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Longfor Group Holdings Limited — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2018
Apr 25, 2018
49591_rns_2018-04-25_9830f631-e288-4ad8-94b5-199461f3bd6b.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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THIS CIRCULAR IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
If you are in any doubt as to any aspect of this circular or as to the action to be taken, you should consult your stockbroker or other registered dealer in securities, bank manager, solicitor, professional accountant or other professional adviser.
If you have sold or transferred all your shares in Longfor Properties Co. Ltd. , you should at once hand this circular with the accompanying form of proxy to the purchaser or transferee or to the bank, stockbroker or other agent through whom the sale was effected for transmission to the purchaser or transferee.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this circular, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this circular.
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LONGFOR PROPERTIES CO. LTD. 龍湖地產有限公司
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
(Stock Code : 960)
PROPOSALS FOR GENERAL MANDATES TO ISSUE SHARES AND TO REPURCHASE SHARES, PROPOSED CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME, RE-ELECTION OF RETIRING DIRECTORS, DECLARATION OF FINAL DIVIDEND AND SPECIAL DIVIDEND AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
A notice convening the annual general meeting of Longfor Properties Co. Ltd. to be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, 8 June 2018 at Cliftons Hong Kong, Level 5, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong is set out on pages 14 to 18 of this circular. A form of proxy for your use at the annual general meeting is enclosed with this circular. Whether or not you propose to attend the annual general meeting, you are requested to complete the form of proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and return the same to the Company’s branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 22, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong as soon as possible but in any event not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding of the annual general meeting or any adjournment thereof. Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude you from attending and voting in person at the annual general meeting should you so desire.
Hong Kong, 26 April 2018
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 1 |
| Letter from the Chairman | |
| Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3 |
| General Mandate to Issue Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
4 |
| General Mandate to Repurchase Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 4 |
| Proposed Change of Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 4 |
| Reasons for the Change of Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 5 |
| Conditions for the Change of Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 5 |
| Effects of the Change of Company Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 5 |
| Re-election of the retiring Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 6 |
| Declaration of Final Dividend and Special Dividend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 6 |
| Annual General Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 6 |
| Action to be taken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
6 |
| Voting by way of poll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 6 |
| Responsibility Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 7 |
| Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 7 |
| Appendix I — Explanatory statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
8 |
| Appendix II — Details of Directors proposed to be re-elected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
11 |
| Notice of Annual General Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 14 |
— i —
DEFINITIONS
In this circular, the following expressions have the following meanings unless the context requires otherwise:-
-
“Annual General Meeting”
-
the annual general meeting of the Company to be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, 8 June 2018 at Cliftons Hong Kong, Level 5, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong
-
“Articles of Association”
-
the articles of association of the Company as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time
-
“Company”
-
Longfor Properties Co. Ltd., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on 21 December 2007 with limited liability, with its Shares listed on the Stock Exchange
-
“Change of Company Name” the proposed change of the English name of the Company from “Longfor Properties Co. Ltd.” to “Longfor Group Holdings Limited” and the proposed change of the dual foreign name in Chinese of the Company from “龍湖地產有限 公司” to “龍湖集團控股有限公司”
-
“Director(s)” the director(s) of the Company
-
“Hong Kong” the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC
-
“Latest Practicable Date” 18 April 2018, being the latest practicable date prior to the printing of this circular for ascertaining certain information referred to in this circular
-
“Listing Rules” the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange
-
“PRC” the People’s Republic of China
-
“Repurchase Resolution”
-
the proposed ordinary resolution as referred to in ordinary resolution no. 6 of the notice of the Annual General Meeting
-
“Repurchase Mandate”
-
