A sudden turn of events
In early May, Jian Jianan, Huang Haiyan, Gao Xi and other people from other departments once again set out on a journey to the capital for a meeting.
But compared to the last meeting where we attended to showcase our achievements and report good news, the atmosphere this time was not so wonderful.
From the moment he got off the car at the door to the moment he arrived at the meeting, all the participants Jian Jianan saw had gloomy faces and unhappy expressions. No one could smile.
Soon, the meeting began.
A government official gave these telecom industry leaders a heads-up: "We'll have dedicated personnel here to follow up on any Western sanctions. We're aware of the specifics. Falling behind means being attacked. We refuse to lag behind and must catch up. However, there are always those who disapprove and prevent us from catching up. This sanctions order was issued precisely for this reason."
Jian Jianan nodded. The people from the communications industry who attended the meeting were all smart people, and they had known the reason for a long time.
Moreover, the most important issue now is not to know why Western countries impose technological sanctions and hardware blockades on us, but to find a solution to this problem. This is the most important thing.
The leader briefly explained the situation, and then it was time for the participants to negotiate.
Some people anxiously asked, "When will this lockdown end? Are there any signs of it ending?"
The sanctions have come into effect, dealing a huge blow to every domestic telecommunications company.
Its impact can be seen by just taking a quick look at the sales data of various companies.
Without the reasonably priced hardware import channels, the price of each electronic product they produce will increase by 60% to 70%.
Especially given the current situation, any fluctuation in prices is considered good.
They are afraid that the current inventory will run out, so they can only sit and stare at the workers in the production factory. After all, a good cook cannot cook without rice. Once the most core hardware is gone, what can they produce?
It would be better for everyone to go home and open their mouths facing the northwest. Drinking the northwest wind is faster than producing and selling goods.
In addition to the solution to this problem, the question that everyone wants to know most now is when the sanctions will end. They all hope that the leaders of government departments have relevant inside information and can reveal some of it.
After all, if the sanctions have a time limit, they will still have a glimmer of hope and be able to hold on for a while.
The leader shook his head. "We've had some friendly discussions with them, but they've been very adamant this time. They haven't relented easily."
"So..." His voice deepened, not sounding optimistic. "So, you should also be prepared. We're about to fight a tough battle, and it might be a long, technological battle that will last for years."
Although Jian Jianan was prepared for this, he was still surprised when he heard such certain words.
Of course she understood this truth. The enemy would never let go easily unless they had bitten off a piece of flesh from them and achieved their goal.
The other party knows the huge impact of their technology on domestic companies. Now when they see that they are struggling due to the lack of key components, they will definitely feel very happy. Isn't this the situation they want?
How could one be compassionate and let someone go easily just because they feel sorry for him?
It is better to rely on yourself than to ask others for help. Instead of pinning your hopes on the other party withdrawing the sanctions order, the most important thing is to rely on their own abilities to get through this!
One of the reasons for calling everyone to the capital for a meeting this time is to share the existing information with everyone in the industry, let relevant industry personnel know that the current situation is serious and the situation is not good, and let them be mentally prepared for the increasingly severe situation in the future and fight this long-term battle.
Another important reason is to unite everyone. The relevant departments decided to set up a communication organization. The official will not interfere much. Although it has a dominant position, the corresponding matters within the organization will still be participated in and decided by relevant personnel in the industry.
"We're establishing this organization today because we hope everyone will join us and get the latest, firsthand information. Although we're all competitors in the communications industry, in times of crisis, we're also partners who can work together to overcome difficulties. Within this organization, we hope everyone can temporarily put aside past disputes and share information technology. Once we overcome this difficult time, we can discuss future development and competition."
The establishment of this organization is also to create an environment for healthy development.
People in relevant departments have a long-term vision and are aware of the ten steps ahead. The communications industry will definitely prosper in the future. As a result, related technologies and funds will enter the market in large quantities. It is necessary to prepare for the future development of the industry early on.
