Flashback: in 2013 NYC visit, Greenland's Chairman Zhang also met with Goldman's Blankfein and the Times Company's Sulzberger

Remember how Zhang Yuliang, Chairman of Greenland Holdings, wouldn't sign the deal to buy a majority interest in Atlantic Yards from Forest City Ratner/Forest City Enterprises without gaining an October 2013 meeting with then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg?

Well, let's add two more photos to that odd photo of Zhang and Bloomberg (who didn't look that enthusiastic).

Another Greenland press release, which I either didn't notice years ago or was added somewhat later, is dated 10/11/13 and headlined, according to the imperfect Google Translate version, Chairman Zhang Yuliang called on the CEO of Goldman Sachs and the Chairman of The New York Times.

They "held talks on deepening cooperation between the two parties on a global scale," which I assume is the translated version of enthusiastic Chinese corporate boilerplate.

Meeting with Goldman

Zhang and Blankfein, via Greenland

That said, Greenland was very enthusiastic, and attributed support from Goldman. Here's the imperfect Google Translate:

During the meeting, Goldman Sachs Group CEO Lloyd Blankfein said that the most influential and competitive companies in the region are the priority targets for Goldman Sachs Group to seek cooperation, and Greenland Group, which is extremely powerful in China and overseas markets. It is undoubtedly the ideal long-term partner of Goldman Sachs. After recent communication and understanding, Goldman Sachs is already very familiar with Greenland's corporate situation. Goldman Sachs highly appreciates Greenland's strategic achievements in China and overseas expansion, and also looks forward to establishing a deeper connection with Greenland in real estate investment, finance and other fields. Strengthen the cooperation between the two parties. Goldman Sachs Group will do its best to provide channel support and resource guarantee for Greenland's overseas market expansion and create a better tomorrow.

Well, Goldman has partnered on some bond issues.

Sulzberger and Zhang, via Greenland

Meeting with the Times

Similarly, Greenland claimed a salute from Sulzberger, though the Times Company itself issued no such statement. Here's the imperfect Google Translate:

Arthur Sulzberger, chairman of the New York Times Company, said that the meeting with Chairman Zhang Yuliang deeply admired and excited about the strong strength and excellent culture of Greenland, and the entrepreneurial mind and courage of Chairman Zhang Yuliang. He pointed out that Brooklyn is a very fashionable and vibrant area in New York, which will provide a lot of market growth space for the Greenland Group, which is also full of development and vitality. The New York Times and Greenland Group have a vast space for cooperation. It is hoped that both parties will further enhance communication and work together to achieve new breakthroughs in cooperation.

I'm not sure how well Greenland understands how media companies work--or maybe it does?--but I don't think the companies have worked together "to achieve new breakthroughs in cooperation," though the Times, especially in its real estate coverage, has had a light touch.