a general mandate proposed to be granted to the Directors to exercise the power of the Company to repurchase during the period as set out in the Repurchase Resolution, up to a maximum of 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the date of passing the Repurchase Resolution
“SFO”
the Securities and Futures Ordinance, Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time
“Share(s)”
share(s) of HK$0.10 each in the share capital of the Company
— 1 —
| DEFINITIONS | |
|---|---|
| “Shareholder(s)” | registered holder(s) of Share(s) |
| “Share Issue Mandate” | a general mandate proposed to be granted to the Directors to |
| exercise the power of the Company to allot, issue and deal | |
| with Shares during the period as set out in the proposed | |
| ordinary resolution as referred to in ordinary resolution no. 5, | |
| Shares up to a maximum of 20% of the total number of issued | |
| shares of the Company as at the date of passing of the | |
| resolution approving the Share Issue Mandate | |
| “Share Repurchase Rules” | the relevant rules set out in the Listing Rules to regulate the |
| repurchase by companies with primary listing on the Stock | |
| Exchange of their own securities on the Stock Exchange | |
| “Stock Exchange” | The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited |
| “Takeovers Code” | the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers |
| “HK$” | Hong Kong dollars, the lawful currency of Hong Kong |
| “%” | per cent. |
— 2 —
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
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LONGFOR PROPERTIES CO. LTD. 龍湖地產有限公司
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
(Stock Code : 960)
Executive Directors: Madam WU Yajun (Chairperson) Mr. SHAO Mingxiao (Chief Executive Officer) Mr. ZHAO Yi Mr. LI Chaojiang
Independent Non-executive Directors: Mr. Frederick Peter CHURCHOUSE Mr. CHAN Chi On, Derek Mr. XIANG Bing Mr. ZENG Ming
Registered Office: Cricket Square Hutchins Drive P.O. Box 2681 Grand Cayman KY1-1111 Cayman Islands
Principal Place of Business in Hong Kong: 15/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong
Hong Kong, 26 April 2018
To the Shareholders,
Dear Sir or Madam,
PROPOSALS FOR GENERAL MANDATES TO ISSUE SHARES AND TO REPURCHASE SHARES, PROPOSED CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME, RE-ELECTION OF RETIRING DIRECTORS, DECLARATION OF FINAL DIVIDEND AND SPECIAL DIVIDEND AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this circular is to provide you with information regarding resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting relating to the granting to the Directors of the Share Issue Mandate, the Repurchase Mandate and the extension of the Share Issue Mandate, the Change of Company Name, the re-election of retiring Directors, and the declaration of final dividned and special dividend; and to seek your approval of the relevant resolutions relating to these matters at the Annual General Meeting.
— 3 —
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
GENERAL MANDATE TO ISSUE SHARES
On 5 June 2017, the Shareholders passed an ordinary resolution to give a general mandate to the Directors to exercise the powers of the Company to issue Shares. Such mandate will lapse at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting. The Directors propose to seek your approval of the Share Issue Mandate to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the issued share capital of the Company comprised 5,920,640,605 Shares. Subject to passing of the resolution approving the Share Issue Mandate and on the basis that no further Shares are issued prior to the Annual General Meeting, the Company would be allowed under the resolution approving the Share Issue Mandate to issue a maximum of 1,184,128,121 Shares representing not more than 20% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date.
Details of the Share Issue Mandate and the extension of the Share Issue Mandate are set out in ordinary resolutions as referred to in resolutions nos. 5 and 7 respectively of the notice of the Annual General Meeting.
GENERAL MANDATE TO REPURCHASE SHARES
On 5 June 2017, the Shareholders passed an ordinary resolution to give a general mandate to the Directors to exercise the powers of the Company to repurchase Shares. Such mandate will lapse at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting. The Directors propose to seek your approval of the Repurchase Resolution to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the issued share capital of the Company comprised 5,920,640,605 Shares. Assuming that there is no change in the issued share capital between the period from the Latest Practicable Date and the date of passing the Repurchase Resolution, the maximum number of Shares which may be repurchased pursuant to the Repurchase Mandate as at the date of passing the Repurchase Resolution will be 592,064,060 Shares representing not more than 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date.
An explanatory statement as required under the Share Repurchase Rules to provide the requisite information of the Repurchase Mandate is set out in the Appendix I to this circular.
PROPOSED CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME
Reference is made to the announcement of the Company dated 23 March 2018 in respect of the Change of Company Name. The Board proposes to change the English name of the Company from “Longfor Properties Co. Ltd.” to “Longfor Group Holdings Limited” and to change the dual foreign name in Chinese of the Company from “龍湖地產有限公司” to “龍湖集團控股有限公司”.
