Hong Kong Island

Biodata

Depiction

Cityscape and daily life

• Tao Yan and Huo Baichuan's group arrives by ship in mid-January 1991; Victoria Harbour is depicted at night as a brilliant expanse of lights, striking the first-time visitors with its prosperity. 60 61
• The group is collected by limousine and lodged in a five-star hotel while the children receive treatment. 61
• Local teahouses are presented as crowded early-morning gathering places, with servers pushing carts of dim sum including shrimp dumplings, siu mai, barbecued-pork buns, egg tarts, and congee. 63
• The setting has expensive housing, schooling, and living costs; the Meng parents are warned that earning more there does not resolve their lack of housing, residence permits, or school funding. 74 75

Finance and business

• Stock trading is widespread enough that even market vendors are said to maintain stock accounts. 72
• Tao Yan and Huo Baichuan use a newly opened Hong Kong stock account, tenfold leverage, and Tao Yan's enhanced memory to conduct short-term stock trades. 62
• Their capital grows from less than 30 million to more than 600 million in under four months, making them prominent figures in the local stock and futures markets. 65 72
• The Wanxin United Chamber of Commerce, represented by He Zhaoting and chaired by He Zhenming, operates from Hong Kong Island and becomes a key source of investment and business connections for Yanchuan Capital. 65 69 72
• Hong Kong Island's status as an international trade hub and its preferential policies enable Huo Baichuan to expand Yanchuan Technology into foreign trade. 73
• Tao Yan predicts that Hong Kong Island real estate and the Hang Seng Index will rise sharply in the years leading to 1997, recommending long-term investment rather than short-term speculation for St. Mary's education fund. 67 68 70

Story Role

Initial suspicion and arrival

Before visiting, Tao Yan and Huo Baichuan are suspected by the Jiangzhou station chief of being from Hong Kong Island because of their advanced knowledge of electronics and DNA fingerprinting technology. They deny the claim, maintaining that they cannot remember their origins. 44

They later travel there with four children harmed by traffickers, seeking stronger medical care and equipment for rehabilitation surgery. 60

Medical rehabilitation

The children undergo examinations and operations at St. Mary's Hospital. After successful surgeries and the first stage of rehabilitation, Tao Yan and Huo Baichuan rent an apartment near the hospital and hire caregivers and nutritionists for the children's recovery. 62 63

Meng Xinbao regains his sight, receives glasses for remaining astigmatism, and learns to walk again after treatment for injuries inflicted by traffickers. 63

Rise of Yanchuan Capital

During the children's treatment, Tao Yan and Huo Baichuan build their financial operations in Hong Kong Island. He Zhaoting approaches them on behalf of the Wanxin United Chamber of Commerce, seeking cooperation after their trading success attracts wide attention. 64 65

He Zhenming later provides office space and invests 20 billion Hong Kong dollars in Yanchuan Capital as its first LP. 70 71 72

After acquiring an established but failing fund company, they launch the Yanchuan Comprehensive Fund. Its first-month return reaches 218%, and the fund draws investors across the Hong Kong stock market. 75

Later business base

Hong Kong Island remains a recurring base for Yanchuan's international affairs. Tao Yan and Huo Baichuan return to prepare Yanchuan Science and Technology Park's Hong Kong stock listing, meet investors and securities firms, and negotiate commercial partnerships for the park's surrounding development. 92

Hong Kong companies and brands invest in and seek opportunities connected to the science park and Jiangzhou's expanding consumer market. 85 92

When Tao Yan and Huo Baichuan vanish during a later cave expedition, their disappearance draws concern from Hong Kong Island partners and the LPs of Yanchuan International Capital. 105

Associated Figures

• Tao Yan — Uses Hong Kong Island's stock and futures markets to expand Yanchuan Capital; repeatedly returns for listings, investor relations, and international business. 62 65 92
• Huo Baichuan — Co-founds Yanchuan Capital there, develops foreign trade through the island's business environment, and manages relationships with local investors. 70 73
• He Zhaoting — Hong Kong businessman who first approaches Tao Yan and Huo Baichuan on behalf of the Wanxin United Chamber of Commerce. 64 65
• He Zhenming — Chairman of He Group and president of the Wanxin United Chamber of Commerce; becomes Yanchuan Capital's first LP and assists its establishment on the island. 69 70 72
• St. Mary's Primary School — Charity school that enrolls the recovering children and seeks Tao Yan's advice on managing its education fund. 66 67
• St. Mary's Hospital — Hospital where the four trafficked children receive surgery and rehabilitation. 62 63