Hong Kong's new giants

Chapter 656 [Battle of Xiangjiang Telecom 2]

On Saturday morning, Lin Zuhui came to the ATV Building.

Zhao Zhenqiang walked in immediately, and happily reported: "Boss, the ratings of "Meteor Garden" are higher than "Huan Zhu Ge Ge", and the results are very good!"

"Meteor Garden" started broadcasting on January 1 (Monday) and has already aired eight episodes so far.

Lin Zuhui said with a smile: "Well, it seems that there is hope to set off a hot wave in Asia."

When "Popular Garden" was being filmed, he had already watched it episode by episode, and the overall quality was much higher than the previous filming on Taiwan Island.Because the script of "Meteor Garden" is in the hands of ATV, and the filming is a Hong Kong drama. From the production team, actors, costumes, props, etc., the quality is very high.

"There must be no problem. We are confident in this! The Hong Kong dramas filmed by our ATV have become a model in Asia, not to mention that the ratings of "Meteor Garden" in Hong Kong are among the top three in the year."

The implication is that ATV's medium-level (ratings) Hong Kong drama has become the target of introduction by Asian countries, let alone "Meteor Garden" with high ratings.

Lin Zuhui is very satisfied with the current atmosphere of ATV Group and attaches great importance to innovation. In fact, he no longer participates in content production. ATV Group is also the number one TV company in Asia.

Of course, left and right are a matter of a few words. If you can grab the opportunity of others, you should seize it quickly. Weakening your opponent is to strengthen yourself.

Then, Lin Zuhui said: "With "Meteor Garden" becoming popular in Asia, you should pay attention to developing peripheral income, such as F4's concerts, commercial performances, endorsements, etc. These incomes are not cheap."

Zhao Zhenqiang said with a smile: "Boss, don't worry! Before the TV series is filmed, we are already making arrangements for this aspect."

He didn't say that you, the boss, hand-picked it, because he knew that the boss didn't like to reveal it by himself. To put it bluntly, the boss didn't want others to know that he still has such a skill in the TV field-touching stones into gold.

"Well. The innovation atmosphere of ATV Group is very good now, I hope you will continue to work hard."

"Okay, we will definitely live up to the foundation you laid, boss!"

Although there is suspicion of flattery, Lin Zuhui thinks it is the truth.

After Zhao Zhenqiang left, Lin Zuhui showed a satisfied smile. At present, Xiangjiang's cultural GDP has accounted for 10% of the level, which is comparable to that of Japan in Asia, and it is already a remarkable achievement.

And this is just the beginning. Lin Zuhui believes that in another ten years, Xiangjiang culture will account for 15% of the GDP, and there is no problem. This will be comparable to the proportion of American culture, although the volume is far less.

Cultural city!

While developing his own wealth, he has not forgotten to drive the development of Hong Kong as a whole, and he is very proud.

After all, Hong Kong is limited by its territory and population, and there are not many industries that can be developed. The cultural industry can be said to be the easiest industry to succeed, and of course it can also be said to be the hardest industry to succeed.

The easiest is compared to Lin Zuhui's 'BUG', without him, HK-POP, Hong Kong dramas, Hong Kong dramas, games, software and other industries would not exist.

Even if the government promulgates the major policies of "developing Hong Kong with culture" and "establishing Hong Kong with science and technology", there is no hope at all; the reason why the Hong Kong government dares to propose "establishing Hong Kong with culture" and "establishing Hong Kong with technology" is because Lin Zuhui has already laid established a solid foundation.

With the increasing influence of Hong Kong Stream in Asia, the benefits brought to Hong Kong are far more than the superficial ones, and there are many more.For example, in the tourism industry, the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong exceeded 1600 million last year. This achievement was definitely not achieved at the same time in the previous life.Not only does it increase the number of people visiting Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Stream also increases the consumption level of visiting Hong Kong.

Lin Zuhui also did not expect that the Dadong Telegraph Bureau moved so quickly.

On January 1 (Monday), Dadong Telegraph and Singtel publicly announced that they have developed to the stage where they can "swear to each other", expecting to be "engaged" and reach an acquisition agreement as soon as possible.

