every now and then, can we call it a big country?”

"It's useless for you to tell me this." Chen Tian waved his hand and interrupted Lin Zhenhua's strange theory. Although he agreed with Lin Zhenhua's statement from the bottom of his heart, he couldn't help not paying attention to these things because of his duty.He said: "Zhenhua, the anti-China remarks made by Singaporean politicians this time are not just a matter of protest, but are trying to promote some substantive anti-China measures, so the higher-ups still attach great importance to this matter."

Lin Zhenhua was somewhat disapproving, and said: "Although Singapore has a relatively developed economy, it is only a small country after all. If we put it 20 years ago, we might have to consider our relationship with it, because we still count on the overseas Chinese there to return to China for investment. Now that our economy has developed and we don’t have any economic dependence on Singapore, if it wants to oppose China, it can do so, what else can it cause?”

Chen Tian shook his head and said, "Zhenhua, you are wrong again. Singapore really holds our destiny. This destiny is the Straits of Malacca."

"Hiss..." Hearing Chen Tian mention the Strait of Malacca, Lin Zhenhua also felt a little headache.He had indeed overlooked this point before. As China's economy is increasingly dependent on the ocean, the Strait of Malacca is China's lifeblood.

The Strait of Malacca, located between the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, runs from southeast to northwest.The total length of the strait is 1080 kilometers, the widest point in the northwest is 370 kilometers, and the narrowest point in the southeast is only 37 kilometers.The importance of the Strait of Malacca is that it is the only channel connecting the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. From China to the coast of the Indian Ocean by sea, especially the Persian Gulf region, it must pass through this strait.

With the development of China's economy, a large number of Chinese-made commodities have to be shipped to Africa and Europe through the Strait of Malacca, and oil from the Middle East also needs to be shipped to China through the Strait of Malacca.In the just-started escort operation in the Gulf of Aden, the Chinese Navy's ships also sailed to the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca.It is conceivable that if the Malacca Strait is maliciously cut off, what kind of impact it will have on China's economic security and national defense security.

Singapore just happens to be stuck at the narrowest point at the southeastern end of the Strait of Malacca, which can cause obstacles to passing Chinese ships almost at any time.

What needs to be explained is that Singapore's economic achievements today are closely related to its important position on the Straits of Malacca.One of the most important economic pillars of Singapore is entrepot trade. The development of its industry is also directly related to the convenient sea transportation.

Chen Tian went on to introduce: Since the Chinese Navy launched the escort operation in the Gulf of Aden, there have been constant criticisms in Singapore on China's construction of a blue-water navy.After the news that Lin Zhenhua signed a land lease agreement with the St. Goga Islands to build a port, public opinion from all over the world realized that the construction of this port was inherently related to the goal of the Chinese Navy going to the ocean. However, the reaction of any country was not as good as that of Singapore. so intense.

It is understood that some politicians in Singapore are currently jumping up and down in series, intending to propose a "peaceful use" of the Strait of Malacca. The core of the Strait of Malacca is that only civilian ships can pass through the Strait of Malacca. Malaysia and Indonesia jointly approved by the three countries, otherwise it cannot pass.

In addition, these politicians also threatened that the development of the Chinese navy has broken the balance of military power in Southeast Asia. Relying solely on Southeast Asian countries cannot confront China, and the United States must be invited to return to Southeast Asia to restore regional balance.In order to achieve the goal of asking the US military to intervene, they expressed that Singapore is willing to serve as a supply point for the US Navy forever and welcomes the US Navy to be stationed in Singapore.

"If the U.S. military is permanently stationed in Singapore, then all our ships passing through the Strait of Malacca will be under the supervision of the U.S. military. This is very dangerous. Once there is any friction between China and the United States, the U.S. military only needs to get stuck in the Strait of Malacca. At least half of China's economy will be paralyzed." Chen Tian introduced Lin Zhenhua in this way.

"This move is really too poisonous." Lin Zhenhua nodded.The scale of Hanhua's overseas business is very large, and many large-scale equipment are manufactured and shipped abroad.If the passage through the Strait of Malacca is affected, Hanhua's markets in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia will all be lost.

Chen Tian smiled and said, "How about it, Zhenhua, do you understand what's going on this time?"

Lin Zhenhua said: "I understand, but I don't understand what I can do. What role can I play as a business owner in this kind of matter between countries?"

Chen Tiandao: "Zhenhua, you are not an ordinary business owner. Didn't you handle the matter of the St. Goga Islands? I heard Xiao Li come back and report to me. He said that if it wasn't for you, others would not have done it." I can’t deal with that Professor Wah. I’m thinking, you’re quick-witted and unpredictable, so I’d like to invite you to go to Singapore with me and see this group of people who have forgotten their ancestors.”

"Well, you won." Lin Zhenhua said with a helpless smile, "Who made the Strait of Malacca the lifeline of our Hanhua? I will accompany you. However, I can declare in advance that I just go Look, it doesn't care about solving the problem."

"You don't need to solve the problem, as long as you help take a look." Chen Tian agreed wholeheartedly.In his heart, he had another thought. He believed that once Lin Zhenhua arrived at the scene, he would definitely not stand by and watch.Lin Zhenhua's ability to solve problems made even a senior agent like him feel inferior.

(End of this chapter)