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The conversation between the two internet giants was overheard by the executives from PetroChina, Sinopec, China Mobile, and China Unicom who were seated behind them.
Compared to the tens of millions of US dollars invested in Alibaba and Tencent, the money Mavi had invested in the oil and telecommunications industries last year was a staggering 2 billion US dollars and 6 billion US dollars, respectively.
However, because they preferred to keep a low profile and maintain confidentiality, none of these companies had announced it publicly. It was only when the companies went public and their top 10 shareholders were revealed that investors would find the Ma V Group listed.
As the Boeing 747 came to a complete stop on the tarmac, everyone looked out the window and saw many fully armed Russian soldiers standing guard and patrolling the area.
Seeing this, Mr. Ma immediately recalled the awkward situation last year when his "Eighteen Arhats" (Alibaba's founding team) were questioned by Russian soldiers. However, having gone through that experience last year, this time Mr. Ma seemed a bit more composed and less nervous.
"Are those Russian soldiers around the apron specifically here to greet us?" The presidents of PetroChina and Sinopec had also witnessed the relationship between Mavi and the domestic military before. After all, they clearly remembered the military escort cars from back then.
"That Russian gentleman standing in front of the motorcade, wearing sunglasses, looks like Mr. Mavi, doesn't he? Did he come specifically to pick us up?" The president of China Unicom, who had sharp eyes, spotted Mavi in the crowd right away.
Originally, everyone thought Mavi would leave the airport reception to his subordinates. But to their surprise, he actually came in person, which truly showed them great respect.
However, just as Mr. Ma, Mr. Ma (Pony Ma), and others were mistakenly thinking that Mavi's presence was for them, the moment they stepped out of the cabin, they suddenly realized they might be wrong\!
Because at that very moment, from an Emirates plane parked not far away, a handsome man in white Arabian clothing, escorted by bodyguards, strolled out confidently.
This man was none other than the Dubai Crown Prince, whom Mavi had met by chance in Dubai.
"Am I seeing things? That looks like the eldest prince of Dubai? I saw his photo when I visited the UAE before," the PetroChina executive said, quite surprised. He never imagined that Mavi's company annual meeting could attract the Prince of Dubai\! How on earth did he manage that? What incredible standing\!
However, just as he was saying this, a pure white plane from Saudi Arabia landed smoothly at Sochi Airport.
Immediately after, everyone was stunned to see that the person getting off the plane was actually the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia\! These connections were simply unbelievable, making everyone instantly realize that Mavi's appearance at the airport might not have been primarily to wait for them...
After all, no matter how influential they were in China, compared to the Prince of Dubai or the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, they simply didn't command that level of attention.
"It seems this year's group annual meeting is going to be something else\! Even the Saudi Crown Prince came to show his support. Which other company could have this kind of standing?" the Sinopec executive said with emotion.
His words convinced everyone completely; there were no dissenting opinions. An annual group meeting on Mavi's scale truly seemed unprecedented and likely unmatched in the future. Even if PetroChina, Sinopec, China Mobile, and China Unicom grew to become Fortune 500 companies, they probably wouldn't feel capable of inviting a figure of the Saudi Prince's caliber...
What everyone didn't know was that the reason both the UAE and Saudi Arabia sent their Crown Princes to attend the Mavi Group annual meeting was because of Russia's counter-terrorism war in Afghanistan. This had made the two countries, which had previously funded the Taliban, feel somewhat uneasy and worried about attracting unnecessary trouble.
After all, from the perspective of Russia's military strength, future arms deals, and even the impact on the entire Middle East situation and oil prices after Russia eliminated the Taliban, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were both feeling apprehensive. Therefore, they were eager to build good relations with a certain individual.
"Mr. Mavi, long time no see. The Lamborghini supercar you delivered to me last time is absolutely fantastic. Our police in Dubai love it too." As soon as the Dubai Prince got off the plane, he gave Mavi a warm hug, followed by the face-to-face greeting custom.
Just as he finished, the Saudi Crown Prince also came over and gave Mavi a face-to-face hug. This scene was truly something rarely seen.
"Hello, Mr. Mavi, we meet again\! Last time you sent us Scud missiles in Saudi Arabia, we'd like to buy quite a few more." The Saudi Prince immediately started talking business with Mavi. This was clearly just a way to get closer and warm up the relationship with a certain someone.
"Your Highnesses, there's no problem with the missiles. After the annual meeting, I will arrange the transaction with your countries." The princes' stubble was a bit prickly, and Mavi had actually never gotten used to such intimate greeting customs.
But thankfully, it was only an occasional thing, and he could just bear with it. He knew that Russia's counter-terrorism war in Afghanistan was like seizing control of the Middle East's throat. That's why the two major oil countries specifically sent their princes to attend his annual meeting. There were definite interests at play here.
With the arrival of the Saudi and Dubai Princes, Mr. Ma (Jack Ma), Mr. Ma (Pony Ma), and the other company executives who had originally planned to greet Mavi, seeing the bodyguards surrounding the two princes, felt a bit hesitant. They thought they should perhaps wait, let the two Middle Eastern princes leave in their cars first, and then find an opportunity to exchange a few pleasantries with Mavi.
However, just at that moment, everyone suddenly saw Mavi, accompanied by the Dubai Prince and the Saudi Prince, walking directly towards their plane. It seemed that a certain someone wanted to introduce both parties.
This scene instantly made Mr. Ma and the others feel a jolt in their hearts\! After all, given their current status and position, figures of the Saudi Prince's caliber weren't easily met.
Especially the two executives from PetroChina and Sinopec, whose hearts were in their throats. Because both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are world-renowned major oil-producing countries. If they could establish business relationships with the royal families of these two countries, their future would be much more secure.
"Mr. Ma, Mr. Wang, Mr. Liu, Mr. Fang... Allow me to introduce you all. These two are the Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Prince of the UAE. Your Highnesses, these executives are my business partners in China."
Mavi had seen Mr. Ma and the others earlier. But as they weren't coming over, he decided to introduce them to the Saudi Prince himself. This way, he wouldn't be seen as neglecting courtesy.
"H-hello, Your Highness... It's a great honor to finally meet you."
(End of Chapter)