Spark

Chapter 329 The Final Puzzle

If you have to say that the list restrictions have not brought any impact to the country, it is purely self-deception.

Under the restrictions of the Entity List, all companies on the list instantly lost the entire related supply chain.

Not only the core components needed for production, but even the computers and other equipment needed for office work cannot be purchased smoothly.

In this regard, the biggest headache is the purchasing department of each company-they have to find alternatives all over the world, but the most ridiculous thing is that in the high-tech field, almost no company in the world can completely escape the influence of the list.

As long as the company reaches a certain scale, there must be elements of the other party in the product, and the difference is only the content.

Of course, this does not explain how strong the other party's technology is, or how deep it has penetrated into the world. This is purely the most basic form of economic globalization.

If the standard is changed to "Chinese elements" or "European elements", the result will not be much different.

In this case, more than one-third of the blacklisted companies chose to suspend or slow down their business, seeking to solve the supply chain problems as soon as possible.

These companies are mainly concentrated in the semiconductor field. Although the previous lithography machine project created some room for maneuver, the right to speak in the chip industry is still in the hands of the United States after all, and they really need more time.

What they can do is to wait for the official communication, open the application channel for temporary licenses, first ensure business continuity, and wait until the decisive technology emerges, and when the things we come up with have the ability to overturn the opponent's table .

Shanghai, Shanghai Microelectronics Headquarters.

In the office, Zhang Rujin drank tea leisurely, while representatives from various companies sat around him.

The purpose of their gathering in Shanghai this time is clear, which is to discuss the impact of the US entity list and formulate a unified response strategy.

In the corner, Li Zixue, a representative from ZTE, finally put down his mobile phone, which was constantly receiving messages. He raised his head, glanced around, and said:

"It's all here, let's not hold back, let's see what everyone thinks, just talk about it?"

"Everyone can see the situation on my side. The dependence on American components is high, and the pressure on the supply chain is also great."

"Especially in the first few months, because of the turmoil in Sudan, our business there was forced to withdraw."

"At that time, we had already invested more than 3 billion U.S. dollars in the relocation project of the capital. The result was good. Ericsson's equipment was removed, and our equipment had just been installed. Before we had time to debug, the capital almost disappeared."

"Now Khartoum officials still owe us $2.6 billion in equipment payments, which is a fatal blow to our financial situation."

"If the list is really implemented this time, then we may not be able to survive this year."

Hearing his words, the expressions of everyone in the meeting room were a little dignified.

The people in this conference room are not fighting on their own, some of them do have a competitive relationship, but at this moment, everyone has a feeling of "the rabbit is dead and the fox is sad".

"So what's your plan? Apply for a temporary permit?"

Zhang Rujin asked.

"We want to apply for removal from the Entity List."

"Release the entity list? How is this possible!"

Hearing Li Zixue's words, Zhang Rujin couldn't help feeling a little funny.

What are you kidding?

Do you think this list is for one of your companies, or for a single semiconductor industry?

To put it bluntly, this is a national struggle.

People just want to drag down the entire Chinese economy by suppressing it, so as to maintain their hegemony in global technology and economy.

In this case, how can you talk about lifting restrictions and removing the list?

Isn't that what idiots say about dreams?

Zhang Rujin looked at Li Zixue with some surprise in his eyes. He couldn't figure it out. The other party was also a veteran in shopping malls and an experienced manager. Theoretically, his sensitivity to the macro situation would not be too weak. Say something so stupid?

The reactions of others were similar to Zhang Rujin's. After noticing everyone's gazes, Li Zixue sighed and answered:

"There's no way around that."

"We are different from you. We not only have the pressure of profit, but also the pressure of stability."

"We can't fail, and we can't have problems, because once there are problems, it will not only affect the economy, but also the stability of governance in the whole place."

"Don't talk about these things!"

Zhang Rujin interrupted Li Zixue's words unceremoniously, and then said sharply:

"You are engaging in capitulationism! You know the nature of your company, and you are still here to negotiate a compromise?"

"Do you know, if you take the lead in compromising, what kind of bad influence will it bring?"

"How much energy and resources have been invested by the Civil Law Office to establish this situation with great difficulty. Although we do still have difficulties now, at least we are not as helpless as we were a few years ago."

"Are you trying to tell us now that you are going to hand over our only hole card and let us go back to the past?"

Li Zixue's expression was a little embarrassed, and his voice lowered, as if he was justifying, but also as if he was comforting himself:

"We're not going to make any contributions, we just want to try to see if there is a possibility of lifting it."

"After all, it would be good for all of us if this path works."

"Shut up."

Zhang Rujin waved his hand violently and asked back:

"If you don't accept the name certificate, why do people treat you as one of their own?"

"Let me tell you clearly, whether you can lift the restrictions, the core is not at all with ZTE, but with us, Shanghai Microelectronics!"

"Unless we give up the chip project and lithography machines, their suppression of the semiconductor industry will never be lifted."

"We have already prepared for this."

"When the Civil Affairs Office found me, we were ready!"

"So, stop talking about removal lists in this office, it doesn't make sense."

"Application for a temporary permit, yes, no problem, it will buy us more time."

"But compromise is absolutely unacceptable!"

Zhang Rujin's words set the tone for this discussion. Li Zixue stopped talking and picked up his cell phone again.

Others in the conference room began to discuss real coping strategies.

