Chapter 303: Cutting Flesh to Feed the Tiger

Globally, China's sovereign wealth fund is a behemoth, firmly holding a place among the top three in terms of size.
In contrast, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, from that tiny island nation, can only rank eighth at best.
However, there is a fundamental difference between the two—investment strategy!
China's sovereign wealth fund prioritizes stability, like a tortoise lying in wait, drawing meager but steady returns from the safest assets, seeking neither great success nor failure.
Singapore, however, is different!
Their sovereign wealth fund doesn't directly engage in the market; instead, it continuously provides funds to the government under the guise of "lending."
The government then hands over this astronomical sum to two financial giants.
GIC (Government of Singapore Investment Corporation) and Temasek!
These two companies are the two pillars supporting Singapore's glamorous image as an international financial center.
One is the sovereign wealth fund, and the other is a public investment company; both are "sons" of the Singapore government.
When these two giants join forces, the resulting torrent of funds is enough to make any financial giant tremble.
Therefore, whenever Singapore encounters a national-level financial crisis, they are the first to rush to the front lines of the firefighting effort.
"Report! Mr. Bell. As panic selling spreads in the Singapore market, the Singapore government can no longer withstand it.
It has now urgently halted some transactions and begun instructing GIC and Temasek to liquidate their global assets to recoup funds for market intervention!"
In an office atop Manhattan, overlooking the steel jungle, Goldman Sachs manager Bell listened to his subordinate's report, a knowing glint in his deep eyes.
"Oh? Is Singapore preparing to sacrifice its own assets to feed the tiger, pulling back all the nets it cast overseas to put out the fire?"
"Yes, Mr. Bell.
But the problem is, these two companies have too broad an investment portfolio. They not only hold substantial stakes in overseas companies, but they are also deeply entrenched in Singapore's domestic real estate and stock markets.
Now, to raise 'firefighting funds,' they've begun a frantic asset sell-off, directly causing a collapse in both Singapore's stock and property prices!"
The subordinate's voice trembled slightly.
"Even worse, they're not just selling off domestic assets!
To quickly recoup funds, they're recklessly selling their foreign stock holdings on the global market…
Now the entire international financial market is in turmoil, a complete mess!"
This sudden financial tsunami in Singapore is no longer just a matter for one country.
It has evolved into a global storm!
Singapore, along with Hong Kong, has long been considered Asia's financial twin stars, a safe haven for countless hot money flows.
People believed that putting money there was like putting it in the world's most secure safe.
But today, the myth has been shattered!
The safe has been smashed to pieces from the inside by a hammer from the East!
All the money the world invested in Singapore is now like ants on a hot plate!
Not only that, but an even more terrifying chain reaction occurred: to repair this broken safe, GIC and Temasek, the two "national protectors," were forced to frantically sell assets globally, essentially detonating a bombshell in an already turbulent international market!
They had no choice; they had to act quickly, at any cost!
Because once Singapore's status as an "Asian financial hub" collapsed, it would be an apocalypse ten thousand times more devastating than the financial crisis itself!
"So, they're now desperately trying to put out the fire at all costs?"
"Yes, Mr. Bell. With GIC and Temasek personally involved, disregarding all consequences, and mobilizing such a massive force, the market should stabilize quickly."
The method for stabilizing the market, frankly speaking, is quite simple and brutal: pour money in!
Using massive amounts of capital to forcibly prop up stock prices from their lows!
"But what's the cost? Singapore is likely severely damaged, its internal organs shattered.
The fact that it forced GIC and Temasek to cut their losses shows just how devastating this crisis was."
Bell stroked his chin, a playful look on his face.
"More importantly, the golden signboard of 'Asia's financial center' has been tarnished.
This is probably what the Singaporean government hurts most, even more than the financial losses."
Once upon a time, Singapore's most glorious moment was during the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis that swept the globe.
At that time, the whole world was engulfed in flames, but Singapore reacted swiftly, mobilizing GIC and Temasek to stabilize the situation, not only quickly restoring the market but also establishing its prestigious reputation as "Asia's most stable financial center."
But ironically, when a financial fire broke out within itself, this former "firefighter" reacted so sluggishly.
"They probably never dreamed that in Singapore, a financial market hailed as the world's safest and most stable, there would be a madman who would actually strap himself with explosives and come in to self-destruct!"
The subordinate added,
"Moreover, even if this crisis subsides, the Singaporean government will be in the wrong if it wants to cause trouble for 'Fanghuan Investment.'
Because, ultimately, the trigger for this whole thing was lit by the EU and themselves."
As the saying goes, revenge is the best revenge; it's only natural.
Who told you to follow those EU guys, relying on your numbers and power, to forcibly dismantle their shipping company?
Now they've come knocking, slapping you hard across the face, and you can only cover your face and swallow your pride.
"Speaking of which, Singapore wasn't the only one who suffered this time.
Those two institutions frantically sold off assets, dragging several major markets around the world down with them."
Bell raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and concluded:
"So, Fang Huan Investment is retaliating?
Not only retaliating against Singapore, but also dragging down all the countries that participated in the crackdown on them?"
"Yes, Mr. Bell. It's fair to say that all the world's major economies have been splattered with blood this time.
Fang Huan is really getting his revenge!"
This is fucking...
Bell was both angry and amused.
This is utter arrogance, utter domineering!
Just because their own company was forcibly demolished, they've turned the world upside down?
What kind of lunatics are Fanghuan Investment?!
"This move is meticulously planned to the extreme.
When the EU issued the order, Fanghuan Investment offered almost no resistance, swiftly dismantling the shipping company; everyone thought they chickened out.
Now it seems they knew from the beginning that it was a battle they couldn't win.
So, they simply didn't fight, but quietly sharpened their knives, preparing to recoup their losses, with interest, from elsewhere!"