Chapter 446: I Can Replace Him

Hong Kong is truly unsuitable for internet technology development; building an internet industry requires specific conditions and demands—technology, capital, market, culture, and more are all indispensable!

That's why, in my past life, despite the global internet industry appearing booming, decades later only two centers emerged worldwide: Silicon Valley in America, which produced technology, and New York, which supplied capital; together they formed a complete American internet industry, built on the foundation of America itself and the broader English-speaking world, including old Europe, then radiating to other markets.

Beyond Silicon Valley, the only other internet industry to rise globally was China's, centered on Zhongguancun, relying on China's domestic market and parts of the overseas Chinese-speaking user base.

Whether Silicon Valley or Zhongguancun, both prove that beyond technology, user scale is a prerequisite for internet development—especially in the era of artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, where massive user data is essential for training large models; regions with few users simply cannot compete.

In my past life, Yingke Group turned the Digital Harbour project into real estate and shopping malls, selling properties at high prices to cash out during the internet boom—it was a desperate measure.

Hong Kong's land is too expensive, labor costs are high, and the user base is at most a few million; developing internet technology here is simply unrealistic.

Not just Hong Kong, but New York, Singapore, London, and other cities also struggle to produce internet tech giants—but these cities have their own advantages: they have money.

They may not be good at technology, but investing in the internet is still possible; Huaerjie investment firms in New York now don't understand what the internet is, yet that doesn't stop them from hyping it up wildly.

Hong Kong is currently Asia's financial center, and to some extent, even surpasses Tokyo in status, let alone being replaced by Singapore.

Similarly, developing internet technology in Hong Kong is unrealistic, but investing in the internet industry is still viable—if people realize investing in the internet is more profitable and faster to cash out than flipping properties, no further persuasion is needed!

For domestic internet companies, burning cash is also necessary, especially in the early stages, requiring massive capital—after all, technology needs to be fed, and the internet market needs funding to grow.

In my past life, most of the money burned by China's internet companies came from American venture capital firms, even funds from Russians, South Africans, and others invested in Chinese internet firms, later reaping thousands of times their returns once these companies grew.

In fact, a large portion of the past-life Hongli from China's internet industry was captured by overseas investment firms.

Investors in Hong Kong and Asia, deeply wounded by Yingke 's Digital Harbour project, came to believe the internet industry was a scam, missed the entire internet wave, became isolated from global investment circles, and eventually sank into an addiction to flipping properties.

But if Hong Kong repositions itself in the internet space—not by developing technology, but by investing—it has a real chance, since this is what Hong Kong excels at.

Similarly, domestic internet companies can secure more capital; when they expand overseas in the future, they can use Hong Kong as a bridgehead to radiate into Southeast Asia and the Asian market, then challenge American tech firms for dominance in Europe and the American internet market, avoiding being crushed by outsiders on their own Chinese cultural turf.

North has Zhongguancun, south has Digital Harbour; Zhongguancun and Digital Harbour together challenge Silicon Valley and Huaerjie.

Hearing Li Li Dongling sketch out this century-scale vision, even the well-traveled Liang Liang Botao was stunned.

Of course, everyone knows Zhongguancun plus Digital Harbour can't match Silicon Valley plus Huaerjie—but the audacity of this vision was terrifying; Liang Liang Botao felt only the rough-and-tumble heroes from inland struggles and the first-generation founders would dare propose such a grand concept; Hong Kong's corporate elites would never dream of challenging America.

Cao Cao Zongyan, who had always worn a smiling, Maitreya-like expression, now stared at Li Li Dongling with uncertainty.

He didn't know whether the Digital Harbour internet plan originated from Li Dongling High-Tech itself or had been discussed with Beijing's Postal and Telecommunications departments; if the Digital Harbour internet investment center concept were implemented in Hong Kong, it would be a massive sensation.

In fact, over the years Hong Kong has continuously sought alternatives to real estate; especially since the 1960s and 70s, when Hong Kong's electronics, apparel, and home appliance manufacturing industries gradually relocated, Hong Kong has persistently searched for new projects.

Everyone knows property speculation can't last forever; a financial center can also be relocated. In my past life, Digital Harbour's internet project and the later Silicon Harbour chip initiative were Hong Kong's attempts—but both ultimately failed.

Currently, the global internet industry hasn't reached its frenzy stage, so Liang Liang Botao and Cao Cao Zongyan felt the Digital Harbour plan sounded impressive but not yet terrifying.

When the global internet frenzy hits, a single domain name can get a company listed with a market cap of billions of dollars; at that point, Digital Harbour might be hailed as heaven-sent.

But now, Cao Cao Zongyan wondered whether China Bank Hong Kong should invest in Digital Harbour Company right away to seize the initiative.

