Chapter 925: What path should be taken in Fragrant River!

"Wang Qi, close the door, these are the people here!'

After scanning the room for a moment, Xia Yu said to Wang Qi, who was sitting closest to the door.

Without saying a word, the latter got up and closed the door.

This closed-door meeting only had six people apart from Xia Yu!

They were Liu Tianzhi, president of Jiuding Bank, Wang Qi, president of Jiuding Securities, Huo Jianning, president of Tiangong Electronics Co., Ltd. and director of the president's office, Wang Liming, head of the Jiuding Think Tank's Political Research Institute, Xu Wen, head of the Social Research Institute, and Lin Shanyuan, head of the Business Research Institute!

Three capable lieutenants and three of his think tanks!

They were also three young people and three old people!

The two groups sat on either side of Xia Yu, clearly divided.

Xia Yu lightly coughed to attract everyone's attention to himself, and then said, 'The reason why I have left you alone this time to have a closed-door meeting is that it involves an idea of mine, an idea that can influence the direction of Xiangjiang and affect millions of people in Xiangjiang.'

'That is about the future of Xiangjiang!'

Having said this, Xia Yu paused for a moment. Seeing that the six people were listening intently, he said solemnly, 'What kind of development path should Xiangjiang take, and what pillar industries should be created!'

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions on everyone's faces changed, and they frowned, pondering the chairman's intentions.

After all, Xia Yu's words were very strange. How should Xiangjiang develop? This is entirely the responsibility of the Hong Kong government. Only the Hong Kong government can determine the development path of Xiangjiang through policy planning.

It is simply inappropriate for the boss, a businessman, to be concerned about the Hong Kong government.

Just then, Xu Wen, head of the Social Research Institute, asked, 'Boss, before that, can I know the relationship between you and Xiangjiang in your mind?'

This question got to the point, and everyone immediately focused their attention on Xia Yu again.

Xia Yu nodded slightly and said, 'We are all family, and we also understand my company better than outsiders. In fact, in terms of overall strength, the Jiuding Consortium has already firmly established itself as the number one in Xiangjiang.'

'However, Hong Kong is just a small pond in the world, so the Jiuding Consortium is investing and expanding abroad in order to break through its growth ceiling.'

'But no matter what, Hong Kong is the Jiuding Consortium's base, its foundation. Looking at the world, the only place where the Jiuding Consortium can take root without any worries is Hong Kong.'

'So in my opinion, the Jiuding Consortium is already tied to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong must follow the path that is most beneficial to the Jiuding Consortium.'

'Only if Hong Kong develops well and has a high status in the mainland and the world will the Jiuding Consortium have more room to operate.'

Xu Wen nodded and said, 'I understand.'

After that, he looked thoughtful.

He didn't have any more questions, but Wang Liming, the head of the Political Research Institute sitting to his left, did.

'Boss, I also have a question that requires your clearer opinion.'

'Ask!'

'Due to historical reasons, Hong Kong is caught between the UK and the mainland, and since MacLehose went north, the issue of Hong Kong's return and the political issues surrounding it have become a dark cloud hanging over Hong Kong.'

'I know your position is biased towards the mainland, but I want to know your clear attitude towards the mainland.'

After saying this, Wang Liming looked at Xia Yu with burning eyes.

Xia Yu did not hesitate and replied directly: 'Hong Kong is destined to return to the mainland. The United Kingdom cannot prevent a mainland with the world's largest population and decisive power from doing so. Hong Kong has always had only one way to go: return.'

'However, Hong Kong is currently a capitalist society, and there is no good way to integrate the two systems for the time being. Therefore, even after it returns, Hong Kong will still have a high degree of autonomy.'

'The mainland currently has a population of one billion, with endless business potential. It is only a matter of time before this market is developed, and this market is extremely important to the Jiuding Consortium.'

'The Jiuding Consortium will get close to the mainland, but my attitude is mutually beneficial and win-win. I will try to engage in dialogue on an equal footing as much as possible, rather than letting Hong Kong or the Jiuding Consortium become a vassal of the mainland.'

After hearing the boss's words, Wang Liming nodded and quickly analysed the situation in his mind.

Seeing that Wang Liming had no questions, Xia Yu instead took the initiative to look at the head of the Business Research Institute, Professor Lin Shanyuan, who had not yet asked a question.