— 4 —
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
REASONS FOR THE CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME
The business of the Group currently covers four main aspects, namely property development, commercial properties, long-term rental apartments and property management. In the future, the Group will further explore and participate in the restructuring of urban space and services, aiming to achieve continuous innovation in products and services, and to create greater value for the shareholders and customers of the Company. The Board considers that the new name of the Company is more aligned with the long-term business strategy of the Group, which is in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.
CONDITIONS FOR THE CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME
The Change of Company Name is subject to the following conditions:
-
(i) the passing of a special resolution by the Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting approving the Change of Company Name; and
-
(ii) the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands approving the Change of Company Name.
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set out above, the Change of Company Name will take effect from the date on which the certificate of incorporation on change of name is issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands. Thereafter the Company will carry out the necessary filing procedures with the Companies Registry in Hong Kong.
EFFECT OF THE CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME
The proposed Change of Company Name will not affect any rights of the Shareholders or the Company’s daily business operation and its financial position. All existing share certificates of the Company in issue bearing the Company’s existing name (in English and Chinese) shall, after the Change of Company Name becoming effective, continue to be evidence of title to the shares of the Company and valid for trading, settlement, registration and delivery purposes. Accordingly, there will not be any arrangement for free exchange of the existing share certificates for new share certificates bearing the new name of the Company. Should the proposed Change of Company Name become effective, any issue of new share certificates of the Company thereafter will bear the new name of the Company (in English and Chinese).
In addition, subject to confirmation by the Stock Exchange, the English and Chinese stock short names for trading in the shares of the Company will also be changed after the Change of Company Name becomes effective. Further announcement(s) will be made by the Company in relation to the results of the Annual General Meeting, the effective date of the proposed Change of Company Name and the new stock short names as and when appropriate.
— 5 —
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
RE-ELECTION OF THE RETIRING DIRECTORS
The board of Directors currently comprises eight Directors, of which four are Executive Directors, namely Madam WU Yajun, Mr. SHAO Mingxiao, Mr. ZHAO Yi and Mr. LI Chaojiang; and four are Independent Non-Executive Directors, namely Mr. Frederick Peter CHURCHOUSE, Mr. CHAN Chi On, Derek, Mr. XIANG Bing and Mr. ZENG Ming.
Pursuant to Article 84 of Articles of Association, Mr. ZHAO Yi, Mr. Frederick Peter CHURCHOUSE, and Mr. CHAN Chi On, Derek will retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
Details of the retiring Directors proposed to be re-elected in the Annual General Meeting are set out in the Appendix II to this circular.
DECLARATION OF FINAL DIVIDEND AND SPECIAL DIVIDEND
As stated in the Company’s announcement dated 23 March 2018, the Board recommends the payment of a final dividend of RMB0.473 for the year ended 31 December 2017 and a special dividend of RMB0.085 per Share for the 25[th] Anniversary of the Company. Subject to the approval by the Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, the proposed final dividend and special dividend is expected to be paid on Tuesday, 10 July 2018 to the Shareholders whose names are on the registers of members of the Company on Monday, 25 June 2018.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
At the Annual General Meeting, resolutions will be proposed to approve the Share Issue Mandate, the Repurchase Mandate and the extension of the Share Issue Mandate, the Change of Company Name, the re-election of retiring Directors and the declaration of the final dividend and a special dividend. The notice of the Annual General Meeting is set out on pages 14 to 18 of this circular.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
A form of proxy for use at the Annual General Meeting is enclosed with this circular. Whether or not you propose to attend the Annual General Meeting, you are requested to complete the form of proxy and return it to the Company’s branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 22, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the Annual General Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude you from attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting or any adjourned meeting if you so desire.
VOTING BY WAY OF POLL
Pursuant to Rule 13.39(4) of the Listing Rules, any vote of shareholders at a general meeting must be taken by poll except where the chairman of the meeting, in good faith, decides to allow a resolution which relates purely to a procedural or administrative matter to be voted on by a show of hands. The Company will announce the results of the poll in the manner prescribed under Rule 13.39(5) of the Listing Rules.
