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TravelSky Technology Limited — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2009
Apr 13, 2009
49402_rns_2009-04-13_3e11321a-3717-475c-b294-6d86a3581b7a.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 licensed securities dealer, bank manager, stock broker, solicitor, professional accountant or other professional advisers.
If you have sold or transferred all your shares in TravelSky Technology Limited , you should at once hand this circular together with the accompanying form of proxy to the purchaser or transferee or to the bank, licensed securities dealer or other agent through whom the sale or transfer 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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(Stock Code: 0696)
PROPOSED GRANT OF GENERAL MANDATES TO ISSUE AND REPURCHASE SHARES; PROPOSED OPENING OF THE INVESTMENT ACCOUNT; AND NOTICES OF AGM AND CLASS MEETINGS
A letter from the Board is set out on pages 1 to 6 of this circular.
Notices convening the AGM and the Class Meetings to be held at Conference Room of the Company, 8/F, No. 157, Dongsi West Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, the PRC at 9:30 a.m. on 29 May 2009 is set out on pages 11 to 19 of this circular. Whether or not you intend to be present at the said meeting(s), you are requested to complete the accompanying forms of proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and return the same to the branch share registrar of the Company in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Registrars Limited at Shops 1712-1716, 17/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (in case of holders of H Shares) or the registered office of the Company at Floor 18-20, South Wing, Park C, Raycom InfoTech Park, No. 2 Ke Xue Yuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing, the PRC (in case of holders of Domestic Shares), no later than 24 hours before the time fixed for holding the relevant meeting or any adjournment thereof. Completion and delivery of the forms of proxy will not prevent you from attending, and voting at, the relevant meeting or any adjournment thereof if you so wish.
14 April 2009
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | ii |
| LETTER FROM THE BOARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 1 |
| APPENDIX — EXPLANATORY STATEMENT | |
| ON REPURCHASE MANDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 7 |
| NOTICE OF AGM | |
| NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES | |
| NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING | |
| FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | 11 |
— i —
DEFINITIONS
In this circular, the following expressions shall have the meanings set out below unless the context requires otherwise:
“AGM”
the annual general meeting of the Company to be held at 9:30 a.m. on 29 May 2009 for the purpose of, among other things, approving the grant of the Issue Mandate and the Repurchase Mandate, the notice of which is set out on pages 11 to 15 of this circular
“Articles”
the articles of association of the Company
- “associate(s)”
have the same meaning ascribed to it under Chapters 1 and 19A of the Listing Rules
- “Board”
the Board of Directors
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“Class Meetings”
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the class meeting for holders of H Shares to be held immediately after the conclusion of the AGM and the class meeting for holders of Domestic Shares to be held immediately after the conclusion of the said class meeting for holders of H Shares, the respective notices of which are set out on pages 15 to 19 of this circular
“Company” TravelSky Technology Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC whose H Shares are listed on the Stock Exchange and whose American depositary shares are traded on the over-the-counter market in the United States
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“Company Law” the Company Law of the PRC (《中華人民共和國公司法》), as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time
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“connected person(s)” has the meaning ascribed to it under the Listing Rules
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“Directors” the directors of the Company
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“Domestic Shares”
domestic shares of RMB1 each in the capital of the Company
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“Group” the Company and its subsidiaries
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“Hong Kong”
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC
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“HK$”
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Hong Kong dollars, the lawful currency of Hong Kong
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“H Share(s)” H share(s) of RMB1.00 each in the capital of the Company
— ii —
DEFINITIONS
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“Investment Account”
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“Issue Mandate”
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“Latest Practicable Date”
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“Listing Rules”
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“Mandatory Provisions”
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“PRC” or “China”
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“Registrar”
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“Repurchase Mandate”
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“SAFE”
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the proposed opening of the investment account by the Company to facilitate investment on the business of cash hedging and appreciation portfolio management with an amount of RMB500 million or less in accordance with market situation
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a general and unconditional mandate proposed to be granted to the Board to exercise the power of the Company to allot, issue or otherwise deal with, and to make or grant offers, agreements and options in respect thereof, Shares up to a maximum of 20% of each of the Domestic Shares and H Shares in issue as at the date of passing the relevant resolution at the AGM
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7 April 2009, being the latest practicable date prior to the printing of this circular for the purpose of ascertaining certain information for inclusion in this circular
the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange
the Mandatory Provisions for the Articles of Association of the Companies to be Listed Overseas (《到境外上市公司章程必備條款》)
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the People’s Republic of China and, for the purpose of this circular, excludes Hong Kong and the Macau Special Administrative Region
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the Hong Kong branch share registrar of the Company, Hong Kong Registrars Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
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subject to the conditions set out in the proposed resolutions approving the repurchase mandate at the AGM and the Class Meetings, the general mandate to the Board to exercise the power of the Company to repurchase H Shares, the aggregate nominal amount of which shall not exceed 10% of the aggregate nominal value of H Shares in issue in the capital of the Company as at the date of passing of the said resolutions
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State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC (中華人民共和 國國家外匯管理局)
— iii —
DEFINITIONS
“SASAC” State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (國務院國有資產監督管理委員會) “SFO” the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) “Share(s)” shares of RMB1 each in the capital of the Company “Shareholder(s)” the shareholder(s) of the Company “Stock Exchange” The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited “Takeovers Code” The Code on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Repurchases “%” per cent.
