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The Group recognises the importance of achieving the highest standard of corporate governance
consistent with the needs and requirements of its businesses and the best interest of all of its stakeholders
and is fully committed to doing so. It is also with these objectives in mind that the Group has applied the
principles of the Code on Corporate Governance Practices (the "CG Code") contained in Appendix 14 of
the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Listing
Rules").
In the opinion of the directors of the Company (the "Directors"), the Company has complied with the
code provisions set out in the CG Code throughout the year ended 31 December 2010 and where
appropriate, the applicable recommended best practices of the CG Code.
Directors' Securities Transactions
The Company has adopted the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers (the
"Model Code") set out in Appendix 10 of the Listing Rules as the code of conduct governing Directors'
securities transactions. All Directors have confirmed, upon specific enquiry by the Company, that they
have complied with the required standard set out in the Model Code during the year.
Board of Directors
As of the date of this report, the Board comprises two Executive Directors, being Mr. YE Xuquan and
Mr. JIANG Guoqiang, eight Non-Executive Directors, being Mr. HUANG Xiaofeng, Ms. XU Wenfang,
Mr. HUANG Zhenhai, Mr. LUO Fanyu, Ms. LIANG Jianqin, Mr. Roland PIRMEZ, Mr. KOH Poh Tiong and
Mr. Sijbe HIEMSTRA, and three Independent Non-Executive Directors, being Mr. Alan Howard SMITH,
Mr. Felix FONG Wo and Mr. Vincent Marshall LEE Kwan Ho.
The Board is responsible for the leadership and control of the Company and oversees the Group's
businesses, strategic decisions and performances. The Management was delegated the authority and
responsibility by the Board for the day-to-day management of the Group. Major corporate matters
that are specifically delegated by the Board to the Management include the preparation of interim and
annual reports and announcements for Board approval before publishing, execution of business strategies
and initiatives adopted by the Board, implementation of adequate systems of internal controls and risk
management procedures, and compliance with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and rules
and regulations.
During the financial year ended 31 December 2010, the Board had four scheduled meetings at
approximately quarterly intervals. The attendances of the Directors at the Board meetings are as follows:
Directors |
Number of Attendance |
YE Xuquan |
4/4 |
JIANG Guoqiang |
4/4 |
HUANG Xiaofeng |
3/4 |
XU Wenfang (appointed on 3 November 2010) |
N/A |
HUANG Zhenhai (appointed on 15 March 2011) |
N/A |
LUO Fanyu |
3/4 |
LIANG Jianqin |
4/4 |
LI Wenyue (resigned on 3 November 2010) |
3/4 |
Michael WU (resigned on 15 March 2011) |
3/4 |
Roland PIRMEZ |
4/4 |
KOH Poh Tiong |
4/4 |
Sijbe HIEMSTRA |
4/4 |
Alan Howard SMITH |
3/4 |
Felix FONG Wo |
4/4 |
Vincent Marshall LEE Kwan Ho |
2/4 |
The Company has received written confirmation from each of the Independent Non-Executive Directors
confirming their independence pursuant to Rule 3.13 of the Listing Rules, and considers them to be
independent within the definition of the Listing Rules.
The Board members do not have any financial, business, family or other material/relevant relationships
with each other. Such balanced board composition also ensures that strong independence exists across
the Board. The biographies of the Directors are set out in pages 12 to 17 to the annual report, which
demonstrate a diversity of skills, expertise, experience and qualifications.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Chairman of the Board is Mr. HUANG Xiaofeng and the Chief Executive Officer is Mr. YE Xuquan.
Their roles are clearly defined and segregated to ensure independence and proper checks and balances.
Mr. Huang as the Chairman of the Board, with his strategic vision and with a non-executive perspective,
provides leadership to the Board and gives direction in the development of the Company, which is of
added benefit to the check and balance mechanism of the Company. Mr. Ye as the Chief Executive
Officer focuses on the day-to-day management of the Group's business, and leads the management team
of the Group.