However, Lin Shanyuan, in the face of Xia Yu's questioning gaze, slightly shook his head to indicate that he did not have any questions for the time being.

Xia Yu then looked at Liu Tianci and the other two people and asked, 'What about you, do you have any questions?'

The three of them shook their heads in succession.

Xia Yu nodded slightly and said aloud, 'Then let's go back to the original question: How should Xiangjiang develop, and what kind of pillar industry should be created, in order to be most beneficial to the Jiuding Consortium!'

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Tianci, who was full of wisdom, immediately said, 'Chairman, finance is the lifeblood of business. No matter what industry Xiangjiang develops, it will require huge amounts of capital, so the financial industry must become Xiangjiang's pillar industry!'

'You have also told me before about the advantages of developing the financial industry in Xiangjiang and the possibility of becoming a global financial centre. Personally, I feel that there are still many shortcomings in Xiangjiang's financial industry at the moment, which seriously restricts its development!'

'Although last year the Hong Kong government decided from a high-level design perspective to merge the four major exchanges in Xiangjiang, due to the interests of various parties, there has been little progress. According to my estimate, if things continue like this, the merger will not be completed for another four or five years, and the disadvantages are too great!'

Xia Yu nodded, but did not express his opinion. Instead, he looked at the others.

Lin Shanyuan finally spoke up at this point. He said slowly, 'Boss, I agree with Liu Tianci's point of view. In addition, the status of the trade industry, which currently accounts for a large proportion of the economy, will not change in the future.'

'Moreover, because Hong Kong is the only window to the mainland, the mainland currently needs huge amounts of materials for various aspects of its economic development, and this is the potential of the market.'

'But that's not the point. Hong Kong has a unique geographical location, and I think the second pillar industry that suits Hong Kong is the trade and logistics industry.'

'The combination of trade and logistics and transportation will not only contribute to the economy, but also enhance Hong Kong's position in the global business environment. Although the shipping market is gradually declining, this is the result of the cyclical nature of the market and the impact of the global business environment. In the long run, the prospects for shipping are still promising. Moreover, Hong Kong has many ports and is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, which is a geographically advantageous location.'

'However, logistics is not limited to shipping alone. Not to mention land transport, the air transport market has not been fully developed and has huge potential.

'If the logistics industry is built up, then Hong Kong's position in the global trade market will be greatly enhanced, which will be of great benefit to the Jiuding consortium, both economically and politically!'

There is a potential meaning to this last sentence, which is to allow the Jiuding consortium to deeply participate in the global economy, then the Jiuding consortium's position will be greatly enhanced. At that time, whether Hong Kong returns or not, the Jiuding consortium will have enough room to advance or retreat, and the mainland must treat it with caution.

At this point, Xu Wen, the head of the Social Research Institute, had sorted out his thoughts. Without waiting for Xia Yu to ask, he said immediately after Lin Shanyuan finished speaking: 'The financial industry, trade and physical industry can significantly raise the economic ceiling and status of Xiangjiang, but I personally believe that Xiangjiang needs manufacturing, and it needs to be heavy industry!'

'Now that the mainland has opened up, the manufacturing industry, which is related to the livelihood of Hong Kong people, has begun to shift to the mainland. The trend is irreversible, but the consequences will be particularly severe. It will lead to a sharp increase in unemployment in Hong Kong. Not only that, but it also involves the problem of hollowing out of industries, which will trigger a series of serious consequences.'

'If we want to preserve the manufacturing industry, then we can only upgrade the industrial structure, from low-end light industry to high-end heavy industry. Considering the actual situation of Hong Kong, the most suitable industries are machinery manufacturing, energy, chemicals, materials, etc.'

...

Then everyone spoke freely.

The answer Xia Yu wanted became clearer and clearer.

Xiangjiang needs the financial industry, the trade and logistics industry, manufacturing in the heavy industry, and the high value-added electronics industry.

The only thing missing is the real estate industry, which is now booming!

It's not that no one mentioned the real estate industry, but everyone mentioned it, and the real estate industry was always the villain. The reason is very uniform: high housing prices will destroy the living soil for the trade and logistics industry, heavy industry, electronics industry, and other manufacturing industries!

Compared to these industries, although the Jiuding Consortium is the number one landlord in Xiangjiang, the real estate industry will overdraw the potential of the entire Xiangjiang, and it will also weaken the political and economic influence of the Jiuding Consortium in Asia and even the world.