No. 1401, Hoover Building, Conference Room on the 5th floor.
Fang Zhuo walked into the American Business B here on June 22 and saw specifications that were far different from yesterday.
If, at the energy hearing yesterday, he felt that only two or three kittens had passed away, then what he thinks now is that this is not the case, right?
Although Evans, the head of commerce, was not present, a deputy secretary, two assistant secretaries, and several office directors were present.
Such specifications are beyond Fang Zhuo's imagination.
Yesterday's Energy Resta Building made him revise his impression. He felt that the inherent perception here is that China is a very backward country, and its backwardness will make it difficult to create a strong pursuer in the semiconductor industry.
But with the first question of the high-profile hearing today, Fang Zhuo had to continue to outline more impressions.
SMIC and TSMC have been at an absolute disadvantage since the incident last year. The dual listings in the United States and Hong Kong have only completed part of the fundraising targets, and the stock price has continued to fall below the issue price.
According to the current legal judgment, SMIC is likely to pay a heavy price.
The news that Fang Zhuo heard in China was that leaders were helping to find people and TSMC to actively mediate, trying to prevent SMIC from falling.
It is precisely because of such experiences and lessons that the ice core introduced technology and patents from the Belgian Microelectronics Research Center in order to avoid the possible fists of TSMC.
In addition, technicians like Hu Zhengming who are from TSMC must also ensure that they will not violate the competition agreement in the process.
"I……"
Fang Zhuo didn't expect that the first question in today's hearing would be thrown to him. His thoughts were spinning rapidly and hesitation appeared on his face.
At this time, Smith from Goldman Sachs smiled and said to the person asking the question on the stage: "Ryan, this seems to have nothing to do with our ice core."
Ryan, who was the deputy chief and was in charge of intellectual property, glanced at Smith and emphasized: "Chris, I don't think you should interrupt my questioning of him, what do you think?"
Smith shrugged.
Fang Zhuo suddenly read a signal. Ryan called Smith "Chris" and the two seemed to know each other.
The full name of Smith, who came to the ice core from Goldman Sachs for trust endorsement, is Chris Smith.
He no longer hesitated and replied: "Mr. Ryan, I don't know much about the situation of these two companies, but I am greatly shocked by the dispute between them."
Ryan narrowed his eyes and continued to ask: "Fang, don't you have some dealings with SMIC? The materials show that one of your managers is from SMIC."
"Yes, it was precisely because of his excellent work experience that I chose him to be responsible for the entire project. Normally, I don't actually interfere in the specific operations. Qiu Ciyun was originally going to apply here, but his visa expired, and I
I had no choice but to fly over to do this job." Fang Zhuo glanced sideways at Smith and said, "Fortunately, Smith is there, he takes on a lot of work."
Ryan glanced at it and asked noncommittally: "Then why are you shocked?"
"My Yike company is also listed on Nasdaq. I am shocked by the possible market ban caused by this kind of dispute." Fang Zhuo said naturally, "This will lead to the success or failure of a commercial company. I am also sitting here today.
That’s what worries me.”
"As the chairman of Bingxin, I very much hope that such disputes will not happen in my company."
"I hope my company can continue to operate smoothly, and I hope to build more production lines around the world in the future, including Texas."
Fang Zhuo finished narrating.
Ryan said nothing and only scratched a few notes on the document.
Cameron, another office director of the International Trade Bureau, frowned and said: "Mr. Fang, I think your choice is very unreasonable and even ridiculous. You want to build a semiconductor manufacturing factory and take away our American products."
Advanced equipment is shipped to China."
"Considering your identity as a Chinese, I have to suspect that such a factory is under the instructions of your country."
Several reviewers next to me nodded slightly. This is unreasonable.
"Mr. Cameron," Fang Zhuo said calmly, "Do you think a billionaire like me, who buys a team and a villa in Houston, will receive any instructions?"
Cameron was startled.
Fang Zhuo continued: "I chatted with Larry, the founder of Google, last month. Google is also preparing to enter the Chinese market, which is waiting to be developed and has many good opportunities."
"The reason why our ice core factory is located in China is not only for similar reasons, but also because I am from China and can operate more resources there. Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, DM, and IDG have all invested in ice core.