"If Digital Harbour Company can acquire Hong Kong Telecom in the future, it will promote Hong Kong Telecom as Southeast Asia's broadband service provider and establish an internet investment center to attract more investment and internet firms to settle in Digital Harbour!"

"Next year, Digital Harbour will formally apply to the Hong Kong government to implement the Digital Harbour plan and seek listing in Hong Kong!"

Li Li Dongling said Hong Kong has two paths to listing: one is the queue for IPO application, the other is acquiring a junk-listed company and reverse-merging it.

Li Li Dongling told Liang Liang Botao this to indicate that Baifupin would handle overseas fundraising for Digital Harbour Company—Digital Harbour would soon have major projects ahead.

"Of course, in the future, whenever Digital Harbour Company needs financing or loans, it will prioritize cooperation with China Bank Hong Kong and Baifupin—you will be Digital Harbour's eternal allies in Hong Kong!"

Hearing Li Li Dongling's declaration, Liang Liang Botao finally smiled—this meant that if Digital Harbour listed in Hong Kong, Baifupin would manage it, potentially becoming a flagship deal in Baifupin's investment banking history.

"Seventeen billion U. S. dollars is no small sum; relying solely on Ning's Trade Company and the unlisted Feiyan Technology Company as guarantors, it's unlikely you can directly borrow this much."

"Digital Harbour Company must also pledge part of the Digital Harbour shares it acquires as collateral!" Liang Liang Botao said after a moment's thought.

"But the most critical point is the Digital Harbour internet investment plan—acquiring Hong Kong Telecom must be launched immediately!"

Liang Liang Botao looked at Li Li Dongling—he knew Digital Harbour wouldn't stop at acquiring just 13% of Hong Kong Telecom's shares.

To gain controlling interest in Hong Kong Telecom, more U. S. dollars must be borrowed; at that point, Digital Harbour must prove its value to make the deal happen.

After Li Li Dongling finished discussing with Liang Liang Botao and Cao Cao Zongyan, the matter was effectively settled; the details still needed negotiation, but those were tasks for the lawyers of the involved companies.

For Digital Harbour Company, once China Bank Hong Kong's funds arrive, it must immediately begin acquiring Hong Kong Telecom shares on the market and enter Hong Kong Telecom's board to secure advantage in the acquisition battle.

"Mr. Li!"

After signing the agreement, Cao Cao Zongyan signaled Li Li Dongling; the two went up to the yacht's deck.

"I've long heard of Mr. Li's grand ambitions—today I've finally seen them!"

Cao Cao Zongyan smiled, then grew serious: "I wonder whether the Digital Harbour internet plan originated from your side, or was discussed with Beijing's Postal and Telecommunications departments…"

"Does it matter?!"

The sea breeze blew in; it was already evening, the twilight glow appeared on the horizon, the waves had grown stronger, lifting Li Li Dongling's hair.

Li Li Dongling looked at the churning sea, expression unchanged, and said to Cao Cao Zongyan: "Whether it came from Li Dongling High-Tech or someone else, the key question is: does Hong Kong need Digital Harbour Company?"

Cao Cao Zongyan paused, then realized—he shook his head and chuckled, then said to Li Li Dongling: "China Bank Hong Kong's willingness to support Digital Harbour isn't just about this loan—what do you think?"

"Of course."

Li Li Dongling replied without hesitation—he understood Cao Cao Zongyan's meaning: China Bank Hong Kong wanted to acquire a stake in Digital Harbour Company to secure a foothold.

Li Li Dongling had no objection; China Bank Hong Kong is one of Hong Kong's three banks with currency issuance rights and one of the most influential Chinese-capital giants in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and overseas.

Right now, mainland foreign exchange is still tight, but once it loosens, domestic companies acquiring overseas assets will most likely deal primarily with China Bank Hong Kong.

With China Bank Hong Kong investing in Digital Harbour, it will greatly benefit Digital Harbour, Li Dongling High-Tech, Feiyan Technology, and others in the future.

When the yacht returned to Victoria Harbour, night had fallen; Victoria Harbour now displayed its status as a world-class port—neon lights flickered, the city glittered, the air seemed to flow with the scent of dollars; the most prominent buildings were the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Bank of China Tower, headquarters of China Bank Hong Kong.

As for landmarks like the Central Tower and the Hong Kong International Finance Centre, they were still under construction or expansion, not due for completion for several years.

"Perhaps, in the future, Li Dongling High-Tech Hong Kong Company will also have its headquarters here!"

On the yacht, Li Li Dongling said this to Lin Lin Xianhui with a hint of jest; the latter was startled, while Xiang Xiang Ningwen, Liang Liang Botao, and Cao Cao Zongyan exchanged glances of surprise.