King of Industry

  Chapter 743 Last stop: South Africa

  Pretoria Airport, the "China-Africa Trade and Investment Promotion Group" after seven or eight hours of long journey, finally arrived at the destination.

   Unlike many countries in the world, South Africa has as many as three capitals.

The administrative capital, Pretoria, is the seat of its government, and most of the embassies of various countries are located here; the judicial capital and the seat of the Supreme Court are Bloemfontein; the legislative capital and the seat of the parliament are Cape Town, which is also South Africa's international The most famous city in the world.

  When the plane was doing the final taxiing, Zhao Guoyang reminded Zhang Yufang, who was sleepy beside him: "Mr. Zhang, it's a bit cold in South Africa at this time of year. You'd better take the jacket of the suitcase."

  After hearing this, Zhang Yufang immediately realized it.

She patted her forehead lightly and said: "Oops, I even forgot about this trip to Africa. There is also a country in the southern hemisphere. It is summer in China, and it should be winter in South Africa, right? I only brought one It's a 'delicate' coat, it's probably going to be cold..."

Zhao Guoyang gave a nonchalant "huh" and said, "Yes, Teacher Zhang. However, there is no need to worry too much. Most of South Africa has a savannah climate, and it will not be too cold even in winter. The capital city is Pretoria. The average annual temperature in Asia is 17°C, and the lowest is about 12°C."

  Listening to Zhao Guoyang's narration, Zhang Yufang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

   "In addition, South Africa's business is still relatively developed, it's not a poor valley, even if you don't bring a coat, you will have clothes to wear when you go out for a walk, so don't be nervous."

   While Zhao Guoyang and Zhang Yufang were talking, Ji Ping, the deputy director of the "No. 1 Textile Factory in Xishan City, Jiangnan Province," who had just unbuckled his seat belt and was about to get off the plane, spoke cheerfully.

   "Researcher Zhao, Teacher Zhang, you two don't have to worry about the clothes. I brought two sets of clothes for everyone in the delegation this time, just to prevent the weather from changing!"

  Ji Ping shook his head and said: "When I get off the plane, I will ask people to distribute this coat to everyone, so that everyone will not freeze!"

   "Well, Director Ji's wishful thinking is well done..."

Zhang Zheke, who was passing by, laughed and joked when he heard this: "We all wear the clothes from your factory, and that's a free advertisement for you. Director Bao, Researcher Zhao, and I don't have to pay for this advertisement. Teacher Zhang, you have to give it!"

   "Haha, definitely!"

  Ji Ping smiled and nodded, "If Teacher Zhang is interested, it's no problem to be the spokesperson of our factory's products!"

  Ji Ping's words were of course just talking. He knew that Zhang Yufang was Zhao Guoyang's favorite subordinate, so he flattered Zhao Guoyang gently.

  Of course, Teacher Zhang herself is quite gentle. After spending more than ten days with the delegation, everyone has a good impression of her.

   Having face, Ji Ping will naturally sell it to her.

  While several people were chatting here, Bao Anjun, who was at the front, had already walked out of the plane, accompanied by the staff.

  Zhao Guoyang looked down through the glass, and saw ten small cars with "red flags" driving past.

   "Let's go, Researcher Zhao, it's our turn!"

   Just when Zhao Guoyang was slightly dazed, Zhang Zheke beside him smiled and reminded him.

   After getting off the plane, the delegation was warmly welcomed by the staff of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa.

Ambassador Zhu Mingyang of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa led the team, followed by Zhang Botao, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, Sui Liang, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, Gu Weixi, Industrial Counselor, Wei Chuqing, Senior Colonel of the Military Attaché Department, and Counselor of the Cultural Department Meng Chunying and other leaders.

   After Director Bao Anjun shook hands with Ambassador Zhu Mingyang, Zhao Guoyang followed closely behind.

   Seeing the astonishment in Zhu Mingyang's eyes, Bao Anjun on the side quickly introduced: "Ambassador Zhu, this is the one I mentioned to you on the phone, the deputy head of our delegation Zhao Guoyang and Researcher Zhao."

   "Ah! So it's Researcher Zhao, hello, hello!"

  Zhu Mingyang and the leaders of the Chinese embassy in South Africa obviously already knew about Zhao Guoyang's achievements. After listening to Bao Anjun's introduction, they all paid attention to him.

   After shaking hands with several leaders one by one, Zhao Guoyang quietly stood beside Director Bao, listening to his exchange with Ambassador Zhu.

   "Director Bao, your trade and investment promotion group has made its last stop in South Africa. The comrades in our embassy in South Africa are all very excited! Welcome, warm welcome!"

  Bao Anjun smiled when he heard this, and said, "Ambassador Zhu is too polite! Our delegation is easy to deal with. You and the comrades in the embassy, ​​as long as we eat and drink well, we will be fine!"

  After hearing this, Zhu Mingyang and several leaders of the embassy in South Africa couldn't help laughing.