It’s because I value this.”
"We need to build the ice core and put it into operation to be listed on Nasdaq."
"On this point, Goldman Sachs and I both have a consensus."
When Cameron heard this, he also didn't react and just made an outline gesture with his pen.
Fang Zhuo had some guesses about today's hearing. Maybe the people involved in the review will have a score, and then look at the weight to get a value...
At this time, Ryan, who was the first to ask the question, turned over a page of materials and asked another question: "Luzhou SDIC among the shareholders is the local government of China? Why do you want to take this kind of money?"
Fang Zhuo said "uh" and replied: "There is a funding gap in the factory, and several shareholders are unwilling to increase their investment. We will take the money if they are given there, but they cannot interfere with the operation of our company. Goldman Sachs, De
Silver's board power is strong."
Ryan nodded.
The next questions were basically those of several office directors. They also did not ask Smith, but only asked Fang Zhuo, an Oriental.
As for the ice core promoting the development of the semiconductor industry, Fang Zhuo said it was only of a commercial nature, but the way some people asked questions already reflected their position.
Fang Zhuo didn’t know if SMIC had experienced this kind of problem when it was running for approval, and he really didn’t think it was easy to answer.
It’s not that you can’t find a reason, it’s that it’s hard to convince people who already have a preconceived position with just a few words.
Throughout the morning, what Fang Zhuo faced was not like an interrogation, but a cross-examination.
"Fang, we are probably clear about the issue with the Ice Core Dongfang Factory." Ryan began to collect the materials and concluded, "Wait for notification. I will contact you when there are results."
Fang Zhuo stood up, his expression unchanged, but his mood was a little heavy.
Many of the issues behind are quite acute.
The business hearing is over.
Yesterday, the joy of getting the review quickly from the Department of Energy was poured cold water on it.
"Smith, what do you think of today's situation?"
Bingxin and his team left the Hoover Building, and Fang Zhuo asked Smith for advice.
Smith replied: "I'm not as optimistic as I expected. I didn't expect Ryan to be presiding over the hearing."
Fang Zhuo frowned and said, "Then we should do something now to save this situation."
Smith said without any hesitation: "Ryan was a little... not very good today. Well, when I walked into the conference room and saw him, I felt that this trip would not be effective."
"Why is this?" Fang Zhuo asked humbly.
"Ryan is a democratic person. If he presides over this hearing, he is bound to make things difficult for Ice Core." Smith shook his head and said, "It would be great if Evans was here. We should try to find Evans."
Donald Lewis Evans, head of business here.
Fang Zhuo still didn't quite understand the situation: "Why try this one?"
Smith said patiently: "Evans is a Republican. He has a very good relationship with our Mr. Bush. He raised a lot of funds at the beginning. After Mr. Bush succeeded, Evans became a cabinet member even though he had no political experience.
Members have become the leaders of the business here."
"Then what channel do we use?" Fang Zhuo discovered Smith's administrative familiarity that he had not shown before.
Smith did not answer immediately this time. He thought for a long time and said, "Perhaps we can be more direct and find his phone number. You can call him directly and ask him to have dinner. I think you may have something in common."
Fang Zhuo: "?"
"He is a loyal supporter of Mr. Bush, and he should follow Mr. Bush's footsteps in dealing with Chinese enterprises." Smith said slowly, "He is also a rich man like you, and is the chairman of Tom Brown Oil and Gas Company."
He continued: "The other thing is, he's from Houston."
The chairman of an oil and gas company? A rich man? Has no political experience before? Follows attitude towards China?
Fang Zhuo summarized some information and suddenly felt that it tasted quite... quite right.
This rich man has just reached this position, and there are talented people in his generation. No wonder he has such a big breakthrough in the future.
As for Houston, Fang Zhuo doubts whether people of this age group will pay attention to sports like basketball.
It was not too difficult to find the private contact information of Evans, the wealthy leader. However, there was a small problem when he was contacted. The person was on vacation and had no schedule within three days.
"What kind of vacation are you on now?"
Fang Zhuo was puzzled.