Faced with this request, naturally no one refused. Everyone thought that establishing a new organization was meaningless, and Jian Jianan took the lead and was the first to sign and participate.
When the meeting was over, the leader specifically asked several representatives from companies with the strongest development momentum to stay for a while.
"This hasn't been easy. Let me be clear: there's no deadline for this, and it won't be over anytime soon. I know you're under tremendous pressure, but the country will help. Our researchers are already working hard to overcome the technical difficulties. We hope you can hold on a little longer, and find ways to protect yourselves in the fierce global market competition, at least until we come up with a solution!"
This meeting gave Jian Jianan more or less a rough idea of what was going on, and it also gave the relevant personnel a shot of strong stimulant. At least everyone knew what the worst-case scenario would be like. People are always most afraid of the unknown, and now that they roughly know the situation, they are no longer afraid.
Jian Jianan and his group returned to Guangzhou on the same day.
On the plane, they closed their eyes and had a good rest to recharge their energy. After getting off the plane and returning to the company, they immediately held a brief meeting with other colleagues.
"Our situation this year will be very bad." Jian Jianan told everyone right from the start, revealing his trump card with no intention of covering it up at all.
"I believe everyone has seen the document on technical sanctions. I can assure you that it is authentic, and that the situation has occurred earlier than we expected. This sanction document is just the beginning. Next, Western countries will further suppress our electronic equipment manufacturing industry. It can be said that this is only the beginning of winter, and there is still some time before the cold winter. So I hope everyone is mentally prepared. This is a battle that will not be easy to win."
Even those who prided themselves on being optimistic would be frightened by these words. But how could someone who had followed Jian Jianan step by step from the beginning when Gao Xi was founded, back down just because of a few words?
"That's the downside of having someone else hold the power. Before, when things were simple, we worked very happily together, exchanging gifts on every holiday. But now, seeing our growing momentum and the potential to surpass them, they're no longer willing to reason and are even considering imposing national sanctions on us."
"Yeah, this isn't the first time I've seen them act like hooligans. I'm not surprised at all that they could do something like this!"
"I took a look. The document states that unconditional technical support cannot be provided to us. Does this mean that from now on, we have to manufacture our own products? If we can't even import hardware, what other channels are there for obtaining it? How much chip inventory do we have now? Is it enough?"
After complaining for a while, the issues that the friends are most concerned about are how much chips and other hardware parts are in stock, how long they will be enough, and where to get them after they are used up.
The news of the sanctions document taking effect was previously circulated only among a few members of management. Now that the situation has become clearer, the top management can no longer conceal it, so Jian Jianan and the others can only give a brief explanation to Gao Xi and his entire team.
"We still have inventory, but it's not much," Jian Jianan said. "We order each batch of hardware based on our capabilities, which means we rarely stockpile. We have no problem producing the orders we have now, but that's uncertain in the future. Furthermore, we recently proactively reduced some production capacity for sustainable development. As you can see from last month's data, the sanctions have had a significant impact on us. Every single one of our figures has dropped by half or more compared to the same month last year."
Huang Haiyan asked the most crucial question on behalf of everyone: "Is there a solution?"
Jian Jianan nodded: "Of course there is a way."
She smiled and said, "For example, on the day we learned of the sanctions document before it came into effect, we immediately sent a team to Europe to contact our previous partners to negotiate the contracts signed on the day the sanctions document was signed. Thanks to the joint efforts of the legal teams on both sides, the signed contracts will be delivered on schedule."
At this point, Jian Jianan's smile couldn't help but grow wider: "That is to say, we can hold on for a while longer!
"good!"
"That's great!"
Knowing the importance of this news, the members of the conference room immediately applauded. This was great news for them!
They were just worrying about not having enough chips, but now they know that a batch of hardware is on the way, which is enough to solve their urgent needs.
Jian Jianan sat in the main seat. Seeing some employees leave happily, he turned around and said to several managers, "Although we still have some chip inventory, we can't rely on it for too long. We have to think of other ways."
In the minds of others, Jian Jianan always seems to be extremely optimistic. No difficulty is insurmountable for her. No matter what level it is, she can get through it in the end.
