Stepping on Chinese soil again, Bradman was in a very bad mood. He felt that he had been tricked, but he couldn't find a way to fight back. The last time the Chinese side took the initiative to invite them to come over for talks, he was arrogant and thought that he could scare the other side. Who would have thought that the other party would defeat him without saying a word and directly use a press release on the start of the coal-to-liquid project, forcing him to come back in disgrace. If the other party had revealed the news earlier, he wouldn't have to run back and forth, and no one would have been able to stand the jet lag just after he had just reversed and had to run again.

The Chinese want to build a coal-to-liquid project, obviously not a decision made after the collapse of the last talks, a project with an investment of more than a billion dollars, the preliminary demonstration will take at least a year. In other words, the last time Feng Xiaochen negotiated with them, the demonstration of the coal-to-liquid project had already been completed, and they were only waiting for an auspicious day for the zodiac to hold a groundbreaking ceremony. In this case, Feng Xiaochen is still tight-lipped and pretends to discuss the issue of oil supply with them, isn't this just a trick?

"Would they have started this project if we had agreed to their request last time?" Graeme asked Bradman.

"They already figured out that we wouldn't agree to their requests. Or, if we agreed, they would certainly make harsher demands until the parties could not reach an agreement. Bradman said with a sigh.

Knowing that the other party is engaged in a conspiracy, he still has to come over to discuss with the other party bitterly, and the grief and anger of life are nothing more than this.

"Mr. Xu, we have carefully considered your request last time and believe that your request is reasonable to a certain extent. We would like to be able to have further talks with you on this issue, can you make an arrangement?"

In the building of the Ministry of Commerce, Bradman politely said to Xu Zhenbo.

"Absolutely. We have a good relationship with OPEC and our doors will always be open to you. Xu Zhenbo's mouth was sweeter than honey, and he agreed to Bradman's offer.

"So, who are we going to talk to?" Bradman asked.

Xu Zhenbo said: "If you don't mind, how about I have a meeting with you?"

"That's certainly for the best. But Mr. Feng, who we had a conversation with last time, will he be able to attend?" asked Graeme.

Xu Zhenbo made a look of embarrassment and said: "This is a little inconvenient, as far as I know, Mr. Feng is very busy during this period of time, in addition to some of his own business arrangements, there are also merchants from many countries waiting to talk with him. Our Ministry of Commerce has something we want to invite him over to talk, but he can't arrange time. ”

"What are these merchants from other countries talking about with Mr. Feng?" asked Graeme.

Xu Zhenbo said: "The two of you don't know that Mr. Feng's equipment industry company has recently completed the research and development of a major equipment and started the construction of the first experimental project in Shanbei Province, China. After this news came out, it attracted the attention of businessmen from Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Thailand, Italy and other countries, and asked us about project cooperation. Mr. Feng is mainly dealing with these visiting merchants during this period, so he is relatively busy. ”

Bradman and Graeme exchanged glances, and Bradman asked, "If I'm mistaken, Mr. Xu is talking about the 4 million tons of coal-to-liquid project that China has just started, right?"

"Exactly. Xu Zhenbo said unabashedly.

"Why, is this project being built by Australia and other countries with you?" asked Bradman.

Xu Zhenbo shook his head in surprise and said, "How could it be? This project was built by us independently. Merchants from Australia and other countries have come to China in the hope of introducing our technology and building similar coal-to-liquid projects in their countries. ”

"What are you talking about? Australia also wants to build a coal-to-liquid project?" Graeme asked, wide-eyed.

Xu Zhenbo said: "I don't know much about the specific situation, they are in direct contact with the equipment industry company. Otherwise, you should go to the equipment industry company to find out. ”

"This ...... Is it convenient?" asked Graeme.

Xu Zhenbo waved his hand with a big grin and said: "What's inconvenient about this, OPEC is our good friend, whatever you want, we will definitely do our best to meet your requirements." ”

"If that's the case, then thank you so much Mr. Xu......" Bradman agreed, scolding in his heart.

Xu Zhenbo deliberately talked about other countries coming to negotiate the coal-to-liquid project in front of them, obviously he had discussed it with Feng Xiaochen, and the purpose was also very clear, that is, it was used to put pressure on OPEC, and Bradman could not understand it. But now that people are taking the initiative, Bradman knows that the other party is acting, so he has to pretend that he doesn't see it. He really needs to go to the equipment company and find out the specific situation on the spot. Xu Zhenbo said that he could arrange it for them, and of course he accepted it.

