Several months earlier, Zhonghua had begun trading iron ore and steel resources with the Atlantis Corporation through the Chu Group.
Cheap iron ore and bulk steel purchase agreements had greatly eased the overcapacity problem in Zhonghua's domestic steel industry and accelerated its consolidation and restructuring.
As a result, international iron ore prices were slowly declining, dealing a heavy blow to the four major mining groups.
In addition, for some unknown reason, the precision of Zhonghua's industrial manufacturing was rapidly improving. Imports of precision machining equipment were dropping noticeably, suggesting that it was breaking free of its dependence on foreign suppliers. It was suspected to have acquired a High-Precision Industrial Mother Machine.
Even more surprising was its development in science and technology.
Within the Technology Tree Virtual World, Zhonghua's scientists had demonstrated an astonishing ability to assimilate technology. New technologies emerged one after another, with major breakthroughs in chip technology, pharmaceuticals, engines, display panels, semiconductors, and other fields!
In keeping with Zhonghua's usual low-profile approach, the progress of this research had not initially been fully disclosed. Only recently, as large numbers of new technologies entered commercial and industrial use, had it gradually come to light.
This astonishing pace of research had even surpassed America's, leaving the entire world staring in shock and crying, "The wolf is at the door!"
And now there was the Space Elevator... Although further assessments were still underway, once the elevator opened, Zhonghua, which lay within its sphere of influence, would undoubtedly be one of its biggest beneficiaries!
This series of changes had forced America to pay increasing attention to its rival.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we must be more vigilant. Zhonghua's many technological advances caused our trade deficit with them to increase by another 3% last month. This is an extremely dangerous signal!"
"Zhonghua kept its capabilities