287: Chapter 287 Investing in the Far East

10:00 PM, Emergency Meeting at Xingchen Headquarters

In the large conference room, the entire core team was present.

Gu Xinghe, Li Wanqing, Gao Mingxuan, Lin Wan, Silent Chen, and the newly appointed president of Xingchen Motors, Gu Yanting.

Lin Wan stood in front of the large screen, briefing them on the terms offered by Russia:

Russian Cooperation Framework (Preliminary)

Land:

1 million square kilometers of land in the Far East

Industrial clusters, R&D centers, and living facilities can be established

99-year land use rights, renewable

Resources:

Priority extraction rights for Arctic oil and gas resources

Priority extraction rights for rare metal minerals

Timber, water resources, etc.

Sea Route:

Operational rights for the Arctic Sea Route (Northern Sea Route)

Supply stations and maintenance centers can be established along the route

Joint venture operation with Xingchen Shipping Company

Market:

Zero-tariff market access throughout Russia

Priority in government procurement

Eligible to participate in Russian national project bidding

R&D:

Joint R&D centers (Moscow + Novosibirsk)

300 research institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences open for cooperation

Talent exchange program (5,000 people per year)

Others:

Market access to the Customs Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc.)

Preferential policies of the Eurasian Economic Union

Russian sovereign guarantee

Silence filled the conference room.

Gao Mingxuan spoke first: "1 million square kilometers of land... that's equivalent to two Frances. They're really going all out."

Li Wanqing added: "The operational rights for the Arctic Sea Route—after global warming, the route from East Asia to Europe will be 40% shorter than the Suez Canal. This is a strategic asset on the level of the next Suez Canal."

Gu Xinghe frowned: "But can we handle it? We're negotiating with Malaysia, Vietnam, and Iran simultaneously; our production capacity is already saturated. Adding Russia to the mix..."

"Russia isn't here to purchase," Su Chen interrupted him. "They're here to build together."

He stood up and walked to the map.

"What they want isn't a few thousand pieces of equipment; it's a complete industrial system—just like Malaysia, but on a scale 100 times larger."

"Malaysia wants a few production lines; Russia wants an entire industrial ecosystem."

Li Wanqing asked: "What about political risks? Russia is sanctioned by the US. Will our investment go down the drain? If the West increases sanctions, will we be implicated?"

"There's a possibility of failure," Su Chen stated bluntly. "But it's also an opportunity—if the US sanctions Russia, Russia must rely on us. This is the lock-in effect."

He pointed to the Far East region on the map:

Siberia—the world's largest treasure trove of undeveloped resources. Oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore, copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, rare earths... every raw material Xingchen needs is right here.

He pointed his finger north:

"The Arctic Sea Route—as global warming causes the ice caps to melt, this route is becoming a reality. In 2020, the navigation period was 4 months; by 2030, it might extend to 6 months. Once the entire line is open, maritime transport time from East Asia to Europe will be cut from 45 days to 25 days."

"140 million people—Russia's university enrollment rate is the second highest in the world, with a strong foundation in science and engineering. They have scientists, engineers, and mathematicians; they just lack modern industries."

He turned to face the team:

"If we don't go, Germany, Japan, and South Korea will. Russia is in urgent need of industrialization; they won't wait for us."

Gu Xinghe was silent for a few seconds before asking:

"So your opinion is—we go?"

Su Chen nodded:

"Go. But there are three red lines."

He wrote on the whiteboard:

First: No technology transfer. Core technologies (chip design, AI algorithms, battery formulas, engine blueprints) must remain in Xingchen's hands.

Russia can only obtain usage licenses, not intellectual property. However, we can delegate lower-level technologies; the latest technology cannot be given to them, and core components must be produced in China.

In all joint ventures, Xingchen's stake must not be less than 51%.

Second: No personnel merging. Russian employees must undergo Xingchen's training and meet Xingchen's standards before starting work. Management will be dispatched by Xingchen; the Russian side can participate but has no veto power.

Corporate culture, management systems, and quality systems will all follow Xingchen's standards. Let the Russians integrate into us, rather than us joining them.

Third: No legal compromise. All joint ventures will be subject to Chinese law, with disputes resolved at the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration. The Russian government may not unilaterally modify cooperation terms. If sanctions against Russia hinder cooperation, Xingchen has the right to suspend investment and demand compensation.

"Will Russia accept these three terms?" Lin Wan asked.

Su Chen smiled: "They will grit their teeth and accept. Because they have no other choice."

Late at night, Su Chen stood alone by the window.

The office lights had been turned off, and only the night view from outside shone in.

The lights of Shenzhen Bay extended to the horizon. Further away was the South China Sea, Malacca, the Indian Ocean, and every shipping route leading to the rest of the world.

The phone vibrated.

It was a call from Mahathir.

"Mr. Su, sorry to disturb you so late." The old man's voice sounded a bit tired, but it was still clear.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, haven't you rested yet?"

"I'm 80 years old; I don't sleep much." Mahathir laughed. "I heard that Russia has approached you."

Su Chen remained silent.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not here to pry into secrets," Mahathir said. "I just want to say one thing—if Xingchen decides to invest in Russia, Malaysia is willing to become Xingchen's headquarters in ASEAN. We won't be a stumbling block; we'll be a springboard. We only hope Xingchen can lead us onto the path of industrialization."

Su Chen was silent for three seconds, then said:

"As long as Malaysia doesn't backstab us, I believe our cooperation will last for a long time."

"It won't happen." Mahathir's voice became solemn. "Malaysia has already made its choice. We will not look back."

The call ended.

Immediately after, another message came in.

It was an encrypted message from Fahd of Saudi Arabia:

"Mr. Su, Middle Eastern oil can be transported to China via Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. We are willing to discuss multilateral cooperation."

Su Chen looked at the message, a slight smile appearing on his face.

This prince really has a sharp sense of smell.

Within a single day, the fates of three regional powers became intertwined with Xingchen. Malaysia—the pivot of ASEAN, Iran—the powder keg of the Middle East, and Russia—the Great Bear of the Arctic.

And Xingchen was just a company that had been founded three years ago.

"Someone won't be able to sleep."

He looked toward the Pacific Ocean.

In Washington, it was currently morning.

In the White House Situation Room, things must be in a state of chaos by now.

Su Chen stood alone on the rooftop.

The night wind blew, carrying the characteristic humidity of May.

The phone rang again. This time it was a text from the Russian Ambassador Denisov: "Mr. Su, it's 1:00 AM Moscow time, and the President is still waiting for your preliminary feedback. He said if you need more information, you can contact him at any time."

Su Chen replied simply: "We will complete the assessment as soon as possible."

He looked up at the night sky.

The light pollution in Shenzhen was severe, and few stars could be seen.

But he knew those stars were there.

Beyond the light pollution, above the clouds, and even further away.

Just like Xingchen's goals.

Outside the window, the lights of the Shenzhen Bay Bridge stretched to the horizon.

Further away, in Washington, Berlin, Tokyo, and Seoul across the Pacific, countless conference rooms were brightly lit.

But tonight, they wouldn't be able to sleep.

Because they finally realized: that East, which used to only imitate, catch up, and compete on low prices, was no longer a student.