The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies vowed to uplift market quality and competitiveness to mark 20th anniversary

FS Paul Chan officiated the celebratory ceremony

The Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards 2022 announced results today

Judges applauded better corporate disclosure by local companies

HONG KONG,Dec. 14,2022 -- This year,the Chamber of Hong Kong Companies (CHKLC) celebrates its 20years of establishment. Over the last 2 decades,the CHKLC is committed to promoting an enhanced listing regime and regulatory framework and has been submitting forward-looking recommendations conducive to financial market development to the government and the regulatory authority. The Chamber also strives to safeguard the interests of listing companies and members and raising the corporate governance standards in Hong Kong. To mark this important milestone,the Chamber organised a celebratory dinner tonight (Dec 13). Financial Secretary Paul Chan was invited to officiate the ceremony,and he was joined by other dignitaries including Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (FSTB) Christopher Hui,Permanent Secretary FSTB Salina Yan,SFC Chairman Tim Lui and SFC Deputy CEO Julia Leung. (High-resolution photos: https://bit.ly/3HE8nh8)

Tonight's ceremony saw a strong congregation of 240 financial industry practitioners including government officials,financial regulators and businesses,demonstrating their confirmation for the contributions made by the Chamber to local financial market development. To kick start the 20th anniversary celebration,Chamber Chairperson Catherine Leung and past Chairman Dr KS Lo together with Financial Secretary Paul Chan and other financial officials performed a light-up ceremony.

In his remarks,Financial Secretary Paul Chan appreciated the contributions of CHKLC to the development of the local financial market and highly regarded its efforts to uphold the market integrity,in particular its key advocacy in raising corporate governance and ESG (environmental,social and governance) standard.

CHKLC Chairperson Catherine Leung said in the welcoming remarks,"This is the watershed moment Hong Kong is going through right now. This city is embracing the unprecedented economic challenges both internally and internationally. This is the time we should reconsider how to re-engineer ourselves and expand on the advantages of mainland backing and our role as the superb connector between Mainland China and the rest of the world."

Leung continued,"The Chamber is also evolving. We are not shy from voicing out what we believe is right for the market. From striving for the optimal listing regime and regulatory environment,admission of WVR stocks,to advocating ESG best practices and our proposition for becoming a listing hub for tech companies,we are always at the forefront to address key market issues critical to market quality and competitiveness. And we will continue to do so going forward." The Chamber is not only safeguarding the interests of listing companies but also defending the well-being of our market and economy through continued submission of our recommendations to the government.

The Chamber has confirmed its commitment to promote a strong culture in corporate governance and ESG through co-organising "The Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards" with the Centre for Corporate Governance & Financial Policy of Hong Kong Baptist University. The Awards is in its 16th year. Presentation of this year's Awards was specially arranged as part of tonight's ceremony,to recognize excellence and showcase the best practices.

Chairman of the Judging Panel Anthony Leung applauded the corporate governance standards of Hong Kong companies and it appeared that the HKEX's requirement on ESG reporting and the Code provisions are gathering momentum. Winning companies are inspiring other companies to make improvement and the market quality will be raised as the result.

(Winner list: https://bit.ly/3HE8nh8)

SWCS Corporate Services Group (Hong Kong) Limited is the title sponsor of this year's Awards. SWCS' Director and Group CEO Dr Maurice Ngai agreed with Mr Leung's remarks. He said,"We are on a mission to guiding companies to build good governance,embrace challenges and mitigate ESG risks. This year,SWCS had the pleasure to support the judging process and it was exciting to see participants with such high quality."

About the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies (CHKLC)

Incorporated in September 2002,CHKLC is a non-profit organisation serving listed companies and other industry bodies 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 linkage and foster cooperation among listed companies from Hong Kong and China and uphold Hong Kong's position as an international financial and capital formation centre.Since 2007,the Chamber organises the annual "Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards" jointly with the Hong Kong Baptist University to advocate best practices of corporate governance,ESG and recognize excellence.

(https://www.chklc.org/en-us/)

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) is 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 and ESG,business ethics and board leadership in Hong Kong,recognize excellence,showcase best practices and accomplishments,and thereby promote a strong culture in corporate governance and ESG.

The Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards 2022 is titled sponsored by SWCS Corporate Services Group (Hong Kong) Limited. Tricor Hong Kong is the Diamond Sponsor,Quam IR is the Gold Sponsor. BDO Limited is ESG Awards cum Bronze Sponsor. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau,Securities and Futures Commission,Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited,HKICPA,and The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association are the Supporting Organization of the Awards. In addition,Hong Kong Economic Times is the Sole Chinese Media Sponsor,Metro Finance as the Exclusive Radio Partner,whereas irasia.com,CORPHUB,Quamnet and Wisdom Investor Relations are Online Media Partners. For details of the Awards Programme,please visit www.chklc.org/