Chapter 86

Li Dongling looked at Pan En, feeling that this reporter, Pan En, was worthy of being a person from the British Empire, known for being a "troublemaker." His methods of digging pits and fanning the flames were truly masterful!

This question from Pan En was almost entirely a trap. As long as Li Dongling answered according to his words, no matter what he answered, he would jump into the pit.

If Li Dongling said he would insist on domestic brands, then the BBC could splash dirty water, saying Dongling High-Tech was a narrow-minded and radical company that undermined globalization, hindered free trade, did not follow trade rules, and engaged in malicious competition—all these labels could be pinned on Dongling High-Tech, ruining its reputation overseas and causing it to be targeted by America, Europe, and other countries.

Whether it was the current electronic pet machine or future products, Dongling High-Tech had to sell them overseas. Once labeled like that, Dongling High-Tech would be constrained and targeted everywhere overseas, and it would also make overseas users loathe Dongling High-Tech's products.

But once Li Dongling denied wanting to continue with domestic brands, for the currently crumbling domestic brands, it would be nothing short of a nuclear strike!

Dongling High-Tech already had the air of a leader among domestic tech brands. This didn't mean Dongling High-Tech's revenue exceeded that of companies like Sitong, Giant, Chunlan, Changhong, Haier, and Gree, but rather that Dongling High-Tech was one of the few domestic companies that still insisted on doing its own R&D and was a representative company for domestic technological innovation.

If Dongling High-Tech were to kneel and abandon independent R&D, relying on its previously accumulated fame to peddle foreign brands, then the domestic tech industry, which already lacked confidence, would basically face a devastating disaster. Without ten years of effort, it might not be able to recover its confidence. Pan En was preparing to kill and destroy their hearts!

As the first reporter sent to the country by the BBC, Pan En's understanding of the country far exceeded that of those overseas media outlets.

Now was exactly the time when foreign brands were wantonly entering the country to grab market share. The appearance of Dongling High-Tech was somewhat "untimely" for foreign brands. Even for giant companies in America and Europe, Dongling High-Tech was far from being a threat to them, but if this unstable factor could be easily erased, they would still be very willing to do so.

Pan En looked at Li Dongling with a smile. He had no malice toward Dongling High-Tech; on the contrary, he had some admiration.

Especially after coming to Hanxi and investigating Dongling High-Tech, he felt that Dongling High-Tech was definitely a company with great potential. Under such crude R&D conditions as before, it was able to launch products like the Silver Mink mouse and the electronic pet machine, which were enough to cause a sensation even in Europe.

If it had been born in Europe, Dongling High-Tech would have been hyped to the skies long ago, with a market value of over a billion pounds, or perhaps even more.

But now, Dongling High-Tech was a Chinese company, which made it worth pondering. Although neither Europe nor America regarded this place as a rival, the necessary targeting naturally still had to exist, especially when facing a rival that might emerge and become a hidden danger in the future; naturally, it had to be targeted even more.

How did that saying go? When an elephant passes by, it doesn't care if there are ants under its feet. Pan En targeting Dongling High-Tech was just something he did in passing.

In the past, when targeting rivals in countries like Argentina, Brazil, and South America, the BBC and other European and American media outlets acted as vanguards, first launching public opinion wars to strike at those companies, and then European and American giant companies would go in to acquire them. This tactic was always successful!

An Ruxue gave Li Dongling a look, signaling that Li Dongling could choose not to answer this question. After the exclusive interview was recorded, Pan En's question could also be edited out so that this segment wouldn't be broadcast domestically.

However, domestic media not reporting it couldn't stop the BBC from reporting it overseas. Pan En had already asked the question; if Li Dongling didn't answer, the BBC would just make things up. Any kind of dirty label could be pinned on him. Just like historical records: if official history doesn't record it, then unofficial history can be freely improvised.

"There is a popular saying in Europe: art has no borders!"

Li Dongling looked at Pan En and said, "Just as I said earlier, what Dongling High-Tech wants to do is develop products that are like works of art. Works of art should be seen and used by the whole world!"

