Chapter 1304: Delegation Arrival
An aircraft printed with Xin’s flag and Celestial Trade’s logo appeared over the Bogota International Airport and slowly descended on the runway.
In the security tunnel of the airport, soldiers in military green camouflage were on standby. On the street not far away, armored vehicles were even spotted.
Obviously, the Colombian authorities recognized the importance of the situation. Although they were not eager to see the delegation from Xin, they definitely did not want Xin’s delegation to lose a single strand of hair here.
With a bright smile on his face, the Hispanic Colombian President Juan walked up and extended his right hand with friendliness to shake Zhang Yaping’s extended hand.
“Welcome, friends from the Western Pacific! The Colombian people welcome you, you’ll love this beautiful country.”
If the smile was any indicator, it would be hard to imagine that the economic exchanges between the two countries were the complete opposite. Celestial Trade had began its effort to open up the South American market in 2018, but there was minimal progress.
The UA had carefully guarded its back garden against Celestial Trade’s attempt to increase its influence.
Even for the capitalist world, Celestial Trade was a rather “deformed” monster. Although the military-industrial complex of the UA and Samsung of Korea were both involved in military production, and rely on their own influence to interfere in government policies, Celestial Trade’s direct monopolization of a country’s military as a contractor could only be compared with the “East India Company” in the past.
The UA was afraid Celestial Trade’s goal of replicating the “Xin Model” in South America, and South American countries themselves were also concerned about that possibility. Only an anti-American, poor economic condition country like Ecuador would consider opening its doors to the monster known as Celestial Trade.
For example, Juan was one of the biggest obstacles to Celestial Trade’s expansion into Colombia.
Zhang Yaping sensed the caution and rejection hidden behind his smile. However, he still smiled and said in a relaxed but sincere tone in front of the media.
“Of course, as soon as I got off the plane, I already felt the charm of this country. I believe this trip will definitely be worthwhile.”
“I a.s.sure you,” Juan laughed along, as he shook Zhang Yaping’s hand with force, then he gestured to the direction of the VIP tunnel of the airport, and said respectfully, “Please.”
Followed by Celestial Trade’s bodyguards, the delegation of Xin pa.s.sed through the VIP tunnel and got on the convoy sent by the Colombian government.
In the extended black vehicle, Juan glanced at the media reporters outside of the car, and a subtle hint of mockery appeared under his thick bread. He then looked at Zhang Yaping across from him and asked with a “sincere” smile.
“Would you like a cigar?”
“Thank you, there is no need,” Zhang Yaping politely declined.
“You can feel more relaxed. You don’t have to worry about the annoying media in the car, and we don’t have to do anything superficial.” Juan took a cut cigar from his a.s.sistant, took out a lighter, and smiled to Zhang Yaping, “In South America, cigars and coffee are a kind of culture, and we will have to have at least one of them when we talk about business.”
The ventilation system was superb, and the milky white smoke quickly drifted to the sides of the roof, and no smell lingered inside the vehicle.
“Talk about business?”
“Yes, we like to be straight forward. South American culture is like that.” Juan grinned with the cigar still in his mouth and then said in a relaxed tone, “Of course, if President Zhang doesn’t like this metaphor, I’m willing to take my words back.”
“Of course not, I also like to be straightforward,” Zhang Yaping shook his head, then smiled, “But when it comes to business, we might as well talk about something interesting.”
Oh?” Juan raised his eyebrows.
“According to the latest s.p.a.ce resource development plan announced by Celestial Trade, we intend to build a second s.p.a.ce elevator within five years. Here I can tell you in advance that the possibility of this elevator being located in South America is very high.”
“And it’s going to be in Ecuador, am I right?” Juan responded with a smile.
“Yes,” Zhang Yaping agreed, then continued, “If you have studied the Asia-Pacific economic data in the last three years, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to see that with Xin’s s.p.a.ce elevator as the center, the GDP of neighboring countries and regions have grown substantially. After the completion of the s.p.a.ce elevator in Ecuador, Colombia and even the entire South America will be the direct beneficiaries.”
“Will it?”
Juan did not deny this, but he revealed a mischievous smile. He was obviously not moved by the check with an astronomical number.
Zhang Yaping eyed Juan thoughtfully, but he also laughed again and changed the subject.
He gave him a chance.
Obviously, he didn’t catch it.
“Xin is willing to provide Colombia with a low-interest loan of 50 billion Xin New Dollars,” Zhang Yaping said without a change of expression.
“If the premise is that Colombia joins the Global Grid Plan of Celestial Trade, I am sorry but I must refuse. I cannot put Colombia’s national security in the hands of an irresponsible warmonger,” Juan shook his head and said righteously.
“There is no premise,” Zhang Yaping smiled and said in a relaxed tone.
Juan was stunned.
Zhang Yaping’s response was completely beyond his expectation.
A loan without any conditions?
How can that be!
Zhang Yaping studied the silent Juan, and a hint of mockery appeared in corners of his mouth tugged just slightly upward. But quickly, he hid the mockery in a friendly smile as he watched the Colombian president speak.
“To support the construction of infrastructure in Colombia, this loan will be used to support Colombia’s infrastructure, transportation, light and heavy industry, and other sectors. Any company with operating qualifications can apply for this loan after pa.s.sing the risk a.s.sessment process.”
“What about the use of the loan?” Juan was no longer smoking his cigar, as he hurriedly asked, “Are there any restrictions?”
50 billion in foreign investment!
No one will complain about money.
Especially for Colombia, whose economic situation was not so positive, the 50 billion in foreign investment would not only directly impact the employment rate, but would even impact the annual GDP data.
Juan did not understand what Zhang Yaping was planning to do, but if the loan was really without any conditions as he said, there was absolutely no reason to refuse!
“There are no restrictions.”
Those words were like a heavenly melody.
After Juan took a deep breath, he did all he could to restrain the excitement in his heart so that the expression on his face would not be so explicit.
He extinguished the cigar between his fingers, looked at Zhang Yaping, and solemnly thanked him.
“On behalf of the Colombian government, I thank you for your generosity! Colombian people will always remember this friends.h.i.+p!”
“You are welcome,” Zhang Yaping said softly, “If you want to express your grat.i.tude, thank Future Group. The loan was provided from Future Bank. We are just taking the lead.”
Future Group?
When he heard this name, Juan instinctively felt a little uncomfortable.
However, he couldn’t tell what made him uncomfortable.
Zhang Yaping looked at the frowning President Juan and the smile hidden with a deeper layer of meaning was even more apparent.
Yes.
There was really no conditions on this loan.
However, the loan was not used to witness the friends.h.i.+p between the two countries or to help the poor.
It was here to help the Colombian people rebuild their homes…