Chapter 154: Lobbying

April 2nd, 2026.

In the heart of Beijing, within the towering glass facade of the Ministry of Commerce building. Mr. Wei was being escorted by an aide of the Minister of Commerce to its office.

"Here...Mr Wei," said the aide as she stepped aside and then extended her arm towards the office door marked with the emblem of the Ministry of Commerce. Mr. Chen Wei nodded appreciatively and entered the spacious office where Deputy Minister Liu Chang awaited him.

The office was functional and modern, with a large desk dominating the space, behind which Liu Chang stood up to greet him.

"Mr. Wei, it's good to see you again," he said, extending a hand.

As they settled into their seats, the meeting quickly shifted to business. Liu Chang was direct, asking,

"So, Mr. Wei, to what do I owe the pleasure of meeting the CEO of the JinkoSolar?"

"Mr. Liu, I'm here to discuss a matter that directly impacts our company's future," Mr. Wei began with a serious tone. "There's a rising competitor, SolaraTech Corporation from the Philippines, led by Michael Reyes. They are making significant inroads in the global solar energy market, and I believe they pose a threat to our position, especially here in China."

"Their advancements in solar technology are not to be underestimated. They are gaining traction and could potentially disrupt our market here. I urge the Ministry to consider blacklisting SolaraTech Corporation from entering the Chinese market. It's imperative we protect our interests and maintain our leading position in the solar industry."

"But SolaraTech hasn't entered our market."

"Mr. Liu, while SolaraTech has not officially entered our market, their intentions are clear, and their capabilities are growing," Mr. Wei continued, stressing the urgency of the situation. "They have been expanding aggressively in Europe and Asia, and it's only a matter of time before they turn their attention to China. We must be proactive in safeguarding our industry and market share."

"So you want me to block SolaraTech's product entry into China so you can remain at the top, is that what you are asking me?"

Wei's eyebrows rose slightly, then he leaned closer, lowering his voice, "Alright, let's make it fifty million dollars then. But this isn't just for any temporary measure; we expect comprehensive support in keeping our competitors at bay, specifically SolaraTech."

Liu Chang considered this, his expression neutral yet thoughtful. "Fifty million, you say? That's a significant amount."

"Why do you sound like it's not enough?" Wei paused, sensing an underlying demand in Liu's tone.

Liu Chang met his gaze squarely. "Mr. Wei, in the grand scheme of things, fifty million might work for now. Sooner or later, the SolaraTech solar panels will enter China. We are delaying it until you reverse-engineer the technology or develop something superior. This is a temporary measure, not a permanent solution."

Wei nodded, understanding the stakes. "Understood. So, do we have a deal?"

"Of course we do, I'll send a proposal to the President about it," Liu Chang replied.

"Very well, thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Chang," Wei said as he rose to his feet. Liu rose to his feet as well and shook Wei's hand.

With that, the two left the room.

***

Meanwhile, in the Philippines. Michael was reading the news on his tablet until there was a notification about the global news.

Michael tapped on the notification, and his eyes widened as he read the headline: "China Implements New Trade Restrictions on Renewable Energy Products." The article detailed China's sudden and unexpected regulatory changes affecting foreign solar panel manufacturers. While it didn't mention SolaraTech directly, the implications were clear.

Michael felt a surge of concern. "This could be about us. He had done it!"