During this period, Britain set up many domestic enterprises in Hong Kong. And under their management, British-funded enterprises quickly occupied a place in Hong Kong.
From 65438 to 0997, after the return of Hong Kong, Britain withdrew most of its enterprises, but a few British-funded groups chose to stay, and since then they have occupied an important position in Hong Kong's industrial economy.
Among them, the four British-funded consortia are the most well known. They not only set foot in many fields, but also controlled 15 Hong Kong listed companies.
You can imagine how rich these four consortia are. But at today's height, there are some little-known tricks behind these consortia.
Some cheated Huawei, and some even funded Li Ka-shing. Which four British-funded consortia are these? What are the stories behind it? Today, the author will take you to understand.
One of the four consortia is HSBC Group. Many people are familiar with the name of HSBC Group, the most famous of which is HSBC. Perhaps few people in the mainland know that HSBC is an out-and-out British-funded enterprise.
1865, Thomas Sue Shi Lan, an Englishman who was then the chairman of Hong Kong Shipping, founded HSBC with his extensive contacts and 15 foreign firms.
Only one month later, we set up a branch in Shanghai. At that time, due to the closed door of the Qing government and the chain reaction brought by the Opium War, the foreign debt increased sharply.
However, in this case, no decent bank in China could provide a lot of financial support to the Qing government.
In Sue's eyes, this situation is a huge business opportunity to be developed. The name "HSBC" was also inscribed by Zeng Guofan's son Su using his own relationship.
In the second year after the establishment of HSBC, the Hong Kong government encountered an economic crisis. At the critical moment, it was HSBC that provided the support of HK$ 654.38 million to help it tide over the difficulties.
Afterwards, in order to repay the debt, the Hong Kong Government handed over the right to issue Hong Kong dollars to HSBC, which shows Sue's business acumen.
During the period of 1884, the Qing government urgently needed funds to build fortifications in Taiwan Province province, but under the threat of the Japanese, almost all banks were afraid to provide financial support to the Qing government.
At this time, HSBC stood up. This is also the first time that HSBC has "cooperated" with the Qing government. Since then, HSBC has helped Li Hongzhang bring down Zuo Tang Zong.
This also made HSBC completely become the "money bag" of the Qing government. During the ten years from 1874 to 1890, HSBC accounted for 70% of the total government loans.
With the "support" of the Qing government, HSBC became the largest bank at that time, and it was brilliant for a while. Later, during his stay in War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, HSBC developed again.
After the end of War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, HSBC retreated to Hongkong. With the coming of China's reform and opening-up, HSBC has once again seen opportunities for development.
During this period, with the support of China enterprises, HSBC developed again. Among them, with the support of Shen Bi, the head of HSBC, Bao Yugang became the king of ships.
Then, Shen Bi also secretly facilitated the cooperation between Bao Yugang and Li Ka-shing, and then provided loans to Li Ka-shing at low prices, which was also the reason for the formation of Li Ka-shing's position in Hong Kong.
However, the booming HSBC has been sanctioned by the US Department of Justice.
However, in order to clear its suspicion and avoid the punishment of the U.S. Department of Justice, HSBC provided the U.S. Department of Justice with a material that can sue Huawei through the so-called "internal investigation".
Jardine Matheson Group is a century-old shop. It used to be one of the four largest foreign firms in Hong Kong, and now it is also the largest company in Hong Kong. Yonghui Supermarket, which we are familiar with, 7- 1 1 belongs to Jardine Matheson.
However, as one of the four major consortia in Hong Kong, Jardine Matheson Group is particularly low-key.
Jardine Matheson was founded in Guangzhou 1832. After the founding of New China, the company moved to Hongkong Land Terminal.
But later, the pier was won by Bao Yugang. In desperation, Jardine Matheson began to turn its target to Hong Kong.
However, it never rains but it pours, and Hong Kong land was finally won by Li Ka-shing.
Jardine Matheson eventually had to withdraw its shares from Li Ka-shing at a high price. After that, Jardine Matheson Group transferred its assets.
And continue to invest in mainland industries. It is reported that in 2020 alone, Jardine Matheson Group won a piece of land in Shanghai at a high price of 365,438+0.05 billion.
And plans to build a financial city in Shanghai in the next few years. Besides Shanghai, Jardine Matheson Group has developed its own industries in Beijing, Hangzhou and other places.
Jardine Matheson Group has been adhering to the model of renting only and not selling, relying on rent and development projects to achieve revenue. According to the data, in the first half of 20021,the profit of home ownership in Hong Kong has reached 394 million US dollars.
In addition to real estate projects in Hong Kong, Jardine Matheson Group has also set foot in retail department stores, construction projects, automobile manufacturing and other fields.
In the retail field, we are familiar with Yonghui Supermarket, Wanning Pharmacy and Maxim's Food. , as well as the popular IKEA supermarkets and 7- 1 1.
