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  • Corporate Governance
  • Report of The Directors

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

The directors have pleasure in presenting to shareholders their report for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Principal Activities

CITIC Limited is one of China’s largest conglomerates. The principal activity of CITIC Limited is investment holding and its subsidiaries are engaged in financial services, resources and energy, manufacturing, engineering contracting and real estate as well as other businesses both in mainland China and overseas.

Subsidiary Companies

The name of the principal subsidiaries, their place of incorporation, principal activities and shares issued are set out in note 58 to the consolidated financial statements.

Business Review

A fair review, discussion and analysis of the Group’s business as required by Schedule 5 to the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622 of the Laws of Hong Kong), including the material factors underlying its results and financial position are set out in the sections headed “Chairman’s Letter to Shareholders”, “Our Businesses” and “Financial Review”. An account of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group is provided in the “Risk Management” section of this annual report. Particulars of important events affecting CITIC Limited that have occurred since the end of the financial year 2019 (if any) and the likely future development in CITIC Limited’s business can also be found in this annual report. The above discussions form an integral part of the Report of the Directors.

In addition, an account of CITIC Limited’s performance by reference to environmental and social-related policies is provided in the “Environmental, Social and Governance Report” of this annual report.

Dividends

On 29 August 2019, the directors declared an interim dividend of HK$0.18 per share (2018: HK$0.15 per share) for the year ended 31 December 2019 which was paid on 4 October 2019. At the board meeting held on 31 March 2020, the directors recommended a final dividend of HK$0.285 per share (2018: HK$0.26 per share) in respect of the year ended 31 December 2019. Subject to approval of the shareholders at the forthcoming annual general meeting of CITIC Limited to be held on 19 June 2020 (the “2020 AGM”), the proposed final dividend will be paid on Tuesday, 11 August 2020 to shareholders on CITIC Limited’s register of members at the close of business on Tuesday, 30 June 2020. This represents a total distribution for the year of HK$13,527 million.

The proposed final dividend will be payable in cash to each shareholder in HK Dollars (“HKD”) unless an election is made to receive the same in Renminbi (“RMB”).

Shareholders will be given the option to elect to receive all (but not part) of the 2019 final dividend in RMB at the average benchmark exchange rate of HKD to RMB as published by the People’s Bank of China during the five business days ending on 19 June 2020 (inclusive), being the date of the 2020 AGM. To make such election, shareholders should complete the Dividend Currency Election Form, which is expected to be despatched to shareholders in early July 2020 as soon as practicable after the record date of 30 June 2020 to determine shareholders’ entitlement to the proposed final dividend, and return it to the CITIC Limited's Share Registrar, Tricor Tengis Limited, at Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong not later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 21 July 2020.

If an election is made by a shareholder to receive the 2019 final dividend in RMB in respect of all (but not part) of the shareholder’s entitlement, the RMB dividend will be paid by cheques which are expected to be posted to the relevant shareholders by ordinary post on Tuesday, 11 August 2020 at the shareholders’ own risk.

Shareholders who are minded to elect to receive their dividends in RMB should note that (i) they should ensure that they have an appropriate bank account to which the RMB cheques for dividend can be presented for payment; and (ii) there is no assurance that RMB cheques can be cleared without material handling charges or delay in Hong Kong or that RMB cheques will be honoured for payment upon presentation outside Hong Kong.

If no election is made by a shareholder or no Dividend Currency Election Form is received by the CITIC Limited’s Share Registrar by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 21 July 2020, such shareholder will automatically receive the final dividend in HKD. All dividend payments in HKD will be made in the usual ways on Tuesday, 11 August 2020.

If shareholders wish to receive the 2019 final dividend in HKD in the usual way, no additional action is required.

Shareholders should seek professional advice with their own tax advisers regarding the possible tax implications of the proposed dividend payment.

Donations

Donations made by CITIC Limited and its subsidiary companies during the year are set out in the “Environmental, Social and Governance Report” of this annual report.

Share Capital and Reserves

Movements in the share capital and reserves of CITIC Limited and the Group during the year are set out in note 45 to the consolidated financial statements.

Fixed Assets

Movements in fixed assets during the year are set out in note 31 to the consolidated financial statements.

Major Customers and Suppliers

During the year, both the aggregate percentage of purchases from the Group’s five largest suppliers and the aggregate percentage of sales to the Group’s five largest customers were less than 30% of total purchases and sales of the Group respectively.

Borrowings, Debt Instruments Issued and Perpetual Capital Securities

Particulars of borrowings, debt instruments issued and perpetual capital securities of CITIC Limited and its subsidiary companies as at 31 December 2019 are set out in notes 42, 43 and 45 to the consolidated financial statements.

Equity-linked Agreements

Save as disclosed below in the section headed “Share Option Plan Adopted by CITIC Limited”, no equity-linked agreements that will or may result in CITIC Limited issuing shares or that require CITIC Limited to enter into any agreements that will or may result in CITIC Limited issuing shares were entered into by CITIC Limited during the year or subsisted at the end of the year.

Directors

The directors of CITIC Limited during the year and up to the date of this report are:

Executive Directors
Mr Zhu Hexin (Chairman) (appointed on 30 March 2020)
Mr Chang Zhenming (Chairman) (resigned on 30 March 2020)
Mr Wang Jiong (Vice Chairman and President)
Ms Li Qingping
Mr Pu Jian (resigned on 21 February 2019)

Non-executive Directors
Mr Song Kangle
Ms Yan Shuqin
Mr Liu Zhuyu
Mr Peng Yanxiang
Mr Liu Zhongyuan
Mr Yang Xiaoping
Mr Wu Youguang (resigned on 29 January 2019)

Independent Non-executive Directors
Mr Francis Siu Wai Keung
Dr Xu Jinwu
Mr Anthony Francis Neoh
Mr Shohei Harada
Mr Gregory Lynn Curl (appointed on 28 March 2019)
Ms Lee Boo Jin (resigned on 28 March 2019)
Mr Paul Chow Man Yiu (retired with effect from the conclusion of the annual general meeting held on 5 June 2019)

Mr Chang Zhenming, Mr Wu Youguang, Mr Pu Jian, Ms Lee Boo Jin and Mr Paul Chow Man Yiu have confirmed that they have no disagreement with the board and nothing relating to their resignation that need to be brought to the attention of the shareholders of CITIC Limited.