— 6 —
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
This circular, for which the Directors collectively and individually accept full responsibility, includes particulars given in compliance with the Listing Rules for the purpose of giving information with regard to the Company. The Directors, having made all reasonable enquires, confirm that to the best of their knowledge and belief the information contained in this circular is accurate and complete in all material respects and not misleading or deceptive, and there are no other matters the omission of which would make any statement herein or this circular misleading.
RECOMMENDATION
The Directors believe that the proposed resolutions referred to in this circular and the notice of Annual General Meeting are in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the Directors recommend that all Shareholders should vote in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting to give effect to them.
Yours faithfully By Order of the Board Longfor Properties Co. Ltd. WU Yajun Chairperson
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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
APPENDIX I
This appendix serves as an explanatory statement, as required by the Share Repurchase Rules, to provide requisite information to you for your consideration of the proposal to permit the repurchase of Shares up to a maximum of 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the date of passing the Repurchase Resolution.
1. SHARE CAPITAL
As at the Latest Practicable Date, the issued share capital of the Company comprised 5,920,640,605 Shares.
Subject to the passing of the Repurchase Resolution and on the basis that no further Shares are issued or repurchased prior to the Annual General Meeting, the Company would be allowed under the Repurchase Resolution to repurchase a maximum of 592,064,060 Shares representing not more than 10% of the total number of issued shares of the Company as at the Latest Practicable Date.
2. REASONS FOR REPURCHASE
Although the Directors have no present intention of repurchasing any Shares, the Directors believe that the Repurchase Mandate is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders. Such repurchase may, depending on market conditions and funding arrangements at the time, lead to an enhancement of the net assets and/or earnings per Share and will only be made when the Directors believe that such a repurchase will benefit the Company and its Shareholders.
3. FUNDING OF REPURCHASES
In repurchasing Shares, the Company may only apply funds entirely from the Company’s available cashflow or working capital facilities which will be legally available for such purpose in accordance with its memorandum of association, the Articles of Association, the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and any other applicable law.
There might be an adverse impact on the working capital or gearing position of the Company as compared with the position disclosed in the audited financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report for the year ended 31 December 2017 in the event that the Repurchase Mandate were to be carried out in full at any time during the proposed repurchase period. However, the Directors do not propose to exercise the Repurchase Mandate to such extent as would, in the circumstances, have a material adverse effect on the working capital requirements of the Company or the gearing levels which in the opinion of the Directors are from time to time appropriate for the Company.
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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
APPENDIX I
4. SHARES PRICES
The table below is a summary of the monthly highest and lowest traded prices in each of the previous twelve months preceding the Latest Practicable Date:-
| Shares Traded Price | Shares Traded Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | Lowest | |
| HK$ | HK$ | |
| 2017 | ||
| April | 13.92 | 12.64 |
| May | 16.38 | 12.68 |
| June | 16.82 | 14.60 |
| July | 20.25 | 16.80 |
| August | 19.82 | 17.92 |
| September | 22.85 | 18.20 |
| October | 21.35 | 17.74 |
| November | 19.74 | 17.84 |
| December | 19.96 | 17.32 |
| 2018 | ||
| January | 26.55 | 19.76 |
| February | 27.70 | 20.20 |
| March | 25.50 | 21.75 |
| April (up to the Latest Practicable Date) | 25.60 | 22.70 |
5. UNDERTAKING
The Directors have undertaken to the Stock Exchange that, so far as the same may be applicable, they will exercise the powers of the Company to make repurchases pursuant to the Repurchase Mandate and in accordance with the Listing Rules, the memorandum of association and articles of association of the Company, the laws of Hong Kong and the applicable laws of the Cayman Islands.
None of the Directors nor, to the best of their knowledge having made all reasonable enquiries, their close associates (as defined in the Listing Rules), have any present intention to sell any Shares to the Company or its subsidiaries under the Repurchase Mandate if such is approved by the Shareholders.
No core connected persons (as defined in the Listing Rules) have notified the Company that they have a present intention to sell Shares to the Company or its subsidiaries, or have undertaken not to do so, in the event that the Repurchase Mandate is approved by the Shareholders.