— iv —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
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(Stock Code: 0696)
Directors: Xu Qiang (Chairman) Cui Zhixiong Xiao Yinhong Wang Quanhua[#] Luo Chaogeng[#] Cao Guangfu[#] Yick Wing Fat, Simon[##] Yuan Yaohui[##] Chua Keng Kim[##]
Registered office: Floor 18-20, South Wing, Park C Raycom InfoTech Park No. 2 Ke Xue Yuan South Road Haidian District, Beijing 100190 The PRC
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# Non-executive Directors
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## Independent non-executive Directors
14 April 2009
To the Shareholders
Dear Sir/Madam
PROPOSED GRANT OF GENERAL MANDATES TO ISSUE AND REPURCHASE SHARES; PROPOSED OPENING OF THE INVESTMENT ACCOUNT; AND NOTICES OF AGM AND CLASS MEETINGS
INTRODUCTION
The Board proposes that the Issue Mandate and the Repurchase Mandate to be granted to the Board at the AGM. The Board also proposes that the Investment Account be approved to be opened at the AGM.
The purpose of this circular is to provide you with, among other things, details of (i) the proposed grant of the Issue Mandate; (ii) the proposed grant of the Repurchase Mandate; (iii) the Investment Account and (iv) notices of the AGM and the Class Meetings.
— 1 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
PROPOSED GRANT OF THE ISSUE MANDATE
According to Article 56 of the Articles, Shareholders can, in general meetings of the Company, authorise the Board to carry out the authorised matters. At the AGM, a special resolution will be proposed that the Board be granted the Issue Mandate to exercise the power of the Company to authorise, allot, issue or otherwise deal with, and to make or grant offers, agreements and options in respect thereof, Shares up to a maximum of 20% of each of the Domestic Shares and H Shares in issue as at the date of passing the relevant resolution at the AGM. As at the Latest Practicable Date, 1,950,806,393 Shares, comprising 1,329,098,393 Domestic Shares and 621,708,000 H Shares were in issue. Subject to the passing of the proposed resolution approving the grant of the Issue Mandate to the Board and on the basis that no Shares will be issued or repurchased by the Company prior to the AGM, the Board will be allowed under the Issue Mandate to issue a maximum of 265,819,678 Domestic Shares and 124,341,600 H Shares respectively. The Directors believe that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders to grant the Issue Mandate to the Board to issue new Shares. Whilst it is not possible to anticipate in advance any specific circumstances in which the Directors might think it appropriate to issue Shares, the ability to do so would give them the flexibility to capture the opportunity if it so arises.
The Issue Mandate would expire on the earlier of (a) twelve months from the date of passing of the resolution, (b) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company; or (c) the date on which such authority is revoked or varied by a special resolution of the Shareholders in any general meeting.
PROPOSED GRANT OF THE REPURCHASE MANDATE
Legal and regulatory requirements
The Company Law, the Mandatory Provisions and the Articles provide for certain restrictions on the repurchase of Shares which are applicable to all classes of Shares.
The Company Law (to which the Company is subject) provides that a joint stock limited company incorporated in the PRC may not repurchase its shares unless such repurchase is effected for the purpose of reducing its share capital or in connection with a merger between itself and another entity that holds its shares, or granting incentive shares to its staff and workers, or the shareholders’ requesting the company to purchase its own shares where the shareholders oppose the decision on merge or division of the company made at a general meeting of shareholders. The Mandatory Provisions, which the Company has incorporated in the Articles, provide that subject to obtaining the approval of the relevant PRC regulatory authorities and in compliance with the Articles, the Company may repurchase its issued Shares for the purpose of reducing its share capital, or in connection with a merger between itself and another entity that holds its Shares, or in other circumstances permitted by laws or administrative regulations.
Rule 10.06(1)(a) and Rule 19A.25 of the Listing Rules permit the shareholders of a PRC joint stock limited company to grant a general mandate to its directors to repurchase shares of such company that is listed on the Stock Exchange. Such mandate is required to be given by way of a special resolution passed by its shareholders in general meeting and by way of special resolutions passed by holders of domestic shares and holders of overseas listed foreign shares at separate class meetings.
— 2 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
The repurchase of H Shares by the Company is subject to the approvals of various PRC governmental authorities, which include SASAC, SAFE and/or (if appropriate) any other regulatory authorities as required by the laws, standards and system of the PRC. The approval of SAFE is required as H Shares are traded on the Stock Exchange in Hong Kong dollars and the price payable by the Company upon any repurchase of H Shares will, therefore, be paid in Hong Kong dollars. The Company has also been advised by its PRC legal advisers that the passing of a special resolution to approve the grant to the Directors of the Repurchase Mandate would, irrespective of whether such mandate is actually exercised by the Directors, constitute a reduction in the registered capital of the Company.