The same is true this time.
Even though this obstacle is the biggest and highest one they have ever encountered.
Jian Jianan had to maintain an optimistic attitude in front of other people and tell them that everything was going in a good direction, but for the management staff who could not be fooled easily, she had to tell the truth and convince them with facts.
"We can only hold on for another month at most. We must come up with a good plan and implement it within this month, otherwise I will have to say goodbye to everyone by the end of this year."
There is no need to go into detail about the specific way of saying goodbye, it is just a polite way of saying "dissolution and bankruptcy".
Huang Haiyan was also very anxious. She and Jian Jianan could be said to be the two most anxious people.
"I never thought that a chip, such a small thing, could determine the life and death of a company and have a significant impact on an entire industry." Huang Haiyan couldn't help but sigh.
Suddenly, a hesitant voice sounded, "I've read some information, and the development model of the mobile communications industry abroad is similar to ours. The entire supply chain is produced by many different countries and regions. After the parts are produced, they are brought to a single location for assembly. In this way, a complete electronic device product is released."
"You mean..." Jian Jianan looked towards the source of the voice. This was a young assistant girl under Huang Haiyan. She was usually taciturn and he had rarely seen her express any opinions.
Today, he actually gave such a long speech in front of so many people. It seemed like he had been holding it in for a long time.
As if encouraged, the girl, her voice trembling with nervousness, bravely continued, "We can contact other manufacturers in this supply chain. While their technology may not be as good as our original partner's, we can use it first. After all, it's an alternative. This is the only solution in an emergency."
This is one way.
The trend of globalization is becoming increasingly stronger. Against this backdrop, cooperation between countries and regions is increasing step by step.
In addition to the European and American countries that have imposed technological sanctions on my country, there are also some regions that have chip technology. They can find another way and seek help from these people to break the blockade, try their best to restore the previous situation, and resume normal production as soon as possible.
"That makes sense." After thinking for a while, Jian Jianan said to Huang Haiyan, "Haiyan, I'll leave this matter to you. What this little girl said makes a lot of sense. If you bring her along, it might have an unexpected effect."
And just like that, the matter was settled.
As chip inventories continued to be depleted, Huang Haiyan took people to other places to explore new methods to see if they could find a way out for the company that was now trapped in a desperate situation.
More than twenty days passed, and it was the end of May. Jian Jianan looked at the data on the financial statements and breathed a sigh of relief.
Although there is a slight decline, the momentum is still under control and has not reached an irreversible point.
It’s just…it’s just other friendly competitors, why are they so conspicuous?
What we are talking about here is naturally Guanyou.
At a friendly exchange gathering organized by the communications industry at the end of May, everyone more or less understood each other's situation. After all, facing the same predicament, sisters and brothers in distress naturally had endless common topics to talk about.
But among the group of telecom bosses with sad faces, Mr. Zhang's face with a smile and a happy expression was particularly different. He was out of place, as abrupt as the second layer in an electronic image.
Jian Jianan sighed, "Oh, the situation is so bad now. As soon as the document is signed and the effective date arrives, the previous partners will immediately turn their backs on us. They change their minds faster than turning the pages of a book!"
"Hey, who isn't!" Another CEO immediately chimed in, sympathetically. "Those foreigners, you know what's wrong with them? They've probably spent their entire lives practicing the art of face-changing! No matter how smooth the cooperation was before, or how readily we paid them, as soon as a problem arises, they turn their backs on us. We've sent several groups of representatives over, but they haven't shown any sign of relenting."
"But are you saying they're completely abiding by the rules? Not at all! They say there are gray areas where they can continue previous transactions, but they'll have to raise the price by 30 to 40 percent to cover the risk!"
Upon hearing this, a CEO scoffed dismissively, "Humph, listen to their nonsense! Everyone knows that these Western countries are closely connected and share a common heritage. They have some tricks, but they're all very easy for them. It's just a matter of changing the company shell and the place of registration. It won't cost much, at most it will only require some manpower and material resources!"
