Chapter 448 Indochina (3)
The first country "conquered" by the Seventh International was "Siam". As the pro-China faction successfully came to power, Jiang Ningyue held talks with Siamese representatives, focusing on discussing the construction of the "Kra Canal".
Siam wanted to do it, but they wanted Chinese investment so they could profit.
Simply put, "you take the blame" and "I collect the toll."
This is of course impossible. If China is expected to invest all the money, then the canal must be operated by China for at least 99 years.
On July 5, 1939, Commissioner Qian visited various countries in the Indochina Peninsula, accompanied by Jiang Ningyue, Director of the Asia Department.
The visit focused on discussions on issues such as the 'Kra Canal' and the 'Indochina Regional Development Bank'.
Commissioner Qian clearly felt that the attitudes of countries in the Indochina Peninsula had changed significantly, especially Siam, Cambodia, South Vietnam and other countries. Many of their originally wavering attitudes had become very pro-China.
After the first day of talks, Commissioner Qian looked at Jiang Ningyue with emotion.
"You guys in the Asia Division are doing a great job!"
“It’s all thanks to the leaders.”
Jiang Ningyue smiled and said, "Only when the country is strong can diplomatic work be done easily. I just did a small thing."
Commissioner Qian said with emotion: "If the construction of the Kra Canal can begin and the regional development bank can reach an agreement before I retire, then I will have no regrets."
Jiang Ningyue looked at Commissioner Qian's white hair and couldn't help but feel emotional. She asked stealthily, "Commissioner Qian, before you retire, can you please sign for me and let me return to Haizhou?"
Director Qian looked helpless. "Why do you keep thinking about leaving? Has our Ministry of Foreign Affairs treated you unfairly?"
"Hey, no."
How could Jiang Ningyue dare to say such a thing? She just simply wanted to go back to Haizhou.
"Let's talk about it later, let's talk about it later."
Director Qian didn't want to agree to Jiang Ningyue at all.
However, he also had to consider the issue of succession. If Jiang Ningyue was even 42 years old this year, he could work hard to make her the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Unfortunately, she was too young.
Qian Juwei was a little worried, but the issue he should consider now was the Kra Canal.
After three days of discussion, the Kra Canal issue was resolved. China would finance the project and, upon completion, lease and manage it for 70 years, with Siam receiving a 30% share of the profits each year.
In addition, regional development banks have also made great strides forward.
Except for Singapore and Malaysia, all countries agreed to establish the Indochina Regional Development Bank to exchange currencies.
Commissioner Qian waved his hand and decided to conduct a trial run first.
The countries jointly established the Regional Development Bank Council, and representatives from Siam, Myanmar and other countries unanimously elected Jiang Ningyue as the first chairman.
After some thought, Commissioner Qian agreed with this idea and said, "Xiao Jiang, in the current situation on the Indochina Peninsula, you may be the only one who can clarify the relationships between the various countries and who all countries are willing to follow. You must be the first chairman."
"Commissioner, thank you for your kindness, but I don't understand economics either."
Jiang Ningyue quickly refused and whispered, "Besides, I will be returning to Haizhou next year."
"Still thinking about Haizhou."
Commissioner Qian was helpless and said, "Please take care of this for me first."
"Okay."
Jiang Ningyue nodded reluctantly.
Although Jiang Ningyue is the chairman, the bank must have its own president. Jiang Ningyue is not responsible for specific business matters. All she needs is to help resolve conflicts and solve problems when there are conflicts between countries.
In mid-September, the New York Times published an article stating that China has developed the latest generation of EUV lithography machines.
This was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In mid-October, the Japanese and South Korean ambassadors took the initiative to contact Jiang Ningyue and requested talks with the Chinese side.
The content of the talks was simple: to form a "chip alliance" among East Asian nations of China, Japan, and South Korea. Tokyo has the technology but no patents. Japan and South Korea have patents but their technology is backward.
The three parties united, invincible.
Jiang Ningyue led this meeting to safeguard the interests of the University of Tokyo, while Japan and South Korea also tried their best to secure their own interests.
The final result was that the University of Tokyo accounted for 40%, and Japan and South Korea each accounted for 30%.
After several months of negotiations, the year 2029 arrived.
Director Qian was about to retire. Before retiring, Director Qian called Jiang Ningyue to his office.
Also in the office was an old acquaintance of Jiang Ningyue, Pan Zhe (former ambassador to the Chinese Mission to the European Union).
After Ambassador Panzhe finished his work at the EU mission, he was transferred to the United Nations and became the Ambassador to the United Nations.
"ambassador."
Jiang Ningyue looked at Pan Zhe with a smile, "Long time no see."
"yes!"
Pan Zhe nodded with a smile. "Director Jiang has done a lot of great things in the past few years. I've gotten calluses from hearing about you so often."
"Hahaha……"
Jiang Ningyue laughed. "You too, have made many wonderful speeches at the United Nations and have often been on trending searches."
Ambassador Pan Zhe smiled and spoke modestly.
After the casual conversation, Commissioner Qian looked at the two with a smile, "Xiao Jiang! Logically, I shouldn't have revealed the organization's decision in advance. However, to appease you, I called Pan Zhe here. If nothing unexpected happens, Pan Zhe will become the next Foreign Minister. Although he's not a Commissioner, he's your direct supervisor. Doesn't it make you feel more at ease to have such an old colleague and leader?"
Director Qian analyzed Jiang Ningyue, from 'Li Chunyan' in Haizhou, 'Zhang Yan' in Shannan Province to Chai Yong of the International Development Agency, and himself in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jiang Ningyue is always a bit "childish" and thinks she will only work hard if she has a leader she likes.
It just so happened that Pan Zhe was quite capable. As a veteran cadre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he could at least keep the situation under control.
Jiang Ningyue looked embarrassed and hesitantly said, "My old boss, Director Chai, and Governor Li had a gentleman's agreement to second me to the International Development Agency for only four years. It's been six years since 2022..."
Pan Zhe smiled and said, "Xiaoyue! We are old friends. If you resign as soon as I take office, won't it seem like you have something against me?"
Jiang Ningyue looked at Pan Zhe helplessly, "You're going to be the Foreign Minister, how can you still use this method?"
Pan Zhe laughed, "I'm just stating the facts."
Jiang Ningyue could only say, "How about this, until September? Construction of the Kra Canal has begun, preparations for the Regional Development Bank have been completed, the China-Japan-South Korea 'Chips Alliance' has begun, and even the East Asia Friendship University is about to be built. So, I guess my duties as Director of the Asia Department should be complete, right?"
Director Qian smiled and nodded, his eyes full of satisfaction. "Xiao Jiang, you've done a really good job. I really don't want you to leave!"
"yes!"
Pan Zhe recalled with a smile, "When Xiaoyue told me that she had obtained confidential KGB documents during the EU mission, I was visibly stunned. I couldn't believe my ears."
Commissioner Qian continued, "Since your attitude is so clear, I won't force you to stay. So, we'll work until September of this year."
"Okay~"
Jiang Ningyue immediately smiled happily.
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