Mr Gregory Lynn Curl who was appointed by the board as director of CITIC Limited on 28 March 2019 was re- elected as director at the annual general meeting held on 5 June 2019. Pursuant to Article 95 of the articles of association of CITIC Limited, Mr Zhu Hexin who was appointed by the board as director of CITIC Limited on 30 March 2020 shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting, or if earlier, the next following extraordinary general meeting of CITIC Limited and, being eligible, offer himself for re-election. In addition, pursuant to Article 104(A) of CITIC Limited’s articles of association, Mr Wang Jiong, Mr Yang Xiaoping, Mr Francis Siu Wai Keung and Mr Anthony Francis Neoh shall retire by rotation at the 2020 AGM and, all being eligible, have offered themselves for re-election at the 2020 AGM.

The biographical details of directors and senior management as at the date of this report are set out in the “Board of Directors” and “Senior Management” sections of this annual report.

Directors of Subsidiaries

The list of directors who have served on the boards of the subsidiaries of CITIC Limited during the year and up to the date of this report is available on CITIC Limited’s website .

Directors’ Material Interests in Transactions, Arrangements or Contracts

Save as disclosed in the sections headed “Connected Transaction” and “Non-Exempt Continuing Connected Transactions” below and “Material related parties” in note 49 to the consolidated financial statements, no transactions, arrangements or contracts of significance in relation to CITIC Limited’s business to which CITIC Limited’s subsidiaries, fellow subsidiaries or its holding company was a party or were parties and in which a director of CITIC Limited or his or her connected entity had a material interest, whether directly or indirectly, subsisted at the end of the year or at any time during the year.

Directors’ Service Contracts

None of the directors proposed for re-election at the forthcoming annual general meeting has a service contract with the Group which is not determinable by the Group within one year without payment of compensation (other than statutory compensation).

Management Contracts

No contracts concerning the management and/or administration of the whole or any substantial part of the business of CITIC Limited were entered into during the year or existed at the end of the year.

Permitted Indemnity

Pursuant to CITIC Limited’s articles of association and subject to the provisions of the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622 of the Laws of Hong Kong), every director or other officers of CITIC Limited shall be entitled to be indemnified out of the assets of CITIC Limited against all losses or liabilities which he/she may sustain or incur in or about the execution of the duties of his/her office or otherwise in relation thereto. CITIC Limited has arranged Directors & Officers Liability and Company Reimbursement Insurance for its directors and officers to protect them against potential costs and liabilities arising from claims brought against them.

Related Party Transactions

CITIC Limited and its subsidiaries entered into certain transactions in the ordinary course of business and on normal commercial terms which were “Material Related Party Transactions”, the details of which are set out in note 49 to the consolidated financial statements of CITIC Limited. Some of these transactions also constituted “Connected Transactions” and/or “Continuing Connected Transactions” under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Listing Rules”) as summarised below.

Connected Transaction

Set out below is information in relation to the connected transaction of CITIC Limited during the year under review, particulars of which were previously disclosed by way of announcement and is required under the Listing Rules to be disclosed in this annual report.

Reference is made to the announcement dated 16 October 2015 issued by CITIC Limited in relation to the shareholders’ agreement (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) entered into among CITIC Holdings Co. Ltd. (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CITIC Limited), CPG Overseas Company Limited, SII International Holding Ltd., ITOCHU Corporation, China Mobile International Holdings Limited and Wealth Partner Global Limited, pursuant to which all parties agreed to set up a joint venture company F2F Cayman Islands Holdings Limited (the “Joint Venture”) in order to operate cross-border e-commerce business in the People’s Republic of China. The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”) confirmed that as the transaction was conducted with CPG Overseas Company Limited and ITOCHU Corporation (both being beneficial shareholders of Chia Tai Bright Investment Company Limited (“CT Bright”) in which each holds 50% equity interests and CT Bright in turn holds 20% equity interest in CITIC Limited), the transaction contemplated under the Joint Venture Agreement would constitute a connected transaction of CITIC Limited.

Due to the adjustment of China’s cross-border e-commerce policy, the Joint Venture has not conducted any business operation since establishment. On 5 June 2019, all parties entered into a termination agreement, with effect upon the date of signing, to terminate the Joint Venture Agreement and provide for orderly winding up of the Joint Venture. Details of the above were set out in CITIC Limited’s announcement dated 5 June 2019.

Non-Exempt Continuing Connected Transactions

During the year under review, the Group engaged in the following non-exempt continuing connected transactions with CITIC Group Corporation (“CITIC Group”) and/or its associates (the “Connected Persons”), particulars of which were previously disclosed in the announcements of CITIC Limited and are required under the Listing Rules to be disclosed in this annual report and the consolidated financial statements of CITIC Limited.

Sales Framework Agreement — sale of manganese ore by the Group to the Connected Persons

The original Sales Framework Agreement dated 30 September 2014 ended on 31 December 2016. As CITIC Limited and CITIC Group intended to continue to carry out the relevant transactions, both parties entered into a new sales framework agreement (“New Sales FA”) on 30 November 2016, details of which were set out in CITIC Limited’s announcement dated 30 November 2016.

New Sales FA

Period 

commencing from 1 January 2017 and ended on 31 December 2019

Annual Cap

for year ended 31/12/2019

RMB1,050,000,000

There were no transactions under the New Sales FA for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Financial Assistance Framework Agreement — financial assistance provided by the Group to the Connected Persons in the form of entrusted loans or commercial loans

The Financial Assistance Framework Agreement dated 30 November 2016 (“2016 Financial Assistance FA”) ended on 31 December 2019. Considering the business development needs of the Group and CITIC Group, CITIC Limited entered into a new financial assistance framework agreement (“New Financial Assistance FA”) with CITIC Group on 20 November 2019 under which the Group would continue to provide financial assistance to the Connected Persons in the form of entrusted loans, commercial loans and financing guarantee services. Details of the above were set out in CITIC Limited’s announcement dated 20 November 2019.

2016 Financial Assistance FA

 

Period

commencing from 1 January 2017 and ended on 31 December 2019

Maximum Daily Balance

for year ended 31/12/2019
RMB11,000,000,000

New Financial Assistance FA

Period

commencing from 1 January 2020 and ending on 31 December 2022

Maximum Daily Balance

for year ending 31/12/2020

RMB10,000,000,000

for year ending 31/12/2021 

RMB11,000,000,000

for year ending 31/12/2022

RMB12,000,000,000

The maximum daily balance of the financial assistance under the 2016 Financial Assistance FA for the year ended 31 December 2019 was approximately RMB1,783,310,000.

