CHKLC Announces Winners of 2024 Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards

Hong Kong listed companies with increasing focus on ESG practices

The best performing companies have adopted a robust governance structure

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 December 2024 – Catherine Leung, Chairman of the Chamber of Listed Companies in Hong Kong (CHKLC) said at the Hong Kong Corporate Governance & ESG Excellence Awards 2024 Gala Dinner (the Awards) this evening, “Hong Kong is in the transition stage, faced with The most uncertainties are still ahead for the city’s market capital, trade and logistics business, if we play it right.” Many local listed companies have not had time to show their readiness. The 2024 Awards received the highest number of entries, with more companies voluntarily complying with the best practices of the protocol and standards related to global climate change.

The 2024 Awards include six sub-groups – Hang Seng Index (HSI) Constituent Companies, Hang Seng Composite Index Constituent Companies, Hang Seng China (listed in Hong Kong) 100 Index Constituent Companies, Weighted Voting and Prior Revenue Companies, Other & GEM companies and newly listed companies. Companies that excel in the areas of corporate governance or ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices will be recognized.

It is interesting to note that entries for the ESG Award category this year exceeded those for the Corporate Governance Award category, underpinning the growing prominence of ESG as a key corporate performance benchmark for local listed companies.

This year’s awards also saw more diverse companies – not only from traditional industries such as real estate, financial services and manufacturers, but also from digital industries such as artificial intelligence and social media, as well as advanced technology, highlighting the changing landscape of listed companies in Hong Kong.

Lenovo Group Ltd and Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited 1876 took home awards in both corporate governance and ESG streams in the HSI category. Sino Land Company Limited 83 and China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Limited 3320 are winners of both awards in the Hang Seng China 100 Constituent Companies category (listed in Hong Kong). This is evidence that local listed companies are emphasizing not only their corporate governance performance, but also their ESG standards, at a time when sustainable business and environmental commitment will bring them investment value (see Appendix 1 for full list of winners).

The judges commended the winning companies in the Corporate Governance Awards category for having adopted sound governance practices and structures that have fueled their business growth and share prices. They have demonstrated that their risk management and internal control systems are in place and have shown readiness for board diversity, improved communication with shareholders and a clear dividend policy.

The winning companies in the ESG Award category also won the jury’s applause. All have adopted comprehensive ESG strategies. Some companies have even made voluntary compliance with best practice protocols and standards related to global climate change and committed to creating a decarbonization roadmap.

The gala dinner was hosted by Dr. Dennis Lo, Vice-Chancellor-designate of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and pioneer of innovative non-invasive prenatal testing, to deliver a keynote address. He spoke about his own journey into life sciences and his vision for Hong Kong as a hub for science and innovation. His sharing truly inspired Hongkongers to create and seize opportunities during this difficult time.

The annual awards program aims to set a benchmark for the highest level of corporate governance and ESG of Hong Kong listed companies. It encourages companies to come forward and present their corporate governance and ESG policies, strategies and best practices, celebrate success and set an example for other companies.

Vistra is the main sponsor of the 2024 Awards Gala Dinner. Mr. Hailiang Zhang, Business Director and Regional General Manager, Greater China of Vistra, said that the company was pleased with the sponsorship, which aligns with the company’s focus on improving the corporate governance of companies, encouraging robust and effective decision-making through processes, practices, and policies and promoting ESG practices that help companies create value and grow.