This unexpected news shocked Lin Zuhui, Yuan Tianfan and others.

The response from all walks of life in Hong Kong is also very strong. Hong Kong people seem to be reluctant to let a foreign state-owned enterprise control their communication industry.

At the conference table in Lin Zuhui's office, he, Yuan Tianfan, and Liang Botao sat together to hold an urgent meeting.

Yuan Tianfan said seriously: "The Dadong Telegraph Bureau used a trick commonly used by the British. The Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan was a classic example. The Dadong Telegraph Bureau just introduced Singapore Telecom into Hong Kong to attract attention. Snapped up Hong Kong Telecom, so Singtel was tricked by Dadong Telegraph!"

Liang Botao also said: "Yes, we haven't continued to offer, how could Dadong give up such a good opportunity!"

Hearing the analysis of the two generals, Lin Zuhui nodded in agreement, thinking about it carefully, it really is so.

However, the Dadong Telegraph Bureau is really insidious, playing tricks on Singtel, and at the same time putting strong pressure on New Times Group.

Lin Zuhui asked: "How about the news from Singapore?"

Yuan Tianfan immediately said: "The market value of Singtel has exceeded 2000 billion Hong Kong dollars (converted), reaching 2100 billion Hong Kong dollars, and the available cash is also about 700 billion Hong Kong dollars."

This cash scale is amazing. You must know that Hong Kong Telecom's cash flow is only more than 100 billion!

Lin Zuhui immediately felt a little annoyed by his lack of information. Of course, it was just for a moment. It doesn't matter how strong Singtel is. What matters is that New Times Group is strong.

SingTel is a state-owned telephone company in Singapore. It is managed by Li Xianyang, the second son of Singapore's cabinet minister. Although it is powerful, it must consider reserving its strength after all. To develop the country's telecommunications industry.

Of course, like Hong Kong Telecom, Singapore Telecom also faces the problem of narrow development space.After intensive farming on the one-third of an acre of land in Singapore, it wants to develop a "colony" of its own at any time.If Hong Kong Telecom can be acquired, SingTel will become the world's sixth largest telecommunications company, which is obviously attractive to SingTel, which is eager to expand its living space.

Lin Zuhui said: "I am happy to see things develop to this extent, because it indicates that this transaction can be completed in a short time."

Yuan Tianfan and Liang Botao nodded. Now that the Dadong Telegraph Bureau is taking the initiative to make a move, doesn't it mean that they want to make a move.

Lin Zuhui said again: "Since this is the case, let's start the formal action. Tell me, what are you going to do?"

Liang Botao said at this time: "There is no need to doubt the strength of the New Times Group. Let alone 100 billion US dollars, there are a large number of banks willing to provide special acquisition funds of 200 billion US dollars. Therefore, we only need to communicate with Huaxia Telecom. After all, it is The second shareholder of Dadong Telegraph; at the same time, we got in touch with Li Guobao, the non-executive director of Hong Kong Telecom. The rest is to call all the banks to discuss the loan!"

Lin Zuhui said, "Where is the Dadong Telegraph Office?"

Yuan Tianfan said: "We can't be in a hurry. We should do the preparations first. I believe that the Dadong Telegraph Bureau will not be so stupid as to make a move without competition."

"Okay, I'll leave it to the two of you to buy it. If you need me to come forward, you can arrange it!"

"Okay, boss!"

If it is a large loan, Lin Zuhui will definitely come forward.

Only three days later, on January 1th (Thursday), the news that "New Times Group intends to acquire Hong Kong Telecom" was widely circulated in the London stock market, and was widely reported by several newspapers in Hong Kong the next day.

For a time, the Hong Kong stock market was in turmoil.

"Mr. Lin Zuhui made a move, then Hong Kong Telecom will definitely not be acquired by Singtel!"

"Yes, Mr. Lin Zuhui has never failed in acquisitions!"

"At the end of last year, Barings Bank under Lin Zuhui spent a huge sum of US$180 billion to acquire Hilton. Now it has acquired Hong Kong Telecom, which is naturally within reach."

