The rise of Hong Kong's wealthy families

Wednesday, September 26, 1984

The Sino-British Joint Statement on the Hong Kong Issue was initialed in the capital, and the news was sent back to Hong Kong via telegrams and phone calls, causing a huge sensation.

At any time, Xiangjiang was a region heavily influenced by the mainland. This has been the case since 1949 and has lasted for nearly half a century.

The local market began to recover the next day, and prices rose by 2% from the opening of the market. Bold real estate developers saw the opportunity and hurriedly entered the market to acquire some properties in good locations.

And Li Jiacheng of Huanghe Industrial Company directly announced the acquisition of two medium-sized real estate companies, which immediately made the city even more popular, and many real estate developers who had a wait-and-see attitude quickly gave up.

Huamei Real Estate Company senior management meeting

This meeting was personally hosted by Ho Ka-Hao to deal with the current situation.

"The news from the capital came back yesterday and the city has begun to pick up. Today it has risen by 3%. We have acquired a large number of properties at the end of last year and this year, including more than 25 industrial buildings and 7 commercial buildings." Gao Ci reported said.

He Jiahao is naturally aware of this information, but other senior employees may not be aware of it.

"The recovery of the city is obvious. Many real estate developers have entered the market, and the prices of property and land are soaring. It won't be long before the situation of 1981 will be repeated." He Jiahao looked around for a week and continued, "The company's debt ratio is increasing. , in fact, it increases the company's asset value. However, the Hong Kong government has run a deficit of several billion Hong Kong dollars in the past two years. I guess there will be land auctions in good locations in the next few months, so we must be prepared for funds. "

Chen Yong has always been responsible for the land business, so Chen Yong replied, "Boss, our development department will work with the finance department and securities investment department to raise funds, and try to raise 500 million yuan within a month."

In response, He Jiahao nodded and said, "If you don't have enough funds, you can join forces with your brother companies to conduct cooperative bidding."

"Yes, boss!"

"The Securities Investment Department has appropriately reduced its investment in the Xiangjiang stock market. We have purchased a large number of stocks in the early stage. Now that the local market is recovering, the Hang Seng Index will inevitably rise sharply. We do not need to compete with shareholders for interests." He Jiahao reminded.

Any company's stock needs to be driven by investors, otherwise it will be difficult to make money from a company.

After the meeting, Ho received news: New World Development invested HK$1.8 billion to jointly develop the Hong Kong International Convention and Exhibition Center with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

This is the famous Xiangjiang Convention and Exhibition Center in later generations.

He Jiahao knew about this piece of land, but he was embarrassed to snatch Uncle Tong's project because Zheng Yutong had been eyeing this Feng Shui treasure land for a long time. Unless he wanted to turn against Zheng Yutong, he couldn't snatch it.

He Jiahao really wanted to participate, but unfortunately Zheng Yutong didn't invite him, and he didn't dare to mention it.

Jingle Bell! !

The phone rings.

"Hey! Well, let him in." He Jiahao said unnaturally.

Not long after, brother-in-law Luo Zekai appeared in the office.

He Jiahao personally poured him a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Brother Kai, why are you so anxious to see me?"

Luo Zekai was holding the teacup and it was a little difficult to speak. He hesitated before saying, "Can you lend me 30 million?"

He Jiahao pursed his lips and said, "Brother Kai, there is no problem in borrowing money, but I have to ask about the use."

"The local market has picked up recently. I want to invest in real estate. As long as I make money, I will return it to you immediately." Luo Zekai was worried that He Jiahao was unwilling to borrow money, so he quickly added the last sentence.

"Brother Kai, it's okay to borrow 30 million, but I would like to remind you, don't be too greedy when doing business. If you can't make up your mind, you can ask Qiqi." He Jiahao said with a gentle smile.

Luo Zekai nodded, "Okay, now should be a good time to invest."