Xu Zhenbo called a subordinate and asked him to ask for a car, accompanied Bradman and Graeme, and came to the equipment company. After entering the door to explain their intentions, the front desk staff took them to a small conference room, and then invited a few company employees to introduce the situation to Bradman and his party.

"China began to develop coal-to-gas technology in the 70s of the last century, during which it received technical support from South Africa, Japan, the United States and other countries. In the 90s of the last century, we built a set of experimental industrial equipment, and after nearly 10 years of operation, the results are good. A few days ago, we started the construction of a set of equipment with an annual output of 4 million tons in Shanbei Province, which adopts the technology of China's completely independent intellectual property rights, which is expected to be put into operation at the end of 2006 and reach the design capacity in mid-2007. ”

Chen Mo, head of the foreign dynamics section of the strategic planning department of the equipment company, introduced to Bradman and Graeme in fluent English.

"As far as we know, the cost of coal-to-liquid is still higher than that of natural oil in the world, but what will be the cost of refined oil after your country's 4 million tons of plant is put into operation?" asked Graeme bluntly.

Chen Mo smiled and said: "We have calculated that according to our current design, the cost of gasoline will not be higher than $650 per ton under the condition that the plant is working at full capacity." ”

"No more than $650 per tonne of gasoline?

Gasoline is refined from crude oil, and when the price of crude oil rises, the price of gasoline will also rise. At present, the price of gasoline on the international market is about $520 per tonne, and if OPEC continues to implement the policy of reducing production and increasing prices, causing the price of crude oil to rise to the level of $60 per barrel, the price of gasoline may rise to the range of $600 to $700.

If China's coal-to-liquid technology can keep the price of gasoline made from coal within $650 a tonne, it will mean that it can replace gasoline refined from crude oil. Previously, the international cost of coal-to-gasoline has always been above $1,000 per tonne, posing no threat to crude oil. Now, if the cost can be reduced to such a low level, I am afraid that countries with insufficient oil reserves will consider choosing coal-to-liquid as an alternative technology for oil.

Australia happens to be a country with abundant coal resources and relatively scarce oil resources. Another big country that meets this condition is naturally China. At a time when international oil prices continue to rise, both China and Australia will have a strong incentive to experiment with coal-to-liquids production, which is necessary to improve their own energy security.

"Are you sure you can keep costs that low?" asked Bradman.

Chen Mo took out a copy of the information, handed it to Bradman, and said: "This is our propaganda material, and the main parameters of China's coal-to-liquid technology have been listed on it. We are actively seeking to transfer technology to other countries that need it, and this promotional material amounts to our commitment to our customers and to take responsibility if we fail to do so. ”

"What are the other countries that Ms. Chen is referring to in this regard?" asked Graeme.

Chen Mo said: "There are many such countries, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Thailand, India, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, etc., all belong to countries with this demand. At present, the ministers of industry of several countries have come to China, and our general manager, Mr. Feng Xiaochen, has had preliminary negotiations with them, and they have expressed great interest in introducing this technology from China. ”

"What are the terms of your transfer?"

"We don't have a condition of transfer. ”

"There are no conditions for transfer?

Chen Mo smiled slightly and said: "We Feng always have a concept, he thinks that when a technology is invented, it is to benefit the whole world. For countries that are interested in introducing this technology from our country, our principle is that those who come will not be rejected. We have a strong equipment manufacturing capacity, can start the construction of five sets of equipment with an annual output of 4 million tons at the same time, any country wants to introduce this kind of equipment, we are very welcome, and no conditions are attached. ”

Graeme's face was a little embarrassed, and he asked sneeringly: "You just said that you can start construction of five sets of such equipment at the same time, and so many countries have already submitted requests to China to purchase equipment?"

Chen Mo said: "Not yet, you may have to wait and see for a while." However, China itself may start the construction of the second and third sets of 4 million tons of equipment in the near future, and our goal is to eventually form an annual production capacity of more than 100 million tons of coal-to-liquid. Proceeding from this goal, our current equipment manufacturing capacity is still lacking and needs to be further supplemented. ”

"One last question. "When did you start introducing this technology to countries like Australia?"

"It was last week. Chen Mo replied with a smile, "Previously, we didn't plan to promote this technology, but then our general manager changed his mind and hoped to promote this technology as soon as possible." The foreign ministers of industry who have been negotiating with our general manager in Beijing in the past few days have just received the news and rushed over. ”