Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 293 Family Monopoly

Hong Kong, along with New York and London, is the world's third largest financial center, an important international financial, trade, shipping and innovation and technology center;

Especially since the 1990s, Hong Kong's real estate industry has been booming, existing as a pillar business along with finance and tourism!
As 1997 approached, some British-owned conglomerates in Hong Kong began to withdraw, relocating some companies from Hong Kong to London or Singapore.

Established British conglomerates such as Jardine Matheson, Swire, and HSBC are also seizing the opportunity to reap wealth, with large sums of money being withdrawn back to the UK.

Early in the morning, in the bedroom of the villa in Repulse Bay, Aaron lay on top of Wang Zhuxian, "It seems that filmmakers in Hong Kong are quite dissatisfied with the regulations on actors' salaries in Taipei!"

“Well, the director, actors, and some behind-the-scenes staff are not very satisfied. Everyone still believes that Taipei cannot do without Hong Kong films,” Wang Zhuxian explained while rubbing Aaron’s back.

Hong Kong cinema has enjoyed a long and successful run in Southeast Asia, Taipei, and South Korea, and it certainly isn't afraid to compete with Hollywood.

Aaron smiled. "Didn't Jurassic Park and Speed ​​make Hong Kong filmmakers feel the power of Hollywood blockbusters?"

Wang Zhuxian nodded. "Some filmmakers are still very worried!"
“Alright, let’s get up,” Aaron said, rubbing the woman’s body.

In the afternoon, at the Peninsula Hotel, Aaron Anderson and Michael Kadoorie enjoyed afternoon tea together.

Michael Kadoorie, owner of The Peninsula Hotels, the parent company of The Peninsula Hotels, took over the family business last year after the death of his father, Laurence Kadoorie!

“The Peninsula Hotel truly lives up to its reputation as the ‘Lady of the Far East’,” Aaron said, taking a sip of coffee. This year, the Peninsula Hotel is building a new 30-story North Wing.
As the flagship hotel of the Peninsula Hotels, the Xiangjiang Peninsula Hotel is also quite famous.

Michael Kadoorie, 53, smiled at Aaron and asked, "Mr. Anderson, are you very optimistic about the development of Hong Kong?"

The Kadoorie family's businesses are strong in the power, textile, real estate and banking sectors, making them one of the representatives of British-owned conglomerates in Hong Kong.

With investments in CLP Group, The Peninsula Hotel, and involvement in the construction of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, the Kadoorie family wields considerable influence in Hong Kong.

Aaron nodded. "With Hong Kong's current rate of development, who wouldn't be optimistic?"

"However, it seems that Hong Kong is difficult to enter in terms of various aspects these days!"

Finance, real estate, water and electricity, etc., are all controlled by a few major families, and outsiders cannot easily get involved;
Whether it's a British-owned conglomerate or a Chinese-owned conglomerate, they are all family-owned businesses with a monopolistic nature.

"Aaron, you're a rising young tycoon in Hollywood; your sights should be set on the entertainment industry."

"And Hong Kong's entertainment industry is extremely developed, which is perfect for you!"

Michael Kadoorie dared not underestimate the renowned Dawn Group; Aaron Anderson's rise to power was simply too rapid.

Aaron shrugged. "Hong Kong is such a small place, how big can its entertainment market be?"

Then, Aaron turned his attention to the inland area across the sea; only that future market could capture Aaron's attention!

Just this year, the Film Bureau of China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television approved the import of 10 films each year that "basically reflect the outstanding achievements of world civilization and basically demonstrate the achievements of contemporary film art and technology."

However, the film and entertainment market has been the subject of intense debate and controversy due to the involvement of various stakeholders, and there is still no specific date for the release of the first imported blockbuster.

In the evening, at the Repulse Bay Villa, Aaron leaned back on the sofa and flipped through the newspaper. The Venice International Film Festival in Italy was in full swing.
Dawn Pictures' "Pulp Fiction" has also begun its theatrical release in North America! "There are so many good movies this year," Wang Zhuxian said, sitting down next to Aaron;
Chinese-language films include excellent works such as "Ashes of Time", "Chungking Express", "In the Heat of the Sun" and "To Live".

“Quite a few,” Aaron smiled, putting down his newspaper. “At the previous Cannes Film Festival, there were several films competing with *Pulp Fiction* for the Palme d'Or.”

"The Chinese film 'To Live' won the Jury Prize and Best Actor at Cannes, and another film in the 'Three Colors Trilogy: Red' also received good reviews!"

Needless to say, Hollywood already has excellent films such as "Forrest Gump", "The Lion King", and "Interview with the Vampire" that have been released.

Upcoming films include Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption, and Léon: The Professional.

"By the way, have you made any progress with the VCD manufacturing company you've been keeping an eye on in mainland China?"

Aaron suddenly asked, after all, he had always remembered this cake.

Wang Zhuxian nodded. "Currently, the VCD market in China is mainly dominated by the Wan Yan brand, which holds over 90% of the market share."

"However, due to the limited content, the shipment volume isn't that large yet. Wan Yan has recently acquired several audio-visual companies, releasing VCD songs and other works."

"I acquired audio-visual companies and several stores in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, specifically to sell VCD discs and VCD players!"

“Ha, that’s pretty good,” Aaron said, taking out his checkbook from his pocket and writing a check for $200 million, which he then handed to the other man.

"Take it. You can expand your business when the time comes."

Wang Zhuxian thought for a moment, "I have money!"

Aaron smiled and said, "This amount of money is just a drop in the ocean for me. Consider it an investment. You know I have a company called Haihua Investment in Hong Kong."

“Okay, fine,” Wang Zhuxian said without being coy. The RMB has undergone exchange rate reform. Since the beginning of this year, the RMB has changed from a dual exchange rate system of official exchange rate and foreign exchange adjustment price to a single, managed floating exchange rate system based on market supply and demand.
Furthermore, China has established an interbank foreign exchange market, improving the exchange rate formation mechanism.

Currently, 1 US dollar is equivalent to 8.6 Chinese yuan, so 200 million US dollars is more than 1700 million yuan!

"Next, I'm going to Japan. Are you staying in Hong Kong?"

Aaron definitely values ​​the Japanese market more than the Chinese market, especially now that the yen is appreciating; Aaron needs to make the most of it.

"I'm going back to Taipei for a bit, and then I'll be going to the mainland. Do you want to come over then?"

“The mainland,” Aaron thought for a moment, “Okay, I’ll come to Beijing to see you after I’ve finished dealing with things in Japan!”

This year, relations between China and the United States have not been good, and a lot has happened.

However, Aaron could talk to China Film Group about importing films.

(End of this chapter)