Asset Transfer Framework Agreement

The original Asset Transfer Framework Agreement (the “Original Asset Transfer FA”) dated 8 December 2014 made between China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited (“CITIC Bank”, a non-wholly owned subsidiary of CITIC Limited) and CITIC Group in relation to the transfer of loan and other related assets between CITIC Bank and the Connected Persons which constituted continuing connected transactions of CITIC Limited, ended on 31 December 2017. A new asset transfer framework agreement (the “New Asset Transfer FA”) was entered into on 24 August 2017 between CITIC Bank and CITIC Group for renewal of the Original Asset Transfer FA, details of which were set out in CITIC Limited’s announcements dated 23 November 2017 and 6 December 2017.

New Asset Transfer FA

Annual Caps

for year ended 31/12/2019

RMB13,000,000,000

for year ending 31/12/2020

RMB13,000,000,000

There were no transactions under the New Asset Transfer FA for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Aluminium Alloy Hub Procurement Framework Agreement (“Aluminium Alloy Hub Procurement FA”) — procurement of aluminium alloy hubs by the Group from the Connected Persons

The Aluminium Alloy Hub Procurement FA was entered into on 28 March 2018 between CITIC Limited and CITIC Group, details of which were set out in CITIC Limited’s announcement dated 28 March 2018.

Period

commencing from 28 March 2018 and ending on 31 December 2020

Annual Caps

for year ended 31/12/2019

RMB400,000,000

for year ending 31/12/2020

RRMB430,000,000

The transaction amount under the Aluminium Alloy Hub Procurement FA for the year ended 31 December 2019 was approximately RMB285,571,449.81(Note).

Raw Materials, Equipment and Accessories Sales Framework Agreement (“Raw Materials, Equipment and Accessories Sales FA”) — sales of raw materials, equipment and accessories by the Group to the Connected Persons

The Raw Materials, Equipment and Accessories Sales FA was entered into on 28 March 2018 between CITIC Limited and CITIC Group, details of which were set out in CITIC Limited’s announcement dated 28 March 2018.

Period

commencing from 28 March 2018 and ending on 31 December 2020

Annual Caps

for year ended 31/12/2019

for year ending 31/12/2020

- Raw Materials

RMB530,000,000

RMB550,000,000

- Equipment and Accessories

RMB35,000,000

RMB38,000,000

Total Annual Caps

RMB565,000,000

RMB588,000,000

The transaction amounts under the Raw Materials, Equipment and Accessories Sales FA for the year ended 31 December 2019 were approximately RMB124,107,900.13(Note) for the sales of raw materials and approximately RMB92,703.08(Note) for the sales of equipment and accessories.

Note: Upon completion of the share transfer on 23 December 2019, CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd. (“CITIC Dicastal”) was no longer a subsidiary of CITIC Limited. Accordingly, the transaction between CITIC Dicastal and CITIC Group’s associate no longer constituted a connected transaction and the above transaction amount was as of the completion date.

Reference is made to the joint announcement dated 14 June 2018 issued by CITIC Limited and CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited (“CITIC Telecom”, a subsidiary of CITIC Limited) relating to the renewal of exclusive service agreement* (“ESA”) for technical and support services entered into between CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited (“CPC”, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CITIC Telecom), China Enterprise Netcom Corporation Limited (“CEC-HK”, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CITIC Telecom) and China Enterprise ICT Solutions Limited (中企網絡通信技術有限公司) (“CEC”).

Pursuant to the ESA, CEC shall provide technical and support services to the customers of CEC-HK and CPC in the PRC to facilitate the provision of value-added telecoms services to these customers. A service fee is payable to CEC monthly with reference to CEC’s costs in servicing such customers provided that CEC-HK and CPC shall be entitled to retain the first 30% of the corresponding sales proceeds from customers such that the service fee shall not in any event exceed 70% of the relevant sales proceeds. If CEC’s costs shall be less than 70% of the corresponding sales proceeds, CEC on one hand and CEC-HK and CPC on the other shall be entitled to share the surplus equally. Such service fee was agreed by CPC, CEC-HK and CEC on an arms’ length basis and shall be settled monthly. Details were set out in the joint announcement of CITIC Limited and CITIC Telecom dated 14 June 2018.

On 25 September 2018, CEC was given consent in accordance with the terms of the ESA to provide similar services to and enter into relevant agreements with some of the other telecom operators for the period from 25 September 2018 until expiry of the subsisting term of the ESA.

CEC is a non-wholly owned subsidiary of CITIC Telecom and also an associate of CITIC Group as CITIC Group holds approximately 45.09% equity interest in CEC. CITIC Group is the controlling shareholder of CITIC Limited, which in turn is the indirect holding company of CITIC Telecom. Therefore, CEC, being an associate of CITIC Group, is a connected person of CITIC Limited as well as CITIC Telecom.

The service fees payable by CITIC Telecom and its subsidiaries to CEC under the ESA shall not exceed the maximum amount of RMB148.45 million for the period from 1 January 2019 to 23 June 2019.

The aggregate service fee paid by CEC-HK and CPC to CEC for the period from 1 January 2019 to 23 June 2019 under the ESA was approximately RMB[80.80] million.

* The ESA was first entered into on 24 November 2010 and was subsequently renewed or supplemented by supplemental agreements dated 7 August 2013, 19 February 2014, 22 April 2015 and 14 June 2018. The subsisting term of ESA expired on 23 June 2019.
 

The independent non-executive directors of CITIC Limited have reviewed the aforesaid continuing connected transactions for the year ended 31 December 2019 (collectively the “Transactions”) and confirmed that:

    1. the Transactions have been entered into in the ordinary and usual course of business of the Group;
    2. the Transactions have been entered into on normal commercial terms or better; and
    3. the Transactions were entered into according to the relevant agreements governing them on terms that are fair and reasonable and in the interests of the shareholders of CITIC Limited as a whole.

