Chapter 25: Japanese Reparations

  When this modern destroyer with a standard displacement of 9,000 tons and a full load of 10,000 tons appeared before everyone's eyes, all the naval officers were excited. Since the Sino-Japanese War, China has been in a state of having a sea but no defense.

  Now we Chinese soldiers will also be equipped with the world's most advanced warships. The power unit of the "Taipei" air defense destroyer is a nuclear fusion reactor, and of course, 4 gas turbines are presented to everyone.

  "The Taipei No." was able to be completed in one year, mainly because it saved the previous design and preparation work. In addition, all electronic systems and weapon equipment on this ship were produced by Lin Feng's base, otherwise Taiwan does not have the technological capability to manufacture these high-precision weapons at present.

  Especially the "Chinese Shield" system, which is a copy of the US Zeus shield system developed by Lin Feng, is more advanced than the current stage of the US Zeus shield. It can easily handle missile attacks from any direction.

  Two sets of missile vertical launch systems are located at the bow and stern of the ship, which can launch "Long Lance" long-range air defense missiles, "Lance" medium-range air defense missiles and "Dagger" short-range air defense missiles. The most important one is the "Yan Wang" cruise missile that can rival the US Tomahawk cruise missile.

  This cruise missile will be the main weapon for the Chinese military to attack the enemy in the future. It can be used as a land-based strategic and tactical missile, and also as an attacking weapon for surface fleets. In one combat mission, it can carry 500 various missiles.

  Lin Feng and the crowd left the shipyard in excitement. Tomorrow, 287 carefully selected crew members will become the masters of "Taipei No." and they will conduct a two-month sea trial. After that, this modern destroyer will join the active duty. China Shipbuilding Corporation will speed up the construction plan for subsequent warships. Currently, two destroyers and one larger cruiser and submarine are being built simultaneously.

  Lin Feng drove back home, turned on the TV and was about to watch the news. Lin Feng's TV company was very popular now. He had found some good program planners from later generations and handed them over to his subordinates, asking them to follow suit. As a result, the ratings of Lin Feng's TV station quickly rose to number one in all of Taiwan.

  "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am now reporting live from the scene of the disaster in Hong Kong. Behind me, you can clearly see that the entire Kam Fai Building has collapsed. On the evening of June 18th at 8:55pm, a landslide occurred on Pok Fu Lam Road in the Mid-Levels area of Hong Kong Island. A slope of strongly weathered volcanic rock slid down under heavy rain, first destroying a two-story house on Pok Fu Lam Road and then sweeping away a six-story building on Kennedy Road. The mudflow mixed with debris from the buildings and formed a mud-rock flow that rushed towards the 12-story Kam Fai Building at 20 Kam Fai Road. The building instantly collapsed, affecting the nearby Clear Water Bay Garden, where the top four floors were destroyed. Many residents of the Kam Fai Building were trapped under the rubble and unable to escape in time. British troops stationed in Hong Kong were called to the scene for rescue efforts, which were later taken over by firefighters. After days and nights of excavation, rescuers successfully saved many survivors, including former High Court judge, Barnabas Fung. Firefighters located him by following the sound of his radio playing music and rescued him. The Kam Fai Building disaster resulted in 67 confirmed deaths."

  Lin Feng hurried to the phone and was about to call Zhao Yaqi. Since Lin Feng's confession, their relationship had become increasingly intimate, and whenever he had time, he would call Zhao Yaqi in Hong Kong. After a while, the phone connected, and Lin Feng said anxiously, "Yaqi, are you okay? Is everything all right at home?"

  Chiu Yat Chi replied sweetly from the other end: "It's quite safe here, don't worry about me. Ah Fung, when are you coming to Hong Kong?"

  Lin Feng let out a sigh of relief as soon as he heard that Zhao Yazhi was fine, and when she asked him, he deliberately teased her, "What's wrong, missing me?"

  Cherie Chung was still a bit shy, repeatedly denying it, and finally said: "Now Hong Kong is launching various donation activities, on June 24th (Saturday), TVB will hold a charity performance for the 618 disaster relief, they also invited famous movie stars Bruce Lee, Chen Baozhu, Cantonese opera stars Ren Jianhui, Bai Xuejian and new artist Shi Zengwei, we can go take a look together, and also donate to the affected citizens"

  Lin Feng thought for a moment, indeed it had been some time since they were together, so he said: "Okay, tomorrow I'll fly over, the day after tomorrow we'll go together." Afterwards, the two of them chatted on the phone for a while before reluctantly ending the call.

  The next day, Lin Feng boarded a special plane to Hong Kong again. Thinking of the Chinese people who suffered from natural disasters, Lin Feng felt that it was necessary to establish an emergency response organization, especially since Taiwan is located in an earthquake and typhoon-prone area. Establishing such an organization would prevent chaos when disaster strikes. As soon as he exited the airport, Lin Feng caught sight of Zhao Yaqi's fluttering skirt. It had been half a year since they last met, and she looked even more lovely and charming. Lin Feng was momentarily stunned.

  "What are you staring at?" Zhao Yazi was a bit embarrassed by Lin Feng's gaze and said shyly. "So beautiful" Lin Feng sincerely praised, "Have been waiting for a long time? Let's go" Zhao Yazi heard Lin Feng's compliment, her heart felt sweet.