Non-Executive Directors
All Directors, including Non-Executive Directors, appointed to fill a causal vacancy or as an addition to
the existing Board, shall hold office only until the first general meeting after their appointment and shall
then be eligible for re-election. Moreover, each Non-Executive Director of the Company will hold office
for a specific term expiring on the earlier of either (i) the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the
Company in the year of the third anniversary of the appointment or re-election of that Director or (ii) the
expiration of the period within which the annual general meeting of the Company is required to be held
in the year of the third anniversary of the appointment or re-election of that Director and in any event,
subject to earlier determination in accordance with the Bye-laws of the Company and/or applicable laws
and regulations.
Remuneration of Directors
The Company established the Remuneration Committee in 2005. The authorities and duties of the
Remuneration Committee are as follows:
Authority
- The Remuneration Committee is authorised by the Board to investigate any activity within its
terms of reference. It is authorised to seek any information it requires from any employee and all
employees are directed to co-operate with any request made by the Remuneration Committee.
- The Remuneration Committee is authorised by the Board to obtain outside legal or other
independent professional advice and to secure the attendance of outsiders with relevant experience
and expertise if it considers this necessary.
Duties
- To make recommendations to the Board on the Company's policy and structure for all remuneration
of Directors and senior management and on the establishment of a formal and transparent
procedure for developing policy on such remuneration.
- To have the delegated responsibilities to determine the specific remuneration packages of all
Executive Directors and senior management, including benefits in kind, pension rights and
compensation payments, including any compensation payable for loss or termination of their
office or appointment. Factors which should be taken into consideration include but are not
limited to salaries paid by comparable companies, time commitment and responsibilities of the
Directors, employment conditions elsewhere in the Group and desirability of performance-based
remuneration.
- To review and approve performance-based remuneration by reference to corporate goals and
objectives resolved by the Board from time to time.
- To review and approve the compensation payable to Executive Directors and senior management
in connection with any loss or termination of their office or appointment to ensure that such
compensation is determined in accordance with relevant contractual terms and that such
compensation is otherwise fair and not excessive for the Company.
- To review and approve compensation arrangements relating to dismissal or removal of Directors
for misconduct to ensure that such arrangements are determined in accordance with relevant
contractual terms and that any compensation payment is otherwise reasonable and appropriate.
- To make recommendations to the Board on the remuneration of Non-Executive Directors.
- To ensure that no Director or any of his associates is involved in deciding his own remuneration.
- To consult the Chairman and/or the Chief Executive Officer about their proposals relating to the
remuneration of Executive Directors and senior management and have access to professional advice
if considered necessary.
- To consider other topics as defined by the Board.
- To report back to the Board on their work (including their decisions and recommendations) from
time to time as appropriate and in any event not less than once every year.
As of the date of this report, the Remuneration Committee comprises three Independent Non-Executive
Directors, being Mr. Alan Howard SMITH, Mr. Felix FONG Wo and Mr. Vincent Marshall LEE Kwan Ho
and one Non-Executive Director, being Mr. Roland PIRMEZ. Mr. Roland PIRMEZ is the chairman of the
Remuneration Committee.
During the financial year ended 31 December 2010, the Remuneration Committee held two meetings.
It reviewed and approved the compensation proposal for the independent non-executive directors, and
considered and approved the distribution of the 2009 variable bonus to Mr. YE Xuquan and the 2010
remuneration proposals for Mr. YE Xuquan, Mr. JIANG Guoqiang and Ms. LIANG Jianqin. The attendance
of each member of the Remuneration Committee is set out as follows:
Directors |
Number of Attendance |
Roland PIRMEZ |
2/2 |
Alan Howard SMITH |
2/2 |
Felix FONG Wo |
2/2 |
Vincent Marshall LEE Kwan Ho |
1/2 |
Details of the amount of the Directors' emoluments for the year 2010 are set out in note 8 to the
financial statements.
Nomination of Directors
The Board is responsible for the nomination and considering and approving the appointment of directors
with a view to appointing to the Board suitable individuals with the relevant expertise and experience to
enhance the constitution of a strong and diverse Board and to contribute to the functioning of the Board
through their continuous participation.
