Reborn in Hong Kong as a Tycoon

Chapter 569 The Sweiyar Family (Two in One)

The four major foreign firms in Xiangjiang are Hutchison Whampoa, Swire Group, Jardine Matheson, and Wheelock.

Among them, there is a special difference between the Swire Group and the other three foreign firms, that is, although the Swire Group is also listed in Xiangjiang, the company is headquartered in London, England, and is controlled by the British Swire Group. The British Swire Group holds 34% of Xiangjiang Swire Group. shares.

Based on the British Swire Group's shareholding in the Hong Kong Swire Group, if nothing else, it is basically impossible for outsiders to snatch the control of the Hong Kong Swire Group from the British Swire Group.

The family that controls the British Swire Group is the Swire family. The chairman of this company has always been a member of the Swire family. The Swire family has a strong control over the Swire Group.

The current chairman of the Swire Group is the fourth-generation heir of the Swire family, York Kidston Swire, but he is already seventy years old. Although he is the chairman of the British Swire Group, he is basically out of business now.

York Swire has two sons, both of whom work in Swire Group.Among them, the eldest son, John Shi Huaiya, works in the British Swire Group, and the second son, Shiyadi Shihuaiya, works in Xiangjiang.

Shiyadi Swire was in charge of the business of Swire Properties in the past few years. Now, as York Swire is gradually delegating power, he has served as the chairman and taipan of Xiangjiang Swire Group and joined the board of directors. He has basically been clearly defined as the successor of the next generation of the Swire family.

The reason why it has not been 100% confirmed is because before the death of York Sweiyar, if Shiyadi Sweiyar made a major mistake, he would definitely be deprived of his family heirship.

For several generations, high-level representatives of the Swire family have served as members of the Hong Kong government and the British Executive Council or Legislative Council for a long time, and their strength and connections are not weak.

Lin Baicheng and the others began to publicize the Hong Kong government and promote the establishment of Hong Kong Airlines. Although they thought they were doing it in a secret manner, Shiyadi Shihuaiya learned the relevant news within two days.

Unlike Hutchison Whampoa, which had hundreds of subsidiaries, Swire Group's business is relatively concentrated, with its main businesses including ships, real estate, sugar, beverages, aviation, and hotels.

Among them, the aviation business of Cathay Pacific is one of the most stable and profitable businesses, and it is a pillar industry.

Therefore, knowing that Lin Baicheng and others wanted to establish an airline company and enter the aviation industry to compete with Cathay Pacific, Shiyadi Shihuaiya immediately held a board meeting to unify the opinions of all directors and shareholders, and tried their best to prevent Lin Baicheng and others from entering the aviation industry.

The Swire family and some British-funded families holding shares in the Swire Group immediately took action, frequently contacting the high-level officials of the Hong Kong government.

While doing public relations with the Hong Kong government, Shiyadi Swariya also asked John Shiweiya in London to walk around with some members of parliament. If Hong Kong cannot persuade the Hong Kong government, the Sweiyar family can only put pressure on the Hong Kong government from Downing Street.

However, if it is not necessary, it is best not to do this, because doing so will definitely offend many important officials of the Hong Kong government, especially the Governor of Hong Kong, MacLehose, and will inevitably have a negative impact on the future development of the Swire Group.

Lin Baicheng has already met with Mai Lihao. Mai Lihao does not object to Lin Baicheng and others setting up an airline company, but he also said that he is not good at helping with such things. He wants Lin Baicheng and the others to make more public relations, so that everyone agrees or agrees No objection is the best.

Therefore, Lin Baicheng and the others continued to publicize other important officials of the Hong Kong government, that is, in the process, the news spread to Shiyadi Shihuaiya.

As soon as Shiyadi Shihuaiya and other British-funded families moved, Lin Baicheng got the news immediately that he did not earn so much money for the high-level Hong Kong government for nothing, not to mention that many people invested a lot of money in Yum Fund, so some He tipped off.

After hearing the news, Lin Baicheng and others can't do much. What they can do is to publicize the key officials of the Hong Kong government. This will be a tug of war, and it will be difficult to end it in a short time.

Lin Baicheng doesn't need to put all his energy on this matter, he just needs to let people pay attention to the progress, meet with some important officials if necessary, and persuade them. He usually handles the affairs of other companies as usual.

On the day after Thanksgiving, Hutchison Hotel was officially completed and the ribbon was cut for business.

Hutchison Hotel, you can tell from the name that it is an enterprise under the name of Hutchison Whampoa.

The hotel industry is still very promising, but the establishment of Hehuang Hotel is mainly because Lin Baicheng has to go to hotels under other people's names for parties, which is somewhat inconvenient, so he wants to establish a large hotel under his own control.

