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Independent Auditor’s Report

Opinion

What we have audited
The consolidated financial statements of CITIC Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) comprise:

Our opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2022, and of its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (“HKFRSs”) issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“HKICPA”) and have been properly prepared in compliance with the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Hong Kong Standards on Auditing (“HKSAs”) issued by the HKICPA. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the HKICPA’s Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (“the Code”), and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.

Key Audit Matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Key audit matters identified in our audit are summarised as follows:

  • Measurement of expected credit losses for loans and advances to customers and other parties and investments in financial assets of China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited (“CITIC Bank”)
  • Consolidation of structured entities – Non-principal guaranteed wealth management products of CITIC Bank
  • Impairment of the Sino Iron Project
Key Audit Matter  How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

Measurement of expected credit losses for loans and advances to customers and other parties and investments in financial assets of CITIC Bank

 

Refer to Note 2(i), Note 3(b), Note 27 and Note 29 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

As at 31 December 2022, gross loans and advances to customers and accrued interest included for the purpose of expected credit loss assessment, as presented in the CITIC Bank’s consolidated balance sheet, amounted to RMB5,166.07 billion (approximately HK$ 5,783.32 billion), for which management recognised an impairment allowance of RMB131.61 billion (approximately HK$147.34 billion); total financial investments and accrued interest included for the purpose of expected credit loss assessment amounted to RMB1,968.71 billion (approximately HK$2,203.94 billion), for which management recognised an impairment allowance of RMB 31.28 billion (approximately HK$35.02 billion).

 

The balances of loss allowances for the loans and advances to customers and financial investments represent management’s best estimates at the balance sheet date of expected credit losses (“ECL”) under Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standard 9: Financial Instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

We understood and evaluated management’s internal controls and assessment process for the measurement of ECL for loans and advances to customers, and financial investments, and assessed the inherent risk of material misstatement by considering the degree of estimation uncertainty and level of other inherent risk factors such as the complexity of estimation models used, the subjectivity of significant management judgements and assumptions, and susceptibility to management bias.

 

We assessed and tested the design and the operating effectiveness of the internal controls relating to the measurement of ECL for loans and advances to customers, and financial investments, primarily including:

 

  • Governance over ECL models, including the selection, approval and application of modelling methodology; and the internal controls relating to the on-going monitoring and optimisation of the models;
  • Internal controls relating to significant management judgments and assumptions, including the assessment and approval of portfolio segmentation, model selections, parameters estimation, identification of significant increase in credit risk, defaults or credit-impaired loans, forward-looking measurement, and management overlay adjustments;
  • Internal controls over the accuracy and completeness of key inputs used by the models; 

Management assesses whether the credit risk of loans and advances to customers and financial investments have increased significantly since their initial recognition, and applies an impairment model to calculate their ECL. For stages 1 and 2 financial assets, management assesses impairment allowance using risk parameter model that incorporates key parameters, including probability of default, loss given default, exposure at default and discount rates. For stages 3 financial assets, management assesses impairment allowance using both risk parameter model and discounted cash flows model.

 

The models of ECL involves significant management judgments and assumptions, primarily including:

  • Segmentation of business operations sharing similar credit risk characteristics, selection of appropriate models and determination of relevant key measurement parameters;
  • Criteria for determining whether or not there was a significant increase in credit risk, or a default or impairment loss was incurred;
  • Economic indicators for forward-looking measurement, and the application of economic scenarios and weightings;
  • Internal controls relating to estimated future cash flows and calculations of present values of such cash flows for corporate loans and advances and financial investments in stage 3;

 

  • Internal controls over the information systems for ECL measurement;

 

  • Evaluation and approval of the measurement result of ECL for loans and advances to customers, and financial investments.

 

We involved our credit risk experts in evaluating the model methodologies, significant judgements and assumptions, data and key parameters used in the ECL measurement for loans and advances to customers, and financial investments. The substantive audit procedures we performed primarily included:

 

According to the risk characteristics of assets, we evaluated the segmentation of business operations. We assessed the appropriateness of the modelling methodologies adopted for ECL measurement by comparing with the industry practice. We also examined the coding for model measurement on a sample basis, to test whether or not the models reflect the modelling methodologies documented by management.
  • Management overlay adjustments due to significant uncertain factors not covered in the models;
  • The estimated future cash flows for corporate loans and advances and financial investments in stage 3.

We have examined the accuracy of data inputs for the ECL models, covering: (i) examination of supporting information on a sample basis, including contractual information, such as maturity dates, and other financial and non-financial information, such as the borrower’s historical and reporting date information, which have been agreed with the underlying data used to generate probability of default and internal credit ratings; (ii) assessment of the reasonableness of the loss given default using historical data and benchmarking against industry practices; and (iii) examination of borrowing contracts and assessment of the reasonableness of exposure at default and discounting rates.

 

We selected samples, in consideration of the financial information and non-financial information of the borrowers, relevant external evidence and other factors, to assess the appropriateness of management’s identification of significant increase in credit risk, defaults and credit-impaired loans.

The amount of impairment of the loans and advances to customers and financial investments is significant, and the measurement has a high degree of estimation uncertainty. For measuring ECL, management adopted complex models, employed numerous parameters and data inputs, and applied significant management judgments and assumptions, and involved significant inherent risk. In view of these reasons, we identified this as a key audit matter.