The nomination and appointment of Ms. XU Wenfang and Mr. HUANG Zhenhai as the Non-Executive
Directors were considered and approved by the Board on 3 November 2010 and 15 March 2011,
respectively.
Auditors' Remuneration
During the year under review, the remuneration paid to the Company's auditors, Ernst & Young, is set
out as follows:
Services rendered |
Fee paid/payable
HK$'000 |
Audit of Final Results |
2,530 |
Review of Interim Results |
550 |
Taxation compliance services |
15 |
Agreed-upon procedures in respect of continuing connected transactions |
100 |
|
3,195 |
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Company was established in 1998. The authorities and duties of the Audit
Committee are as follows:
Authority
- The Audit Committee is authorised by the Board to investigate activity within its terms of reference.
It is authorised to seek any information it requires from any employee and all employees are
directed to co-operate with any request made by the Audit Committee.
- The Audit Committee is authorised by the Board to obtain outside legal or other independent
professional advice and to secure the attendance of outsiders with relevant experience and
expertise if it considers this necessary.
Duties
- To be primarily responsible for making recommendations to the Board on the appointment,
reappointment and removal of the external auditor, and to approve the remuneration and terms of
engagement of the external auditor, and any questions of resignation or dismissal of that auditor.
- To review and monitor the external auditor's independence and objectivity and the effectiveness
of the audit process in accordance with applicable standards. The Audit Committee should discuss
with the auditor the nature and scope of the audit and reporting obligations before the audit
commences.
- To develop and implement policy on the engagement of an external auditor to supply non-audit
services. For this purpose, external auditor shall include any entity that is under common control,
ownership or management with the audit firm or any entity that a reasonable and informed third
party having knowledge of all relevant information would reasonably conclude as part of the audit
firm nationally or internationally. The Audit Committee should report to the Board, identifying
any matters in respect of which it considers that action or improvement is needed and making
recommendations as to the steps to be taken.
- To monitor integrity of financial statements of the Company and the Company's annual report
and accounts, half-year report and, if prepared for publication, quarterly reports, and to review
significant financial reporting judgments contained in them. In this regard, in reviewing the
Company's annual report and accounts, half-year report and, if prepared for publication, quarterly
reports before submission to the Board, the Audit Committee should focus particularly on:
| (i) |
any changes in accounting policies and practices; |
| (ii) |
major judgmental areas; |
| (iii) |
significant adjustments resulting from audit; |
| (iv) |
the going concern assumptions and any qualifications; |
| (v) |
compliance with accounting standards; and |
| (vi) |
compliance with the Listing Rules and other legal requirements in relation to financial
reporting. |
- In regard to (4) above:
| (i) |
members of the Audit Committee must liaise with the Company's Board and senior
management and the Audit Committee must meet, at least once a year, with the Company's
auditors; and |
| (ii) |
the Audit Committee should consider any significant or unusual items that are, or may need
to be, reflected in such reports and accounts and must give due consideration to any matters
that have been raised by the Company's staff responsible for the accounting and financial
reporting function, compliance officer or auditors. |
- To review the Company's financial controls, internal controls and risk management systems.
- To discuss with the management the system of internal control and ensure that management has
discharged its duty to have an effective internal control system including the adequacy of resources,
qualifications and experience of staff of the Company's accounting and financial reporting function,
and their training programmes and budget.
- To consider any findings of major investigations of internal control matters as delegated by the
Board or on its own initiative and management's response.
- Where an internal audit function exists, to ensure co-ordination between the internal and external
auditors, and to ensure that the internal audit function is adequately resourced and has appropriate
standing within the Company, and to review and monitor the effectiveness of the internal audit function.
- To review the Group's financial and accounting policies and practices.
- To review the external auditors' management letter, any material queries raised by the auditor to
management in respect of the accounting records, financial accounts or systems of controls and
management's response.
- To ensure that the Board will provide a timely response to the issues raised in the external auditors'
management letter.
- To report to the Board on the matters set out in the code provisions in relation to Audit Committee
under Appendix 14 of the Listing Rules.
- To consider other topics, as defined by the Board.