"They are taking advantage of the situation to rip us off!"
Jian Jianan had heard about this matter a long time ago. Their partners in Europe had hinted at it and also sent representatives to say a few words vaguely, the general meaning of which was not much different from what the bosses said.
However, after discussing with several members of management, Jian Jianan flatly refused.
What’s the difference between this and drinking poison to quench thirst?
Of course, we can use price increases to exchange for the urgently needed hardware to solve the urgent problem and not be eliminated by the market so quickly, but isn’t this still relying on others?
Since there are people in this world who can cut off their chips through technical sanctions, how come you don’t know that the hardware they bought at a high price will not be cut off from supply again one day in the future for the same reason?
Of course, there are many reasons. For example, they are not satisfied with the price and want to increase the price, or they don’t want to continue because the risk is too great. The core technology is in the hands of others, so naturally what others say is the truth.
Jian Jianan still prefers to take a path that does not rely on others but is in his own hands.
A large group of people sat around the table unable to eat, and a good exchange meeting turned into a complaint meeting.
But among these small, medium and old bitter melons, Mr. Zhang from Guanyou, with his old face almost smiling like a chrysanthemum, really stood out.
Jian Jianan looked at it in surprise. They thought that Gao Xi had to be very lucky to have such a small inventory of chips to last until now.
As far as she knew, Mr. Zhang and his team had no habit of placing orders in advance. Logically speaking, they had been short of chips for several months. If they could still smile now, they must be either gifted and generous, or they had a steady supply of chips and did not need to worry about chip supply interruptions like others.
Which one would be Mr. Zhang’s situation?
Jian Jianan thought about his previous formalities and style. With a character as narrow-minded as a needle tip, he should not be the former case.
That would be interesting. When other companies were facing chip supply cuts and their CEOs were all worried, how did Mr. Zhang get a new batch of chips?
Jian Jianan's question was answered soon after.
An acquaintance told her about it.
"Mr. Zhang is so generous. Even though Europe cut off our supply, he went to the American company and flattered them, saying he would do anything to keep supplying them with chips."
"When they heard what he said, there was no reason for them to refuse. They immediately produced a contract, saying that if they signed it, they could plead with the European side for leniency."
Jian Jianan also knew the general content of the contract, which was the investment of American capital, and the transfer of part of the share rights by Mr. Zhang and others. In this way, Guanyou became a Sino-US joint venture, and a company dominated by the United States.
After listening to this, Jian Jianan remained silent and just rubbed his brows tiredly.
This is killing the chicken to get the eggs!
They, Gao Xi, absolutely cannot do this!
With the support of European and American countries, Guanyou's chips have never been out of stock. Among a number of companies whose sales, profits and other figures are declining, Guanyou is the only one that dominates the market, which is particularly obvious.
Mr. Zhang was even more proud and was flattered by everyone.
"Brother, Brother Zhang, you are really well-informed and have many connections. Can you introduce them to me?"
Mr. Zhang agreed immediately: "Of course!"
After seeing Guanyou taste the sweetness, many people changed their minds and ran to get close to Mr. Zhang, wanting to know his connections.
As a result, more and more people have embarked on the same path as Mr. Zhang.
But Jian Jianan gave everyone a death order that Gao Xi would never go down this path.
"Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not. Even if the worst comes to the worst and our company goes bankrupt and dissolves, don't do this."
But it is easier said than done.
Especially when the chip inventory was almost used up and other hardware was almost exhausted, everyone in Gao Xi was inevitably worried.
As far as Shan Jiqing knew, some people had even found their next job in advance and were just waiting for Gao Xi to give them the final severance pay so that they could take the money and leave.
He was just an insignificant outsider, but he knew the news, which shows how serious the situation has become.
But fortunately, there was a turn of events.
Huang Haiyan and others, who were entrusted with high hopes by Jian Jianan, had disappeared from the company for almost a month. A month later, they finally brought back good news. It can be said that they returned with a full load.
They brought back a photolithography machine!
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