  The charity show organized by the TV station was a huge success, with the presence of many superstars including Bruce Lee, which thoroughly ignited the atmosphere on site. In the end, a total of HK$90 million was raised, breaking the record for disaster relief fundraising in Hong Kong since its opening.

  From then on, the wireless fundraising program became one of the main sources of income for Hong Kong charities. Lam Fung even contacted TV stations in Taiwan to discuss the possibility of broadcasting the charity show's footage in Taiwan, which would also call on people in Taiwan to donate to their Hong Kong counterparts.

  Zhao Yazi was very active at the event, her two eyes staring intently at the passionate stars on stage. After the event ended, she ran excitedly to the front of the big stars to ask for autographs, while Lin Feng smiled and watched her. When she finished, Lin Feng said gently: "A Zhi, have you ever thought about becoming a superstar in the spotlight?"

  Zhao Yazhi was still in an excited state and didn't hear what Lin Feng asked. Lin Feng had no choice but to wait until she calmed down and ask again. This time, Zhao Yazhi thought for a moment before saying: "I don't know if I want to be a big star or not, but I quite like being a flight attendant. Ah, it's too early to think about that now, let me say it next year. Besides, my family hopes I'll become a flight attendant. A Feng, you said I'm already a flight attendant, and who knows, if one day I happen to be working on the Hong Kong to Taiwan flight, maybe we can meet on the plane!"

  Lam Fung stayed with Chiu Ya-chih in Hong Kong for a few days, then hastily returned to Taiwan. Now Taiwan has also reached a critical moment, as the economic plan initially formulated by Taiwan is being implemented step by step, Taiwan's economy is rapidly developing, and this year's per capita income is expected to break through $600, although it is still far lower than developed countries, but the people on the island are very confident that as long as they follow this trajectory, Taiwan will eventually become one of the most developed and prosperous regions in China and even the world.

  Lin Feng returned and went to the Executive Yuan, this is his first time coming here after he resigned from his position at the Executive Yuan. Today he mainly came to see how Taiwan's infrastructure construction is going, now Taiwan has a more efficient and clean government than in history, and the investment of funds is also more than in history, he does not want to see any tofu dregs project.

  The most depressing thing in the world is probably the Japanese government. Since Prime Minister Tanaka returned from China, a pessimistic atmosphere has pervaded Japan. It's absolutely impossible to get Japan to spit out the fat meat that's already in its mouth, but if Japan wants to take its economy to the next level, it must open up the vast Chinese market and resource base.

  The premise for achieving this is the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations. In response to China's conditions, the Japanese cabinet finally decided to accept only compensation. As for the last clause, they still cannot accept it. If the Chinese insist on their own views, Japan will not yield even if it does not establish diplomatic relations with China.

  China received information passed on from Japan, and Premier Zhou immediately contacted Lin Feng. After considering China's actual situation, as both the mainland and Taiwan are currently engaged in economic construction and need large sums of money, Lin Feng carefully weighed the interests and finally decided to accept Japan's conditions. However, it was necessary to state when signing the agreement that the Chinese government reserved the right to recover cultural relics from China in Japan. Moreover, the compensation amount reached 100 billion US dollars, which Lin Feng knew Japan would not agree to.

  This is what they call "sky-high prices, ground-low repayment". After seven days of tug-of-war negotiations between China and Japan, the Japanese side finally agreed to compensate China with 60 billion US dollars, to be repaid in 50 years.

  October 10, 1972 China and Japan signed the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement in Beijing: The Japanese side keenly felt the responsibility for the serious damage inflicted on the Chinese people by Japan's aggression in the past. The Japanese side expressed its deep reflection and sincere apology. The Japanese side reaffirmed its position to seek the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan based on a full understanding of the "Three Principles of Normalization" proposed by the Government of the People's Republic of China.

  The Chinese side welcomes this. Although the social systems of China and Japan are different, they should and can establish peaceful and friendly relations. The normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the development of good-neighborly and friendly relations between them are in the interest of both peoples and contribute to the relaxation of tension in Asia and the safeguarding of world peace.

  (1) From the date of publication of this statement, the abnormal state of affairs that has hitherto existed between the People's Republic of China and Japan is declared terminated.

  (2) The Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China.

  (3) The Government of the People's Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. The Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation.

  (4) The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Japan have decided to establish diplomatic relations as from September 29, 1972. The two Governments have decided to take all necessary measures for each other to set up embassies in their respective capitals and to exchange ambassadors as soon as possible.

  (5) The Government of the People's Republic of China declares that, in order to further the friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries, the Japanese Government will pay a total sum of 600 million US dollars as compensation to the Chinese Government.

  (6) The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Japan agree to establish relations based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. In conformity with these principles and the principles of the United Nations Charter, the two Governments confirm that, in their relations, they will settle all disputes by peaceful means without resorting to force or threat of force.

  Although peace has been temporarily restored between China and Japan, Lin Feng does not feel relieved at all. A war with the major powers in the future is inevitable. So don't think that just because China and Japan have signed a peace agreement, it's really peaceful. There will be a life-and-death struggle between China and Japan sooner or later. Why? Because Asia is too small to accommodate two Chinas.