For forward-looking measurements, we assessed management’s selection of economic indicators and their analysis of correlation with the performance of the credit risk portfolios by using statistical techniques. We further tested the reasonableness of the prediction of economic indicators by comparing with available external expert estimates. In addition, we performed sensitivity analysis of economic scenarios and weightings.

 

In addition, based on considering the significant uncertain factors, we evaluated the rationality of management overlay adjustments, and examined the accuracy of the relevant mathematical calculations.

 

For corporate loans and advances and financial investments in stage 3, we examined, on a sample basis, forecasted future cash flows prepared by the Group based on financial information of borrowers and guarantors, latest collateral valuations, other available information and possible future factors together with discount rates in supporting the computation of loss allowance.

 

We checked and evaluated the financial statement disclosures in relation to the measurement of ECL for loans and advances to customers, and financial investments.

 

Based on the procedures performed above, we considered that the models, significant judgements and assumptions, as well as relevant data and parameters used by management in measuring ECL for loans and advances to customers, and financial investments were supported by the evidence obtained.

Key Audit Matter 

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

Consolidation of structured entities – non-principal guaranteed wealth management products of CITIC Bank

 

Refer to Note 2(e), Note 3(j) and Note 54 to the consolidated financial statements.

As at 31 December 2022, all of non-principal guaranteed wealth management products (“WMPs”) issued and managed by CITIC Bank are structured entities that are not included in the scope of consolidation.

 

Management’s decision on whether or not to consolidate structured entities was based on an assessment of the power of CITIC Bank, its variable returns from its involvement with the structured entities and the ability to exercise its power to influence the variable returns from these structured entities.

 

We have identified this as a key audit matter due to the material balance of structured entities and significant judgements were involved in assessing the Group’s control over the structured entities.

We evaluated and tested the design and operating effectiveness of management’s relevant internal controls over the consolidation of structured entities for non-principal guaranteed WMPs. These controls primarily included management’s review and approval of the contractual terms, the results in variable return calculations, and the consolidation assessment conclusions for these structured entities.

 

We selected samples of structured entities for non- principal guaranteed WMPs and performed substantive procedures as following:

 

  • assessed the contractual rights and obligations of CITIC Bank in light of the transaction structures, and evaluated the power of CITIC Bank over the structured entities;

 

  • performed independent analysis and tests on the variable returns from the structured entities, including but not limited to commission income and asset management fees earned, gain from investments, retention of residual income, and, if any, liquidity and other support provided to the structured entities;

 

  • assessed whether CITIC Bank acted as a principal or an agent through analysis of the scope of the decision-making authority of CITIC Bank, its remuneration entitlement, other interests CITIC Bank held, and the rights held by other parties;

 

  • examined and evaluated the financial statement disclosures relating to the consolidation of structured entities.

 

Based on the procedures performed above, we considered that management’s judgements on the consolidation of structured entities for non-principal guaranteed WMPs were supported by the evidence obtained.

Key Audit Matter 

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

Impairment of the Sino Iron Project

 

Refer to Note 2(t), Note 3(d), Note 3(k) and Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

An impairment indication assessment was undertaken on the Sino Iron Project (“the Project”) by management as at 31 December 2022. As a result, management has determined that no impairment indication existed for the Project as at 31 December 2022.

 

In the impairment indication assessment, management has considered external and internal sources of information as at 31 December 2022, including:

 

  • The production profile of the Project (mainly including ore grades, operating cost and production output);

 

  • Forward iron ore prices;

 

  • The risk-free borrowing rates;

 

  • Foreign exchange rates, particularly between Australian and United States dollars.

 

As the impairment indication assessment involves significant judgements, we regard this as a key audit matter.

In evaluating management’s impairment indication assessment of the Project, we undertook the following procedures:

 

  • Assessed whether management’s impairment indication assessment is in accordance with the requirements of accounting standards including consideration of both external and internal sources of information;

 

  • Evaluated whether there were significant adverse changes in the economic environment impacting the Project by considering movements in forward consensus iron ore prices, exchange rates and risk-free borrowing rates;

 

  • Considered budget vs actual performance during the last 12 months to evaluate whether economic performance of the asset is, or will be, worse than expected;

 

  • Held discussions with management and external legal counsels to understand key changes to long term planning estimates or assumptions and implications of outstanding litigations related to the Project, and evaluated their potential impact on forecast cash flows.

 

Based on the procedures performed above, we considered that management’s judgements on the impairment indication of the Sino Iron Project were supported by the evidence obtained.
Other Information

The directors of the Company are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises all of the information included in the annual report other than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of Directors and Audit and Risk Management Committee for the Consolidated Financial Statements

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with HKFRSs issued by the HKICPA and the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Audit and Risk Management Committee is responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. We report our opinion solely to you, as a body, in accordance with Section 405 of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and for no other purpose. We do not assume responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for the contents of this report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with HKSAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with HKSAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

  • Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
  • Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.
  • Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.
  • Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
  • Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with Audit and Risk Management Committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide Audit and Risk Management Committee with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied.

From the matters communicated with Audit and Risk Management Committee, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Yip Siu Foon, Linda.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong, 31 March 2023