Tech Giants: Starting from Bankrupt Companies

126: Chapter 126: All-Out Attack and National Power10:00 AM, December 9th, the press conference hall of the State Council Information Office in the Imperial Capital.

The hall was packed; over two hundred Chinese and foreign reporters had already set up their cameras. The air was filled with repressed excitement—everyone knew that today’s press conference would determine the fate of Spark Technology and even China’s tech industry.

On the podium, four ministerial-level officials sat side by side: the Vice Chairman of the NDRC, the Minister of MIIT, the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, and the Vice Chairman of SASAC. This lineup alone sent a strong signal.

At exactly 10:00, Zhao Zhigang, Vice Chairman of the NDRC, spoke first:

”Friends of the press, today’s conference has only one theme: supporting key core technology breakthroughs and ensuring the safety and stability of the industrial and supply chains.”

No pleasantries, straight to the point.

Zhao Zhigang pulled up the big screen, showing the official document: ”Several Measures on Supporting Key Enterprises such as Spark Technology to Cope with Changes in the International Situation.”

”Approved by the State Council, the following measures are effective immediately—”

Article 1: Financial support. The five major banks—China Development Bank, ICBC, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, and China Construction Bank—will provide Spark Technology with a total of 500 billion yuan in special loans. The annual interest rate is 1.5%, with a five-year term, and only interest is paid for the first three years, with no principal repayment.

A gasp ran through the audience. A 1.5% interest rate was 30% of the current benchmark rate; it was practically free money.

Article 2: Market protection. Party and government agencies at all levels, state-owned enterprises, and public institutions will prioritize the purchase of Spark products under equal conditions. Simultaneously, the ”Domestic Substitution List (First Batch)” is released, covering 128 products including chips, high-end machine tools, and key materials, all independently developed by Spark.

Article 3: Talent protection. Provide ”National Talent Special Allowance” for Spark’s core technical personnel, with no cap. Their children’s schooling, medical care, and housing will enjoy the highest priority. Foreign experts can directly apply for permanent residency, with the process shortened from six months to one month.

Minister of MIIT Li Qiang added: ”We have launched the ’Industrial Chain Safety Project’, selecting 3,000 high-quality suppliers nationwide to establish strategic partnerships with Spark. The goal is: within 90 days, increase the localization rate of key components from the current 35% to 85%.”

Wang Jianxin, Vice Chairman of SASAC, finally emphasized: ”State support is not about doing everything for them, but about empowerment. Spark must complete three assessment goals: First, realize mass production of 16nm chips within six months; Second, achieve 100% localization of key components for Hongqi Automobile within one year; Third, form a complete ’de-Americanized’ technology system within three years. If the goals are completed, 50% of the 500 billion loan can be converted into state capital, and the state will become a strategic shareholder. If not completed... we will act according to market rules.”

This statement was heavy, but also fair—the state gave the greatest support, and also wanted to see the greatest return.

The press conference lasted forty-five minutes. The moment it ended, global financial markets began to shake.

Shenzhen, Spark Technology war room.

Su Chen and the core team watched the live broadcast from start to finish. When they heard ”500 billion yuan, 1.5% interest rate,” repressed cheers erupted in the conference room.

Shen Nanpeng quickly calculated: ”We have 430 billion of our own, plus this 500 billion, that’s 930 billion in cash. Calculated at the most conservative investment return rate of 4%, the annual interest income is 37.2 billion, which is more than enough to cover R&D investment.”

”But this money is not for us to live off the interest.” Su Chen stood up and walked to the whiteboard, ”It’s for us to fight a war.”

He picked up a marker and began deployment:

”Hongqi Automobile, 100 billion. Of which 30 billion will be used for price subsidies—Zhou Qingyu, your 139,800 pricing, I approve. 70 billion for production capacity expansion and technology R&D.”

Zhou Qingyu responded immediately: ”Boss Su, after the price reduction, each car is subsidized by 10,000, 30 billion is a subsidy quota for 3 million cars. But our current annual production capacity is only 360,000...”

”Then expand production.” Su Chen interrupted, ”Out of the 100 billion, take 50 billion to build a new factory. In six months, I want to see annual production capacity exceed 1 million vehicles.”

”Consumer electronics, 50 billion.” Su Chen continued, ”Zhang Yang, the Double Twelve event must be won. All products are 20% off, some 30% off. We must use a price war to win back the lost overseas market from the domestic market.”

Zhang Yang nodded: ”Everything is ready. We have also launched ’trade-in’—old equipment of any brand can be traded in for a discount on new Spark products.”

”Xinghuo Chip, 150 billion.” Su Chen looked at Li Wanqing, Li Weimin, and Zhang Wei, ”Old Li, Zhang Wei, this 150 billion is ammunition. 14nm breakthroughs, lithography machine R&D, material breakthroughs, whatever you need, I will give it. I only have one requirement: samples in three months, mass production in six months.”

Li Weimin’s hands were trembling, not from fear, but from excitement: ”Enough... it’s enough. With this money, I can invite all my old colleagues from the Semiconductor Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.”

”Spark Electric, 100 billion.” Su Chen looked at Gao Mingxuan, ”General Manager Gao, establish Spark Electric to benchmark against General Electric. Car engines, aircraft engines, marine engines, rocket engines, layout in all four major fields simultaneously. 100 billion is the startup capital, we will add more if it’s not enough.”

Gao Mingxuan took a deep breath: ”Boss Su, this step... isn’t it too big?”

”If it’s not big, how can we win?” Su Chen retorted, ”The Americans want to starve us out with blockades, so we will drive them crazy with breakthroughs.”

”Military materials, 80 billion. Wu Yi, expansion, R&D, next-generation materials, all accelerated.”

”Supply chain reconstruction, 100 billion. Support 3,000 domestic suppliers and establish a completely independent industrial chain.”

”Strategic reserve fund, 350 billion. To deal with any emergencies.”

After the deployment, Su Chen put down the pen and scanned the room: ”930 billion, in three months it must turn into technology, production capacity, and market share. Every penny must be heard to make a sound. Any questions?”

”No!” The answer was uniform.

”Meeting adjourned. Prepare yourselves, starting tomorrow, full counterattack.”