In addition, in the automobile sector, Zhongsheng Group is the second largest automobile dealer group in China. As early as 20 14, Jardine Matheson Group invested HK$ 5.667 billion in Zhongsheng Group.
In addition, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, a national luxury hotel, is also owned by Jardine Matheson Group.
Today, Jardine Matheson Group has been operating for more than 65,438+089 years. According to the wealth list, in 2020, Jardine Matheson Group has ranked among the world's top 500 30 1, with a fierce momentum.
The names Taikooli and taikoo hui have been familiar to us for a long time. Because of this, many people mistakenly think that this is our local property.
In fact, these commercial landmarks scattered in first-tier cities belong to one brand, that is, Swire Foundation.
John Huaiya Shi, the original founder of Swire Group, engaged in wool trade 200 years ago, but with the invasion of colonists from various countries and the inflow of cheap foreign cotton, the wool trade in Britain was hit.
In this case, John Huaiya Shi's father and grandfather went bankrupt.
As an adult, he had no choice but to start from scratch and switch to other industries. With the help of his father, 23-year-old John Huaiya Shi started a textile factory and engaged in textile trade.
When John Huaiya Shi died, the property passed to his two sons. His two children are more business-minded, and have turned John Huaiya Shi's industry into an international enterprise.
186 1 year, under the influence of the south American civil war, John Huaiya Shi's son began to focus on the vast market in China and invested in the blue chimney shipping company in China, making a lot of money.
Later, Huaiya Shi brothers bought Shanghai Brewer Foreign Firm with a large amount of assets, thus formally establishing Swire Foreign Firm.
1970, Swire Group's industry began to enter Hong Kong. Under the background of British occupation of Hong Kong at that time, Swire Group quickly gained a foothold in Hong Kong.
And become one of the four largest foreign companies in Hong Kong. And for many years after that, the main business of Swire Group was distributed in Hong Kong.
However, with the rapid development of Chinese mainland, Swire Group naturally can't miss such an excellent opportunity, and quickly launched its own business in several first-tier cities such as Shanghai and Beijing.
Even at that time, Swire was the only survivor in the acquisition of the four major foreign firms by Li Ka-shing and Bao Yugang, which was closely related to the importance attached by Swire Group to industry.
Even now, under the influence of the epidemic, Swire Property, a subsidiary of Swire Group, seems almost unaffected.
The occupancy rate of its office buildings in Hong Kong is still 96%, and the occupancy rate of other shops and real estate is also above 98%.
Moreover, under the influence of the epidemic, Swire Group has not only not slowed down, but also vigorously developed existing projects, and several projects will be completed next year.
At the moment when the epidemic is gradually recovering, the demand for office buildings and shopping centers in prime locations is gradually picking up. It is speculated that in the future, Swire Group will collect rent by going up a flight of stairs.
The other of the four major consortia in Hong Kong is the Kadoorie Consortium. Unlike other consortia such as HSBC and Swire, the Kadoorie family really seems to regard themselves as China people.
During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression period, Roland Kadoorie, the second generation of Kadoorie family, did not hesitate to blow up the power plant that was built at a high price in Hong Kong in order to resist the Japanese invaders.
Because of this, he was placed under house arrest by the Japanese and was not released until several decades later.
Later, the Kadoorie family donated a mansion in Shanghai to China, which cost 654.38 million+200,000 silver.
In addition, the Kadoorie family also participated in some charitable activities in China. Today, the Kadoorie family has lasted for four generations, and the industry has lasted for more than 100 years.
In Hong Kong, almost 70% of the electricity market is controlled by the Kadoorie family, among which the Power Group is also one of the largest listed companies in Hong Kong.
Just generating electricity, the Kadoorie family can earn tens of billions. Although many people think that Li Ka-shing is the king of electricity in Hong Kong, they don't know that compared with CLP, the coverage of electricity in Li Ka-shing is only a small part.
In addition to the power industry, Kadoorie also has its own listed companies in other industries, including the popular Peninsula Hotel. From the beginning to the present, the Kadoorie family has been one of the top ten giants in Hong Kong.
These four British-funded consortia have a long history in China and occupy an important position in Hong Kong's economic system.
Although this influence has a certain driving and stimulating effect on the economy of Hong Kong and even the mainland, it is also a double-edged sword on the other hand.
After all, foreigners are in control. Once something happens, it will have a certain monopoly effect, leaving China local enterprises with no more room for development and being restricted.
Especially the four groups, in the commercial competition, some people lend a helping hand to Li Ka-shing, and some people engage in Huawei behind their backs.
These measures undoubtedly have some influence on the market trend of China and the development of domestic enterprises.
Perhaps in Hong Kong, where economic strength needs rapid development, the emergence of these four British-funded groups has solved Hong Kong's urgent needs and improved its overall strength.
But at present, perhaps what Hong Kong needs is an economic market that rejects monopoly and can conduct healthy competition!
1, Global Times "Foreign media broke the news: it turned out to be HSBC! Secretly "yin" "Huawei"
2. King of foreign companies: Jardine Matheson and its business empire.