The completion ceremony of the space elevator started the next day.
More than a dozen cruise ships are lined up in the northern part of the Galapagos Islands, and people standing on the decks can clearly see the towering ladder to the sky.
The President of Ecuador stood on the deck and read a speech, solemnly shook hands with Jiang Chen, chairman of Xinghuan Trading, and signed his name on the two agreements. Starting today, the space elevator located off the coast of South America will be officially opened to traffic, shouldering the synchronous orbital shipping business in the Western Hemisphere.
Under the attention of everyone, the vertical train was hoisted with the national flags of the two countries and the Star Ring Trade flag. It slowly accelerated into the sky and began its first journey. To celebrate this great moment, all major cities in Ecuador set off fireworks at the same time, and people sitting in front of the TV opened champagne, just like celebrating a festival, celebrating the arrival of a new era in this continent.
"On behalf of the Ecuadorian people, I would like to thank you for everything you have done." At the end of the completion ceremony, the President of Ecuador firmly held Jiang Chen's right hand and said in a sincere tone, "I once again offer my highest respect to you, and you will always A friend of the Ecuadorian people!”
Media from all over the world recorded this historic scene with their cameras.
Starting today, cargo ships from the Mediterranean will no longer have to cross the Atlantic Ocean, cross the Panama Canal, and then cross the Pacific Ocean to the remote Pannu Islands. The "Port of Marchena" on the synchronous orbit will serve as an affiliated port of the Star Ring City and undertake synchronous orbit transportation services from the Western Hemisphere.
…
Three full days have passed since the completion ceremony, and dozens of cruise ships parked on the sea dispersed one after another. A private yacht approached Marchena Island, not far from the space elevator. There is a watch tower and a small port on the island, and soldiers on duty can be seen from a distance.
The nationality of those soldiers was naturally not Ecuador, but a new country from across the Pacific.
According to the agreement between Star Ring Trading and Ecuador, Marchena Island will be used as a concession area and will be leased to Star Ring Trading for fifty years at a price of one million New Zealand dollars. If no accident occurs after fifty years, the contract will be automatically renewed for ten years.
This small island located in the northern part of the Galapagos Islands is close to the equator. The island covers an area of 130 square kilometers. It has basically no development and no one lives on the island. There is only a lonely extinct volcano. The surrounding sea is relatively deep, making it an excellent natural port and a natural scenic area.
As early as the New American War, this island was handed over to the new country from Ecuador. It served as the new country's strategic fulcrum in South America, providing supplies to submarines and marines active in the waters near North America.
With the end of the New-US War, Star Ring Trade has gradually withdrawn its troops from the island. Now only a staff of fifty people is left, mainly responsible for patrolling this sea area, maintaining the safety of the space elevator project, and combating pirates.
"A very beautiful island." Standing on the yacht, Rocky said with squinted eyes, "It's really a waste of resources as a military base."
"The military base is only temporary. This place will be even more beautiful in two years." Jiang Chen smiled faintly and continued after a pause, "We will build a floating island around this small island and expand its area first. The population will be about ten times larger, and then the population will be moved in to turn this place into the Penglai City of South America, a free and open port."
The aluminum alloy and titanium materials needed to build floating islands can be obtained through space elevators, especially alloys such as aluminum foam that require the use of original rare earths, and the output on the moon is considerable.
"Really, then I have to take this sentence seriously." Rocky said with a smile.
In fact, even without Jiang Chen's words, he had already made preparations.
All the idle land on the nearby Galapagos Islands, such as Isabela Island, San Salvador Island and other islands, was purchased by the Boston consortium as early as half a year ago. Rocky's idea is simple. If Marchena Island will prosper with the entry of Star Ring trade, then Isabella Island only needs to follow in the footsteps of Marchena Island.
In fact, as of now, this investment is no longer a loss.
As soon as the space elevator was completed, the value of the land he acquired increased more than dozens of times. Considering that the food should not be too ugly, he reduced his holdings of part of the land certificates to his partners in Boston Bank. Now the entire Galapagos Islands have been monopolized by real estate developers from Wall Street and Coro City's Financial Avenue.
As for Ecuadorian investors, they are jealous at best, but dare not complain. Not to mention them, even the government behind them is just a small fish and shrimp in front of this huge international capital.
If you stomp your feet a little, the economic index of such a small country will jump by two degrees, and the president and economic minister will step down due to the blame.
"If I go bankrupt, at least I will leave a way out for my grandchildren." Feeling the sea breeze blowing in his face, Rocky said with squinted eyes.
"Don't be so pessimistic." Jiang Chen smiled faintly and said in a relaxed tone, "Our plan is perfect. You have the new Federal Reserve as your backing, quantum computers to provide big data support, and the People's Bank of China to provide you with support in the future. Maximum help, what else do you have to worry about?”
It sounds nice, there are so many shields behind us, but aren’t we the ones charging in front
Rocky smiled bitterly in his heart, but didn't say anything.
Just yesterday, under the guidance of medical staff from Future Human Biotechnology, he was injected with a DNA telomere extending agent. Although no obvious changes have occurred yet, he feels that his physical condition has improved a lot.
This is specifically reflected in blood sugar and blood pressure.
His personal doctor was even surprised to say that his physical condition had at least returned to that of a forty-year-old.
"It is my habit to be pessimistic before victory. Rather than opening a bottle of champagne when celebrating victory, it is more practical to consider what to do after failure." Rocky shrugged and stretched out his right hand, "Wish me luck all the way. Fair wind.”
"Bon voyage," Jiang Chen held his right hand and shook it, smiling, "Future President of the World Bank, I am waiting for your good news."
Two days later, a silver Sky G100 disappeared from the sky.
With a contract drafted in secret, Rocky returned to Manhattan Island, New York.
Since the reconstruction of Manhattan Island, the Boston Consortium has moved here from Boston Financial Avenue, and the former Morgan Building has been replaced with a new sign as the headquarters of the First Bank of Boston.
Rocky, who returned to Wall Street without making too many stops, immediately sent invitation letters to the big capitalists on Wall Street, inviting them to discuss important matters. Companies such as Chase Bank that have close ties with future banks were invited without exception.
The meeting lasted a full week, and no one knew exactly what was discussed. What the outside world saw was just an announcement led by First Boston Bank and endorsed by Wall Street bosses after the meeting.
In order to promote global economic and trade exchanges and hedge against a series of potential risks to the world economy such as exchange rate fluctuations, First Bank of Boston and Chase Bank, together with 20 banks and investment banking companies, announced the establishment of World United Savings.
As soon as the announcement came out, the world was shocked...
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