Chapter 939: Framework For Cooperation
Translator: Min Editor: Rundi
Choose other engineering companies?
This euphemistic refusal left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Although it was not shown on his face, the representatives from Hua and Russia were relieved. They were most worried about Celestial Trade being unable to withstand the pressure. They didn’t mind that a neutral small country owned a s.p.a.ce elevator, but they couldn’t accept their compet.i.tor possessing one.
The best solution was for Xin to possess the sovereignty of this s.p.a.ce elevator, and for all the other countries to share outer s.p.a.ce.
The rejected President of Ecuador did not have a pleasant expression on his face, but he also did not say anything more. He nodded and then sat back down. NASA Director Bolden looked calm as he already expected the rejection. After all, the monopolistic market always made more money than a compet.i.tive one.
At least until the emergence of a second company that could master the technology of s.p.a.ce elevators, it was impossible for Celestial Trade to accept orders for s.p.a.ce elevator construction from other countries.
The discussion continued, and the issues discussed next were simple and straightforward, mainly on how countries should cooperate in the s.p.a.ce elevator projects.
The Director of the European s.p.a.ce Agency, John Werner, stood up and glanced at the representatives and began to deliver his remark.
“s.p.a.ce has no boundaries. Everyone should contribute to the collective mankind. Although the s.p.a.ce elevator is built by Celestial Trade, the outer s.p.a.ce belongs to all of mankind, and the s.p.a.ce elevator should be shared by all of mankind…”
When John said this, the expression on Jiang Chen turned into a sneer.
It was so obvious what he was going to say next.
“… So, here, I propose,” John Werner did not look at Jiang Chen, but looked up at the representative of the France and German s.p.a.ce Agency, and then shamelessly read out his proposal, “The United Nations Office for Outer s.p.a.ce Affairs to evaluate the cost of s.p.a.ce elevators. Countries will jointly pay for the construction of the s.p.a.ce elevator to Celestial Trade, and buy the s.p.a.ce elevator in the name of the United Nations, which will be jointly managed by the international community.”
John Werner’s speech ended. There seemed to have been an agreement made prior as a round of applause sounded. Immediately afterwards, representatives from the European countries rose to speak and expressed their support for the proposal of the Director of ESA.
“The representative of France seconds.”
“The representative of Germany seconds.”
“The representative of Italy seconds.”
“…”
Listening to the overwhelming support, a smile emerged on Werner’s face. Before the start of the summit, they all agreed to pressure Celestial Trade. So many countries have seconded the same proposal at the summit. Even if Celestial Trade wanted to refuse, they must weigh the diplomatic risks brought on by the rejection.
Although Bolden, who represented the UA, did not express his position, he turned his eyes to Jiang Chen.
So many countries seconded the proposal. How will you deal with this?
Suddenly, at this moment, a different voice echoed.
“The representative of Hua, votes against.”
Everyone, including the Director of the European s.p.a.ce Agency and Bolden, was stunned and looked at the seats of the Hua delegation.
“The s.p.a.ce elevator is built within the territorial region of Xin and should be owned by Xin. The position of the Hua is consistent. We oppose any country interfering in the internal affairs of the third country in any form.” The middle-aged man with black hair glanced at the seats of the European representatives and said word by word, “Hua recognizes the legitimacy of the Xin’s s.p.a.ce elevator. Hua is willing to respect the territory of Xin and cooperate with Xin.”
The summit was quiet, not a single person spoke.
Jiang Chen opened his mouth and was about to say something. At this time, the Russian representative stood up and concisely said.
“The representative of Russia seconds this view.” After a pause, the man with a Slavic face said. “Agreeing with Hua’s perspective.”
There were already two permanent members that recognized the legality of the s.p.a.ce elevator. Even if there were more voices opposing this, it wouldn’t change this fact. Jiang Chen expressed his grat.i.tude by nodding to the representatives of Hua and Russia.