"So New Times Group and Hong Kong Telecom are going to go up today?"

"Isn't this nonsense, I feel like buying it at the opening!"

With the assistance of Hong Kong Media, the two large-cap stocks of New Era Group and Hong Kong Telecom violently rose after the opening of the market, and drove the rise of the entire market.

When trading closed at noon that day, New Era Group rose by 5%, and its market value increased by 320 billion to 6720 billion; Hong Kong Telecom even soared by 8%, and its market value rose to 2350 billion.

Both stocks were 'suspended' after the afternoon open due to the unusual rise.

At the same time, due to the leak of the news, the New Era Group could only formally jump to the stage and start to form financial consultants - Barings Bank and Huaxia Bank International Department, and formally proposed the acquisition plan to the Dadong Telegraph Bureau.

In the previous three days, they had actually communicated with Huaxia Telecom, Li Guobao (the former chairman and current director of Hong Kong Telecom), and Huaxia Bank, and all three parties expressed their support for the acquisition by New Era Group.

At No. 78 Deep Water Bay, the three of Li's father and son came to the study.

Li Zekai couldn't wait to say: "Father just watched Lin Zuhui win Hong Kong Telecom again, and did nothing?"

After hearing that Hongkong Telecom intends to sell, he couldn't sit still, because he also wanted to become a "tech tycoon". Broadband internet service.

When Li Chaoren heard that Lin Zuhui planned to acquire Hong Kong Telecom, his first thought was not to join in, but that New Era already has local fixed-line and mobile phone licenses today; if they buy Hong Kong Telecom, their existing licenses should be invalidated, isn't it quite reasonable? to pay two considerations.

"Don't even think about it, we can't afford that much money!" Lin Chaoren said calmly.

In his heart, he also wanted to create a career for his youngest son, especially since his youngest son likes technology, but in fact, Lin Zuhui reacted in front of the Li family, so he could only lag behind others.

At this time, Li Zekai only had the dream of 'being a technology tycoon', so he gritted his teeth and said, "If my father participates in the acquisition of Hong Kong Telecom, I am willing to go back to work in the group!"

Li Chaoren looked at his son in surprise. This is his long-cherished wish for many years, that is, the elder son is in Changshi, the younger son is in Hutchison Whampoa, and he supports him behind the scenes.

After all, Li Chaoren saw that the three Guo Bingxiang brothers took care of Sun Hung Kai very well, so he naturally hoped that his two sons could unite together.

However, Li Chaoren said calmly: "The acquisition of Hong Kong Telecom requires 100 billion US dollars in cash. Now that Huaxia Bank has expressed support for New Times Group, the loan issue is a big problem. Moreover, if we jump out to make an offer , is bound to be disgusted by Hong Kong people, after all, New Times Group is now competing with overseas consortiums to prevent Heung Kong assets from being acquired by overseas consortia.”

Li Zekai was immediately disappointed and kept silent.

"Ze Kai, we must focus on the overall situation. Heung Kong Telecom is already seriously overvalued. Even if it is acquired, it will bring a great burden to the Cheung Kong Group. Moreover, Hutchison Telecom has developed well in the first place, and its assets overlap seriously. Of course, if you go back to work at Hutchison Whampoa, my father and I will support you very much."

Li Chaoren was very pleased with his elder son's style of work, and persuaded his younger son again: "Cyberport was preempted by Lin Zuhui; Hong Kong Telecom was preempted by him again. It has become very difficult for your Yingke to develop technology. Why don't you go back to Hutchison Whampoa and have any good plans, which can be realized by relying on large groups."

Li Zekai said stubbornly: "No! I don't believe it. He Lin Zuhui can do all kinds of industries. Yingke will find a shell to go public and develop the grand plan in my mind. I believe it will not be bad."

Li Chaoren was immediately disappointed. He is a traditional businessman. Although he supports his son in developing high-tech, but the high-tech without the strength to support it is nothing but spectacle and storytelling.

(End of this chapter)