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China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. celebrates 15th Anniversary of listing Author:China Overseas Land and Investment Ltd.

Grasps development opportunities  Working Toward A Brighter Future
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of its listing, China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. (“COLI” or “The Company”, stock code: 688), held a celebration cocktail on 8th August, 2007 at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Admiralty. The cocktail reception was attended by Mr. ZHENG Kunsheng, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Frederick MA Si-hang, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr. ARCULLI Ronald Joseph, Chairman of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and former Secretary for Justice, Ms Elsie LEUNG, etc.
The celebration began at 6:15 pm with Mr. SUN Wenjie, President of the China State Construction Engineering Corporation and Chairman of China Overseas Holdings Limited and, Mr. KONG Qingping, Vice Chairman of China Overseas Holdings Limited and Chairman of COLI delivering a welcome speech. Then, the honourable guest, Mr. ZHENG Kunsheng, Mr Frederick Ma Si-hang, JP, joined Mr. SUN and Mr. KONG, celebrating the Company’s past achievements and marking the beginning of its next chapter. Guests then had a toast of the occasion and for the Company’s bright future.
Mr. KONG said, “The listing of the Company in Hong Kong 15 years ago was exceptional in the sense that it was among the first Chinese enterprises to seek direct listing for its business in Hong Kong. We were also among the first batch of red chips listed in Hong Kong. Our core values have always been ‘Integrity, Innovation, Practicality and Excellence’ and we push for improvement and expansion through effective operational and financial management.” In the past 15 years since our listing, the Company’s total asset had increased from HK$4.5 billion to HK$35.9 billion, representing a 698% growth. The net asset also grew 479% from HK$2.6 billion to HK$15 billion, while the market value up 3,050% from HK$4.2 billion to HK$132.3 billion. Between 2001 and 2006, the Company’s net profit had grown at the CAGR of 41.5%.
Firstly, being listed, the Company has stronger financing and investment capabilities and access to a stable channel for securing international financing for expanding business. As at the end of June 2007, the Company had raised funds and banking facilities totaling HK$53.2 billion, of which HK$38.5 billion was from Hong Kong and HK$15 billion was from Mainland China. In Hong Kong, the Company raised HK$10.8 billion from the equity market, HK$3.5 billion from the bond market, HK$9.7 billion in syndicated loans and HK$8.1 billion in project financing.
Secondly, riding on the listing, the Company has established scientific management style and enhanced its overall corporate governance standard. To meet the requirements of the capital market, the Company has implemented various corporate governance measures and consolidated its strategies and management structure which is widely recognized by the investors and society. Mr. KONG was presented the “Directors of the Year Awards 2006 – Listed Companies (SEHK – Non Hang Seng Index Constituents): Board of Directors” and “Directors of the Year Awards 2006 – Listed Companies (SEHK – Non Hang Seng Index Constituents):Executive Directors” by the Hong Kong Institute of Directors on 21 November 2006.
Thirdly, the Company has been relentless in improving service quality and operating scale of its core real estate business since listing, continuously raising the value of the Company for shareholders and investors. In 2005, after its contract operation spun off and became separately listed, with a clearer and more precise business direction, China Overseas has focused on real estate business and grown rapidly. Apart from embarking on property development in Hong Kong and Macau, the Company is also actively pursuing property development projects in tier one cities and other major cities in Mainland China. This strategy has allowed it to make inroads in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, Changchun, Xian, Nanjing, Zhongshan, Suzhou, Foshan, Ningbo, Chongqing, Hanzhou, Tsingtao, Zhuhai, Dalian and achieve strategic business coverage pivoted on the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and Bohai Rim regions and gain fame for the “China Overseas Property” brand.  Armed with concrete experience in the Hong Kong and mainland market, the Company enjoys unique competitive edges.  Included in the Standard & Poor’s Global Property 40 Index, it is a leading China real estate stock in the international capital market. This 24th July, the share price of COLI reached the high of HK$17.94, translating into a market capitalization of over HK$132.3 billion. As at late June 2007, the Company owns land reserve of over 17 million sq. m. and its planned total investment was HK$104.1 billion, which will be sufficient for supporting its real estate development in the coming four to five years.
Fourthly, the Company has also been keen in honoring its responsibilities towards the society and history by raising its value as a corporation and corporate citizen.  It has realized the goal of maintaining harmony with all parties in the community.  It has made donations for the construction of a number of primary schools in Hanzhong, Shaanxi and Nanchuan, Chongqing, and all together over HK$60 million for charity. It has been giving back to the society at its best efforts. The Company also never let up on pursuits such as conserving energy, protecting the environment and sustaining ecological balance in the property development and construction processes. It always seeks to use different kind of environmentally and ecologically friendly technologies and materials in its projects, keeping its promise to foster the well-being of the society.
Looking forward, Mr. KONG pledged full confidence in the China real estate market. He said, “We will continue to grab the opportunities of the booming property markets in China. Apart from progressive urbanization boosting consumption and market demand, consolidation of the real estate industry will see key players grow in scale. Adhering to the principle of  ‘Sustainability. Value-adding. Harmony. Win-win.’ we will make the best of our advantages in land resources, manpower, financial resources and brand prominence to push forward in steady strides to achieve sustainable development and working toward a brighter future.”

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