Connected Transaction

Zhejiang Expressway Co 22 November 2005 The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited takes no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement. (A joint stock limited company incorporated in the People's Republic of China with limited liability) (Stock Code: 0576) Connected Transaction: Loan to Zhejiang Jinji Property Co., Ltd. This announcement is made pursuant to Rule 14A.66(2) of the Listing Rules in respect of the Loan Agreement entered into between the Company, Jinji Property and the Bank on 17 November 2005 whereby the Company agreed to provide a loan of a principal amount of RMB260 million (approximately HK$250 million) with a maturity period of six months to Jinji Property through the Bank. Jinji Property is a connected person of the Company as it is a 90% subsidiary of Communications Investment, which in turn is a substantial shareholder of the Company holding approximately 56% of the issued share capital of the Company. The provision of the Loan under the Loan Agreement by the Company to Jinji Property thus constitutes a connected transaction for the Company under Rule 14A.13(2)(a)(i) of the Listing Rules. As the value of the Loan to be provided under the Loan Agreement represents less than 2.5% of each of the percentage ratios, and the Loan Agreement is on normal commercial terms, the provision of the Loan is exempt from the approval of the independent shareholders of the Company but subject to the requirements under Rule 14A.66(2) of the Listing Rules to disclose such transaction in this announcement and in the next published annual report and accounts of the Company. Background On 17 November 2005, the Company entered into the Loan Agreement with Jinji Property and the Bank. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Company will advance the Loan to the Bank, which will in turn advance the Loan to Jinji Property. Interest will be payable by Jinji Property to the Company at a rate of 6.55% per annum, being approximately 1.33% per annum over the current rate applicable to one year term loans in the PRC, as quoted by the People's Bank of China. All handling fees payable to the Bank in connection with the Loan will be paid by Jinji Property. Interest on the Loan is payable quarterly in arrears. The Loan was advanced in a single payment on 17 November 2005, and is repayable in a single payment on 16 May 2006. Pursuant to PRC laws, only authorised banks are permitted to advance loans. Inter-company loan is typically made through back-to-back arrangement with an authorised bank. The arrangement with the Bank was made to comply with such legal requirements. The Bank was providing the loan services as part of its ordinary course of business. In connection with the Loan Agreement, Communications Investment has provided a guarantee in favour of the Company and the Bank in respect of the obligations of Jinji Property for repayment of the principal and for payment of interest and related expenses under the Loan Agreement. Reasons of the transaction The Loan is being provided to Jinji Property for use as general working capital. The Loan was provided by the Company out of excess cash from its operations. The Directors, including the independent non-executive Directors, believe that the terms of the Loan Agreement are fair and reasonable, are on normal commercial terms, and in the best interests of the Group and the Company's shareholders as a whole as the Loan provides a higher return than would otherwise be earned as deposit interest on the cash at hand. Connected transaction Jinji Property is a connected person of the Company as it is a 90% subsidiary of Communications Investment, which in turn is a substantial shareholder of the Company, holding approximately 56% of the issued share capital of the Company. The provision of the Loan under the Loan Agreement by the Company to Jinji Property thus constitutes a connected transaction for the Company under Rule 14A.13(2)(a)(i) of the Listing Rules. As the value of the Loan to be provided under the Loan Agreement represents less than 2.5% of each of the percentage ratios, and the Loan Agreement is on normal commercial terms, the provision of the Loan is exempt from the approval of the independent shareholders of the Company but subject to the requirements under Rule 14A.66(2) of the Listing Rules to disclose such transaction in this announcement and in the next published annual report and accounts of the Company. Information of the Group and Jinji Property The Company was incorporated on 1 March 1997 in the PRC and is a joint stock limited company with a registered share capital of RMB4,343,114,500 (approximately HK$4,176,071,635) at present. The main business of the Company and its subsidiaries is investment in, development, operation, management, and collection of tolls, of the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway and the Shangsan Expressway, both in the Zhejiang Province of the PRC, and businesses ancillary to the operation of the expressways, such as billboard advertising and operation of service areas on the expressways. Jinji Property is principally engaged in the business of real estate investment. Definitions In this announcement, the following expressions have the meanings set out below unless the context requires otherwise. 'Company' Zhejiang Expressway Co., Ltd. (Chinese character) 'Communications Investment' Zhejiang Communications Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Chinese character), a PRC state-owned enterprise 'Bank' a PRC incorporated bank 'Directors' the directors of the Company 'Loan' a loan of a principal amount of RMB260 million (approximately HK$250 million), made pursuant to the Loan Agreement 'Loan Agreement' a loan agreement dated 17 November 2005 entered into between the Company, Jinji Property and the Bank whereby the Company agreed to provide the Loan to Jinji Property 'HK$' Hong Kong dollars, the lawful currency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 'Jinji Property' Zhejiang Jinji Property Co., Ltd. (Chinese character), a PRC-incorporated company 'Listing Rules' the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited 'percentage ratios' has the meaning as ascribed to it under the Listing Rules, as applicable to the transaction under the Loan Agreement 'PRC' the People's Republic of China 'RMB' renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC The exchange rate used for reference purpose in this announcement is HK$1 to RMB1.04. By Order of the Board Geng Xiaoping Chairman Hangzhou, 18 November 2005 As at the date of this announcement, the executive Directors of the Company are: Messrs. Geng Xiaoping, Fang Yunti, Zhang Jingzhong and Xuan Daoguang; the non-executive Directors are: Messrs. Zhang Luyun and Zhang Yang; and the independent non-executive Directors are: Messrs. Tung Chee Chen, Zhang Junsheng and Zhang Liping. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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