Late June 1977, Hong Kong Island.
For the next half month, the Hong Kong Land Group undoubtedly became the company with the most hot news on Hong Kong Island.
On the contrary, Kobayashi Tenmo, who had previously frequently made headlines for various big moves and gossip, disappeared from the front page headlines.
In particular, when the negotiations between Hong Kong Land and the Hong Kong government were finally concluded, an announcement issued by Hong Kong Land in the Asia Times, with a hint of ink, completely shook the nerves of everyone in Hong Kong Island.
The above announcement clearly points out that the Hong Kong Land Group has officially signed the "Home Ownership Scheme Cooperation Agreement" with the Hong Kong Government a few days ago, and will launch an unprecedented people-oriented project. The construction of the first batch of Home Ownership Scheme flats will be located in the core area of Central, adjacent to the landmark building "Landmark Plaza" under construction. A part of the new real estate project, which was originally positioned as high-end, will be used to transform into the first batch of "Home Ownership Scheme flats".
At the same time, what is even more shocking is the subsequent explosive news, which was also first disclosed by the Asia Times, founded by the new owner of the land, Kobayashi Tenmo, and then reprinted and published by major newspapers.
The Hong Kong Land Group has very high-profile joined hands with its sister company, Longteng Newspapers, to jointly launch the "Hong Kong Island Dragon Plaza Project".
The core content of this news is also very shocking. It points out that the core operating rights of all future Dragon Plaza projects in Hong Kong Island after completion will be entrusted to "Japan Tokyo Dragon Plaza Co., Ltd." for operation.
This indicates that the giant Swire Group is being systematically integrated into the grand blueprint outlined by Kobayashi Tenmo. This will be a collaborative operation network of "Hundred Dragon Plazas" spread across the world.
However, over the past half month, what has really set off a bigger wave of public opinion in Hong Kong Island is the supply chain adjustment strategy officially announced by the Hong Kong Land Group.
This announcement lists in great detail the building materials supply cooperation agreements signed with many large state-owned factories in mainland China, down to each type of material and the details of the cooperation with which large mainland state-owned factory. All of them have been made public to the people of Hong Kong Island without reservation.
Among them are Anshan Iron and Steel, Tangshan Cement Plant, Northeast Timber Group... The list is long and very specific.
The core intention of this reform of the building materials supply chain is very clear, which is to directly target costs. By purchasing mainland building materials with more price advantages, the construction cost of home ownership housing can be greatly reduced.
The exclusive report by Asia Times, coupled with the crazy reprinting and commentary by other major newspapers, quickly spread to every corner of Hong Kong.
At the same time, as major newspapers rushed to reprint, chew on and amplify the news, a large-scale media debate targeting "mainland building materials" was immediately triggered in Hong Kong Island.
Those involved include politicians, scholars, commentators, and the mouthpieces of real estate tycoons. All of these entities have taken action, making the situation quite lively.
In their respective public opinion camps, they either criticized the Jardine Matheson Group or cheered for Kobayashi Tenmo, presenting a bizarre picture of all kinds of people.
On the front page of the financial column of Sing Tao Daily, Professor Li Yaozong, a senior economic consultant with a strong British background, published a deafening article emphasizing:
"[Beware of cheap prices!] How short-sighted is Hong Kong Land's move? Hong Kong Island is densely populated and land is small, so building safety is paramount!
While mainland China's building materials may be inexpensive, their standards and quality control lag behind international norms, not to mention the risks of transportation losses and lack of oversight. Using flimsy, shoddy materials to build homes for the people doesn't seem to be treating human life as if it were worthless. If a building collapse were to occur, Hong Kong Land and Kobayashi would be undeniably responsible! This isn't a benefit to the people; it's a shortcut to wealth and loss! Where is the Hong Kong government's oversight?
However, facing such attacks on mainland building materials!
The leftist Ta Kung Pao immediately responded with a lengthy article by Professor Chen Dingkun, a professor of architecture at the University of Hong Kong and a pragmatic technical expert:
When will this ridiculous double standard end? The so-called "difference in standards" is nothing more than a fear fabricated by some. Building materials are not precision instruments, and steel and cement are all tested using internationally recognized standards.
The mainland has a vast territory and rich resources, and the stable and reliable performance of domestic building materials has long been a consensus in the international market.
The cement used in the Dongshen Water Supply Project and the steel used in the New Territories cross-border bridges are strong and durable and can stand the test of time.
Xiaolinsheng's introduction of mainland building materials is a pragmatic solution to overcome difficulties and effectively reduce the cost of public welfare projects. He should be applauded, not criticized! What's wrong with high-quality and affordable products? This is the perfect way to solve the chronic problem of housing costs!
In the headline of the political commentary section of the pro-British South China Morning Post, political commentator and former senior adviser to the Hong Kong government, Ma Wenda, issued a high-profile warning:
"[Political plot behind the sugar-coated bullet?] We should carefully examine the unusually close cooperation between Hong Kong Land and Mr. Xiao Lin in mainland China!
This move is by no means a simple commercial act. The political stance behind it is unclear. Are there any hidden connections in the funding and information chains?
Using livelihood projects as a pretext for infiltration and manipulation is a common tactic in international politics. The Hong Kong government must immediately investigate and thoroughly determine whether mainland funds have illegally flowed in through building materials channels to manipulate Hong Kong's real estate and livelihoods! We must not allow the "Home Ownership Scheme" (HOS) scheme to become a dangerous bridgehead.
There is also a certain person who has a subtle position and wants to curry favor with the Fok family. Zhou Bingxiong, a senior real estate commentator of Sing Pao, has proposed a vicious plan:
"[Removing the firewood from under the cauldron can break the impasse!] Mr. Huo has been controlling the mainland's connections for many years. How can his network of relationships be compared to that of some upstart?
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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