Although he did not think ESA could influence him with this little trick, regardless of how many countries seconded this proposal, it wouldn’t make him change his opinion. However, the representatives of Hua and Russia expressing their support indeed helped him solve this trouble.
Jiang Chen looked at Zhang Yaping and signaled him to request for permission to speak.
After receiving permission, Jiang Chen stood up again and glanced at the ESA director with a stiff expression and then spoke to the representatives of the countries at the summit.
“Celestial Trade welcomes companies from all over the world to partic.i.p.ate in the development of s.p.a.ce resources. But what I want to say again is that we will never accept any unreasonable proposals. I hope some people will think with their brain before speaking.”
Upon hearing this, John’s face instantly turned gloomy and he clinched his fists under the table. The representatives of France and Germany, who had previously seconded the proposal, were sitting there with an unpleasant expression. Obviously, they were quite displeased with Jiang Chen’s statement.
However, would Jiang Chen care about them?
When there is only one store in the market, the position of buyers and sellers is no longer “customers are G.o.ds”, but “If you don’t want to buy it, I will sell to other people.”
There was only one s.p.a.ce elevator now, even if the EU countries were reluctant, they would still have to swallow this fact.
Unless they were willing to be left behind by the world…
“After some internal discussion at Celestial Trade, we have two proposals for the s.p.a.ce elevator.”
“Celestial Trading is willing to provide satellite launch, cargo transportation and other services at reasonable prices. We a.s.sure you that with the use of the innovative track transportation technology, our transportation price is less than one percent of the market price.”
“In addition, we will build a giant s.p.a.ce station on the same track that is larger than Penglai City. The circular counterweight that maintains the center of gravity of the s.p.a.ce elevator is the living area. And the centrifugal force that is generated by its rotation will provide gravity. Considering the needs of various countries, Celestial Trading is willing to provide long-term leases of living areas, industrial areas, ports and other facilities to countries in the form of leasing while retaining sovereignty.”
“This is the framework for cooperation of the s.p.a.ce elevator. As for the specific details of cooperation with all parties, we can have more in-depth discussions at a later date.”
Jiang Chen ended his speech.
He noticed that after he identified this so-called cooperation framework, representatives of many countries were eager to propose objections.
However, Jiang Chen didn’t intend to waste time with them.
After whispering with Zhang Yaping, Jiang Chen got up and left the venue of the summit before they requested permission to speak. He was present as an advisor to Zhang Yaping and did not posses any formal diplomatic status. His absence didn’t have any impact on the progress of the summit, but it certainly would reduce the weight of this summit.
But who cares?
Using this UN Outer s.p.a.ce Summit, he already communicated to all countries the cooperation framework developed by Celestial Trade. As far as results were concerned, the significance of his partic.i.p.ation in the summit were already achieved. In this case, there was no point in continuing to stay.
Of course, there would be a number of countries that disagreed with the framework proposed by Celestial Trade, a number that is not small as after all, s.p.a.ce mining was more like an unrealistic dream. Even the lunar colony of Celestial Trade that has been established for half a year did not claim that it had made a profit on the lunar project.
But Jiang Chen didn’t mind.
The rules were already placed here, and the people who were willing to accept would share in the profits together, and those unwilling could just sneer and scoff. Even if no one took his framework seriously, Celestial Trade could absolutely play single player mode in s.p.a.ce.
Just the development process would be somewhat slower.
However, he was very clear that it wouldn’t take long before the profit of the s.p.a.ce elevator would make the indifferent people today crazy tomorrow. And the seemingly unacceptable conditions he put forward would no longer be out of discussion with absolute interests.
Bolden stared blankly at Jiang Chen’s back as he departed. He opened his mouth and wanted to speak, but eventually closed it. There were some things he couldn’t make a decision on alone. He decided to wait for the meeting to make a request to the Capitol before making a decision.
Several representatives of the Hua side exchanged their opinions quietly in a serious manner, and other representatives of countries interested in s.p.a.ce elevators were more or less the same.
The summit continued…