".The problem we are facing now is actually big or small. Most of the components in communication equipment hardware can be replaced by domestic products, but the embarrassing thing is that the performance is indeed not as good as some imported components. "

"If we use domestic substitution in an all-round way, the most intuitive perception is the decline in customer-side efficiency, and obviously, friends including Ericsson and Nokia will inevitably take advantage of it, and the market we have finally won is likely to be hit hard. .”

"So, in this regard, we need more policy support - of course, we are not talking about selling miserables and crying poor, but objectively existing needs."

"In addition, the development of overseas markets is also very important. In Africa and the Middle East, we have been afraid to let go because of the various long-arm jurisdiction strategies of the United States."

"Then take advantage of this opportunity, since we've already torn our faces, we don't plan to show mercy."

"In terms of this strategy, we hope that the authorities will provide some support and protection, and we must also be prepared for the escalation of the conflict."

One by one appeals and strategies were put forward, and under the auspices of Zhang Rujin, these suggestions were recorded one by one.

As the discussion deepened, everyone gradually reached a consensus.

That is:

Since Lao Mei is tearing up her face, then we don't need to face it.

The markets that I didn't dare to touch before, such as Iran, Cuba, and Korean, are now ours.

At this moment, everyone couldn't tell which of the advantages and disadvantages brought by the list was more.

But they all know that times are changing.

Perhaps, what they are realizing is a "Third World Union" in a special sense.

On the other hand, as everyone in Shanghai discussed, the government has begun to pave the way for the development of the communications industry, and the core of it is to take down those countries in the Middle East that were once inaccessible because of the "list".

Inside an office in a government building in Tehran.

Wang Ming, general manager of Poly Technology, once again appeared overseas, and at this moment, sitting opposite him were representatives of Tehran's military and political circles.

The first person to speak was Reza, the military representative. He and Wang Ming were old acquaintances. The two sides had already discussed the issue of arms export a long time ago.

However, due to geographical sensitivity, the cooperation between the two parties could not be reached, which is also a great pity for Reza.

Therefore, this time Wang Ming took the initiative to come to Tehran, he can even be said to be flattered.

"Ming, I've been looking forward to meeting you again, but I didn't expect to see you again in our own country."

"We are extremely grateful for your kindness. Here, I can assure you personally that you are mainly in Tehran, and all expenses will be paid by me-don't reject me, just treat it as a friend's kindness."

Wang Ming smiled and nodded, and replied:

"Then thank you in advance - my expenses are not large, and may not even meet the ABC standard."

Hearing his words, Reza couldn't help laughing.

In fact, what Wang Ming said is purely a satire on the U.S. Department of Commerce. In the past few years, they have not completely banned companies from various countries from doing business on iran, but as long as you really dare to come here, you will have to face the inevitable It's review after review.

Among them, the one they use most frequently and with the most ambiguous criteria is the legendary ABC, which is the anti-commercial bribery rule.

Not to mention some small companies, even Ericsson has been recruited before, and was fined one billion US dollars as soon as it was fined.

Tehran officials were annoyed by this, so when Wang Ming mentioned it, Reza understood it.

After laughing for a moment, Reza spoke again:

"I have also heard about the problems you are facing recently. No matter what, we are all friends on the same side. Enemies who play monopoly and hegemony will die one day, and we will persist until the end.

Wang Ming nodded solemnly, but instead of answering Reza's words, he said bluntly:

"Reza, the purpose of my coming here this time has already been explained to you. I want to ask, how do you think about the conditions of our early communication?"

"No problem at all!"

Reza raised his head and said without hesitation.

"No problem at all?"

This time, it was Wang Ming's turn to be stunned.

This is a situation he has never encountered in his entire career. His own side put forward a condition, but the opponent didn't even intend to counter the offer?

After hesitating for a moment, he confirmed again:

"You mean there is no problem at all? Are you sure? You mean, all of you can accept the conditions we proposed?"

"Including what we call RMB settlement, priority supply rights, security measures, and exclusive rights to communication equipment?"

"Yes, nothing wrong, we accept them all."

Reza's tone still didn't fluctuate, as if what he was talking about was a matter of course.

Wang Ming took a deep breath, nodded slightly and said:

"In that case, I think we're ready to sign."

"We have to do a few more rounds of communication on the delivery of the specific equipment, but you can rest assured that as long as it is what we promise to deliver, it will definitely be delivered to you."

"I trust you."

Reza stretched out his hand to Wang Ming, and the latter held out his hand to hold it. In the middle of the handshake, Poly Technology's largest order since the 21st century has been completed.

Smiles appeared on the faces of both of them at the same time. After sitting down again, Reza asked mysteriously:

"Ming, do you know why we didn't bargain?"

Wang Ming shook his head and looked at Reza curiously.

That's exactly what he wanted to know.

It stands to reason that there is no so-called "love" between countries. No matter how deep the friendship is, each party's interests must be considered in the transaction.

Tehran's performance this time is obviously a bit abnormal.

"So, why?"

Reza did not answer directly, but continued to ask:

"You've won Africa, you've won Saudi Arabia, now you're finally going to decide to turn to us, right?"

"Your preparations are almost complete. The order of this world is about to change, right?"

Hearing this, Wang Ming's eyes flickered inadvertently.

Then, he shook his head slightly.

It seems to be denying, but it also seems to be an inconvenient approval.

Yes, time has come to the most critical moment, and Huaxia is finally going to pick up the most difficult part of the puzzle.

it is more than words.

Seeing his performance, Reza didn't say another word.

For him, this was already the answer he wanted.