In accordance with the requirements of the Articles applicable to capital reduction (as incorporated from the Mandatory Provisions), the Company will have to notify its creditors of the passing of the resolution for the reduction of the registered capital of the Company. According to article 28 of the Articles, such notification is to be given to the Company’s creditors within ten days after the passing of such resolution and also by way of publication on three occasions of a press announcement in the PRC within 30 days after the passing of such special resolution. Creditors of the Company then have a period of up to 30 days after the Company’s notification or if no such notification has been received, up to 90 days after the first publication of the aforesaid press announcement to require the Company to repay amounts due to them or to provide guarantees in respect of such amounts. Further, the registered capital of the Company shall not be reduced to an amount lower than the statutory minimum amount.
In addition, the Company Law, the Articles and the Mandatory Provisions provide that the shares repurchased by a company will have to be cancelled and the registered capital of that company will therefore be reduced by an amount equivalent to the aggregate nominal value of the shares so cancelled. In the event of a reduction of registered capital, the company shall inform its creditor by way of written notice and announcement within a prescribed period after the passing of the relevant shareholders’ resolutions approving such reduction. The creditors shall be entitled to request the company for repayment of loan and/or provision of guarantee. Penalty will be imposed on a company for any failure to notify the creditors. The statutory notification requirement allows the creditors an opportunity for the recovery and/or security of the debt where a company’s registered capital is to be reduced.
The Company has been advised by its PRC legal advisers that subject to the granting of the Repurchase Mandate to the Directors and the obtaining of the above mentioned approvals by the relevant PRC regulatory authorities by the Company, the Company will only be required to give such notification to its creditors in the event that the Directors shall decide to exercise their powers under the Repurchase Mandate and the registered capital of the Company shall be reduced thereby.
In light of the above and provided that other conditions precedent are fulfilled, the Directors will exercise the power to repurchase H Shares after the notification duty is discharged and the possible disputes over debts can be reduced thereby and in compliance with the relevant requirements under the Listing Rules.
— 3 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
Reasons and conditions for the Repurchase Mandate
In order to ensure flexibility and discretion to the Directors in the event that it becomes desirable to repurchase any H Shares (including where such repurchase may lead to an enhancement of the net asset value per Share and/or the earnings per Share), approval is proposed to be sought from the Shareholders for the grant of the Repurchase Mandate to the Board. In accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements described above, the AGM and the Class Meetings are proposed to be convened and, at each of such meetings, a special resolution will be proposed to grant to the Board the Repurchase Mandate, i.e. a conditional general mandate to repurchase H Shares in issue on the Stock Exchange with an aggregate nominal value not exceeding 10% of the aggregate nominal value of H Shares in issue of the Company as at the date of passing of such special resolution. As at the Latest Practicable Date, the Company has a total of 621,708,000 H Shares in issue. Assuming that the H Shares of the Company remains unchanged up to the date of the AGM, the Company will be allowed under the Repurchase Mandate to repurchase a maximum of 62,170,800 Shares.
The Repurchase Mandate will be conditional upon (a) the special resolution for approving the grant of the Repurchase Mandate being passed at each of the AGM and the Class Meetings; (b) the approvals of SASAC and SAFE (or their respective successor authorities) and/or (if appropriate) any other regulatory authorities as required by the laws, standards and system of the PRC being obtained; and (c) the Company not being required by any of its creditors to repay or to provide guarantees in respect of any amount due to any of them (or if the Company is so required by any of its creditors, the Company having, in its absolute discretion, repaid or provided guarantee in respect of such amount) pursuant to the notification procedure under article 28 of the Articles. If the Company determines to repay any amount to any of its creditors in circumstances described under condition (c) above, it currently expects to do so out of its internal resources. If the above conditions are not fulfilled, the Repurchase Mandate will not be exercisable by the Directors.
The Repurchase Mandate would expire on the earlier of (a) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company; or (b) the date on which the authority conferred by the special resolutions is revoked or varied by a special resolution of the Shareholders in a general meeting or by a special resolution of holders of H Shares or holders of Domestic Shares at their respective class meetings.
Listing Rules requirements
Under the Listing Rules, the Company is required to give to the Shareholders all information which is reasonably necessary to enable the Shareholders to make an informed decision as to whether to vote for or against the resolution in respect of the Repurchase Mandate at each of the AGM and the Class Meetings. An explanatory statement for such purpose is set out in the Appendix to this circular.
— 4 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
Reasons for the proposed opening of the Investment Account
Since the second half of 2008, the People’s Bank of China had made successive cut down on interest rate which significantly reduced the Company’s income from interest. In order to increase the Company’s return on funds, the Board proposed that the opening of the Investment Account by the Company pursuant to laws and regulations and requirements of the SASAC be considered and approved at the AGM for the purpose of facilitating investment on the business of cash hedging and appreciation portfolio management through the Investment Account in accordance with market situation. Targets of such investment are (i) government bonds and bills issued by the People’s Bank of China; and (ii) hedging products with stable returns and low risk issued or guaranteed by State-owned commercial banks. The length of investment will be kept under 3 years and the limit of investment will be RMB500 million or less.
Subject to the approval for the opening of the Investment Account at the AGM, the Board will authorize three executive Directors to collectively review and approve every investment business through the Investment Account. Upon the joint approval for investment by the three executive Directors aforementioned, the General Manager of the Company will be authorized to handle the relevant specific implementation, during which the General Manager shall strictly conform to the requirements of the internal control system, risk control and business procedures of the Company to ensure suitable benefit for the Company. The Company will (if required) make timely disclosure in respect of its investment business through the Investment Account in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (including but not limited to the Listing Rules).