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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
APPENDIX I
6. EFFECT OF TAKEOVERS CODE AND PUBLIC FLOAT
If on the exercise of the power to repurchase Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Mandate, a Shareholder’s proportionate interest in the voting rights of the Company increases, such increase will be treated as an acquisition for the purposes of Rule 32 of the Takeovers Code. As a result, a Shareholder or group of Shareholders acting in concert could obtain or consolidate control of the Company and become(s) obliged to make a mandatory offer in accordance with Rules 26 and 32 of the Takeovers Code.
As at the Latest Practicable Date, Madam WU Yajun was beneficially interested in 2,587,977,201 Shares, representing approximately 43.71% of the issued share capital of the Company. Based on such shareholding and in the event that the Directors exercised in full the power to repurchase Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Mandate, the shareholding of Madam WU Yajun would be increased to approximately 48.57% of the issued share capital of the Company. Accordingly, Madam WU Yajun would be required under Rule 26 of the Takeovers Code to make a mandatory offer in respect of all the issued Shares by reason of such increase. However, the Directors will not repurchase Shares to such an extent as would result in takeover obligations. Save as aforesaid, the Directors are not aware of any consequence which may arise under the Takeovers Code as a consequence of any repurchases made under the Repurchase Mandate.
The Directors will use their best endeavours to ensure that the Repurchase Mandate will not be exercised to the extent that the number of Shares held by the public would be reduced to less than the amount of public float as required under the Listing Rules.
7. SHARES REPURCHASE MADE BY THE COMPANY
The Company has not repurchased any Shares (whether on the Stock Exchange or otherwise) in the six months preceding the Latest Practicable Date.
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DETAILS OF DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE RE-ELECTED
APPENDIX II
The following are the particulars of the retiring Directors proposed to be re-elected at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Articles of Association:-
Mr. Zhao Yi , aged 41, was appointed as executive director of the Company on 18 March 2015, and is chief financial officer and a member of the Investment Committee of the Company. He joined the Group since 2006 and has served as the senior manager of Chongqing Company, the financial controller of Chengdu Company, the head of the Financial Management Centre and the general manager of the Ministry of Finance of the Longfor Group. Mr. Zhao graduated from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, majoring in international accounting and obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a member of China Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Before joining the Group, he served at Pan-China (Chongqing) Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Zhao is also a director of certain subsidiaries of the Group.
Mr. Zhao has entered into a service contract as an executive director with the Company for a term of 3 years from 8 March 2018. He is also subject to retirement by rotation and re-election at the annual general meeting of the Company in accordance with the Articles of Association. Mr. Zhao received emoluments in a total sum of RMB19,434,000 for the year ended 31 December 2017. But, he did not receive any director’s fee for the said year. The director’s emoluments of Mr. Zhao was determined by board of Directors based on the recommendations of the remuneration committee of the Company, with reference to his duties and responsibilities with the Company and the prevailing market rate for his positions.
Mr. Zhao has personal interests in 204,398 shares and interest in 2,700,000 Shares granted under a restricted share award scheme through a trust and 1,650,000 options at an exercise price of HK$9.37 per share under the share option scheme adopted by the Company on 1 November 2009 within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO.
Save as disclosed above, Mr. Zhao (i) has not held any other positions with any members of the Group; (ii) is not related to any director, senior management, substantial shareholder or controlling shareholder of the Company or other members of the Group; (iii) is not interested in the Shares within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO; and (iv) has not held any other directorships in any other listed public companies in the last three years.
Save as disclosed above, Mr. Zhao has confirmed that there is no other information required to be brought to the attention of the Shareholders and the Company or to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 13.51(2)(h) to (v) of the Listing Rules in relation to his re-election as Director.
Mr. Frederick Peter Churchouse , aged 68, was appointed as independent non-executive director and member of the Audit Committee of the Company on 1 November 2009. He has been involved in Asian securities and property investment markets for more than 30 years. Currently, he is a private investor including having his own family business, Portwood Company Limited. He is also an independent non-executive director of Hysan Development Company Limited (a company listed on the Stock Exchange). He is also the publisher and author of “The Churchouse Letter”.
