Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 409 Giving Face (First Update)
"Since everyone's here today, let's talk about aircraft carriers!"

"Our domestic economic situation has improved a lot now, and this year's exports will be several times that of last year."

"Domestic economic growth has also reached an unprecedented level."

"I know many people want to build an aircraft carrier."

"Let's all share our thoughts!" the leader said.

China now possesses the most critical technologies for aircraft carrier manufacturing.

Furthermore, many of the technologies have theoretically passed the acceptance tests of relevant departments.

For example, the nuclear power unit provided by Li Song, although this nuclear power unit is only applicable to submarines!

However, connecting them in parallel for use on an aircraft carrier is perfectly fine.

The steel used to build aircraft carriers has been successfully tested.

The arresting cable test was also successful. As for the steam catapult, there are physical examples and technical data to speak of.

There are of course no problems with carrier-based aircraft either.

Of course, building an aircraft carrier also requires many hardware conditions.

However, the process from design to manufacturing of the first aircraft carrier may be quite long.

The top leaders also understand the importance of aircraft carriers in a modern military.

"Personally, I don't think we need to develop aircraft carriers right now."

"Because we are currently in a stalemate between two superpowers, if we build an aircraft carrier, it will attract the attention of both countries," someone said.

"I disagree with that statement. One must be strong to succeed."

Why does this small country to the south dare to provoke us?

"They're even clamoring to take over Guangxi Province!"

"And more than twenty years ago, so many neighboring countries made land demands on us. Wasn't it all because our neighbors were pulling strings behind the scenes?" someone said.

"I also think that there is no need to build an aircraft carrier for the time being!"

"Our most crucial task now is to take advantage of the competition between the two superpowers and develop steadily."

"At this stage, there's no need for us to stand out and attract attention."

"As for the neighboring countries, they have Europe and America to support them!"

"Many rural areas in China still don't have enough to eat."

What are we supposed to do?

"Our primary goal is to ensure that everyone has enough to eat and eats well," someone said, speaking from the perspective of people's livelihood.

"Many of our domestic industries have just completed their upgrades."

"This is a good time for rapid development, and there is no need to do anything now that would attract the attention of the two superpowers."

"Don't forget that we defeated America back then. If we perform too well, America certainly won't sit idly by." Someone discussed this from the perspective of import and export.

"I think everyone is right. We need aircraft carriers, but we also need to develop our economy."

"But not now!"

"I don't know how long it will take for our new aircraft to enter mass production, but the range of the several aircraft models provided by Li Song and his team can completely cover our current territorial waters and airspace."

"Therefore, the main area for development at this stage is still submarines."

"Because submarines are underwater, they are not easy to be detected."

"Furthermore, Li Song and the others have also said that steam catapults have many drawbacks, so I think we need to be more cautious about the development direction of aircraft carriers!"

"Let me say a few words. We are now able to build aircraft carriers."

"But I want to remind everyone that an aircraft carrier is just a flight platform!"

"And protecting this flight platform requires more advanced submarines and more advanced surface combat ships!"

"My suggestion is to prioritize the development of submarines, as well as surface combat ships."

"We'll talk about aircraft carriers again when submarines and surface combat ships can meet the requirements for escorting them," someone else said.

At this moment, someone coughed twice: "Actually, I don't think we need to be in a hurry for an aircraft carrier. I believe that as long as we ask, Li Song and his team can bring out America's most advanced aircraft carrier technology, or even an aircraft carrier that is currently under development."

"In addition, we can ask Li Song and his team to think of a solution for frigates and submarines!"

"Of course, it doesn't mean we should directly copy them; we can use these techniques as a reference."

Upon hearing this, one leader shook his head: "Your idea is good, but there are some things we still need to research ourselves."

"Nobody knows if anything will happen to Li Song's people," someone said.

Everyone nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

With so much technology acquired by Li Song, the person behind him is bound to slip up.

So eventually, Li Song and his team were unable to bring back advanced technology from abroad.

"Then let's follow what we said before and start with frigates and submarines."

"Then we'll build an aircraft carrier!" the leader said.

"agree!"