AGM AND CLASS MEETINGS
The AGM will be held at Conference Room of the Company, 8/F, No. 157, Dongsi West Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, the PRC at 9:30 a.m. on 29 May 2009 to consider and, if thought fit, approve, among other matters, the grant of the Issue Mandate and the Repurchase Mandate, and the opening of the Investment Account. The Class Meeting for holders of H Shares will be held immediately after the conclusion of the AGM and the Class Meeting for holders of Domestic Shares will be held immediately after the conclusion of the Class Meeting for the holders of H Shares, to consider and, if thought fit, approve the grant of the Repurchase Mandate. Notices of the AGM and the Class Meetings are set out on pages 11 to 19 of this circular.
Forms of proxy for use at the AGM and the Class Meetings are enclosed with this circular. Whether or not you intend to be present at such meetings, you are requested to complete the forms of proxy in accordance with the instructions printed thereon and return the same to the Registrar at Shops 1712-1716, 17/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (in case of holders of H Shares) or the Company’s registered office at Floor 18-20, South Wing, Park C, Raycom InfoTech Park, No. 2 Ke Xue Yuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing, the PRC (in case of holders of Domestic Shares), no later than 24 hours before the time fixed for holding the relevant meeting or any adjournment thereof. Completion and delivery of the forms of proxy will not prevent you from attending and voting at the relevant meeting or any adjournment thereof if you so wish.
— 5 —
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
VOTING AT THE AGM AND THE CLASS MEETINGS
Pursuant to Rule 13.39 of the Listing Rules, all vote of the Shareholders at the AGM and the Class Meetings must be taken by poll.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Board considers that the special resolutions to approve the grant of the Issue Mandate and the Repurchase Mandate and the ordinary resolution to approve the opening of the Investment Account are in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole. Accordingly, the Board recommends the Shareholders to vote in favour of such special resolutions at the AGM and the Class Meetings, and to vote in favour of such ordinary resolution at the AGM.
The Repurchase Mandate may, depending on market conditions and funding arrangements at the time, lead to an enhancement of the net asset value per Share and/or earnings per Share and will only be exercised when the Directors believe that such repurchases of H Shares will benefit the Company and the Shareholders.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Your attention is drawn to the additional information set out in the Appendix to this circular.
Yours faithfully,
By order of the Board TravelSky Technology Limited Xu Qiang Chairman
— 6 —
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON REPURCHASE MANDATE
APPENDIX
This appendix serves as an explanatory statement, as required by the Listing Rules, to provide you with requisite information as to the Repurchase Mandate.
LISTING RULES RELATING TO THE REPURCHASE OF SHARES
The Listing Rules permit a PRC issuer listed on the Stock Exchange to repurchase its shares of all classes listed on the Stock Exchange, subject to certain restrictions. Among such restrictions applicable to a PRC issuer, the Listing Rules provide that the shares of such PRC issuer must be fully paid up and all repurchases of shares by such PRC issuer must be approved in advance by a special resolution of shareholders in a general meeting and of holders of domestic shares and holders of overseas listed foreign shares at separate meetings conducted in accordance with such PRC issuer’s articles of association for approving share repurchases, either by way of a general mandate or by specific approval of a particular transaction.
REASONS FOR THE REPURCHASE MANDATE
The Directors believe that the flexibility afforded by the Repurchase Mandate would be beneficial to and in the best interest of the Company and the Shareholders. Such repurchases may, depending on market conditions and funding arrangements at such time, lead to an enhancement of the net asset value and/or earnings per Share. Such repurchases will only be made when the Directors believe that such repurchases will benefit the Company and its Shareholders. The Directors have no present intention to exercise the Repurchase Mandate.
REGISTERED CAPITAL
At as the Latest Practicable Date, the registered capital of the Company was RMB1,950,806,393 comprising 1,329,098,393 Domestic Shares and 621,708,000 H Shares.
EXERCISE OF THE REPURCHASE MANDATE
Subject to the passing of the special resolution numbered 8 set out in the notice of the AGM and the special resolution set out in the notice of the Class Meetings respectively, the Repurchase Mandate will be conditionally granted to the Directors until the end of the earlier of (i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting following the passing of the said special resolutions; or (ii) the date on which the authority conferred by the special resolutions is revoked or varied by a special resolution of the Shareholders in any general meeting or by a special resolution of the holders Domestic Shares or the holders of H Shares at their respective class meetings. The exercise of the Repurchase Mandate is subject to the approvals of SASAC and SAFE (or their respective successor authorities) and/or (if appropriate) any other regulatory authorities as required by the laws, standards and system of the PRC being obtained and the Company not being required by any of its creditors to repay or to provide guarantee in respect of any amount due to any of them (or if the Company is so required by any of its creditors, the Company having, in its absolute discretion, repaid or provided guarantee in respect of such amount) pursuant to the notification procedure under article 28 of the Articles.
The exercise in full of the Repurchase Mandate (on the basis of 621,708,000 H Shares in issue as at the Latest Practicable Date and assuming such number of H Shares would remain unchanged as at the date of the AGM and the Class Meetings) would result in up to 62,170,800 H Shares repurchased by the Company, being the maximum of 10% of the total H Shares in issue as at the date of passing the relevant resolutions.