CITIC Limited’s auditor was engaged to report on the Group’s continuing connected transactions in accordance with Hong Kong Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised) “Assurance Engagements Other Than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information” and with reference to Practice Note 740 “Auditor’s Letter on Continuing Connected Transactions under the Hong Kong Listing Rules” issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The auditor issued an unqualified letter containing findings and conclusions in respect of the continuing connected transactions disclosed by the Group on pages 120 to 122 of this annual report in accordance with Rule 14A.56 of the Listing Rules. A copy of the auditor’s letter has been provided by CITIC Limited to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Share Option Plan Adopted by CITIC Limited

CITIC Pacific Share Incentive Plan 2011

The CITIC Pacific Share Incentive Plan 2000 adopted by CITIC Limited on 31 May 2000 for a term of ten years expired on 30 May 2010. CITIC Limited adopted a new plan, the CITIC Pacific Share Incentive Plan 2011 (the “Plan 2011”) on 12 May 2011. The major terms of the Plan 2011 are as follows:

  1. The purpose of the Plan 2011 is to promote the interests of CITIC Limited and its shareholders by (i) providing the eligible participants with additional incentives to continue and increase their efforts in achieving success in the business of the Group, and (ii) attracting and retaining the best available personnel to participate in the on-going business operation of Group.
  2. The eligible participants of the Plan 2011 are any employee, executive director, non-executive director, independent non-executive director or officer, consultant or representative of any member of CITIC Limited as the board may in its discretion select.
  3. The total number of shares which may be issued upon exercise of all options to be granted under the Plan 2011 must not in aggregate exceed 10% of the shares in issue as at the date of adopting the Plan 2011. As at 31 March 2020, the total number of shares available for issue under the Plan 2011 is 364,944,416 shares.
  4. The total number of shares issued and to be issued upon exercise of options (whether exercised or outstanding) in any 12-month period granted to each participant must not exceed 1% of the shares of CITIC Limited in issue. Where any further grant of options to a participant would result in the shares issued and to be issued upon exercise of all options granted and to be granted to such person (including exercised, cancelled and outstanding options) in the 12-month period up to and including the date of such further grant representing in aggregate over 1% of CITIC Limited’s shares in issue, such further grant shall be subject to separate approval by the shareholders of CITIC Limited in general meeting.
  5. The exercise period of any option granted under the Plan 2011 must not be more than ten years commencing on the date of offer of the grant.
  6. The acceptance of an offer of the grant of the option must be made within 28 days from the date of grant with a non-refundable payment of HK$1.00 from the grantee.
  7. The subscription price determined by the board will be at least the higher of (i) the nominal value of CITIC Limited’s shares; (ii) the closing price of CITIC Limited’s shares as stated in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s daily quotations sheet on the date of offer of the grant; and (iii) the average of the closing prices of CITIC Limited’s shares as stated in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s daily quotations sheets for the five business days immediately preceding the date of offer of the grant.
  8. The Plan 2011 shall be valid and effective until 11 May 2021.

Share Option Plan Adopted by Subsidiaries of CITIC Limited

CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited (“CITIC Telecom”)

CITIC Telecom adopted a share option plan (the “CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan”) on 17 May 2007, which was valid and effective till 16 May 2017. The major terms of the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan are as follows:

  1. The purpose of the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan is to attract and retain the best quality personnel for the development of CITIC Telecom’s businesses; to provide additional incentives to CITIC Telecom Directors, Officers and Employees (as defined here below); and to promote the long term financial success of CITIC Telecom by aligning the interests of grantees to shareholders of CITIC Telecom.
  2. The grantees of the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan are any person employed by CITIC Telecom or any of its subsidiaries and any person who is an officer or director (whether executive or non-executive) of CITIC Telecom or any of its subsidiaries (collectively the “CITIC Telecom Directors, Officers and Employees”) as the board of CITIC Telecom may, in its absolute discretion, select.
  3. The total number of shares of CITIC Telecom (the “CITIC Telecom Shares”) issued and to be issued upon exercise of options (whether exercised or outstanding) in any 12-month period granted to each grantee must not exceed 1% of the CITIC Telecom Shares in issue. Where any further grant of options to a grantee would result in the CITIC Telecom Shares issued and to be issued upon exercise of all options granted and to be granted to such person (including exercised, cancelled and outstanding options) in the 12-month period up to and including the date of such further grant representing in aggregate over 1% of the CITIC Telecom Shares in issue, such further grant shall be subject to separate approval by the shareholders of CITIC Telecom in general meeting.
  4. The exercise period of any option granted under the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan must not be more than ten years commencing on the date of grant.
  5. The acceptance of an offer of the grant of the options must be made within 28 days from the date of grant with a non-refundable payment of HK$1.00 from the grantee.
  6. The subscription price determined by the board of CITIC Telecom will not be less than the higher of (i) the closing price of CITIC Telecom’s shares as stated in the daily quotations sheet of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the date of grant; and (ii) the average closing price of CITIC Telecom’s shares as stated in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s daily quotations sheets for the five business days immediately preceding the date of grant.

As approved at the annual general meeting of CITIC Telecom held on 25 April 2014, the mandate limit is refreshed so that taking into account the overriding limit of the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan, the total number of the CITIC Telecom Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of all options to be granted under the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan, together with all outstanding options granted and yet to be exercised under the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan, shall not exceed 333,505,276 CITIC Telecom Shares, being 10% of the number of the CITIC Telecom Shares in issue as at the date of approval of the refreshment of the mandate limit.

Since the adoption of the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan, CITIC Telecom has granted the following share options:

Date of grant

Number of share options

Exercise period

Exercise price per share

HK$

23.05.2007

18,720,000

23.05.2007 – 22.05.2012

3.26

17.09.2009

17,912,500

17.09.2010 – 16.09.2015

2.10

17.09.2009

17,912,500

17.09.2011 – 16.09.2016

2.10

19.08.2011

24,227,500

19.08.2012 – 18.08.2017

1.54

19.08.2011

24,227,500

19.08.2013 – 18.08.2018

1.54

26.06.2013

81,347,000

26.06.2013 – 25.06.2018

2.25

24.03.2015

43,756,250

24.03.2016 – 23.03.2021

2.612

24.03.2015

43,756,250

24.03.2017 – 23.03.2022

2.612

24.03.2017

45,339,500

24.03.2018 – 23.03.2023

2.45

24.03.2017

45,339,500

24.03.2019 – 23.03.2024

2.45

Upon completion of the rights issue of CITIC Telecom on 7 June 2013, the exercise price and the number of shares to be allotted and issued upon full exercise of the subscription rights attaching to the outstanding share options of CITIC Telecom as at 6 June 2013 have been adjusted (the “Adjustments”) in the following manner:

 

Before Adjustments

After Adjustments

Date of grant

Number of outstanding share options

Exercise price per share

HK$

Number of outstanding share options

Exercise price per share

HK$

17.09.2009

19,451,000

2.10

21,438,072

1.91

19.08.2011

32,332,500

1.54

35,635,462

1.40

The grantees were CITIC Telecom Directors, Officers and Employees. None of these options were granted to the directors, chief executives or substantial shareholders of CITIC Limited.

