Chapter 1202: Chapter 211: Invitation
Since the South African War, East Africa could no longer maintain a low profile in the military field, but military strength only represents the external facade of the country.
After all, as long as money is spent, many countries’ military might can appear impressive on the surface, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from previous generations, or the Beiyang Fleet of the Far East Empire, the Russian Navy before the Russo-Japanese War, which looked strong but would be exposed during real combat.
Without a strong economy and industrial capability as the foundation, military strength obtained through "World Manufacturing" is nothing but showy, and even using advanced Western weaponry, it’s merely a disposable commodity.
East Africa surely doesn’t fall within this category, as it had already initiated self-reliance in defense industries in the last century, but solely relying on military power cannot solve all problems.
Especially for some independent nations, relying solely on military threats would only push them toward East Africa’s potential adversaries, such as the United States, Japan, or Great Powers like England, France, and Russia.
Russia is a typical example. Russia’s military power is undeniably strong, but its poor foreign policies make most neighboring countries or its peripheral regions utterly detest it.
...
As preparations for the East Africa World Expo begin, the East African Government also starts sending out invitations worldwide.
Far East Empire.
"Why is there another nation hosting a World Expo?" Looking at the invitation delivered by the East African Embassy, the current President of the Far East Empire asked: "Isn’t the United States still hosting the Panama Expo? Previously, they invited us to participate."
Faced with the President’s inquiry, Yang Du said, "There is indeed a Panama Expo, but it seems to have started in February this year. At the time, the United States government strongly invited our government to participate in this Expo. Although it’s called the Panama Expo, the actual venue is on the West Coast of America, in San Francisco."
The President said, "Since that’s the case, why is East Africa joining the fun? Is this World Expo like playing games, almost like child’s play!"
Indeed, the timing of East Africa hosting the World Expo is rather subtle. While the American Expo hasn’t ended, East Africa is joining the fun, reminding the President of the saying "Dong Shi imitates Xishi."
Yang Du said, "Actually, it’s easy to understand. Western countries have always liked showcasing their economic and industrial strength through expos, especially world expos which have substantial economic interests behind them."
"Showcasing commodities can benefit a country’s export market, and this is what countries around the world are pursuing now, where the international market is exceedingly important, especially in the Western world where profit outweighs justice."
The President said, "Indeed, but for the United States and East African government to subsequently host a world expo, there must be some trickery involved. What do you think, Tiger?"
After contemplating for a moment, Yang Du said, "If from a conspiracy perspective, the United States and East Africa certainly have motives to achieve certain objectives through expos, given that the world situation is in a very delicate environment now."
"Countries in Europe are deeply entrenched in war, causing powers like England, France, and Germany to retract back into Europe, creating many power vacuums worldwide."
"And now, among the Great Powers not caught in warfare, only the United States, East Africa, and Japan remain. But Japan is too small in scale to compete with the United States and East Africa, the two large nations."
"Thus, East Africa hosting the World Expo at this time seems to contain a sense of competing with the United States."
The President wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "I think so too. East Africa cannot be unaware of the United States’ Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and indeed, this year’s economic competition between the United States and East Africa has been very intense."
"I recall Western newspapers saying the United States and East Africa are like two jackals, stealing leftover food amid the lion packs’ disputes, ultimately starting to bite each other."
One does not know where Yuan read such news; The competition between East Africa and the United States is indeed fierce, but not to such a degree. The main engagement between the two countries is in the economic realm after all.
Whoever expands their production capacity faster can eat more, undoubtedly East Africa, which was prepared beforehand, seized the upper hand. As for the United States, it simply lacks skill; After all, with market demand so intense now, if your production capacity is not expanded timely, the problem can hardly be blamed on East Africa entirely.
Moreover, there’s competition and cooperation between East Africa and the United States, where many American trade companies choose to collaborate directly with East Africa due to insufficient local production capacity, by ordering from East Africa and then selling in Europe, so it’s not that all American enterprises dislike East Africa. Of course, the overall attitude of American society towards East Africa is naturally unfriendly, that is certain.
But most likely due to Western capital-backed newspapers, it causes such contradictory-rhetoric while mocking both America and East Africa.
Yang Du said, "A world expo, simply put, is a large-scale commodity sales event, like the United States inviting our country, clearly greed is aimed toward our vast population market, and East African Government evidently considers this aspect too."
"However, as long as the two countries do not intervene in our politics, naturally we should actively participate in such activities."
The President nodded and said, "Given that’s the case, then organize another batch of personnel to participate in this event in East Africa! Just now, some people didn’t recognize the occasion well, so use this as an excuse to let them visit East Africa, after all, East Africa is also an imperial regime now, and since East Africa is so powerful, it certainly justifies our stance."
Ultimately, the President goes along the path of the previous life, seeking further advancement, although even if Ernst knew, there’s nothing he could say.
After all, he himself chose monarchy, moreover, East African Monarchy now is even not constitutional yet, as Ernst is purely a feudal monarch.
As for East Africa’s achievements, that clearly has little to do with monarchy, entirely relying on Ernst’s precognition and foresight.
...
For the East African Government to send an invitation to the Far East Empire was merely incidental rather than a focal point of this round of the Expo.
The principal invited countries are those of Oceania and South America, aligning with East Africa’s blueprint for a Southern Hemisphere economic system.
Even the British colonial territory of Australia falls within East Africa’s invitation scope. Despite Australia being merely a colony, however, given its importance, East Africa cannot overlook Australia.
Granted, at the current stage, East Africa certainly has no actual initiatives towards Australia. During the period of unbroken British hegemony, Australia will remain a loyal dog of the UK, as shown during the European war, where Australia directly deployed troops to assist the UK for momentum.
But the nation East Africa values most for the world expo is South American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, etc.
In these days and years, East Africa’s exchanges with South American countries have yielded significant results, now through the East Africa World Expo, it can further enhance their "trust" in East Africa.
These countries are precisely what East Africa has long been scheming, and now South America is the "frontline" for East Africa and US contesting regional influence.
Through the Panama Expo, the United States’ influence rose significantly in South America, and East Africa likewise intends to leverage the expo to show South American countries that East Africa is a top-notch superpower, not inferior to the United States.
This is merely a process of "flexing muscles," and then American countries will, based on comparison of the two nations’ strength as well as their own political needs, pledge allegiance to a new base.
As for the original bases, naturally it’s England and France. Now that the two are caught up in Europe, the United States and East Africa start undercutting UK, France, and Germany.
Thus, East Africa must fully showcase its advancements in industry, economy, culture, etc., at this point, only such marketing can make nations planning to side with East Africa do so willingly.
While the negative example remains Tsarist Russia. Why are Russia’s "little brothers" so disheartened? It’s nothing but due to Russia’s poor economy and corrupt politics, and if one becomes a Russian "little brother," they most likely won’t enjoy any good days.
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