— 7 —
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON REPURCHASE MANDATE
APPENDIX
FUNDING OF REPURCHASES
The Company is empowered by the Articles to repurchase the H Shares. Any repurchases by the Company may only be made out of either the capital paid up on the relevant shares to be repurchased, or the funds of the Company that would otherwise be available for dividend or distribution or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for such purpose or from sums standing to the credit of the share premium account of the Company.
In repurchasing the H Shares, the Company intends to apply funds from the Company’s internal resources (which may include surplus funds and retained profits) legally available for such purpose in accordance with the Articles and the applicable laws, rules and regulations of the PRC.
There might be a material adverse impact on the working capital or gearing position of the Company (as compared to the position disclosed in the audited accounts contained in the annual report of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2008) in the event that the Repurchase Mandate is to be exercised in full. 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 of the Company or the gearing levels which in the opinion of the Directors are from time to time appropriate for the Company. The number of H Shares to be repurchased on any occasion and the price and other terms upon which the same are repurchased will be decided by the Directors at the relevant time having regarded to the circumstances then prevailing, in the best interests of the Company.
STATUS OF REPURCHASED H SHARES
The Listing Rules provide that the listing of all the H Shares repurchased by the Company shall automatically be cancelled and the relevant share certificates shall be cancelled and destroyed. Under the PRC laws and the Articles, the H Shares repurchased by the Company will be cancelled and the Company’s registered capital will be reduced by an amount equivalent to the aggregate nominal value of the H Shares so cancelled.
— 8 —
APPENDIX EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON REPURCHASE MANDATE
PRICES OF H SHARES
The highest and lowest prices at which the H Shares have been traded on the Stock Exchange in each of the 12 calendar months immediately preceding the Latest Practicable Date are as follows:
| Highest | Lowest | |
|---|---|---|
| HK$ | HK$ | |
| 2008 | ||
| March | 6.80 | 5.04 |
| April | 6.89 | 5.71 |
| May | 6.82 | 6.00 |
| June | 6.64 | 5.08 |
| July | 5.10 | 4.30 |
| August | 5.20 | 4.36 |
| September | 5.00 | 3.75 |
| October | 4.18 | 1.81 |
| November | 3.06 | 1.88 |
| December | 3.58 | 2.43 |
| 2009 | ||
| January | 3.65 | 2.98 |
| February | 3.50 | 2.81 |
| March | 3.73 | 2.86 |
| April (up to the Latest Practicable Date) | 3.85 | 3.48 |
PREVIOUS REPURCHASE
No repurchase of H Shares has been made by the Company for the previous six months (whether on the Stock Exchange or otherwise) immediately preceding the Latest Practicable Date.
— 9 —
APPENDIX EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON REPURCHASE MANDATE
THE TAKEOVERS CODE AND MINIMUM PUBLIC HOLDING
If a Shareholder’s proportionate interest in the voting rights of the Company increases on the Company exercising its powers to repurchase H Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Mandate (if approved to be granted at the AGM and the Class Meetings), 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 (as defined in the Takeovers Code) could obtain or consolidate control of the Company and become obliged to make a mandatory offer in accordance with Rule 26 or Rule 32 of the Takeovers Code.
As the Latest Practicable Date, China TravelSky Holding Company (中國民航信息集團公司), the largest substantial shareholder (as defined in the Listing Rules) and a promoter of the Company, held 571,484,393 Domestic Shares, which represented approximately 29.29% of the Company’s registered capital.
In the event that the Directors exercise in full the power to repurchase H Shares in accordance with the terms of the Repurchase Mandate, the total interests of China TravelSky Holding Limited in the registered capital of the Company would be increased to approximately 30.26%, and this will result in China TravelSky Holding Limited and party acting in concert with it obliged to make a mandatory offer under Rule 26 of the Takeovers Code. Save as disclosed above, the Directors are not aware of any other consequences which will arise under either or both of the Takeovers Code and any similar applicable laws as a result of any repurchases to be made under the Repurchase Mandate. Moreover, the Directors will not make share repurchase on the Stock Exchange if such repurchase would result in the requirements under Rule 8.08 of the Listing Rules not being complied with.
The Directors have no intention to exercise the Repurchase Mandate to an extent as may result in a public shareholding of the H Shares of less than 25%.
GENERAL
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 under the Repurchase Mandate in accordance with the Listing Rules, the Articles and the applicable laws, rules and regulations of the PRC.
None of the Directors and to the best of their knowledge having made all reasonable enquiries, nor any of their associates presently intend to sell H Shares to the Company under the Repurchase Mandate in the event that the Repurchase Mandate is approved and the conditions to which the Repurchase Mandate is subject are fulfilled.
The Company has not been notified by any connected persons of the Company that they have a present intention to sell any H Shares to the Company, or that they have undertaken not to sell any H Shares held by them to the Company in the event that the Repurchase Mandate is approved by the Shareholders and the conditions to which the Repurchase Mandate is subject are fulfilled.
— 10 —
NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this notice, 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 notice.
