In 2023, amid a complex and challenging external environment, CITIC Limited steadfastly followed the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and implemented thematic education initiatives. We advanced in several key areas, including Party building, reform and development, operation management and risk resolution, achieving commendable results. CITIC Limited's operating performance continued to outpace the broader market, with a profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of RMB57.594 billion for the year. This marks an increase of 5.4% on a comparable basis against 2022, after excluding a one-off revaluation gain of RMB10.3 billion from the consolidation of CITIC Securities. In 2023, for the first time, CITIC Group ranked in the top 100 of the Fortune Global 500, achieving three of our development goals ahead of schedule – one trillion in assets, top 100 in the Fortune Global 500, and one hundred billion in net profit. These achievements reflect our progress in building a world-class enterprise.

The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. CITIC Group will also be celebrating its 45th anniversary. It is a critical year for achieving the goals and tasks outlined in our 14th Five-Year Plan, and therefore of great importance to excel in every reform and development initiative. We will remain fully committed to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and thoroughly implement the guiding principles set forth by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Central Financial Work Conference and the Central Economic Work Conference. With CITIC's “one deepening, three promotions and five breakthroughs” strategic direction for reform and development, we will focus on promoting operational excellence in our financial business, industrial transformation and upgrading, and effective risk resolution, striving to achieve new breakthroughs in organisational structure, strengthening team building, improving incentive mechanisms, deepening scientific and technological innovation, and coordinating overseas development, which will contribute to our development into a first-class enterprise and help us break new ground. Capitalising on the voluntary purchase of CITIC shares by our directors and middle and senior management, we will continue to harness our “CITIC strengths”, instill unwavering confidence, and stimulate endogenous power and vitality. We aim to drive the recovery of our market valuation through solid value creation. We will continue to sing to the world that the Chinese economy is strong and endeavour to make greater contribution towards building China into a great country and advancing national rejuvenation.

Xi Guohua