Sharpening the Blade Against the Red Wall: From Hong Kong to Handong

In October 1998, as autumn deepened in Hong Kong, a detailed personal asset report lay before Shen Mingyuan in the meeting room of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong. Zhou Jin, dressed formally and with a composed expression, reported to the emergency response team and the leaders of the Liaison Office on the details of his personal asset appreciation: "In 1993, I made my first fortune through warrant trading on the Kyoto Stock Exchange. Combined with my subsequent work savings, my initial investment in the Hong Kong market totaled 8 million yuan." Pointing to the transaction records in the report, he continued, "During the financial crisis, all operations were completed through legitimate financial institutions in Hong Kong, involving Hong Kong dollar forward contracts, investments in high-quality Hong Kong stocks, and Hang Seng Index futures hedging. Every transaction has complete documentation, and there were no illegal related-party transactions or insider trading."

To ensure compliance, the Liaison Department, together with the Financial Stability and Development Committee of the State Council and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, formed a special investigation team to conduct a comprehensive review of Zhou Jin's trading accounts, fund flows, and holding records. After a week of meticulous verification, the investigation team issued a formal report: "Mr. Zhou Jin's personal asset appreciation stemmed entirely from legal and compliant market operations, based on professional market judgment and risk control, without utilizing any confidential information or special resources, and complies with the financial regulatory provisions of China and the local market rules of Hong Kong, and is therefore recognized."

Just as the verification work was coming to a close, news from mainland China gripped Zhou Jin's heart—the "98 Nanjiang catastrophic flood" had ravaged the region, severely impacting several provinces along the river. Houses collapsed, farmland was inundated, and millions of people were displaced. Flood relief efforts urgently needed substantial financial and material support. The disaster relief footage broadcast on television, showing People's Liberation Army soldiers forming human walls to hold back the floodwaters, and the helpless eyes of the affected people, kept Zhou Jin awake all night.

"Personal wealth comes from the country and should be used for the people." The next morning, Zhou Jin approached the head of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong and firmly expressed his willingness to donate. "I plan to donate 1 million yuan from my personal profits, which will be transferred to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the State Council through the Liaison Office, specifically for flood relief and post-disaster reconstruction in Nanjiang." He signed the donation agreement on the spot and transferred 1 million yuan to the special account designated by the Liaison Office.

Subsequently, Zhou Jin issued a brief statement through Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po: "The victory in the Hong Kong financial war is inseparable from the strong backing of the country and the support of the people. The accumulation of personal wealth is essentially a gift of the times and the dividends of the country. Now that Nanjiang is suffering from a major flood, and the people in the disaster area are facing difficulties, it is my honor to be able to do my part in flood relief and disaster relief, and it is also the responsibility that every citizen should have."

The statement immediately sparked a widespread response. Hong Kong citizens praised Zhou Jin's patriotism and sense of national responsibility, and local conglomerates were deeply moved, with many entrepreneurs proactively making donations, creating a surge of support for flood relief efforts in mainland China. Joseph Yam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, commented: "Ms. Zhou Jin not only safeguarded national interests on the financial front, but also demonstrated the responsibility and commitment of the younger generation in philanthropy, making her a role model for everyone."

After handling the donation matters, Zhou Jin made a clear plan for his remaining personal assets of 2.2 million yuan. After completing the asset registration in accordance with relevant regulations, he allocated 1 million yuan to purchase long-term Chinese government bonds: "National construction needs financial support, and purchasing government bonds is the most direct and reliable way, which can also be considered as contributing to the country's development." With the remaining 1.2 million yuan, he launched the "Hong Kong SME Relief Program" through Huayao Capital, providing low-interest loans to Hong Kong's small and medium-sized businesses and manufacturing enterprises affected by the financial crisis and floods at a preferential rate of 2 percentage points lower than the market average, to help them resume production and operation.

As a key national strategic asset platform, Huayao Capital responded to the call in unison. At Zhou Jin's suggestion, Huayao Capital allocated 5 million yuan from its appreciating assets, which was donated through its Hong Kong Liaison Office to the front lines of flood relief efforts in mainland China. The funds will be used to purchase relief supplies, build temporary shelters, and rebuild post-disaster infrastructure. Simultaneously, Huayao Capital officially launched the "Hong Kong SME Support Scheme," adding 10 billion yuan in low-interest loans to cover multiple industries including catering, retail, electronics manufacturing, and logistics, with a focus on supporting SMEs that create significant employment and are closely linked to people's livelihoods.

To ensure precise loan disbursement, Zhou Jin coordinated with Huayao Capital to collaborate with the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Federation of Industries, forming a special review panel to streamline the approval process. For eligible companies, a "three-day approval, one-week disbursement" policy was implemented. Mr. Chen, the owner of an electronics manufacturing company in Hong Kong, faced bankruptcy due to a broken cash flow caused by the financial crisis. Through the support program, he received a low-interest loan of 500 million yuan, quickly restoring his production line and saving the jobs of nearly 200 employees. He excitedly said, "Huayao Capital's low-interest loan not only saved my company but also the livelihoods of my entire family and hundreds of employees. Thank you, Mr. Zhou, and thank you for the support from Huayao Capital."

By the end of October, Huayao Capital's 1 billion yuan low-interest loan had benefited more than 200 small and medium-sized enterprises in Hong Kong, creating nearly 10 jobs and effectively alleviating the downward pressure on Hong Kong's real economy. Meanwhile, Zhou Jin's personal donation of 10 million yuan and Huayao Capital's donation of 5 million yuan have all been delivered to the front lines of flood relief in Nanjiang, providing much-needed supplies and warmth to the people in the disaster area.

One evening in late October, Zhou Jin stood by the window of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong, watching the streets of Hong Kong return to their former prosperity, his heart filled with satisfaction. He opened Chen Panpan's notebook and wrote: "Wealth has a price, but the nation is priceless. Donation is not the end, but the beginning of responsibility. May the floods recede, the mountains and rivers be safe, and the people live in peace and prosperity."

The Qingtian stone seal in his pocket seemed to gain a warmer luster from this sense of responsibility. Zhou Jin knew that his mission in Hong Kong was nearing completion, and he was about to embark on his journey home. But what he left behind for Hong Kong was not only a stable financial market and high-quality strategic assets, but also a profound sense of national identity and the warmth of mutual support that transcended geographical boundaries. And this sentiment would accompany him as he continued on his new journey in life.