The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

On March 1, Lin Zhichao and Hopewell Chairman Wu Yingxiang launched the "Western Seaport-Lantau Strategic Development Plan".

It immediately caused a sensation throughout Hong Kong and attracted great attention from the Hong Kong government - this is a massive project comparable to the subway since the opening of Hong Kong.

The plan proposes that a private consortium with Cheung Kong and Hopewell as the core invest HK$25 billion to build a dual-runway international airport and a western seaport in the eastern corner of Lantau Island in the western bay of Hong Kong Island. It also develops industrial areas and residential areas, and builds a number of cross-sea bridges and undersea tunnels to connect the airport new area with Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Additional investment will be made in the construction of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Zhuhai Expressway linking Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macau.

Critics praised him one after another - Lin Zhichao once again showed superhuman courage and confidence in Hong Kong.

"Ming Pao" published an article and commented: "Even at this stage, this is encouraging news. Investment in Hong Kong and long-term is the future of Hong Kong and has always attracted great attention from the public. A local consortium has proposed such a huge plan. To develop Hong Kong, people will feel that they have enough confidence in Hong Kong and are willing to take responsibility for Hong Kong's future."

"Oriental Daily News" commented in an article: "Kai Tak Airport has become the busiest airport in the world since the 1980s. It is increasingly overloaded and will affect Hong Kong's rapid economic development. The emergence of the new airport plan is obviously a solution. That’s where the problem lies.”

"Sing Tao Daily" published an article and commented: "The launch of the 'new airport plan' by a private consortium not only shows that the local consortium is confident in the future of Hong Kong, but also inspires other private consortiums to come up with plans one after another, which will help give the Hong Kong government Please refer to the suggestions. I believe that the Hong Kong government will also establish a 'New Airport Study Group' as soon as possible to deal with this issue."

Citizens also reacted fiercely, focusing mainly on investment in the stock market and real estate. The Hang Seng Index climbed again that day, once approaching 1,500 points. Many people who were still waiting to buy property immediately started taking action.

The entire Hong Kong economy is showing great vitality!

Some citizens lamented:

"Since the handover was confirmed, many people have been busy immigrating, thinking that Hong Kong's economy will plummet. Little do they know that it is developing in the opposite direction, and the entire Hong Kong economy is even hotter."

"Yes! It seems that those people only represent the views of a very small number of people. Apart from the really rich people, how many people can have the strength to immigrate? What the general public wants is just a stable social environment. Obviously Hong Kong meets this , so everyone is very optimistic about Hong Kong’s future.”

In addition to the enthusiastic response from citizens, domestic media also praised Lin Zhichao, Hu Yingxiang and others. In particular, Lin Zhichao has become an "idol" in the mainland and the "best choice" in Hong Kong for Jiuqi.

Of course, Lin Zhichao has no intention of participating in politics, but people around him can still tell.

Discovery Bay.

Zhou Huai'an of Cheung Kong Group and Tang Youqian of Hong Kong Industrial are signing a memorandum of cooperation - Cheung Kong Group guarantees that Hong Kong Industrial will make more than HK$60 million in profits from the fourth and fifth phases of the project. If this condition is met, Cheung Kong Group will share 75% of profit.

In fact, it is a gambling agreement, which has the same plan as the later Tin Shui Wai project.

But at this time, there is no problem with this condition, because the new airport plan has been highly hyped outside.

Tang Zhongyuan and Lin Zhichao stood in the back chatting. They both came to sit in person today. Tang Zhongyuan's main focus has always been on Discovery Bay, while Lin Zhichao came to accompany his father-in-law.

Lin Zhichao is a businessman who values ​​filial piety and has always attached great importance to accompanying his mother and father-in-law.

"Father-in-law, within half a year, the Hong Kong government's 'New Airport Plan Study Group' will be established, and only Lantau Island is the best location in Hong Kong, so the Discovery Bay project now has no worries about its prospects." Lin Zhichao said with a smile. .

Tang Zhongyuan said: "It makes sense! With your move, it is impossible for the Hong Kong government to ignore public opinion. The new airport is already an issue that needs to be solved urgently. However, the mainland is also worried that the new airport plan will consume too much money and land resources. It’s another turbulent situation.”

Lin Zhichao nodded and then said: "Talk is better than no talk at all. Hong Kong's economy needs to develop, which both sides will understand."

Tang Zhongyuan said: "Indeed, it just so happens that the sixth phase of Discovery Bay's commercial plan should be released soon. As long as the first six phases are completed, Discovery Bay will have initially formed a community environment."