On the contrary, Smith understands very well: "Of course rich people must have their own lives, otherwise wouldn't they work hard just for the growth of wealth? Growth of wealth is not for a good life."
He then suggested: "Mr. Fang, you can practice golf in the United States in the future. This is a good way to socialize. At the very least, it should be better than basketball."
Smith finally gave another suggestion: "Mr. Fang, you can definitely get a green card from the United States. I think it will be a lot more convenient for both technology and equipment."
Fang Zhuo didn't give an answer, the expression on his face was the answer.
"It's just my suggestion based on the actual situation." Smith smiled.
This suggestion is very good and may really solve some problems, but it may also cause more problems.
Fang Zhuo shook his head: "Just wait for the meeting with Evans. I hope he is, as you said, a leader who follows the attitude above."
Bing Xin and his team came to a halt and did not continue to apply for approval from the other two more difficult departments.
According to Smith's idea, the more departments you pass, the weight of the remaining ones will also be considered.
While waiting in Washington, Fang Zhuo controlled his mood and was not too anxious. Instead, he learned to study the leadership of the remaining two departments because he saw Smith's thinking perspective.
However, there is great uncertainty in such a hearing, as Smith did not expect that Ryan would preside over the meeting, and more of it had to be improvised on the spot.
However, the information that Fang Zhuo lacks is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Fortunately this time, someone from Goldman Sachs was involved in reviewing and approving the application, otherwise it would have been a black eye, which would have been even more difficult.
Fang Zhuo made up his mind that when this time is over, he will set up a small think tank in New York, no, set up a public relations department for Bingxin, and pay attention to administrative situations that may be involved.
The procurement of equipment and the introduction of technology are destined to be long-term tasks. If Goldman Sachs does not come to help next time, Bingxin will have to find a solution on its own.
Learn from experience and plan ahead.
On June 26, business leader Evans returned from vacation and had a private meeting with Fang Zhuo.
How should I put it, this meeting should be considered a relatively successful one.
Evans didn't look like the head of an administrative department. He showed off his wealthy attitude when eating and drinking, and even generously accepted Fang Zhuo's meeting gift of Moutai 30-year-old wine.
At the dinner table, he talked about China being an emerging market that is worth developing. Occasionally, he actually talked about the sports environment in Houston.
Although Evans is a Houstonian, he doesn't like the Houston Rockets at all. He also doesn't like baseball's Houston Astros. He is a long-term front-row spectator of the New York Yankees.
As far as Fang Zhuo's contacts are concerned, this person is really more like a wealthy and wealthy man than a leader in administrative business.
The atmosphere at the dinner was very harmonious. Chairman Bingxin only briefly mentioned the purchase of his own equipment, and by the way, he talked about the operation of Miga Fund on a very good terms, which made Evans feel good.
Two days later, Evans greeted Ryan, the deputy boss he had never dealt with, in his office.
This direct conversation is simple and direct.
Ryan: "I think the equipment procurement and technology introduction of a company that is actually a Chinese semiconductor company should not be approved. This may be detrimental to our interests."
Evans: "I don't think so."
Ryan: "Part of the shares of this company are local state-owned assets of China. It is abnormal for a person like Fang Zhuo, who has no semiconductor experience, to suddenly enter this industry."
Evans: "I don't think so."
Ryan: "According to the investigation, Bingxin has quickly received high-level policy support from China, which is also unreasonable."
Evans: "I don't think so."
Ryan: "..."
Everything is similar to when the rich man was appointed as a cabinet member. Mr. Bush is also very firm that his nomination is no problem and Evans is the most suitable person to take charge of business.
Ryan laughed angrily: "Then what do you think?"
"I think it's boring that you are so serious about targeting a new company." Evans said comfortably, "I think your reason is very strange, and I also think that a company with investments from Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, DM, and IDG will eventually
The benefits come back to us.”
Ryan sneered.
Evans declared: "I believe in Goldman Sachs's choice. This will be a company listed in New York."
Ryan was too lazy to say anything else and slammed the door and left.
Evans, accustomed to this man's way of expressing his anger, took exception to it.
As for the procurement of ice cores, he doesn't think there is any threat.
This chapter has been completed!