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(Stock Code: 0696)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following meetings of TravelSky Technology Limited (“ Company ”) shall be held on 29 May 2009 at Conference Room of the Company, 8/F, No. 157, Dongsi West Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (“ PRC ”):
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(1) the annual general meeting (“ AGM ”) will be held at 9:30 a.m.;
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(2) the class meeting for holders of H shares of the Company (“ H Shares ”)will be held immediately as soon as the conclusion of the AGM as stated in (1) above or the adjournment thereof; and
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(3) the class meeting for holders of domestic shares of the Company (“ Domestic Shares ”) will be held immediately as soon as the conclusion of the aforesaid class meeting as stated in (2) above or the adjournment thereof.
These meetings are to be held for the following purposes:
AGM
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
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To consider and approve the report of the board of directors (“ Board ”) of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2008.
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To consider and approve the report of the supervisory committee of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2008.
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To review the auditor’s report for the year ended 31 December 2008 and to consider and approve the audited financial statements of the Group (i.e. the Company and its subsidiaries) for the year ended 31 December 2008.
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NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
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To consider and approve the allocation of profit and distribution of final dividend and special dividend for the year ended 31 December 2008.
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To consider and approve the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Ltd. Co. as the international and PRC auditors of the Company, respectively, for the year ending 31 December 2009, and to authorise the directors of the Company (“ Directors ”) to fix the remuneration thereof.
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To consider and approve the opening of the investment account (“ Investment Account ”) by the Company to facilitate investment on cash hedging and appreciation portfolio management with an amount of RMB500 million or less in accordance with market situation, and to authorize the Board (authorization of which may be transferred to three executive Directors) to apply all procedures as they may consider necessary, appropriate, desirable or expedient to sign and/or execute matters in relation to investment through the Investment Account.
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
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To consider and, if thought fit, approve the following resolution as a special resolution:
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“(a) Subject to the limitations imposed by paragraphs (c) and (d) below and in accordance with the Listing Rules, the Company Law of the PRC, and other applicable laws and regulations (in each case as amended from time to time), to consider and approve a general unconditional mandate be and is hereby granted to the Board to exercise once or more during the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (e) below) all the powers of the Company to allot, issue or otherwise deal with new shares on such terms and conditions the Board may determine and that, in the exercise of the powers to allot and issue shares, the authority of the Board shall include (without limitation):
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(i) the determination of the class and number of the shares to be allotted;
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(ii) the determination of the issue price of the new shares;
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(iii) the determination of the opening and closing dates of the issue of new shares;
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(iv) the determination of the class and number of new shares (if any) to be issued to the existing shareholders;
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(v) to make or grant offers, agreements and options which might require the exercise of such powers; and
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NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
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(vi) in the case of an offer or issue of shares to the shareholders of the Company, excluding shareholders who are residents outside the PRC or the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC, on account of prohibitions or requirements under overseas laws or regulations or for some other reasons which the Board consider expedient;
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(b) upon the exercise of the powers granted under paragraph (a), the Board may during the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (e) below) make or grant offers, agreements and options which might require the shares relating to the exercise of the authority thereunder being allotted and issued after the expiry of the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (e) below);
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(c) the aggregate nominal amount of the new domestic shares and new H shares to be allotted or conditionally or unconditionally agreed to be allotted (whether pursuant to the exercise of options or otherwise) by the Board pursuant to the authority granted under paragraph (a) above shall not exceed twenty per cent (20%) of the domestic shares and H shares in issue as at the date of passing of this resolution respectively;
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(d) the Board in exercising the powers granted under paragraph (a) above shall (i) comply with the Company Law of the PRC, other applicable laws and regulations of the PRC, and the Listing Rules (in each case, as amended from time to time) and (ii) (if required) be subject to the approvals of the China Securities Regulatory Commission and relevant authorities of the PRC;
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(e) for the purposes of this Resolution: “ Relevant Period ” means the period from the date of the passing of this resolution until whichever is the earliest of:
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(i) twelve months from the date of passing this resolution;
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(ii) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company; or
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(iii) the date on which the powers granted by this resolution is revoked or varied by a special resolution of the shareholders of the Company in any general meeting; and
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(f) subject to the Listing Committee of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited granting or agreeing to grant listing of, and permission to deal in, the H shares proposed to be issued by the Company and (if required) the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission for the issue of shares, the Board be and it is hereby authorised to amend, as they may deem appropriate and necessary, the articles of association of the Company to reflect the change in the share capital structure of the Company in the event of an exercise of the powers granted under paragraph (a) to allot and issue new shares.”