At this time, in Discovery Bay, there are ferries to Central Pier 3 every 15 minutes, which is not a big problem for office workers. Although most of the previous three phases were purchased by speculators, the occupancy rate is still very high, almost reaching over 85%.

After the agreement for the fourth and fifth phases is signed, construction will start this year.

As for sales, of course it was in 1986~1987, which was the peak of real estate.

The cooperation plan between the two parties is not to 'Cheung Kong buys the land', but to acquire the land from Xingye and let Cheung Kong develop it. Changshi Group only needs to ensure that Xingye's profit exceeds 60 million, and it can enjoy up to 75% of the profit share.

Moreover, 30% of Hong Kong Industrial's equity belongs to Cheung Kong Group.

In fact, in this cooperation, Lin Zhichao first proposed the "new airport plan" to double the value of Discovery Bay and brighten the future, and then sought to sign a contract with Hong Kong Industrial, which can be regarded as aboveboard.

Of course, it was impossible for the Tang family to go back on their word, so everyone immediately signed a memorandum of cooperation.

On March 15, on behalf of CK Hutchison and Cheung Kong Holdings, financial consultant Hudoli announced that the joint consortium already held more than 50% of the total voting rights of Wheelock and won the acquisition.

Shortly afterwards, after Qiu Teck-bat learned of the incident, he issued a statement through his financial advisor, officially giving up the plan to acquire Wheelock, and was prepared to accept Duoli's proposal to acquire CK Hutchison with 25% of Wheelock's equity. , a consortium formed by Cheung Kong Group.

The Wheelock takeover battle is over!

So everyone knows that from the moment Cheung Kong Group joined, Guojianglong has failed.

At the same time, after many days of speculation and analysis, the media unanimously believed that Cheung Kong Group joined just to get a piece of the pie, and Wheelock Group may face the fate of separating assets.

Of course, this speculation was quickly denied by Changshi Today. Cheung Kong Group spokesperson Zhou Huai'an stated at a press conference that this acquisition is part of Cheung Kong Group's strategy for investing in the stock market. Cheung Kong Group is planning an investment plan of "1 billion Hong Kong dollars to enter the market" and this is the opportunity to enter the market.

A few days later.

Lin Zhichao came to the Wheelock \u0026 Company headquarters in Wheelock Building and walked into the office of the chairman of the board of directors.

Li Jiacheng has served as chairman of the board of directors of Wheelock \u0026 Company, while Madden is only the honorary chairman.

"Lin Sheng, please have tea!" Li Jiacheng said humbly.

Thanks to Lin Zhichao's full support for this acquisition, how could he have become the leader of one of the four major foreign companies in one fell swoop?

Lin Zhichao nodded and then sipped the tea.

Wheelock \u0026 Company has not been delisted. Currently, the consortium formed by Cheung Kong and CK Hutchison only holds 82% of Wheelock \u0026 Company's shares. In addition, the joint venture holds 6.8% of the shares, and almost 11.2% of the shares are still outside.

"Li Sheng, we support CK Hutchison Real Estate's acquisition of Wheelock this time with an investment attitude. If you can make us earn more than 15% every year, we will consider gradually cashing out in the future." Lin Zhichao said with a smile.

He also thought about it during this period. Although Lane Crawford is doing well now, it is already a sunset industry and will be defeated by supermarkets. If he leaves Wheelock after the acquisition, he will obviously not leave a good reputation.

If it is for investment purposes, with Li Jiacheng's skills, Wheelock's market value may rise quickly, and when the time comes to cash out, it will be considered a very cost-effective investment.

For this acquisition, Hang Lung Bank provided a loan of 1 billion to Li Jiacheng, and Cheung Kong Group also provided 1 billion Hong Kong dollars to participate; Hang Lung Group can collect interest of 110 million Hong Kong dollars per year, and Cheung Kong Group's return rate must reach more than 15% to make Lin Zhichao satisfy.

Li Jiacheng was overjoyed and said quickly: "I will do my best to develop Wheelock Group and make Lin Sheng satisfied with this investment!"

Lin Zhichao laughed and said: "Of course I appreciate your ability. You can develop from a micro real estate company that raised 10 million Hong Kong dollars on the market to a top ten listed real estate company today. This allows me to see your ability. So this time By helping you take down Wheelock Group, I actually transformed myself into a banker."

Li Jiacheng nodded quickly and said, "Thank you Lin Sheng for your support!"

Afterwards, the two had a brief chat. Lin Zhichao discovered that Li Jiacheng was very confident in Wheelock's development, and he couldn't help but admire him. He was indeed the "most accomplished Chinese person in the business world" in his previous life.

Lin Zhichao left Wheelock Building with satisfaction!