The share options granted on 23 May 2007, 17 September 2009, 19 August 2011 and 26 June 2013 have expired. The remaining options granted and accepted under the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan can be exercised in whole or in part within 5 years from the date of commencement of the exercise period.

As at 1 January 2019, options for 138,491,317 CITIC Telecom Shares were outstanding under the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan. During the year ended 31 December 2019, options for 71,979,500 CITIC Telecom Shares were exercised, options for 1,628,000 CITIC Telecom Shares have lapsed. No share options were granted nor cancelled in 2019. As at 31 December 2019, options for 64,883,817 CITIC Telecom Shares under the CITIC Telecom Share Option Plan were exercisable.

A summary of the movements of the share options during the year ended 31 December 2019 is as follows:

A. Employees of CITIC Limited/CITIC Telecom under continuous contracts (as defined in the Employment Ordinance)

   

Number of share options

Date of grant

Exercise period

Balance as at 01.01.2019

Exercised during the year ended 31.12.2019 (Note 1)

Lapsed during the year ended 31.12.2019 (Note 2)

Balance as at 31.12.2019

24.3.2015

24.3.2016 – 23.3.2021

30,259,567

17,561,500

565,000

12,133,067

24.3.2015

24.3.2017 – 23.3.2022

34,580,250

16,833,000

584,000

17,163,250

24.3.2017

24.3.2018 – 23.3.2023

32,181,500

16,103,500

223,500

15,854,500

24.3.2017

24.3.2019 – 23.3.2024

39,470,000

19,481,500

255,500

19,733,000

B. Others (Note 3)
 

 

 

Number of share options

Date of grant

Exercise period

Balance as at 01.01.2019

Exercised during the year ended 31.12.2019

(Note 4)

Lapsed during the year ended 31.12.2019

Balance as at 31.12.2019

24.3.2015

24.3.2016 – 23.3.2021

200,000

200,000

24.3.2015

24.3.2017 – 23.3.2022

600,000

600,000

24.3.2017

24.3.2018 – 23.3.2023

600,000

600,000

24.3.2017

24.3.2019 – 23.3.2024

600,000

600,000

Notes:

    1. The weighted average closing price of CITIC Telecom Shares immediately before the dates on which the options were exercised was HK$3.28.
    2. These are in respect of options granted to some employees under continuous contracts who have subsequently resigned. Such options have lapsed during the year ended 31 December 2019.
    3. These are in respect of options granted to independent non-executive directors (including a former independent non-executive director) of CITIC Telecom who are not employees under continuous contracts.
    4. The weighted average closing price of CITIC Telecom Shares immediately before the dates on which the options were exercised was HK$3.30.
Dah Chong Hong Holdings Limited (“Dah Chong Hong”)

Dah Chong Hong adopted a share option scheme (the “DCHH Scheme”) on 28 September 2007 which was valid and effective till 27 September 2017, after which no further share options will be granted. The major terms of the DCHH Scheme are as follows:

  1. The purpose of the DCHH Scheme is to attract and retain the best quality personnel for the development of Dah Chong Hong’s businesses; to provide additional incentives to the employees of the Dah Chong Hong group and to promote the long term financial success of Dah Chong Hong by aligning the interests of grantees to Dah Chong Hong’s shareholders.
  2. The participants of the DCHH Scheme are any employee of the Dah Chong Hong group as the board of Dah Chong Hong may in its absolute discretion select.
  3. The maximum number of shares over which share options may be granted under the DCHH Scheme and any other schemes of Dah Chong Hong shall not in aggregate exceed 10% of (i) the shares of Dah Chong Hong in issue immediately following the commencement of dealings in Dah Chong Hong’s shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange or (ii) the shares of Dah Chong Hong in issue from time to time, whichever is the lower.
  4. The total number of shares issued and to be issued upon exercise of share options (whether exercised or outstanding) in any 12-month period granted to each grantee must not exceed 1% of the shares of Dah Chong Hong in issue.
  5. The exercise period of any share option granted under the DCHH Scheme must not be more than 10 years commencing on the date of grant.
  6. The acceptance of an offer of the grant of the share option must be made within 28 days from the date of grant with a non-refundable payment of HK$1 from the grantee.
  7. The subscription price determined by the board of Dah Chong Hong will not be less than whichever is the higher of (i) the closing price of Dah Chong Hong’s shares as stated in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s daily quotations sheets on the date of grant; and (ii) the average closing price of Dah Chong Hong’ shares as stated in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s daily quotations sheets for the 5 business days immediately preceding the date of grant.
  8. The DCHH Scheme was valid and effective till 27 September 2017, after which no further share options will be granted.

DCHH Scheme has expired on 27 September 2017.

During the period between the adoption of the DCHH Scheme and its expiry, Dah Chong Hong has granted the following share options:

Date of grant

Number of share options

Exercise period

Exercise price per share

HK$

07.07.2010

23,400,000

07.07.2010 – 06.07.2015

4.766

08.06.2012

24,450,000

08.06.2013 – 07.06.2017*

7.400

30.04.2014

28,200,000

30.04.2015 – 29.04.2019*

4.930

* Subject to a vesting scale
 

The share options granted on 7 July 2010, 8 June 2012 and 30 April 2014 had expired by the close of business on 6 July 2015, 7 June 2017 and 29 April 2019 respectively.

Of the share options granted on 30 April 2014, 27,850,000 were accepted and 350,000 were not as at the latest date of acceptance pursuant to the scheme rules (i.e. 28 May 2014). The share options granted are subject to a vesting scale. 25% of the options granted will vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant. A further 25% will vest on the second anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining 50% of the share options granted will vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The vested options are exercisable in whole or in part within five years from the date of grant. The closing price of the shares of Dah Chong Hong immediately before the grant on 30 April 2014 was HK$4.91 per share. The share options expired by the close of business on 29 April 2019.

