Winners Announced for Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2016

HONG KONG, Dec. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Winners of the "Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2016" were announced on Dec. 13 at gala dinner which doubled as the 14th Anniversary celebration of the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies ("CHKLC"), the organizer of the annual awards programme.

Dr. Eddy Fong, Chairman of the Judging Panel, congratulated winners and commented: "The winning companies are very focused on their business strategies and have demonstrated robust internal controls and an astute watch over risks, laying grounds for sound operation and sustainable growth."

"The winning companies are all leaders in their respective industries, indicating that good corporate governance often comes hand-in-hand with strong growth in business," Dr. Fong added.

The winners of 2016 Awards are Link REIT and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited in the Category for Hang Seng Index Constituent Companies; China Everbright Limited, Sa Sa International Holdings Limited and Xtep International Holdings Limited in the Category for Hang Seng Composite Index Constituent Companies. In the Sustainability Excellence Awards category, the award goes to Sa Sa International Holdings Limited.

Mr. Francis Leung, Chairman of CHKLC said: "Good corporate governance is all about having the structure and measures in place to ensure transparency, accountability, robust internal control, sound risk management as well as care for society and environment. These are the underlying factors of company success. They appeal to investors, inspire confidence amongst business partners and customers, and gain goodwill from employees and society at large. Put together, a company would be bound for success."    

On the occasion of CHKLC's 14^th Anniversary, Mr. Leung remarked that an imminent task for Hong Kong is to find ways to reinvent itself so that it will become the listing destination of choice for the so-called new-economy companies, which are the major driver of future economic growth.

"Hong Kong lags behind in attracting this new type of companies and is losing out to other markets.  Among the world's 10 largest Internet companies by market value as of May 2015, four are from mainland China, namely Alibaba Group, Tencent Holdings, Baidu Inc, and JD.com. All but Tencent are listed in the U.S., despite the fact that Hong Kong is at the doorstep of these internet giants. This phenomenon is worthy of our attention."

Mr. Andrew Wong, Permanent Secretary, Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, HKSAR Government was the Keynote Speaker of the Awards Gala Dinner.   

The Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards 2016 is supported by Quam Financial Services Group as Gold Sponsor and BDO Limited as Bronze Sponsor. In addition, Hong Kong Economic Times is Sole Chinese Media Sponsor; Metro Finance is Exclusive Radio Partner, PR Newswire is Regional News Distribution Partner; Quamnet, irasia.com, EQS Today IR and Finet are Online Media Partners.

For media enquiries

Amy Leung, CHKLC
Tel: (852) 2970 0886
Email: info@chklc.org

About the Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards

"The Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards" are conferred annually since 2007 by the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies and the Centre for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy, Hong Kong Baptist University.

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

The Award provides recognition and prestige for listed companies in achieving outstanding commitment to shareholder rights, compliance, integrity, fairness, responsibility, accountability, transparency, board independence & leadership, and corporate social responsibility.

For details of the Awards Programme and members of the Judging Panel, please visit www.chklc.org.

Notes to Editors:

About the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies

Incorporated in September 2002, CHKLC is a non-profit organisation serving listed companies in Hong Kong. The Chamber strives to promote sound corporate governance, function as an effective communication channel between listed companies and regulatory authorities, strengthen the commercial linkage and foster co-operation among listed companies from Hong Kong and mainland China and uphold Hong Kong's position as an international trade, commercial and financial centre. Since 2007, the Chamber organises the annual Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards jointly with the Hong Kong Baptist University to advocate best practices of corporate governance and recognise excellence, and in 2008 and 2009 organised the Listed Companies Conference to provide a forum of discussion of stock market issues on a regular basis. This event was held in Shanghai and Shenzhen in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

About the Centre for Corporate Governance & Financial Policy of Hong Kong Baptist University

The Centre aspires to be a Centre of Excellence on corporate governance in the region. It promotes quality policy and academic research on corporate governance and related financial policy issues covering Hong Kong, mainland China and the Asia-Pacific economies, with the aim to improve the quality of corporate governance practices. Additionally, the Centre provides professional executive education activities to disseminate knowledge and advance the highest ideals of responsible business leadership. Through consultancy projects, the Centre also assists organisations to design, improve and assess their corporate governance systems and structures.