In his previous life, Li Jiacheng also supported many listed companies, such as Aimeike and Guangsheng Hong.

And now, Lin Zhichao directly supports the "Four Major Families". Isn't this an even more impressive achievement?

After Lin Zhichao left, Li Jiacheng looked at his back gratefully. This acquisition was the pinnacle of his career. He was equivalent to the second Chinese businessman to acquire a foreign bank. With this acquisition, his strength has suddenly entered the ranks of the "Five Big Families", surpassing powerful real estate developers such as Hang Lung, Hysan, and Sino.

"Although we are on the same land, competition is inevitable, but Lin Sheng is really upright and tries his best to give everyone a chance!" Li Jiacheng couldn't help but sigh.

With the amount of funds of the Cheung Kong Group and Lin Zhichao's wealth level, if it develops at full strength, it will be difficult for anyone in Hong Kong to compete. Especially in the field of real estate, Lin Zhichao clearly understood the real estate situation, but he did not spend all his funds on low-priced land, but restrained himself.

Otherwise, Hong Kong is really the only one in the field of real estate development!

But now, at least Sun Hung Kai and Henderson can be ranked in the first queue with Cheung Kong, and Hang Lung, CK Hutchison and New World in the second queue can also be considered. The real estate developers behind them have a very small share in developing real estate (residential).

Lin Zhichao's various actions have still gained the respect of several wealthy people in Hong Kong, and he has become the influence of the big brother "Cheung Kong".

Cheung Kong Group once again injected US$200 million into Japan's Higashida Company for real estate investment - this news was captured by the media in late March and reported widely.

Some media commented: "Although Mr. Lin Zhichao has always expressed his confidence in the future of Hong Kong, he has also given strong proof in his actions. But what needs to be seen is that Cheung Kong Group has begun to invest overseas. Is there any concern in this? Woolen cloth?"

For a time, many people actually recognized this view.

"How could someone as smart as Lin Sheng not be prepared!"

"Yes, a cunning rabbit has three holes, let alone a smart person like Lin Sheng!"

Faced with this kind of public opinion, Lin Zhichao was questioned by some people.

Of course this is normal, no matter what you do, there will always be different voices.

this day.

Cheung Kong Group held its annual financial report. Lin Zhichao sat in the chairman's seat and met with a group of reporters.

The group's profit declined last year, mainly due to the decline in the real estate situation, but it still had a profit of more than 900 million.

When it came to the press session, everyone asked Lin Zhichao questions about the recent public opinion.

"Mr. Lin, regarding Cheung Kong Group's investment in Japanese real estate, I wonder if you can talk about the recent public opinion in this regard?"

Lin Zhichao smiled relaxedly and said:

"Cheung Kong Group's investment of tens of billions of Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong has actually made these public opinions untenable. Of course, I can also talk about the reasons for making this investment. First of all, Cheung Kong Group is a listed company. I need to Shareholders are responsible, so wherever there are profitable projects, we will carefully study and consider them. Japan has experienced rapid economic development and political stability in recent years, and is a good investment area, so we choose to invest in real estate in our shopping malls."

"Secondly, the Hong Kong market is too small. After we spent more than 10 billion, we found that we still have some spare capacity. What should we do? Hong Kong peers also need to develop and invest. The scale of Cheung Kong Group is too big, so it can only While developing Hong Kong, we must also consider investing abroad."

"Finally, Cheung Kong Group has successful experience in investing overseas. When it invested in Manhattan office buildings, the price rose five times in five years, so it has that mentality this time."

All the reporters couldn't help but be shocked by Lin Zhichao's words!

To sum up, Cheung Kong Group is too big and will continue to be a monopoly if it does not develop externally.

A reporter asked: "Recently, Cheung Kong Group participated in the acquisition of Wheelock. Why didn't it acquire it alone?"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "If others didn't call me, what name would we use to acquire? Later, Li Sheng from CK Hutchison asked me to join, and we immediately joined the acquisition, because I believed that Wheelock, under the leadership of Mr. Li Jiacheng, could do it for us." It has brought huge profits to shareholders. We will continue to use this strategy in the future. Investing in listed and unlisted companies in Hong Kong will be an important investment project for Cheung Kong Group in the future."

Coax, coax, coax.

The reporters all expressed surprise!

Because what Lin Zhichao said means that Changshi Group can already stand out from the crowd and invest in other companies.

The big brother in the industry is definitely not what he should be!

Cheung Kong Group was established in 1947 and is an established real estate developer. There are very few established real estate developers like this that can produce it, but Cheung Kong Group has been dominating the real estate industry in Hong Kong for 30 years! (Based on the development of real estate)