Chapter 227 Reactions from Various Countries

The news of Luxembourg signing the agreement hit like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

Within a week, the attitudes of major countries around the world gradually surfaced.

Washington, The White House.

In the Oval Office, the President's National Security Advisor was reporting.

"Mr. President, seventeen countries have expressed interest in China's sky ladder project global tender. Luxembourg has officially signed, investing two billion Euros."

The President frowned: "Luxembourg? That small country?"

"Yes. They are betting on future lunar mineral exploitation rights."

The President was silent for a few seconds, then asked: "What is our stance?"

The National Security Advisor exchanged a glance with the Secretary of State nearby, then said: "That is exactly what we need to discuss today."

The Secretary of State took over: "Currently, there are two internal opinions. One is to participate and get a piece of the pie. We have all the technology, capital, and talent needed for the sky ladder project. If we join, we can ensure our enterprises occupy an advantageous position in future space development."

"And the other?"

"The other is to wait and see, or even—secretly obstruct." The Secretary of State said, "The strategic significance of the space elevator is too great. Once built, China's space transportation costs will drop by two orders of magnitude. This means they will have an incomparable advantage on the Moon, Mars, and even further afield. From a geopolitical perspective, this does not serve our interests."

The President leaned back in his chair, looking at the sky outside the window.

"So, we want to get in and share the benefits, but we are also afraid of them gaining the upper hand."

The two aides did not speak.

The President was silent for a long time, then said: "Make contact first, see what conditions they offer. At the same time, coordinate with our allies; don't let the Europeans move too fast."

Brussels, EU Headquarters.

A fierce debate was underway.

The French representative slapped the table: "Luxembourg has already signed! If we hesitate any longer, we won't even get to drink the soup!"

The Germany representative was relatively calm: "It's not about not participating, it's about negotiating good terms. Core technology, intellectual property, and future profit distribution—these must be clearly defined."

The Italian representative frowned: "We haven't even decided whether to participate, and you are already talking about conditions?"

The UK representative (though having left the EU, present as an observer) coughed lightly: "Everyone, I must remind you. The US stance is unclear. If we rush too fast, we might offend old friends."

The French representative sneered: "Old friends? The US is still hesitating themselves; should we wait for them?"

The President of the European Commission tapped the table: "Everyone, calm down. This is not a black-and-white choice. We can participate as observers first, while maintaining communication with the US. This way, we neither miss the opportunity nor offend our allies."

The Germany representative nodded: "This plan is feasible."

The French representative wanted to say more but was held back by an advisor.

When the meeting concluded, all parties reached a compromise: the EU would participate in the subsequent negotiations of the sky ladder project as a "collective observer," while allowing member states to decide for themselves whether to cooperate individually.

Tokyo, Prime Minister's Official Residence.

A closed-door meeting was underway.

The representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looked serious: "Prime Minister, we must be cautious about this matter. Both China and the US are watching; the consequences of us choosing a side could be very serious."

The representative from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry immediately retorted: "Cautious? Luxembourg has already signed! If we don't act, we won't even get the leftovers!"

The representative from the Ministry of Defense spoke up: "From a security perspective, the strategic value of the space elevator is immeasurable. If we are completely excluded, we will be fully constrained by others in the space sector in the future."

The Prime Minister had been silent, listening to the arguments. Finally, he spoke: "What is the US stance?"

The Foreign Ministry representative said: "Currently unclear. There are internal divisions, and no final decision has been made."

The Prime Minister nodded: "Then we will walk on two legs. Publicly state our support for international cooperation and our willingness to participate in the sky ladder project. At the same time, privately contact the Chinese side to probe their bottom line and see if a bilateral agreement can be reached."

The representative from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's eyes lit up: "Does the Prime Minister mean—to beat the US to it?"

The Prime Minister did not answer, just picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Beijing, sky ladder project International Cooperation Office.

Fang Lin walked into Lin Mo's temporary office with a stack of documents.

"Lin Mo, here is the summary of reactions from various countries. Do you want to take a look?"

Lin Mo took the documents and flipped through them page by page.

The US: Ambiguous attitude, official statement is "under study," secretly sending personnel to probe.

The EU: Internal divisions; France and Germany support it, the UK and Italy are hesitant; finally decided to participate as a "collective observer."

Japan: Publicly stated support for international cooperation, while secretly making contact, hoping to reach a bilateral agreement.

Russia: No official statement yet, but the head of the space agency revealed "interest in in-depth exchanges."

India: Media is in an uproar, official silence maintained.

Australia: Stated support, but hopes to ensure "fair competition."

...

Lin Mo finished reading and returned the documents to Fang Lin.

Fang Lin asked: "What do you think?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment and said: "As expected."

Fang Lin laughed: "Just that simple?"

Lin Mo said: "Great power games have always been like this. Everyone wants to get in and share the benefits, but they are all afraid of others getting more. Everyone wants to take advantage, but no one wants to take the risk."

He paused and continued: "So our strategy needs to be adjusted as well."

Fang Lin looked at him: "How to adjust?"

Lin Mo said: "Walk on two legs. Through public channels, welcome all countries to participate according to unified rules. Through private channels, for those who truly want to cooperate, we can talk about deeper cooperation."

He looked at Fang Lin: "For example, Japan. Since they want to talk privately, we will talk to them. But the terms must be negotiated well—core technology cannot be touched, sensitive information cannot be asked, and future profit distribution must be fair."

Fang Lin nodded: "Understood. Anything else?"

Lin Mo said: "As for the US, keep in touch, but don't hold any illusions. Their internal divisions are not something we can control. If they want to participate, we welcome it; if they want to obstruct, we will respond."

Fang Lin looked at him, her eyes holding complex emotions: "Lin Mo, the way you talk about these things now, you've really got it all figured out."

Lin Mo was taken aback: "What?"

Fang Lin laughed: "Nothing. Just feel that the young man who only knew how to talk about technology four years ago can really shoulder responsibilities now."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then said: "It was all forced out of me."

In the evening, Lin Mo called Wang Zhenguo.

"Teacher, have you heard about today's events?"

Wang Zhenguo's voice was much more vigorous than last month: "I heard. The global tender, the reactions from various countries—Fang Lin has already told me."

Lin Mo said: "Teacher, what do you think?"

Wang Zhenguo was silent for a while, then said: "Lin Mo, do you remember how we attracted international cooperation when we were working on Nuclear Fusion back then?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment: "Speak with data, prove with results."

Wang Zhenguo said: "Correct. It's the same now. How countries react depends on how they see you. If they think you can succeed, they will scramble to join; if they think you can't, they will watch from the sidelines."

He paused, then continued: "So, don't pay too much attention to their current attitudes. Do the work well and push the progress forward. Once you truly build the space elevator, those who are hesitant, watching, and obstructing will all become partners."

Lin Mo nodded: "I understand, Teacher."

After hanging up the phone, he stood by the window, looking at the starry sky outside.

In the low southeastern sky, that dark star was still flickering.

He remembered Wang Zhenguo's words: "Once you truly build the space elevator, those who are hesitant, watching, and obstructing will all become partners."

Yes.

All the games, calculations, and hesitations now are because this matter hasn't succeeded yet. Once it succeeds, everything will be different.