On the day when Hutchison Hotel opened its ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lin Baicheng not only invited a group of Chinese-funded families who had contacts, but also sent invitation letters to companies that had business dealings with Hutchison Whampoa, no matter whether they were British-funded or Chinese-funded.

For the ribbon-cutting of the Hutchison Hotel, Lin Baicheng not only invited Mai Lihao, but also Shen Porridge, and both of them agreed with dignity.

Lin Baicheng is naturally one of the ribbon-cutting staff, and he even invited Bao Yugang and Iwasaki Mineryu as the ribbon-cutting staff.

As for Huo Yingdong and the two presidents of Xinhua News Agency, it is not easy to invite them.Hutchison Hotel is affiliated to Hutchison Whampoa, and inviting them is likely to affect the stock price of Hutchison Whampoa. He must be responsible not only for his own assets, but also for the assets of shareholders, and he cannot be willful.

After the ribbon cutting, guests entered the Hutchison Hotel, where a party will be held.

"Lin Sheng, Bao Sheng, why do you suddenly want to enter the aviation industry?"

Several people chatted with Mai Lihao, and Shen Congee suddenly said something to Lin Baicheng and Bao Yugang.

Lin Baicheng and Bao Yugang couldn't help but looked at each other. Lin Baicheng took the lead and said: "The main reason is that I am very optimistic about the development of the aviation industry. You should know Shen Taipan. I entrusted HSBC to acquire Cathay Pacific from Swire Group before." of."

"Swire Group refused to sell. I thought you, Lin Sheng, had given up. I didn't expect you, Lin Sheng, to establish a new airline together with Bao Sheng and the others."

Shen Congee shook his head, this was something he hadn't thought of.This time, he is on the side of Swire Group, the reason is very simple, HSBC holds some shares of Swire Group, and the loss of Swire Group's interests is equal to the loss of HSBC's interests.

"Competition leads to development. It is unreasonable for Cathay Pacific to monopolize Xiangjiang's aviation industry."

Lin Baicheng said to MacLehose: "Only when two or more companies compete, airlines will put customer service first, and the interests of customers can be guaranteed. Under monopoly, even if customers have great interests in Cathay Pacific If you are dissatisfied, you have nothing to do, you can only swallow your anger."

Hearing this, Mai Lihao couldn't help being moved. Although he knew that Lin Baicheng said this only to establish an airline company and enter the aviation industry to make money, Cathay Pacific Airways monopolizes Xiangjiang's aviation industry. The people really have no other choice, which is not good for the people. .

Shen Congee immediately said: "Cathay Pacific has always done a good job in serving the public and listening to their opinions. If there are people who are really dissatisfied with Cathay Pacific, they would have complained to the Hong Kong government."

Bao Yugang said to MacLehose: "The establishment of Xiangjiang Airlines will not only provide the public with more choices and better services, but also provide more jobs."

"And there is."

Lin Baicheng said: "The establishment of Xiangjiang Airlines will provide brand-new air routes, make Xiangjiang and the world more closely connected, and benefit the development of Xiangjiang's economy and tourism."

"Cathay Pacific has been committed to opening more routes to contribute to the development of Xiangjiang and serve the people of Xiangjiang."

Shiyadi Shihuaiya walked over while speaking, and greeted several people with a glass of wine.

"Mr. Swire!"

Lin Baicheng clinked glasses with Shi Yadi Shi Huaiya.

Hutchison Whampoa has business dealings with Swire Group, mainly in the dock business, and Hutchison Hotel naturally sent an invitation letter to Swire Group. Knowing that Lin Baicheng is leading the establishment of the airline company, Shiyadi Shihuaiya decided to come and have a look.

"Lin Sheng, you control Hutchison Whampoa. Hutchison Whampoa itself already covers many industries. In addition, you also have companies such as Asia Star Media Group, HK Electric Group, Galaxy Bank, and Jupiter Toys. Why bother?" How about entering the aviation industry?"

"You have entered so many industries, and now you are just like Hutchison Whampoa before you lost weight. Huge is huge, but human energy is limited. Instead of entering many industries, it is better to concentrate on developing enterprises in a few industries .”

Shiyadi Shi Huaiya still hopes to persuade Lin Baicheng to prevent Lin Baicheng from entering the aviation industry to compete with Cathay Pacific.

Lin Baicheng smiled and said: "I am optimistic about the development prospects of Xiangjiang's economy, so I think that no matter which industry you invest in, as long as the company operates well, you can make money, and the aviation industry is no exception."