"Agreed!" Everyone agreed.

On the one hand, submarines and frigates are not very conspicuous and will not attract too much attention from the two superpowers.

This will affect domestic industrial production and import/export.

On the other hand, the military won't have too many ideas, because submarines and frigates are also quite good.

And this statement is very pertinent; an aircraft carrier alone is meaningless.

Seeing that everyone had reached a consensus, the main leader breathed a sigh of relief.

What a country fears most is disagreement at the top, which can then trigger political conflicts.

"I wonder what stage America's new generation of destroyers has reached?" a naval leader asked at this moment.

"It seems this hasn't been approved by the defense budget yet!" someone said.

The new generation of destroyers that these leaders were discussing was proposed in February of this year by an American actor.

That is, the later famous Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

When the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers came out, many military enthusiasts drooled over these warships.

That's freaking advanced!
Many military enthusiasts didn't expect that our later destroyers would easily defeat this type.

The parameters for Aramco's new generation of surface ships were proposed in February of this year.

The plan was completed in the 1983 budget year.

The contract design began in 1983 and was completed in 1984.

Furthermore, in the 1985 annual budget formulated in 1984, the budget for the construction of the first ship was US$1.15 billion.

So the leaders at these meetings only know that America has a new generation of naval vessels, but they have no idea what stage the plan is at.

"We can ask Li Song and the others about this indirectly later." The main leader nodded.

Knowing about Aramco's shipbuilding program would be very helpful for domestic plans to develop surface warships.

Because at this stage, we are all learning by trial and error.

The things that America used to depict in science fiction movies have later been realized by some Eastern countries!

Of course, it would be very difficult to realize the things in Amy's science fiction movies in this timeline, because many of them would not be possible even in 2080.

For example, Starfleet, space jumps!
"Now let's talk about another issue, namely the CA201 passenger plane manufactured by Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant. The flight test went very smoothly, and it can be finalized and mass-produced by October 1st at the latest."

"Therefore, we must strongly support Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant."

"Boeing is currently pushing some politicians to target Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Company!"

"We will also introduce some policies when the time is right," the main leader said.

"Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant is indeed impressive. Their passenger planes haven't even been finalized yet, and Boeing and Airbus have already voluntarily reduced their prices by 15%," a leader in this field chuckled. Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant's civil aircraft haven't entered mass production yet, so they can't sever ties with Boeing and Airbus.

Once the civil airliners manufactured by Chang'an Aircraft Factory are finalized and put into mass production, they will be able to stand up and say no to Boeing and Airbus.

Because, from a national perspective, certain things need to be kept stable.

Although the passenger planes manufactured by Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant are all good news, as long as they are not finalized and put into mass production, relevant departments will have to continue to deal with Boeing and Airbus.

"And this isn't even the bottom line!" one leader chuckled.

"That's how Western countries are; when you don't have the manufacturing capacity, they ask for exorbitant prices."

"When you have the manufacturing capacity, they start to lower the price!"

"I don't think we need to import foreign planes right now. Even if we have to wait, we should wait for planes from Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant."

"Our negotiations with Boeing and Airbus regarding imported aircraft are currently stalled."

"We need to tow the aircraft to the Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant for finalization."

"Furthermore, it will be delayed until after September!"

"Then we can make some requests," the leader in charge of aviation said.

"Well, based on the information we have now, it seems that Big Brother is planning something big."

"The bigger the better."

"Tens of thousands of active tanks, just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle."

"Fortunately, the older brother has been focusing on Europe in recent years."

"Yes, otherwise, with such a wide plain in the north, those present felt as if a mountain was pressing down on them, thinking about the military strength of the Big Brother."

At this time, the "Fat Bear" reached the peak of its military strength, with 60,000 tanks in active service.

What do 60,000 tanks represent?
At that time, no country could compare with the heavy industry of the fat bear.

The bear has two major weaknesses. The first is that although its land area is very large, most of it is permafrost.

It's hard to imagine that at this time, Fat Bear often doesn't have enough food to eat on its own.

There were even a few years when we were hit by black storms!

