Outstanding Enterprises Link ESG Performance to Management Remuneration, Leading the Industry to New Heights

Winning Companies Demonstrate Robust Governance Structures, Committed to Creating Long-term Value for All Stakeholders

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 December 2025 – Hong Kong has reclaimed its top position in the global initial public offering (IPO) fundraising rankings this year, reaffirming its strength in attracting international capital and solidifying its status as a global fundraising hub. Amidst this, local enterprises continue to strive for excellence. At the Awards Presentation Dinner for the ‘Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards 2025’, Professor K.C. Chan, Chairman of The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies (CHKLC), stated, “In the current environment, ‘Corporate Governance’ (CG) and ‘Environmental, Social, and Governance’ (ESG) have acquired more profound meaning than ever. Tonight, as we recognise listed companies that have excelled in these two areas, it is a timely demonstration of the corporate responsibility to keep the public interest at heart.”

He continued, “These award-winning companies are exemplary role models for the industry, dedicated to the well-being of their shareholders, employees, the communities in which they operate, disadvantaged groups, and the environment as a whole.”

Six Award Categories, with Outstanding Enterprises Honoured for Both CG and ESG

As in previous years, the Awards feature six categories: Hang Seng Index Constituent Companies, Hang Seng Composite Index Constituent Companies, Hang Seng China (Hong Kong-listed) 100 Index Constituent Companies, Weighted Voting Rights and Pre-profit Companies, Others & GEM Companies, and Newly-listed Companies.

Companies demonstrating outstanding performance in either corporate governance or ESG practices were publicly recognised with an Excellence Award. (Please refer to the Appendix for the full list of winners).

This year’s list of winners includes both past recipients and first-time awardees, reflecting continuous improvement in CG and ESG strategy and implementation across a growing number of listed companies. Some companies, excelling in both areas, received awards for both Corporate Governance and ESG, demonstrating their equal commitment to both. These companies include China Overseas Land & Investment Limited, China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited, XPeng Inc., and Sino Land Company Limited.

Mr Tim Lui, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Judging Panel, noted, “The winning companies have made tremendous efforts on their journey towards excellence in corporate governance and ESG, and in the process, have brought positive outcomes to the business community, the environment, and society.”

Board Independence and Diversity a Growing Trend, with a Significant Rise in Female Directors

The Judging Panel commended the winners of the ‘Corporate Governance Excellence Awards’ for demonstrating robust and well-established governance structures. Their boards generally exhibit a high degree of independence and have actively adopted diversity policies. More companies have formulated a ‘Board Diversity Policy’ with some companies showing particularly outstanding performance in board gender diversity, achieving a female director ratio exceeding 50%. Furthermore, all winners have established multiple specialised board committees to perform specific functions, strengthened their risk management and internal control mechanisms, and their independent non-executive directors have also played a crucial role in providing independent perspectives and effective checks and balances.

ESG Management Integrated into Core Strategy, with Performance Linked to Management Remuneration

In the ‘ESG Excellence Awards’ category, a common strategic focus among the winning companies was actively addressing climate change and managing their carbon footprints. All winners have voluntarily aligned with international climate-related agreements and set clear timelines for achieving carbon neutrality. Some of the outstanding enterprises have linked ESG performance to the remuneration of their management teams to elevate ESG management standards. Others have extended their influence beyond their own emissions reduction efforts to upstream supply chain partners and the public, deeply integrating the concept of sustainable development into their corporate strategy and daily operations.

Dr Kai-Fu Lee, a Global Top 100 AI Leader, Shares Insights on Hong Kong’s Future Role

The Awards Presentation Dinner featured Dr Kai-Fu Lee, CEO of 01.AI and Chairman of Sinovation Ventures, as the keynote speaker. Dr Lee, formerly the President of Google China, is one of the key figures in driving China’s technological development. Now based in Hong Kong and focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) research and investment, he shared his unique insights with the audience on the future role Hong Kong can play in the AI domain.

The annual Awards aim to set the highest standards in corporate governance and ESG for Hong Kong’s listed companies, encouraging them to adopt their best policies, strategies, and practices, and to share their successful experiences with other listed companies, thereby setting a benchmark for the market.

Vistra was the title sponsor of the ‘Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards’ for the second consecutive year. Mr Hailiang Zhang, Business Head, Executive Vice President, North Asia, Vistra, said, “The objectives of the Awards are perfectly aligned with Vistra’s vision, and we are delighted to be the title sponsor of this prestigious industry event once again.”

Appendix 1

Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards 2025 Winners

*Note: Alphabetical listing by Company Name

Hashtag: #CHKLC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies (CHKLC)

Incorporated in September 2002, CHKLC is a non-profit organisation serving listed companies and other industry bodies in Hong Kong. The Chamber strives to promote sound corporate governance; function as an effective communication channel between listed companies and regulatory authorities; strengthen the linkage and foster cooperation among listed companies from Hong Kong and Mainland China and uphold Hong Kong’s position as an international financial and capital formation centre. Since 2007, the Chamber organises the annual “Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards” jointly with the Hong Kong Baptist University to advocate best practices of corporate governance and ESG and recognize excellence (https://chklc.org/).

About the Centre for Corporate Governance & Financial Policy of Hong Kong Baptist University

The Centre aspires to be a “Centre of Excellence” on corporate governance in the region. It promotes quality policy and academic research on corporate governance and related financial policy issues covering Hong Kong, China and the Asia-Pacific economies, with the aim to improve the quality of corporate governance practices. Additionally, the Centre provides professional executive education activities to disseminate knowledge and advance the highest ideals of responsible business leadership. Through consultancy projects, the Centre also assists organizations to design, improve and assess their corporate governance systems and structures.

About the Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards

The “Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards” (formerly known as the “Hong Kong Corporate Governance Excellence Awards”) is conferred annually since 2007 by the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies and the Centre for Corporate Governance and Financial Policy, Hong Kong Baptist University.

The Awards aim to foster the highest standards in corporate governance and ESG, business ethics and board leadership in Hong Kong, recognize excellence, showcase best practices and accomplishments, and thereby promote a strong culture in corporate governance and ESG.

The Hong Kong Corporate Governance and ESG Excellence Awards 2025 is sponsored by Vistra as Title Sposnor, Quam Plus Financial as Gold Sponsor, BDO Limited as ESG Awards cum Bronze Sponsor; Moore as Collateral Sponsor.; The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Securities and Futures Commission, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Public Accountants, and The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association are the Supporting Organisations of the Awards. In addition, SWCS Group is Knowledge Partner, Nasdaq and Futu are Promotional Partners; Hong Kong Economic Times is the Sole Chinese Media Sponsor; Metro Finance as the Exclusive Radio Partner; whereas irasia.com, Quamnet and Wisdom Investor Relations are Online Media Partners.

For details of the Awards Programme, please visit https://cgesgawards.chklc.org