  Minister Zhang Botao, who was standing beside Zhu Mingyang, said cheerfully: "The others don't dare to promise. In terms of eating and drinking, you can rest assured that Director Bao, Researcher Zhao, and President Zhang will not be worse than domestic ones!"

  As the most economically developed country in Africa, South Africa's economy and material living standards are comparable to those of some moderately developed countries in the West.

  In the early 1990s, from the perspective of per capita income, South Africa ranked very high in the world, not a little bit higher than China.

   Coupled with the pleasant climate and abundant products, in South Africa, almost everything you want to eat can be bought.

  So after Minister Zhang said these words, no one will doubt them.

   Speaking of it, it is precisely because of South Africa's special status in Africa that the Chinese embassy in the country, in addition to the normal few counselors, has an extra important leader like Zhang Botao.

Minister, the full name is "Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary" or "Minister Plenipotentiary". It is the second level of diplomatic envoys. Its courtesy is second only to that of ambassadors, but its substantive status, position, and diplomatic privileges and immunities are the same as those of ambassadors. Appointments require the prior consent of the receiving State.

   But Zhang Botao, the minister appointed in the embassy, ​​is different from the minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary.

  He is not the head of the embassy, ​​but a diplomat second only to the ambassador in the embassy. His appointment does not require the prior consent of the receiving country.

  In terms of administrative level, Ambassador Zhu Mingyang is naturally a department-level cadre, while Minister Zhang Botao is only slightly inferior to him, and is a deputy-department-level cadre enjoying the department-level treatment.

  Compared to Sui Liang and Gu Weixi, the deputy department-level and director-level counselors, his status is much higher.

  After exchanging pleasantries, Ambassador Zhu Mingyang discussed with Minister Zhang Botao, and the two invited Bao Anjun, Zhao Guoyang, and Zhang Zheke, the principal and deputy heads of the delegation, to each board a car.

  Director Bao Anjun boarded the car of Ambassador Zhu Mingyang, and Zhang Botao was in charge of Zhao Guoyang and Zhang Zheke.

  Because South Africa's economy is developed, cars are a very common means of transportation here, and cars are not scarce at all here at the Chinese Embassy in South Africa.

  The twenty members of the delegation got into ten cars respectively, and the convoy headed towards the embassy in single file.

  In the car, Zhang Botao chatted with Zhao Guoyang and Zhang Zheke for a while.

  From his conversation, Zhao Guoyang can hear that this is a relatively common academic cadre in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and he has a solid grasp of professional knowledge.

   Zhang Botao was obviously more interested in Zhao Guoyang. After chatting with Zhang Zheke about the weather in South Africa, he turned to Zhao Guoyang.

   "Researcher Zhao, the comrades at the embassy are very excited after hearing about your deeds of this 'Trip to Africa'. Everyone is looking forward to your coming today and guiding us in our work!"

  Hearing this, Zhao Guoyang quickly waved his hands and said modestly: "Don't dare! Minister Zhang, you are too polite, I am a young man, how can He De guide the leaders of our embassy in South Africa!"

  Hearing this, Zhang Botao said with a straight face: "Researcher Zhao, I'm not just saying this politely."

   "Our Chinese embassy in South Africa, although due to the developed economy of South Africa, the work has always been relatively smooth. But in the past two or three years, we have been stagnating every year."

   "It's like business. In the past two years, the number of Chinese companies and businessmen investing in South Africa has shown a downward trend."

Zhang Botao said with a headache: "Ambassador Zhu and I have had a hard time thinking about this matter. This is a rare opportunity to meet you, Researcher Zhao, a genius in business and economics. We will definitely seize this opportunity." Chance!"

   Seeing that Minister Zhang seemed to be coming for real, Zhao Guoyang couldn't help scratching his head for a while.

   As for Huaxia's investment in South Africa, Zhao Guoyang actually knew something about it before he was reborn.

  Because South Africa's finance, law, communications, energy, and transportation industries are relatively developed, and it has complete hardware infrastructure and stock trading markets, it has always been favored by a large number of foreign investors.

  After the influx of a large amount of foreign capital, the level of industrial and agricultural development in South Africa has reached a very high level.

  In terms of pure technology, the current Huaxia really does not have an advantage compared with it.

   Moreover, due to the rich life of South Africa, its labor costs are also very high, which also makes many domestic labor-intensive enterprises discouraged.

  In addition, the South African government has strengthened the nationalization protection of many domestic gold, diamond and other mineral deposits in the past two years, which has made fewer Chinese businessmen come to South Africa to invest.

  Hearing the difficulties mentioned by Minister Zhang Botao at this time, Zhao Guoyang secretly thought about it, wondering if he could help him find a way.

  Seeing Zhao Guoyang's sudden silence, Zhang Botao was a little at a loss, wondering if his "offensive" was too fast, scaring Researcher Zhao.

   Zhang Zheke on the side is already quite familiar with Zhao Guoyang after spending more than ten days together.

   He caught a glimpse of Zhao Guoyang's pensive look, and explained to Zhang Botao with a smile: "Minister Zhang, don't worry, Researcher Zhao is helping out with ideas!"

  (end of this chapter)