The grantees were certain directors or employees of Dah Chong Hong group working under continuous contracts (as defined in the Employment Ordinance). None were granted to the directors, chief executives or substantial shareholders of CITIC Limited.

(A) Employees of the Dah Chong Hong group working under continuous contracts (as defined in the Employment Ordinance)

 

Number of share options

Date of grant

Balance as at 01.01.2019

Granted during the year ended 31.12.2019

Cancelled during the year ended 31.12.2019

Lapsed during the year ended 31.12.2019

Exercised during the year ended 31.12.2019

Balance as at 31.12.2019

30.04.2014

6,800,000

(Note 2) 

 

– 

(6,800,000) 

– 

– 

(B) Others (Note 1)

 

Number of share options

Date of grant

Balance as at 01.01.2019

Granted during the year ended 31.12.2019

Cancelled during the year ended 31.12.2019

Lapsed during the year ended 31.12.2019

Exercised during the year ended 31.12.2019

Balance as at 31.12.2019

30.04.2014

14,250,000
(Note 2)

– 

– 

(14,250,000)

– 

–  

Notes:

    1. These are in respect of share options granted to former employees whose employment was terminated other than for cause or misconduct.
    2. 700,000 share options were reclassified to the opening balance of “Others”, subsequent to certain employees of Dah Chong Hong Group having retired on 1 January 2019.

As at 1 January 2019, options for 21,050,000 Dah Chong Hong’s shares were outstanding under the DCHH Scheme. During the year ended 31 December 2019, 21,050,000 share options have lapsed and none of the share options under the DCHH Scheme were exercised and cancelled.

The listing of the shares of Dah Chong Hong on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was withdrawn on 10 January 2020.

CITIC Resources Holdings Limited (“CITIC Resources”)

The share option scheme adopted by CITIC Resources on 30 June 2004 (the “Old Scheme”) for a term of 10 years expired on 29 June 2014. The share options granted under the Old Scheme have been lapsed.

To enable CITIC Resources to continue to grant share options as an incentive or reward to eligible persons, a new share option scheme was adopted by CITIC Resources on 27 June 2014 (the “New Scheme”).

Pursuant to the New Scheme, CITIC Resources may grant options to eligible persons to subscribe for shares of CITIC Resources subject to the terms and conditions stipulated therein. A summary of some of the principal terms of the New Scheme is as follows:

  1. To allow CITIC Resources (i) to be competitive and to be able to attract, retain and motivate appropriate personnel to assist the CITIC Resources group attain its strategic objectives by offering share options to enhance general remuneration packages; (ii) to align the interests of the directors and employees of the CITIC Resources group with the performance of CITIC Resources and the value of the shares; and (iii) to align the commercial interests of business associates, customers and suppliers of the CITIC Resources group with the interests and success of the CITIC Resources group.
  2. The eligible persons include employees and directors of CITIC Resources and any of its subsidiaries (including their respective executive and non-executive directors), business associates and advisers who will provide or have provided services to the CITIC Resources group.
  3. The total number of shares which may be issued upon the exercise of all outstanding options granted under the New Scheme and any other schemes of CITIC Resources shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of CITIC Resources in issue as at the date of adoption of the New Scheme.
  4. The total number of shares issued and to be issued upon the exercise of the options granted to an eligible person (including any exercised, cancelled and outstanding options) in any 12-month period up to and including the date of grant shall not exceed 1% of the total number of shares of CITIC Resources in issue at the date of grant.
  5. The period during which an option may be exercised is determined by the board of directors of CITIC Resources at its absolute discretion, except that no option may be exercised after 10 years from the date of grant.
  6. The minimum period for which an option must be held before it can be exercised is one year.
  7. The exercise price payable in respect of each share of CITIC Resources shall be not less than the greater of (i) the closing price of the shares of CITIC Resources on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as stated in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s daily quotations sheet on the date of grant (which must be a business day); (ii) the average closing price of the shares of CITIC Resources on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as stated in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s daily quotations sheets for the five business days immediately preceding the date of grant; and (iii) the nominal value of the shares of CITIC Resources.
  8. The New Scheme remains in force until 26 June 2024 unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms stipulated therein.

Share options do not confer rights on the holders to dividends or to vote at general meetings.

No share options were granted under the New Scheme during the year ended 31 December 2019.

CITIC Envirotech Ltd. (“CITIC Envirotech”)

CITIC Envirotech adopted the Employee Share Option Scheme (the “Scheme”) on 2 February 2010. A summary of some of the principal terms of the Scheme is as follows:

  1. The Scheme is primarily a share incentive scheme. It provides CITIC Envirotech with the means to use share options as part of a compensation scheme for attracting as well as promoting long-term staff retention. The objectives of the Scheme are (a) to motivate each participant to optimise his performance standards and efficiency and to maintain a high level of contribution to the CITIC Envirotech group; (b) to make employee remuneration sufficiently competitive to recruit and retain participants whose contributions are important to the long-term growth and profitability of the CITIC Envirotech group; (c) to instil loyalty to, and a stronger identification by the participants with the long-term development and growth of, CITIC Envirotech; (d) to attract potential employees with relevant skills to contribute to the CITIC Envirotech group and to create value for the shareholders; (e) to align the interests of the participants with the interests of the shareholders; and (f) to give recognition to the contributions made or to be made by the CITIC Envirotech group non-executive directors (including independent directors) to the success of the CITIC Envirotech group.
  2. The participants of the Scheme are group employees (including group executive directors) and group non-executive directors (including independent directors) of CITIC Envirotech.
  3. The aggregate number of shares in respect of which options may be granted on any date under the Scheme, when added to the amount of shares issued and issuable and/or transferred and transferable in respect of:
    1. all shares available under the Scheme; and
    2. all shares, options or awards granted under any other share option or share scheme of CITIC Envirotech then in force,

      shall not exceed 15% of the number of issued shares (excluding treasury shares) of CITIC Envirotech on the day immediately preceding the relevant date of grant (or such other limit as the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the "Singapore Exchange") may determine from time to time). The options which have already been granted shall not be invalidated in the event that a reduction of CITIC Envirotech’s capital or a buy back of its shares (if applicable) results in the shares issuable and/or transferable under outstanding options exceeding 15% of CITIC Envirotech’s issued share capital (excluding treasury shares).