— 11 —
APPENDIX II
DETAILS OF DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE RE-ELECTED
In 2004, Mr. Churchouse set up an Asian investment fund under LIM Advisors. He acted as a director of LIM Advisors and as Responsible Officer until the end of 2009. Prior to this, Mr. Churchouse worked at Morgan Stanley as a managing director and advisory director from early 1988. He acted in a variety of roles including head of regional property research. Mr. Churchouse gained a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Social Sciences degree from the University of Waikato in New Zealand.
Mr. Churchouse has entered into a service contract as an independent non-executive director with the Company for a term of 3 years commencing from 1 November 2015. He is also subject to retirement by rotation and re-election at the annual general meeting of the Company in accordance with the articles of association of the Company. Under the service contract, Mr. Churchouse will receive director’s fees of HK$400,000 per annum which was determined by board of Directors with reference to his duties and responsibilities with the Company and the prevailing market rate for his positions.
Mr. Churchouse has personal interests in 50,000 Shares, options to subscribe for (i) 150,000 shares at an exercise price of HK$8.44 and (ii) 400,000 shares at an exercise price of HK$8.28 granted under the Company’s Post-IPO share option scheme adopted by the Company on 1 November 2009 within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO.
Save as disclosed above, (i) Mr. Churchouse has not held any other positions with any members of the Group; (ii) is not related to any director, senior management, substantial shareholder or controlling shareholder of the Company or other members of the Group; (iii) is not interested in the shares of the Company within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO; and (iv) has not held any other directorships in any other listed public companies in the last three years.
Save as disclosed above, Mr. Churchouse has confirmed that there is no other information required to be brought to the attention of the Shareholders and the Company or to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 13.51(2)(h) to (v) of the Listing Rules in relation to his re-election as Director.
Mr. Chan Chi On, Derek , aged 54, was appointed as independent non-executive director, chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee of the Company on 1 November 2009. Mr. Chan is chairman of Halcyon Capital Limited and Halcyon Securities Limited, which is engaged in corporate finance and securities business in Hong Kong respectively. Mr. Chan graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor degree in Social Sciences (majoring in Economics) and from the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology with a Master degree in Business Administration. He worked for the Stock Exchange and has been Executive Director of Haitong International Securities Group Limited (formerly Taifook Securities Group Limited) and head of its corporate finance division for 16 years until end of 2012. He is an independent non-executive director of Yuexiu REIT Asset Management Limited, China Conch Venture Holdings Limited and Global International Credit Group Limited, which are listed on the Stock Exchange.
— 12 —
APPENDIX II
DETAILS OF DIRECTORS PROPOSED TO BE RE-ELECTED
Mr. Chan has entered into a service contract as an independent non-executive director with the Company for a term of 3 years commencing from 1 November 2015. He is also subject to retirement by rotation and re-election at the annual general meeting of the Company in accordance with the articles of association of the Company. Under the service contract, Mr. Chan will receive director’s fees of HK$400,000 per annum which was determined by board of Directors with reference to his duties and responsibilities with the Company and the prevailing market rate for his positions.
Mr. Chan has personal interests in options to subscribe for (i) 200,000 shares at an exercise price of HK$8.44 and (ii) 400,000 shares at an exercise price of HK$8.28 granted under the Company’s Post-IPO share option scheme adopted by the Company on 1 November 2009 within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO.
Save as disclosed above, (i) Mr. Chan has not held any other positions with any members of the Group; (ii) is not related to any director, senior management, substantial shareholder or controlling shareholder of the Company or other members of the Group; (iii) is not interested in the shares of the Company within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO; and (iv) has not held any other directorships in any other listed public companies in the last three years.
Save as disclosed above, Mr. Chan has confirmed that there is no other information required to be brought to the attention of the shareholders and the Company or to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 13.51(2)(h) to (v) of the Listing Rules in relation to his re-election as director of the Company.