"Right now, it is the products of companies like IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Ximen, and Ericsson that are more like works of art, sold to the whole world, including in China."

"I hope that one day, the domestic tech industry can also develop more works of art for the whole world to enjoy."

"I also hope that if one day domestic works of art start appearing all over the world, they won't be hindered by names like security, dumping, or unfair competition. After all, art has no borders!"

Li Dongling knew that what he said was a logical fallacy, yet it left Pan En unable to refute it. If tech is changed to art, you can't just let IBM, Ximen, and other companies play with art and not let other companies play, right? You can't just allow IBM to sell works of art to the whole world and not allow domestic brands to sell them, right?

However, hearing the last paragraph, Pan En couldn't help but chuckle. He felt Li Dongling was a bit too arrogant. What did the last paragraph mean? It meant that one day, domestic brands would kill their way into the European market, defeat those old-school European brands, and then Europe and other places would have to use various means to hinder the sales of domestic brands in Europe.

"I hope to see that day!"

After Pan En finished speaking, he sat down. He felt that what Li Dongling said was truly a fantasy. With the current level of technology in the country, he felt that not to mention within twenty years, it would be impossible to catch up to the technical level of Europe and America within thirty years. Furthermore, he felt that with Li Dongling's vision and pattern, Dongling High-Tech wasn't even a rival; perhaps before long, Dongling High-Tech would collapse on its own.

"What kind of company do you think Dongling High-Tech will become in the future?" An Ruxue continued to ask Li Dongling.

"I hope that in the next ten, twenty years, or even longer, someone will remember Dongling High-Tech and remember that it existed!"

Sitting in the studio, Li Dongling thought for a moment and said, "If possible, I want to let more users in the country and the world use the mice, keyboards, and even computers developed by Dongling High-Tech. Perhaps in the future, there will also be cars and other products launched by Dongling High-Tech, and I want users to be proud of using these products!"

"Cars?"

"Dongling High-Tech is going to enter the automotive industry?!"

Hearing Li Dongling mention cars, An Ruxue and the others recording the exclusive interview were all somewhat astonished.

"If there is an opportunity, why not do it!"

"This is a special era, isn't it?!"

Li Dongling laughed, his gaze then becoming profound. "Every generation thinks that the era they live in is the most special period, without exception, but the era we are in now might be particularly special!"

"Now is a magnificent era. Each of us is in the midst of a torrent. Many people, relying on their own efforts, or perhaps luck, stand on the crest of the wave. The scenery on the crest is infinitely beautiful, infinitely tempting, and infinitely risky. It just depends on how you grasp it!"

"Passion and confusion are intertwined in everyone's heart. This is an age full of miracles. Each generation produces its own talents, each leading the way for decades!"

Looking at Li Dongling before her, An Ruxue felt dazed for a moment, as if she saw that figure who once stood on the grass of Hanxi Jiaoda, pointing out the country with a group of classmates. But ever since she went to her home and her mother, Du Fengying, talked to Li Dongling alone, she had never seen Li Dongling like this again.

After the interview ended, Wang Huikang, who was in charge of this exclusive interview, ran over. He was very satisfied with this interview. Although there were no sensitive topics in this interview, it was enough for the audience to re-recognize this founder of Dongling High-Tech.

Wang Huikang said to Li Dongling, "Mr. Li, this interview time was too short. If there is an opportunity, next time our provincial station will conduct a separate interview with you!"

"Should the BBC reporter's question be edited out?!"

Wang Huikang asked about Li Dongling's attitude. For an interview involving foreign media, whether to release it or not depended on the wishes of the person involved, Li Dongling.

"No need, just release it directly!"

Li Dongling said directly. After this exclusive interview is broadcast, there will definitely be voices emerging, such as him overestimating his own abilities by calling out foreign giant companies, but Dongling High-Tech's next step is to promote digital cordless phones overseas. Regardless of whether he calls them out or not, it won't change the facts.

(End of Chapter)