Chapter 1559 - World Union Reserve (1/2)

Chapter 1559: World Union Reserve

The completion ceremony of the space elevator took place the next day.

More than a dozen cruise ships lined up in the northern Galapagos Islands, and people on top of the deck could clearly see the tower sky ladder.

The Ecuadorian President stood on the deck and delivered a remark, shook hands solemnly with Jiang Chen, President of Celestial Trade, and signed his name on the two agreements. From today on, the space elevator located off the coast of South America was officially open to traffic, as it took on the burden of shipping business to the synchronous orbit in the Western Hemisphere.

As the focus of attention for the public, the national flags of both countries, as well as the flag of Celestial Trade, were hung on the vertical train as it slowly accelerated into the sky, and marked the first train. To celebrate this great occasion, all major cities in Ecuador set off fireworks at the same time, and people in front of the TV opened champagne as they celebrated today like a holiday; celebrated the continent welcoming a new era.

“On behalf of the Ecuadorian people, thank you for everything you have done.” At the end of the ceremony, the President of Ecuador firmly held Jiang Chen’s right hand and said in a sincere tone. “Allow us to give you the most honorable sincerity, you’re always a friend of the Ecuadorian people!”

Media from all over the world recorded this historic scene together with the camera lens.

From today on, the cargo ships from the Mediterranean would no longer need to cross the Atlantic Ocean, cross the Panama Canal, and then sail into the Pacific Ocean to the remote Pannu Islands. The “Port Marchena” on the synchronous orbit now served as a subsidiary port of Celestial Trade and transported goods from the Western Hemisphere.

…

Three full days passed since the completion ceremony, and the dozens of cruise ships anchored here dispersed one after another. A private yacht approached the Marchena Island, not far from the space elevator. There was a watchtower and a small port on the island, and soldiers on duty could be seen from a distance.

The nationality of those soldiers was naturally not Ecuador, but from Xin on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

Based on the agreement between Celestial Trade and Ecuador, Marchena Island was leased to Celestial Trade at a price of 1 million Xin New dollars as a concession area for a lease term of 50 years. If neither party did not pose any objections after fifty years, the lease was automatically renewed every ten years.

This small island located in the northern part of the Galapagos Islands was close to the equator. The island covered an area of 130 square kilometers. This place was practically undeveloped as no one lived on the island and there was only an inactive volcano. The surrounding water was deep, which acted as an excellent natural port, but also a natural scenery area.

As early as the Xin-UA War, the island was handed to Xin from Ecuador and served as a strategic fulcrum for Xin in South America. The location provided supplies to submarines and marines active in the waters near North America.

With the end of the Xin-UA War, Celestial Trade gradually withdrew its troops from the island. Now only a force of 50 remained on the island, who were mainly responsible for patrolling this region, maintaining the safety of the space elevator project, and combating pirates.

“Very beautiful island,” Loki stood on the yacht while he said with his eyes narrowed, “It is a bit wasteful to use it as a military base.”

“The military base is only temporary. It will be more beautiful in two years.” Jiang Chen smiled and then continued after a short pause. “We will build a floating island around this small island and expand its area first to about ten times bigger. We will then move a population in and turn this place into the Penglai of South America, a free and open port.”

The aluminum alloy and titanium materials needed to build the floating island could be obtained through the space elevator. Especially foam aluminum and other alloys that required the use of rare earth minerals, the outputs on the Moon were considerable.

“Really? Then I have to remember this.” Loki also said with a smile.

In fact, even without Jiang Chen’s words, he had already begun to prepare.

In the nearby Galapagos Islands, such as Isabela Island, San Salvador Island, and other islands, all the free land was bought by the B City Consortium as early as six months ago. Loki’s idea was simple. If Marchena Island started to prosper with Celestial Trade’s presence, then Isabella Island just had to follow in its footsteps.