      The aggregate number of shares issued and issuable and/or transferred and transferable in respect of all options granted pursuant to the Scheme available to all controlling shareholders and their associates of CITIC Envirotech shall not exceed 25% of the shares available under the Scheme.The number of shares issued and issuable and/or transferred and transferable in respect of all options granted pursuant to the Scheme available to each controlling shareholder or each of his associates of CITIC Envirotech shall not exceed 10% of the shares available under the Scheme.
  4. The aggregate number of shares in respect of which options may be offered to a grantee for subscription in accordance with the Scheme shall be determined at the discretion of the remuneration committee of CITIC Envirotech who shall take into account criteria such as rank, past performance, years of service and potential for future development of the participant.
  5. If the options remain unexercised after a period of 10 years (executive directors and employees) and 5 years (non-executive directors) from the date of grant, the options expire. Options are forfeited if the employee leaves the group before the options vest.
  6. The vesting period is 1 year for non-discount options and 2 years for discounted options.
  7. The consideration for the grant of an option is S$1.00.
  8. The exercise price is based on the price that is equivalent to the Market Price*; or a price that is set at a discount to the Market Price, provided always that the maximum discount shall not exceed 20% of the Market Price; and the prior approval of shareholders shall have been obtained in a separate resolution.

    * Market Price: a price equal to the average of the last dealt prices for the shares on the Singapore Exchange over the five consecutive trading days, immediately preceding the date of grant of that option, as determined by the remuneration committee of CITIC Envirotech by reference to the daily official list or any other publication published by the Singapore Exchange.
  9. The Scheme shall continue to be in force at the discretion of the remuneration committee of CITIC Envirotech, subject to a maximum period of 10 years, commencing on February 2010. Subject to compliance with any applicable laws and regulations in Singapore, the Scheme may be continued beyond the above stipulated period with the approval of the shareholders by ordinary resolution at a general meeting and of any relevant authorities which may then be required. The Scheme may be terminated at any time by the remuneration committee or by resolution of the shareholders at a general meeting subject to all other relevant approvals which may be required and if the Scheme is so terminated, no further options shall be offered by CITIC Envirotech hereunder.

Since the adoption of the Scheme, CITIC Envirotech has granted the following share options:

Date of grant

Number of share options

Exercise price per share

S$

Exercise period

01.03.2010

4,375,000

0.2780

01.03.2011 – 01.03.2020

01.03.2010

4,375,000

0.2224

01.03.2012 – 01.03.2020

15.02.2013

49,950,000

0.552

15.02.2015 – 15.02.2023

28.03.2013

12,000,000

0.584

28.03.2015 – 28.03.2023

25.07.2014

6,000,000

1.135

25.07.2016 – 25.07.2024

25.04.2018

18,364,000

0.563

25.04.2020 – 25.04.2028

20.07.2010

1,500,000

0.3830

20.07.2011 – 20.07.2020

20.07.2010

1,500,000

0.3064

20.07.2012 – 20.07.2020

Under the Scheme, the ordinary shares of CITIC Envirotech under option may be exercised in full or a multiple thereof, on the payment of the exercise price. On 1 February 2017, CITIC Envirotech split every one existing ordinary share in its share capital into two shares.

The grantees were certain directors and employees of CITIC Envirotech. None were granted to the directors, chief executives or substantial shareholders of CITIC Limited.

As at 1 January 2019, 37,995,200 (post-split) ordinary shares of CITIC Envirotech under option were outstanding. During the year ended 31 December 2019, no share options were granted under the Scheme, 11,974,000 (post- split) ordinary shares under option were exercised, 18,344,000 (post-split) ordinary shares under option were cancelled and none of the (post-split) ordinary shares under option have lapsed. As at 31 December 2019, 7,677,200 (post-split) ordinary shares of CITIC Envirotech under option were exercisable.

A summary of the movements of the share options under the Scheme during the year ended 31 December 2019 is as follows:

Employees of CITIC Envirotech

 

Number of share options


Weighted average closing price per share*
S$

Date of grant

Balance as at 01.01.2019

Granted during the year ended 31.12.2019

Cancelled during the year ended 31.12.2019

Lapsed during the year ended 31.12.2019

Exercised during the year ended 31.12.2019

Balance as at 31.12.2019

15.02.2013

14,635,000

11,974,000

2,661,000

0.359

25.07.2014

5,196,200

180,000

5,016,200

25.04.2018

18,164,000

18,164,000

 

* This represents the weighted average closing price per share of CITIC Envirotech immediately before the date on which the options were exercised.
 

On 16 December 2019, CITIC Envirotech and CKM (Cayman) Company Limited jointly proposed to acquire the 7,677,200 outstanding options (“Options Proposal”) under the formal proposal to seek the voluntary delisting of CITIC Envirotech from the Official List of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited pursuant to Rules 1307 and 1309 of the Listing Manual.

As at the delisting date of 23 January 2020, 2,661,000 outstanding options were accepted under the Options Proposal and 5,016,200 outstanding options have lapsed.

Directors’ Interests in Securities

As at 31 December 2019, none of the directors of CITIC Limited had nor were they taken or deemed to have, under Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”), any interests or short positions in the shares, underlying shares and debentures of CITIC Limited or any of its associated corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO) as recorded in the register required to be kept by CITIC Limited pursuant to section 352 of the SFO or as otherwise notified to CITIC Limited and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange pursuant to the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Companies as set out in the Listing Rules.

Arrangement to Acquire Shares or Debentures

Save for the share option plans as disclosed above, at no time during the year was CITIC Limited, its subsidiaries, its fellow subsidiaries or its holding company a party to any arrangements to enable the directors of CITIC Limited (including their spouse and children under 18 years of age) to acquire benefits by means of the acquisition of shares or underlying shares in, or debentures of, CITIC Limited or any other body corporate.