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
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LONGFOR PROPERTIES CO. LTD. 龍湖地產有限公司
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
(Stock Code : 960)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual general meeting of Longfor Properties Co. Ltd. (“the Company”) will be held at 2:30 p.m., on Friday, 8 June 2018 at Cliftons Hong Kong, Level 5, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong for the following purposes:-
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
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To receive and consider the audited consolidated financial statements, the report of the directors and the independent auditor’s report for the year ended 31 December 2017;
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(a) To declare a final dividend RMB0.473 per share for the year ended 31 December 2017;
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(b) To declare a special dividend of RMB0.085 per share for the 25[th] anniversary of the Company;
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To re-elect directors and authorize the board of directors to fix the directors’ remuneration;
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To re-appoint Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as auditors and to authorize the board of directors to fix the auditors’ remuneration;
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To consider and, if thought fit, pass with or without amendments the following resolution as an ordinary resolution:-
“ THAT :-
- (a) subject to paragraph (c) of this Resolution, and pursuant to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Stock Exchange”), the exercise by the directors of the Company (the “Directors”) during the Relevant Period (as hereinafter defined) of all the powers of the Company to allot, issue and deal with additional shares of HK$0.10 each in the capital of the Company (the “Shares”) or securities convertible into Shares and to make or grant offers, agreements and options (including but not limited to warrants, bonds and debentures convertible into Shares) which might require the exercise of such power be and is hereby generally and unconditionally approved;
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
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(b) the approval in paragraph (a) of this Resolution shall authorise the Directors during the Relevant Period to make or grant offers, agreements and options (including but not limited to warrants, bonds and debentures convertible into Shares) which might require the exercise of such power during or after the end of the Relevant Period;
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(c) the total number of Shares allotted or agreed conditionally or unconditionally to be allotted (whether pursuant to an option or otherwise) by the Directors pursuant to the approval in paragraph (a) of this Resolution, otherwise than pursuant to (i) a Rights Issue (as hereinafter defined); or (ii) the exercise of rights of subscription or conversion under the terms of any warrants or other securities issued by the Company as at the date of this Resolution carrying a right to subscribe for or purchase Shares or otherwise convertible into Shares; or (iii) the exercise of the subscription rights under the share option schemes of the Company; or (iv) any scrip dividend scheme or similar arrangement for the grant or issue of shares or rights to acquire Shares of the Company, shall not exceed 20% of the total number of shares of the Company in issue as at the date of the passing of this Resolution (such total number to be subject to adjustment in the case of any consolidation or subdivision of any of the shares of the Company into a smaller or larger number of shares of the Company after the passing of this resolution); and the said approval shall be limited accordingly; and
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(d) for the purpose of this Resolution:-
“ Relevant Period ” means the period from the passing of this Resolution until whichever is the earlier of:-
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(i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company;
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(ii) the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting of the Company is required to be held by the articles of association of the Company and any applicable laws; and
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(iii) the revocation or variation of the authority given under this Resolution by ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company in general meeting; and
“ Rights Issue ” means an offer of Shares open for a period fixed by the Directors to holders of Shares whose names appear on the register of members of the Company on a fixed record date in proportion to their then holdings of such Shares (subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to fractional entitlements or having regard to any restrictions or obligations under the laws of, or the requirements of any recognised regulatory body or any stock exchange in, any territory applicable to the Company).”
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
- To consider and, if thought fit, pass with or without amendments the following resolution as an ordinary resolution:-
“ THAT :-
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(a) subject to paragraph (b) of this Resolution, the exercise by the Directors during the Relevant Period (as hereinafter defined) of all the powers of the Company to repurchase Shares on the Stock Exchange subject to and in accordance with all applicable laws and/or the requirements of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange as amended from time to time, be and is hereby generally and unconditionally approved;
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(b) the total number of the Shares to be repurchased pursuant to the approval in paragraph (a) of this Resolution shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of the Company in issue as at the date of the passing of this Resolution (such total number to be subject to adjustment in the case of any consolidation or subdivision of any of the shares of the Company into a smaller or larger number of shares of the Company after the passing of this resolution); and the said approval shall be limited accordingly; and
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(c) for the purpose of this Resolution:-
“Relevant Period” means the period from the passing of this Resolution until whichever is the earlier of:-
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(i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company;
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(ii) the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting of the Company is required to be held by the articles of association of the Company and any applicable laws; and
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(iii) the revocation or variation of the authority given under this Resolution by ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company in general meeting.”