Appendix 1

Winners of the 2024 Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards

Excellence in Corporate Governance Award

Constituent companies of the Hang Seng index « Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited (Stock code: 1876) « China Life Insurance Company Limited (Stock code: 2628) « Lenovo Group Limited (Stock code: 992)

Constituent companies of the Hang Seng Composite Index « China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Limited (Stock code: 3320) « Sino Land Company Limited (Stock code: 83)

Others and GEM companies « Blue Moon Group Holdings Limited (Stock code: 6993) Honorable Mention « SF Real Estate Investment Trust (Stock code: 2191)

Newly listed companies « Hangzhou SF Intra-city Industrial Co., Ltd. (Stock code: 9699)

ESG Excellence Award

Constituent companies of the Hang Seng index « Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited (Stock code: 1876) « China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. (Stock code: 688) « China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited (Stock code: 291) « Henderson Land Development Company Limited (Stock code: 12) « Lenovo Group Limited (Stock code: 992) « Link Trust Real Estate Investment Trust (Stock code: 823) Honorable Mention « China Resources Power Holdings Company Limited (Stock code: 836)

Constituent companies of the Hang Seng Composite Index « China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Limited (Stock code: 3320) « Sino Land Company Limited (Stock code: 83) « Yuexiu Property Company Limited (Stock code: 123) Honorable Mention « Luk Fook Holdings (International) Limited (Stock code: 590) « NWS Holdings Limited (Stock code: 659) « Sinopec Kantons Holdings Limited (Stock code: 934) « Xtep International Holdings Limited (Stock code: 1368)

Weighted voting rights and pre-profit companies Honorable Mention « XtalPi Holdings Limited (Stock code: 2228)

Others and GEM companies « Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group Limited (Stock code: 8320) « Champion Real Estate Investment Trust (Stock code: 2778) « Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited (Stock code: 215) « Yau Lee Holdings Limited (Stock code: 406) « Yuexiu Services Group Limited (Stock code: 6626) Honorable Mention « Phoenix Media Investment (Holdings) Limited (Stock code: 2008)

Newly listed companies « Global New Material International Holdings Limited (Stock code: 6616) « Hangzhou SF Intra-city Industrial Co., Ltd. (Stock code: 9699) « Kuaishou Technology (Stock Code: 1024) « ZJLD Group Inc (Stock code: 6979)

*Note: Alphabetical listing by company name

Hashtag: #CHKLC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Hong Kong Chamber of Listed Companies (CHKLC)

Established in September 2002, CHKLC is a non-profit organization serving listed companies and other industry bodies in Hong Kong. The Chamber strives to promote sound corporate governance; acts as an effective communication channel between listed companies and regulatory authorities; to strengthen the connection and encourage cooperation between listed companies in Hong Kong and China, and to support Hong Kong’s position as an international center for financial and capital training. Since 2007, the Chamber has been organizing the annual “Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards” in conjunction with Hong Kong Baptist University to champion corporate governance, ESG best practices and recognize excellence (https://chklc.org/aboutus).

About Hong Kong Baptist University’s Center for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy

The Center aspires to be a “Centre of Excellence” for corporate governance in the region. It promotes quality policy and academic research on corporate governance and related financial policy issues covering the economies of Hong Kong, China and the Asia-Pacific with the aim of improving the quality of corporate governance practices. In addition, the Center provides professional executive education activities to disseminate knowledge and promote the highest ideals of responsible business leadership. Through consulting projects, the Center also helps organizations design, improve and evaluate corporate governance systems and structures.

About the Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards

The “Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards” (formerly known as the “Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards”) have been awarded annually since 2007 by the Hong Kong Chamber of Listed Companies and the Center for Corporate Governance and financial policy from Hong Kong Baptist University.

The awards aim to promote the highest standards in corporate governance and ESG, business ethics and board leadership in Hong Kong, recognize excellence, showcase best practices and achievements and thereby promote a strong governance culture corporate and ESG.

The Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards 2024 is sponsored by BDO Limited as ESG Awards Bronze Advisor. The Financial Services and Treasury Bureau, the Securities and Futures Commission, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Public Accountants and the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprise Association are the sponsoring organizations for the awards. In addition, SWCS Group is the Knowledge Partner, Hong Kong Economic Times is the sole Chinese media sponsor; Metro Finance as exclusive radio partner; as irasia.com, CORPHUB, Quamnet and Wisdom Investor Relations are online media partners.

For details on the Awards Program, please visit