The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 429 Exclusive Interview
"Do you really believe you are the richest person in mainland China?"

Liu Hua shook his head: "There are always mountains beyond mountains, and people beyond people. The title of the richest man is actually meaningless. When you have a lot of money, it's just a set of numbers. If you only pursue the happiness that numbers bring you, then that person's brain is somewhat seriously damaged."

Now that joke is gone, it just makes Jing Yidan laugh.

"Professor Liu, what you're saying is a bit of an overreaction, because for most people, disposable income is still too low."

Liu Hua nodded: "That's right, I don't deny that. But I earned my money little by little. Now is a golden age, an era of wealth accumulation. Don't think that talking about money is a shameful thing. As long as a gentleman loves money but acquires it in a proper way, there is no problem."

"Professor Liu, a while ago, your Taiyi New Energy just signed a contract worth 440 million US dollars. Could you tell us about it?"

Liu Hua nodded: "There's really nothing to keep secret. Our Taiyi New Energy has just developed the world's most advanced wind turbine. The Hans and France desperately need this wind turbine, so they spent a lot of money to purchase it from us."

"The most advanced in the world?"

Liu Hua chuckled and said, "What? You don't believe me? I understand it's hard to believe, because our technology has only been developing for a few years. Suddenly, the world's most advanced technology appears, which makes some people think it's impossible."

“Since France and Germany have made purchases, it means they have full confidence in your products,” Jing Yidan said flatteringly. “Do you have any insights or experiences to share about developing new products for companies in our country?”

"Respect knowledge. We must fully respect knowledge." Liu Hua emphasized, "There are some bad rumors in society now, such as that those who build missiles are not as good as those who sell tea eggs. Those people will never know that once you have knowledge, you can sell tea eggs for the price of missiles. Of course, you may be a shrewd businessman, but it is undeniable that knowledge can play a significant role in this."

Jing Yidan quickly added, "Indeed, we cannot advocate selling tea eggs at the price of missiles. The price of any commodity should conform to market rules. However, I have another question. Many of our companies are labor-intensive industries, such as clothing and toys, which have relatively low technological content. Their production line workers do not even need high levels of education. Professor Liu, how much use can knowledge be in these industries?"

“Thousands of years ago, our ancestors used fish bones to make needles and thread. Later, they used copper needles and iron needles. Now we have sewing machines and electric sewing machines. What does this show? Even when it comes to just making clothes, human technology has been constantly improving. All of these technological advancements are driven by knowledge.”

"The clothing industry also has great potential for development. In the future, the challenges they will face will not only be about simply sewing clothes well, but also about innovation in design, pattern making, and sewing, as well as new materials. Labor-intensive industries will also face severe challenges. Some small garment factories don't have any technical personnel at all. Even if they have one or two, they are just there to maintain sewing machines. These factories will definitely be eliminated in the future."

Jing Yidan continued, "Some people say that our industrial production is now focused on producing things that have little technological content, which is very detrimental to our scientific and technological development."

"People who say such things don't understand the meaning of 'aiming too high,' nor do they understand the meaning of 'building castles in the air,'" Liu Hua criticized. "How can we develop high technology if we don't lay a solid foundation?"

"But our country already has an industrial base."

Liu Hua spread his hands: "Our industrial technology is very backward and needs to be upgraded. Also, where will the raw materials come from? Doesn't that cost money? The whole country is working together as one. If we don't develop the economy, how can we upgrade our outdated equipment and technology?" Jing Yidan continued to ask: "I interviewed some sociologists before. They believe that we should use limited funds to focus on developing a few industries. After these industries reach an advanced level, we can then turn around and develop other industries."

Liu Hua nodded silently: "Technically, it's possible, but it's not feasible for the development of the entire industrial system."

"Why? Professor Liu, could you explain it to us in detail?"

"But you also know our main purpose for opening up. Our main purpose is not to make money. Making money is a means to an end."

"So what is our main objective?"

"It is to realize the great rejuvenation of our country." Liu Hua emphasized: "Perhaps some people will notice my choice of words. I did not use 'towards prosperity and strength,' but 'great rejuvenation.' This is because from ancient times to the present, we have been the most developed country on this planet. It is only in the last one or two hundred years that we have declined. So I used the word 'rejuvenation.'"

"To achieve our great rejuvenation, it is not about making a lot of money. Money is just a means of measurement. Our rejuvenation requires the support of many real industries."

“Our country is not like other Western countries. Many small Western countries only need to be world leaders in one or two industries to support their international status.”

Liu Hua shook his head: "We can't do that, because they belong to the same civilization, Western civilization, while we are Eastern civilization. There are fundamental and significant differences between the two. So while we are communicating and developing together with them, we also have to be wary of them."

"I don't know if you've heard of a theory called the 70% rule. It can't just be an unspoken rule, but we have to be wary of it."

Jing Yidan asked curiously, "What is the 70% theory?"

"When there is a country in the world whose GDP reaches 70% of that of the United States, it will arouse their suspicion. No matter how good the relationship is between you and that country, the United States will spare no effort to deal with you."

Jing Yidan gasped. Logically speaking, as a host, she shouldn't have made such a rude gesture.

However, he had already understood the subtext of Liu Hua's words. In short, what he had just said could be summed up in four words: "Better safe than sorry."

Liu Hua continued, "Those small European countries in Western Europe will never be able to reach 70% of the size of the United States, but we are different. We have a large population, a vast area, and abundant resources. Our mission is to make our country a top-tier existence in the world."

(End of this chapter)