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NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
- To consider and, if thought fit, approve the following resolution as a special resolution:
“ THAT :
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(a) subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below and subject to all applicable laws, standards, system and/or requirements of the governmental or regulatory body of securities in the PRC, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“ Stock Exchange ”) or of any other governmental or regulatory body, the board of Directors (“ Board ”) be and it is hereby authorised to exercise, whether by a single exercise or otherwise, all the powers of the Company to repurchase the overseas listed foreign shares of RMB1 each in issue in the share capital of the Company (“ H Shares ”) on the Stock Exchange during the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (d) below);
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(b) the aggregate nominal value of H Shares authorised to be repurchased pursuant to the authority granted under paragraph (a) above during the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (d) below) shall not exceed 10 per cent. of the aggregate nominal value of H Shares in issue of the Company as at the date of passing of this resolution;
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(c) the exercise of the authority granted under paragraph (a) above shall be conditional upon:
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(i) the passing of a special resolution on the same terms as the resolution set out in this paragraph 8 (except for this sub-paragraph (c)(i)) at each of the class meeting for holders of domestic shares (“ Domestic Shares ”) of the Company and the class meeting for holders of H Shares, both to be held on the date of the annual general meeting as convened by this notice (or on such adjourned date as may be applicable);
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(ii) the approvals of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council and State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC (or their respective successor authorities) and/or (if appropriate) any other regulatory authorities as required by the laws, standards and system of the PRC being obtained by the Company; and
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(iii) the Company not being required by any of its creditors to repay or to provide guarantee in respect of any amount due to any of them (or if the Company is so required by any of its creditors, the Company in its absolute discretion having repaid or provided guarantee in respect of such amount) pursuant to the notification procedure set out in article 28 of the articles of association (“ Articles ”) of the Company;
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NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
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(d) for the purpose of this special resolution, “ Relevant Period ” means the period from the passing of this special resolution until whichever is the earlier of:
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(i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting following the passing of this special resolution; and
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(ii) the date on which the authority conferred by this special resolution is revoked or varied by a special resolution of the shareholders of the Company in any general meeting or by a special resolution of holders of H Shares or holders of Domestic Shares at their respective class meetings; and
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(e) subject to approval of all relevant governmental authorities in the PRC for the repurchase of such H Shares being granted, the Board be and it is hereby authorised to:
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(i) make such corresponding amendments to the Articles as it thinks fit so as to reduce the registered capital of the Company and to reflect the new capital structure of the Company upon the exercise of the authority to repurchase any H Shares of the Company as conferred under paragraph (a) above; and
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(ii) file the amended Articles with the relevant governmental authorities of the PRC.”
MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES
To consider and, if thought fit, approve the following resolution as a special resolution:
“ THAT :
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(a) subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below and subject to all applicable laws, standards, system and/or requirements of the governmental or regulatory body of securities in the People’s Republic of China (“ PRC ”), The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“ Stock Exchange ”) or of any other governmental or regulatory body, the board (“ Board ”) of directors (“ Directors ”) of the Company be and it is hereby authorised to exercise, whether by a single exercise or otherwise, all the powers of the Company to repurchase the overseas listed foreign shares of RMB1 each in issue in the share capital of the Company (“ H Shares ”) on the Stock Exchange during the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (d) below);
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(b) the aggregate nominal value of H Shares authorised to be repurchased pursuant to the authority granted under paragraph (a) above during the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (d) below) shall not exceed 10 per cent. of the aggregate nominal value of H Shares in issue of the Company as at the date of passing of this resolution;
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NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
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(c) the exercise of the authority granted under paragraph (a) above shall be conditional upon:
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(i) the passing of a special resolution on the same terms as the resolution set out in this paragraph (except for this sub-paragraph (c)(i)) at each of the annual general meeting and the class meeting for holders of domestic shares of the Company (“ Domestic Shares ”), both to be held on the date of the class meeting for holders of H Shares as convened by this notice (or on such adjourned date as may be applicable);
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(ii) the approvals of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council and State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC (or their respective successor authorities) and/or (if appropriate) any other regulatory authorities as required by the laws, standards and system of the PRC being obtained by the Company; and
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(iii) the Company not being required by any of its creditors to repay or to provide guarantee in respect of any amount due to any of them (or if the Company is so required by any of its creditors, the Company in its absolute discretion having repaid or provided guarantee in respect of such amount) pursuant to the notification procedure set out in article 28 of the articles of association (“ Articles ”) of the Company;
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(d) for the purpose of this special resolution, “ Relevant Period ” means the period from the passing of this special resolution until whichever is the earlier of:
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(i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting following the passing of this special resolution; and
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(ii) the date on which the authority conferred by this special resolution is revoked or varied by a special resolution of the shareholders of the Company in any general meeting or by a special resolution of holders of H Shares or holders of Domestic Shares at their respective class meetings; and
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(e) subject to approval of all relevant governmental authorities in the PRC for the repurchase of such H Shares being granted, the Board be and it is hereby authorised to:
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(i) make such corresponding amendments to the Articles as it thinks fit so as to reduce the registered capital of the Company and to reflect the new capital structure of the Company upon the exercise of the authority to repurchase any H Shares of the Company as conferred under paragraph (a) above; and
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(ii) file the amended Articles with the relevant governmental authorities of the PRC.”