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To consider and, if thought fit, pass with or without amendments the following resolution as an ordinary resolution:-
“ THAT subject to the passing of ordinary resolutions numbered 5 and 6 above, the general mandate granted to the Directors pursuant to ordinary resolution numbered 5 be and is hereby extended by the addition to the total number of shares of the Company which may be allotted and issued or agreed to be allotted and issued by the Directors pursuant to such general mandate of an amount representing the aggregate nominal value of the share capital of the Company repurchased by the Company under the authority granted pursuant to ordinary resolution numbered 6, provided that such extended amount shall not exceed 10%
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
of the total number of shares of the Company in issue as at the date of passing of the said Resolution (such total number to be subject to adjustment in the case of any consolidation or subdivision of any of the shares of the Company into a smaller or larger number of shares of the Company after the passing of this resolution).”
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
- As special business, to consider and, if thought fit, pass with or without amendments, the following resolution as a special resolution of the Company:
“THAT subject to and conditional upon the approval of the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands, the English name of the Company be changed from “Longfor Properties Co. Ltd.” to “Longfor Group Holdings Limited” and the dual foreign name in Chinese of the Company be changed from “龍湖地產有限公司” to “龍湖集團控股有限公司” (the “Change of Company Name”) with effect from the date on which the certificate of incorporation on change of name is issued by the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands, and that any one or more of the directors or the company secretary of the Company be and are hereby authorised to do all such acts, deeds and things and execute all documents as he/she/they consider necessary, desirable or expedient to implement and/or give effect to the Change of Company names and the related change of the English and Chinese stock short names for trading in the shares of the Company and to attend to any necessary registration and/or filing for and on behalf of the Company.”
By Order of the Board Longfor Properties Co. Ltd. WU Yajun Chairperson
Hong Kong, 26 April 2018
Notes:-
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(a) A member entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote instead of him. A proxy need not be a member of the Company but must attend the meeting in person to represent you.
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(b) To be valid, a form of proxy and the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed or a notarial certified copy of that power or authority, must be deposited at the Company’s branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 22, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or the adjourned meeting (as the case may be).
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(c) The register of members of the Company will be closed from Tuesday, 5 June 2018 to Friday, 8 June 2018, both days inclusive, during which period no transfer of shares of the Company will be effected. In order to determine the identity of members who are entitled to attend and vote at
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
the annual general meeting to be held on Friday, 8 June 2018, all share transfer documents accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged with the Company’s branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 22, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong not later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, 4 June 2018.
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(d) The register of members of the Company will be closed from Friday, 22 June 2018 to Monday, 25 June 2018, both days inclusive, during which period no transfer of shares of the Company will be effected. To qualify for the proposed dividend, all share transfers documents accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged with the Company’s branch share registrar in Hong Kong, Tricor Investor Services Limited at Level 22, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong not later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, 21 June 2018.
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(e) An explanatory statement containing further details regarding ordinary resolutions numbered 5 to 7 above will be sent to shareholders together with the 2017 Annual Report.
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(f) With regard to item no. 3 in this notice, details of the retiring Directors, namely Mr. ZHAO Yi, Mr. Frederick Peter CHURCHOUSE and Mr. CHAN Chi On, Derek, proposed be re-elected as directors of the Company are set out in the Appendix II to the circular to shareholders of the Company dated 26 April 2018.
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(g) Pursuant to Rule 13.39(4) of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, all votes of shareholders at the Meeting will be taken by poll except where the chairman of the Meeting, in good faith, decides to allow a resolution which relates purely to a procedural or administrative matter to be voted on by a show of hands.
As at the date of this notice, the Board comprises eight members: Madam Wu Yajun, Mr. Shao Mingxiao, Mr. Zhao Yi and Mr. Li Chaojiang who are executive Directors; and Mr. Frederick Peter Churchouse, Mr. Chan Chi On, Derek, Mr. Xiang Bing and Mr. Zeng Ming who are independent non-executive Directors.
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