Moreover, despite its vast land area, it has no ice-free ports.

So, in previous years, Fat Bear had his eye on the outlet to the Bohai Bay.

This was also the trigger that led to Fat Bear's falling out back then.

The reason why the bear is causing trouble in Tokharistan is that it hopes to open up a sea outlet to the Middle East.

The second is the population of fat bears.

Due to insufficient population, although the heavy industry in Fat Bear is impressive, there is no one to support its light industry.

The key to China's future development into a major manufacturing country and a manufacturing powerhouse lies in having a sufficient population.

Moreover, the education policies in mainland China are the best for ordinary people.

"No matter how Fat Bear performs, we must maintain the proper attitude!" The main leader nodded.

The relevant parties have been making related plans for some time now!
We'll see how Fat Bear behaves then, and then respond accordingly.

"Yes!" Everyone present nodded.

Everyone present understood that the more energetically the fat bear performed, the greater the threat he posed, and the more beneficial it would be to domestic development.

However, until the truth comes out, everyone can only make preparations quietly.

The news of the Fat Bear military exercise is no secret now.

Because Fat Bear invited many countries.

These countries simply had no idea just how monstrous the strength that the fat bear had displayed this time was.

The CA201 civil airliner test at Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant went extremely smoothly.

No one knew that this aircraft was actually a very mature design.

As long as it is manufactured according to standards, there will be no problem.

But others don't know.

Therefore, the flight test speed of this aircraft is very fast.

After undergoing continuous testing at the Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant for half a month, it began flying all over the country.

Conduct high-altitude environment tests, marine environment tests, and so on.

Because this aircraft flies all over the country, foreign intelligence agencies are able to know the progress of its testing.

Meanwhile, Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant continues to manufacture the CA201 passenger aircraft.

Faced with this good news, Boeing intensified its efforts to overcome the challenges.

In early August, the Aramco House of Representatives voted for the first time on new aircraft safety standards.

However, the first vote was rejected!
It's clear that Boeing's public relations efforts were inadequate.

Moreover, McDonnell Douglas also opposed the new plan.

Because McDonnell Douglas is designing a new aircraft, if the new aviation safety standards are approved, many aspects of the new aircraft design will have to be scrapped and redesigned.

European airlines, including Airbus, have also expressed concern about this matter.

Because Aramco currently has the largest civil aviation market.

During this period, Li Song disappeared without a trace and did not accept any interviews from reporters.

However, Li Song secretly developed his business, first taking over the remaining container terminals in Kwai Tsing.

Originally, the other container terminals were also being watched by some people, all of whom were Hong Kong Island capital.

However, Li Song had connections in London, so the capital in Hong Kong was no match for Parkson.

August 20, 1981, Thursday, the 14th day of the seventh lunar month, also known as the Ghost Festival.

Li Song arrived at Hong Kong Island Airport.

Li Song is here today to welcome the Queen's private plane in London.

The Queen's private jet has completed its final assembly and passed its field flight test after being revealed last month.

The aircraft has already applied for a flight route. It will land on Hong Kong Island to complete some international flight procedures before flying to London.

Li Song spent the past month traveling back and forth between mainland China and Hong Kong.

He also did not give any interviews to reporters.

The Fat Bear military exercise is just around the corner.

Therefore, Li Song planned to take this opportunity to make a public appearance.

We need to push Boeing harder and make them spend more on public relations.

Ideally, we should get the House and Senate involved to get the policy implemented before the Fat Bear military exercise.

According to information obtained by Li Song, Boeing has already spent tens of millions of dollars on public relations.

However, the House of Representatives did not pass the first vote, meaning Boeing will have to continue to invest money.

"Mr. Li!!"

"Mr. Li!!" There were so many reporters today, a huge, dark mass, because the London Royal Navy's King private jet had applied for a flight route, which couldn't be hidden.

Moreover, not only reporters came today, but also the Governor of Hong Kong Island and many government officials.

"Everyone, please don't panic!"

"Let me go and say hello to the governor first!"

"I will set aside half an hour for questions later." On the surface, Li Song still had to give the governor face.

(End of this chapter)