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NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
To consider and, if thought fit, approve the following resolution as a special resolution:
“ THAT :
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(a) subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below and subject to all applicable laws, standards, system and/or requirements of the governmental or regulatory body of securities in the People’s Republic of China (“ PRC ”), The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“ Stock Exchange ”) or of any other governmental or regulatory body, the board (“ Board ”) of directors (“ Directors ”) of the Company be and it is hereby authorised to exercise, whether by a single exercise or otherwise, all the powers of the Company to repurchase the overseas listed foreign shares of RMB1 each in issue in the share capital of the Company (“ H Shares ”) on the Stock Exchange during the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (d) below);
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(b) the aggregate nominal value of H Shares authorised to be repurchased pursuant to the authority granted under paragraph (a) above during the Relevant Period (as defined in paragraph (d) below) shall not exceed 10 per cent. of the aggregate nominal value of H Shares in issue of the Company as at the date of passing of this resolution;
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(c) the exercise of the authority granted under paragraph (a) above shall be conditional upon:
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(i) the passing of a special resolution on the same terms as the resolution set out in this paragraph (except for this sub-paragraph (c)(i)) at each of the annual general meeting and the class meeting for holders of H Shares, both to be held on the date of the class meeting for holders of domestic shares of the Company (“ Domestic Shares ”) as convened by this notice (or on such adjourned date as may be applicable);
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(ii) the approvals of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council and State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC (or their respective successor authorities) and/or (if appropriate) any other regulatory authorities as required by the laws, standards and system of the PRC being obtained by the Company; and
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(iii) the Company not being required by any of its creditors to repay or to provide guarantee in respect of any amount due to any of them (or if the Company is so required by any of its creditors, the Company in its absolute discretion having repaid or provided guarantee in respect of such amount) pursuant to the notification procedure set out in article 28 of the articles of association (“ Articles ”) of the Company;
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NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
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(d) for the purpose of this special resolution, “ Relevant Period ” means the period from the passing of this special resolution until whichever is the earlier of:
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(i) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting following the passing of this special resolution; and
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(ii) the date on which the authority conferred by this special resolution is revoked or varied by a special resolution of the shareholders of the Company in any general meeting or by a special resolution of holders of H Shares or holders of Domestic Shares at their respective class meetings; and
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(e) subject to approval of all relevant governmental authorities in the PRC for the repurchase of such H Shares being granted, the Board be and it is hereby authorised to:
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(i) make such corresponding amendments to the Articles as it thinks fit so as to reduce the registered capital of the Company and to reflect the new capital structure of the Company upon the exercise of the authority to repurchase any H Shares of the Company as conferred under paragraph (a) above; and
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(ii) file the amended Articles with the relevant governmental authorities of the PRC.”
By order of the Board TravelSky Technology Limited Xu Qiang Chairman
Beijing, the People’s Republic of China 14 April 2009
Registered office:
Floor 18-20, South Wing, Park C Raycom InfoTech Park No. 2 Ke Xue Yuan South Road Haidian District, Beijing 100190 the People’s Republic of China
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NOTICE OF AGM NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF H SHARES NOTICE OF CLASS MEETING FOR HOLDERS OF DOMESTIC SHARES
Notes:
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The register of holders of H Shares of the Company will be closed from 30 April 2009 to 29 May 2009 (both days inclusive), during which time no transfer of H Shares will be effected. Holders of the H Shares and Domestic Shares whose names appear on the register of members of the Company at the close of business on 29 April 2009 are entitled to attend the AGM and the class meetings and the proposed final dividend (which is RMB0.106 per share) and special dividend (which is RMB0.08 per share) for the year ended 31 December 2008. Transfers of H Shares must be lodged with the branch share registrar of the Company’s in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Registrars Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong by 4:30 p.m. on 29 April 2009 in order to entitle the transferee to attend the AGM and the class meeting for holders of H Shares and the proposed final dividend(which is RMB0.106 per share) and special dividend (which is RMB0.08 per share)for the year ended 31 December 2008.
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Each shareholder who is entitled to attend and vote at the AGM may appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote on his or her behalf at the AGM. Each holders of H Shares who is entitled to attend and vote at the class meeting for holders of H Shares may appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote on his or her behalf at such class meeting. Each holder of Domestic Shares who is entitled to attend and vote at such class meeting for holders of Domestic Shares may appoint one or more proxies to attend and vote on his or her behalf at such class meeting.
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The instrument appointing a proxy must be in writing under the hand of the appointer or his attorney duly authorised in writing, or in the case of a legal person, must either be executed under its seal or under the hand of a legal representative or other attorney duly authorised to sign the same. If that instrument is signed by an attorney of the appointer, the power of attorney authorising that attorney to sign, or other document of authorisation, must be notarially certified. To be valid, for holders of Domestic Shares, the notarially certified power of attorney, or other document of authorisation, and the form of proxy must be delivered to the registered address of the Company no later than 24 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting. To be valid, for holders of H shares, the above documents must be delivered to Hong Kong Registrars Limited within the same period of time.
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Shareholders who intend to attend the AGM and the class meetings in person or by proxy should return the reply slip for attending the AGM and the class meetings to the registered address of the Company on or before 8 May 2009 in person, by mail or by fax.
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The AGM and the class meetings are expected to last for half a day. Shareholders (or their proxies) attending the AGM and the class meetings are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation expenses.
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Completion and return of the form of proxy will not preclude a member from attending and voting in person at the relevant meeting or any adjournment thereof. If such member attends the meeting(s), his form of proxy will be deemed to have been revoked.
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As at the date hereof, the board of the directors of the Company comprises:
Executive Directors: Non-executive Directors: Independent non-executive Directors:
Mr Xu Qiang (Chairman) , Mr Cui Zhixiong and Mr Xiao Yinhong; Mr Wang Quanhua, Mr Luo Chaogeng and Mr Cao Guangfu; Mr Yick Wing Fat, Simon, Mr Yuan Yaohui and Mr Chua Keng Kim.
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