After hearing this, Shiyadi Shi Huaiya stopped talking to Lin Baicheng, but looked at Mai Lihao and said: "Sir, airlines are no more than other industries. It is related to the safety of the people. The new company must not do as well as Cathay Pacific. Once an accident occurs, It's not good for anyone."

Bao Yugang immediately said: "We will definitely do a good job in safety work. After the company is established, it will not be put into operation immediately. Instead, it will buy civil aviation aircraft from the Boeing Company of the United States. At the same time, we will ask the other party to guide our pilots. Fly for a while and be safe."

"Today is a good day for the Hutchison Hotel to open, so we won't talk about it."

Mai Lihao did not respond directly to Lin Baicheng and Shi Yadi Shi Huaiya, but changed the topic.

Seeing this, Lin Baicheng and Shi Yadi Shi Huaiya couldn't say anything more. They were not qualified to force Mai Lihao to stand in line. It should be said that they were all trying to win Mai Lihao's support, and they begged Mai Lihao to do things.

After a while, Lin Baicheng and Bao Yugang left.

Bao Yugang said: "Lin Sheng, HSBC holds a lot of shares in the Swire Group, so they will do their best to stop us. You must be mentally prepared."

"It can be seen, but HSBC will not be the main force. At most, it will play the side drum, unless HSBC does not want to cooperate with me, but Cathay Pacific's interests are not enough to allow HSBC to do this."

Lin Baicheng nodded to express his understanding, but he was not too worried.

If only Galaxy Bank affected HSBC's interests, HSBC would be able to suppress it with all its strength. Cathay Pacific's interests would not have a great impact on HSBC, and HSBC could not lose a lot because of small things.

"HSBC certainly wouldn't do that."

Bao Yugang was very sure of this point, and it would be great if HSBC could contribute a little.

After Lin Baicheng chatted with Bao Yugang for a few words, he greeted Bao Yugang and went to greet and chat with other guests.He is different from Bao Yugang, and Huang Da Hotel is the property under his name. He is the master today, and he must go to greet the guests.

On Mai Lihao's side, after Lin Baicheng and Bao Yugang left, other tycoons went to chat with Mai Lihao. Seeing this, Shi Yadi Shi Huaiya looked for an opportunity to call Shen Congee to a place where no one was around to talk.

"Taipan, Cathay Pacific is an important industry of Swire Group, I hope HSBC can support me."

Shiyadi Shihuaiya seeks the support of HSBC, and with HSBC's energy, if HSBC is willing to help, he has great confidence in stopping Lin Baicheng and the others.

"Chairman Shi Yadi, HSBC will definitely support Swire Group, but HSBC has a lot of business dealings with Hutchison Whampoa, so HSBC can only provide limited support."

Shen Congee expressed his willingness to help, but HSBC will not seriously offend big customers and make trouble with money.

Shi Yadi Shi Huaiya couldn't help frowning: "Dapan, you should know that Lin Baicheng has his own bank under his name, and it is impossible for him and HSBC to cooperate forever. Besides, he is Chinese, and his current assets are already inflated enough , we should join forces and not allow him to develop any longer."

"Chairman Shi Yadi, even if we know about some things, there is nothing we can do. We can't do too much, and we can only solve them by commercial means. But you have also seen that the companies under Lin Sheng's name are developing very well, even if you want to target him. There is no good way."

Shen Congee is still very clear-headed. The current Hong Kong is no longer what it was in the 60s and [-]s or even before the founding of Huaguo. The Hong Kong government and British capital have no way to do whatever they want.

Taking Lin Baicheng as an example, even if the British want to deal with Lin Baicheng who is close to the mainland, it is not feasible to directly confiscate Lin Baicheng's property or frame Lin Baicheng for breaking the law. The mainland officials will definitely protect Lin Baicheng.

It is impossible for the British side to confront a big country because of this kind of thing, so this method must not be used.

Therefore, to suppress Lin Baicheng, he can only suppress Lin Baicheng through some administrative and commercial means, so that his company's business cannot continue.

Take Hutchison Whampoa as an example. If the Hong Kong government wants to suppress it, it can only not sell land to Hutchison Whampoa. Departments such as the Health Bureau often go to Watsons for inspection. and other similar means.

"As long as we put our minds to it, we will always find a way."

Shi Yadi Shi Huaiya disagreed. In his opinion, as long as HSBC is willing to take the lead and many British-owned families work together, it will not be difficult to suppress Lin Baicheng.

"This is not a place for conversation. Let's find another time to talk about this topic later."

Seeing a guest coming this way, Shen Congee immediately ended the conversation.

Shen Congee did not resolutely express his unwillingness to deal with Lin Baicheng. In Shi Yadi Shi Huaiya's view, he had a chance, and the chance might not be small.

(End of this chapter)