As of the date of this report, the Audit Committee comprises the three Independent Non-Executive
Directors, being Mr. Vincent Marshall LEE Kwan Ho as the chairman, Mr. Alan Howard SMITH and Mr.
Felix FONG Wo as members.
During the financial year ended 31 December 2010, the Audit Committee held two meetings. It reviewed
the 2009 annual results and the 2010 interim results of the Company and its subsidiaries before their
submission to the Board and monitored the integrity of such financial statements. The Audit Committee
oversees matters concerning the external auditors including making recommendations to the Board
regarding the appointment of the external auditors, reviewing the scope of their audit and approving
their fees. In addition to its two meetings as aforesaid, the Audit Committee has also a private meeting
with the external auditors at least once every year without the presence of the management to discuss
any area of concern. The Audit Committee maintains an overview of the Group's risk assessment, control
and management processes. In addition, it reviews the internal audit schedules of the Group, considers
the Group's internal audit reports and monitors the effectiveness of the internal audit function. The
attendance of each member of the Audit Committee is set out as follows:
Directors |
Number of Attendance |
Vincent Marshall LEE Kwan Ho |
2/2 |
Alan Howard SMITH |
2/2 |
Felix FONG Wo |
2/2 |
Accountability and Audit
The Board is responsible for overseeing the preparation of financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2010, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and of the results
and cash flows for that financial year. In preparing the financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2010, the Board has selected appropriate accounting policies, applied them consistently in
accordance with the Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards and Hong Kong Accounting Standards
which are pertinent to its operations and relevant to the financial statements, made judgements and
estimates that are prudent and reasonable, and ensured the preparation of the financial statements on
the going concern basis.
The Group endeavours to present a balanced, clear and comprehensible assessment of the Group's
performance, position and prospects. The annual and interim results of the Company are announced in
a timely manner within the limit of 3 months and 2 months respectively after the end of the relevant
periods in accordance with the Listing Rules.
Internal Control
The Board is responsible for the Group's system of internal controls and its effectiveness. Such a system is
designed to prudently manage the Group's risks within an acceptable risk profile. The Board has delegated
to executive management the implementation of such systems of internal controls as well as the review
of relevant financial, operational and compliance controls and risk management procedures. However,
such system aims at limiting the risks of the Company to an acceptable level but not at eliminating all
the risks. Hence, such system can only provide reasonable assurance that there will not be any error in
financial information and record, and there will not be any material fraud.
The management under the supervision of the Board has established an on-going process for identifying,
evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the Group and this process includes updating the
systems of internal controls when there are changes to business environment or regulatory guidelines.
The management assists the Board with the implementation of all relevant policies and procedures on risk
and control by identifying and assessing the risk faced and designing, operating and monitoring suitable
internal controls to mitigate and control theses risks. The key processes that have been established in
reviewing the adequacy and integrity of the system of internal controls include the following:
A distinct organization structure is maintained with defined lines of authorities and proper segregation
of duties, which is designed to safeguard assets from inappropriate use, maintain proper accounts and
ensure compliance with regulations.
In addition to the duties of the Audit Committee as mentioned above, the Audit Committee, inter alia,
reviews the financial controls, internal control and risk management systems of the Group and any
significant internal control issues identified by the Internal Audit Department, external auditors and
management. It also conducts review of the internal audit functions with particular emphasis on the scope
and quality of the internal audits and independence of the Internal Audit Departments.
The Internal Audit Department monitors compliance with policies and procedures and the effectiveness of
the internal control systems and highlights significant findings in respect of any non-compliance. It plays
an important role in the Group's internal control framework, and provides objective assurance to the
Board that a sound internal control system is maintained and operated in compliance with the established
processes and standards by performing periodic checking. The Internal Audit Department plans its internal
audit schedules annually with audit resources being focused on higher risk areas.
The Board is satisfied that the system of internal controls in place for the year under review and up to the
date of issuance of the annual report and accounts is reasonable and effective.
On behalf of the Board HUANG Xiaofeng Chairman
Hong Kong, 15 March 2011
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