Interests of Substantial Shareholders

As at 31 December 2019, substantial shareholders of CITIC Limited (other than directors of CITIC Limited) who had interests or short positions in the shares or underlying shares of CITIC Limited which would fall to be disclosed to CITIC Limited under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part XV of the SFO, or which were recorded in the register required to be kept by CITIC Limited under section 336 of the SFO, or which were notified to CITIC Limited, were as follows:

Name

Nature of interest/capacity

Number of ordinary shares held

Approximate percentage to the total number of issued shares

CITIC Group Corporation
(“CITIC Group”) (Note 1)

Interests in a controlled
corporation and interests
in a section 317 concert
party agreement

26,055,943,755
(Long position)

89.57%
(Long position)

CITIC Glory Limited
(“CITIC Glory”) (Note 2)

Beneficial owner

7,446,906,755
(Long position)

25.60%
(Long position)

CITIC Polaris Limited
(“CITIC Polaris”) (Note 3)

Beneficial owner and
interests in a section 317
concert party agreement

18,609,037,000
(Long position)

63.97%
(Long position)

Chia Tai Bright Investment
Company Limited
(“CT Bright”) (Note 4)

Beneficial owner and
interests in a section 317
concert party agreement

 

22,728,222,755

(Long position) 

5,818,053,363

(Short position)

78.13%

(Long position)

20.00%

(Short position)

CT Brilliant Investment
Holdings Limited
(“CT Brilliant”) (Note 5)

Interests in a controlled

corporation and interests

in a section 317 concert

party agreement

22,728,222,755

(Long position) 

5,818,053,363

(Short position)

78.13%

(Long position)

20.00%

(Short position)

Charoen Pokphand Group
Company Limited
(“CPG”) (Note 6)

Interests in a controlled

corporation and interests

in a section 317 concert

party agreement

22,728,222,755

(Long position) 

5,818,053,363

(Short position)

78.13%

(Long position)

20.00%

(Short position)

ITOCHU Corporation
(“ITOCHU”) (Note 7)

Interests in a controlled

corporation and interests

in a section 317 concert

party agreement

22,728,222,755

(Long position) 

5,818,053,363

(Short position)

78.13%

(Long position)

20.00%

(Short position)

Notes:

  1. CITIC Group is deemed to be interested in 26,055,943,755 shares: (i) by attribution of the interests of its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, CITIC Polaris (9,463,262,637 shares) and CITIC Glory (7,446,906,755 shares); and (ii) because CITIC Group is a party to the Share Purchase Agreement and the Preferred Shares Subscription Agreement which, reading together, constitute an agreement to which section 317(1) of the SFO applies, and accordingly CITIC Group has aggregated its interests in the shares with the interests of the other parties to the Share Purchase Agreement and the Preferred Shares Subscription Agreement.
  2. CITIC Glory is beneficially interested in 7,446,906,755 shares of CITIC Limited.
  3. CITIC Polaris is deemed to be interested in 18,609,037,000 shares: (i) by including 9,463,262,637 shares it holds as beneficial owner; and (ii) because CITIC Polaris is a party to the Share Purchase Agreement which, reading together with the Preferred Shares Subscription Agreement, constitute an agreement to which section 317(1) of the SFO applies, and accordingly CITIC Polaris has aggregated its interests in the shares with the interests of the other parties to the Share Purchase Agreement and the Preferred Shares Subscription Agreement.
  4. CT Bright is deemed to be interested in 22,728,222,755 shares: (i) by including 5,818,053,363 shares it holds as beneficial owner; and (ii) because CT Bright is a party to the Share Purchase Agreement and the Preferred Shares Subscription Agreement which, reading together, constitute an agreement to which section 317(1) of the SFO applies, and accordingly CT Bright has aggregated its interests in the shares with the interests of the other parties to the Share Purchase Agreement and the Preferred Shares Subscription Agreement. CT Bright has a short position of 5,818,053,363 shares because it is under an obligation to deliver a maximum of 5,818,053,363 shares to CITIC Polaris if CITIC Polaris’ right of first refusal under the Share Purchase Agreement is exercised in full.
  5. CT Brilliant is deemed to be interested in 22,728,222,755 shares and to have a short position of 5,818,053,363 shares as a shareholder of CT Bright directly holding 50% equity interest in CT Bright.
  6. CPG is deemed to be interested in 22,728,222,755 shares and to have a short position of 5,818,053,363 shares as a shareholder of CT Bright indirectly holding 50% equity interest in CT Bright through CT Brilliant, its wholly-owned subsidiary.
  7. ITOCHU is deemed to be interested in 22,728,222,755 shares and to have a short position of 5,818,053,363 shares as a shareholder of CT Bright directly holding 50% equity interest in CT Bright.
Shareholding Statistics

Based on the share register records of CITIC Limited, set out below is a shareholding statistics chart of the registered shareholders of CITIC Limited as at 31 December 2019:

Number of shares held

Number of shareholders

Percentage

1 to 1,000

4,003

55.760

1,001 to 10,000

2,477

34.503

10,001 to 100,000

641

8.929

100,001 to 1,000,000

51

0.710

1,000,001 to 100,000,000

1

0.014

100,000,001 to 500,000,000

1

0.014

500,000,001 to 2,000,000,000

1

0.014

2,000,000,001 above

4

0.056

Total:

7,179

100

As at 31 December 2019, the total number of ordinary shares in issue of CITIC Limited was 29,090,262,630 and based on the share register records of CITIC Limited, HKSCC Nominees Limited held 9,817,721,603 ordinary shares in entities ranging from 1,000 to 1,000,000,000 ordinary shares and representing 33.75% of the total number of ordinary shares in issue of CITIC Limited.

Purchase, Sale or Redemption of Listed Securities

Neither CITIC Limited nor any of its subsidiary companies has purchased, sold or redeemed any of CITIC Limited’s listed securities during the year ended 31 December 2019.

Sufficiency of Public Float

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has granted a waiver (the “Waiver”) to CITIC Limited from strict compliance with the minimum public float of 25% upon completion of the acquisition of CITIC Corporation Limited (the “Acquisition”) on 25 August 2014. Pursuant to the Waiver, CITIC Limited has complied with the public float requirement which is at the higher of such a percentage (being 21.87%) of shares held by the public immediately after completion of the Acquisition. Based on the information that is publicly available to CITIC Limited and within the knowledge of the directors as at the date of this annual report, CITIC Limited has maintained the prescribed public float under the Waiver.

Auditor

The Group’s consolidated financial statements for the year have been audited by Messrs PricewaterhouseCoopers, Certified Public Accountants and registered PIE Auditor, who will retire and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-appointment. A resolution for the re-appointment of Messrs PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditor of CITIC Limited is to be proposed at the 2020 AGM.

By Order of the Board,
Zhu Hexin
Chairman
Hong Kong, 31 March 2020