He Jiahao couldn't help but say, "It's best to buy industrial building properties. The profits should be very good."

Luo Zekai's eyes shone slightly. He understood that this was his brother-in-law's advice, indicating that the industrial building could make a lot of money.

After sending Luo Zekai away, He Jiahao did not stay in the office on the 31st floor for long and went to various companies under his control for meetings.

Monday, November 19

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher arrived in the capital and formally signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration with the Z government to determine the time for return and many other issues.

The Hang Seng Index of the stock market rose by 5% that day, and a large number of investors and overseas investments poured into the stock market.

The Hong Kong government also took the opportunity to organize the first auction after the city's recovery, and announced that it would offer a 117,000-square-foot piece of the Golden Bell Land King - Daoyu Doli Arms.

The auction on this day brought together many real estate tycoons, such as Zheng Yutong of New World Development, Guo Desheng of Sun Hung Kai, and Ho Ka-ho of Huamei Real Estate.

In fact, Ho's companies own many properties in the Admiralty area, such as Admiralty Center Twin Towers, Golden Gate Tower, Furama Hotel, etc.

If we win the Golden Bell Landlord again, even though we won't be able to join together, it will be enough to establish the title of 'Golden Bell Landlord'.

Therefore, this piece of land is very important to He Jiahao.

"Ahao is also here for the King of the Golden Bell, right?" Zheng Yutong joked.

He Jiahao smiled and said, "Well, this piece of land is of great significance to my company, and I can't let it go."

"Everyone is optimistic about this piece of land, so let's show our money." Zheng Yutong said with a smile.

The tycoons have big smiles on their faces, but they don't want to.

People like the British-owned Jardine Matheson Company and Swire Properties frowned. The strength of the Chinese-owned companies was too strong. It would be difficult for Huamei Real Estate alone to resist, let alone others.

Simon Keswick, who was sad to lose the Land Company, gritted his teeth as he watched Ho Ka-Hao. If it weren't for Ho Ka-Hao, the strength of the Jardine Group would still be huge, but now its power in real estate is very weak, and it can barely reach the threshold of Hong Kong's first-class real estate company. , simply does not have the strength to compete with large companies for the King of Golden Bell.

The auction will begin soon, and the first piece of land will naturally not be the Golden Bell Land King.

Huamei Real Estate, Hutchison Real Estate, and Manulife Development won a lot of cheap land at auctions in 1983 and the first half of 1984. Now they do not need to compete with many real estate developers here, but they are bound to win the Admiralty Land. king.

As He Jiahao expected, the King of the Golden Bell took it out at the end.

"Now comes the most critical moment of this auction. It is the Jinzhong Land King-Daoyu Duoli Military House land, with an area of ​​117,000 square feet, a starting price of 500 million yuan, and each bid is no less than 10 million yuan."

"Okay, the King of the Golden Bell will start bidding now!"

"600 million!" Chen Yong was the first to raise a sign and shout out the price.

The direct increase of 100 million made many real estate developers present take a breath.

"As expected of Tycoon He, it's worth 100 million right off the bat."

"What's the point? He Sheng started acquiring properties in 1983, and now his companies have acquired who knows how many buildings."

"It seems that the way to make money is to follow He Sheng closely."

Swire Properties was not far behind, bidding 620 million yuan.

Followed by New World Development's 630 million, Sun Hung Kai Properties' 650 million, and Jardine Matheson's 680 million.

"710 million!" Chen Yong bid again.

This price is 40% higher than the low price, which made many people stunned.

In the end, Huamei Real Estate Company won the Golden Bell Land King with 730 million yuan.

When the auction hammer fell, the venue burst into warm applause, not only to congratulate Huamei Real Estate for acquiring the Golden Bell Land King, but also to celebrate the end of more than two years of land market recession.

Many real estate developers came over to congratulate He Jiahao for winning the Golden Bell Land King. Zheng Yutong and others even asked He Jiahao to treat him.