Stakeholders | Environment | Community | Education | Medical / Health | Arts and Culture | Sports | Disaster Relief

"It is my belief that the increasing pressures to maximise profit and efficiency should not compromise our respect for equality and our determination to minimise misery"

"The strength of a nation and its people depend on education and medical care. These are the country's roots. And like a tree, the deeper its roots, the more flourishing its branches and foliage."

Quotes by Mr Li Ka-shing
Chairman, Hutchison Whampoa

With a portfolio of businesses that span across the globe, HWL works and plans diligently to build on our success to achieve long-term growth. Businesses are encouraged to innovate and individuals are given creative platforms to explore. At the same time, each business is managed prudently to ensure steady growth through sustainable business models.

Each of the Group's businesses work hard to build a strong foundation in its local market through delivering quality products and services, and through contribution to charitable activities and sponsorship initiatives to connect with the local communities.

Stakeholders

Shareholders | Employees | Suppliers | Government | Customers

As a multi-national corporation operating with a diverse business portfolio, the Group and its operating companies hold dialogues with different stakeholders including shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers, regulators, academics and non-governmental organisations. In a difficult economic environment, we listen to the differing opinions of the stakeholders and seek a balance when planning the best way forward for the company and the communities we are in. HWL's employees are governed by a set of Code of Conduct which stipulates that they should deal fairly and with integrity with customers, suppliers, competitors, governmental authorities and the general public.

It is through engaging stakeholders and committing to the community, we believe we can make a positive impact to the world we live in and generate long-term value for our shareholders.

Shareholders
The Group is committed to enhancing shareholder value through long-term planning and effective execution of approved plans. Management is tasked to be diligent in the allocation of the Group's resources and to minimise risk while maximizing returns in a prudent manner.

The Group adopts sound governance and disclosure practices. We are also committed to continuously improving those practices and an ethical corporate culture.

HWL strives to attain the highest standards of corporate governance, with an emphasis on a strong and diligent board of Directors and increasing transparency to shareholders.

For transparency, the Group carries frequent conversations with the financial community including analysts, fund managers, and other investors.

Employees
The hard-work and dedication of employees throughout the Group are the foundations to the success and growth of the company. The employees' unreserved contribution help the Group's businesses continue to break new ground and establish the framework for the long-term success of the Group as a world-leading multi-national corporation.

Development and advancement opportunities abound for dedicated and motivated employees as the Group expands its businesses worldwide. The Group’s companies invest heavily in their employees’ professional growth as well as personal development. Furthermore, the Group is committed to providing a safe, effective and congenial work environment for all our staff.

The values we encourage in our people are: candour, courtesy, an ability to deal with change and respect for humanity, personal dignity and privacy.

Development
The Group provides a wide range of internal and external training courses as well as e-learning programmes so that employees can expand their business expertise and skill sets. Furthermore, tailor-made programmes are developed to help employees meet the ever-changing challenges of the marketplace. Education subsidies or study leave applications are also available for employees looking to deepen their knowledge on topics relevant to their jobs or functions. The Group believes that investment in its employees will pay dividends to the company’s success in the long term.

Diversity
Diversity is ingrained in the Group. Spanning over 50 countries, the Group attracts the top talent for its different posts. The Group holds firm to its policy of ensuring all employees and job applicants enjoy equal opportunities and are treated with fairness. The Company is committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, religion, age, disability or sexual preference.

The Group does not tolerate harassment, in any form.

Fellowship
Furthermore, to enhance the sense of belonging and fellowship among employees, the Group organises numerous employee activities throughout the year. A variety of programmes of various scopes and genres were organised for their enjoyment. They ranged from opportunities to improve relationships with colleagues and their families across the Group to activities that serve the local communities.

Health and Safety
HWL is committed to providing a safe workplace for all its employees. HWL has a comprehensive Code of Conduct and all employees are required to comply with all applicable health and safety laws and regulations. Health and safety considerations are incorporated into the design, operations and maintenance of the Group's office facilities. Employees are provided appropriate job skills and safety training and are educated with regards to their responsibilities for achieving the health and safety objectives of the Company. The Company also communicates openly with its employees on occupational health and safety issues.

Suppliers
Upholding local and international laws and treating individuals with respect and dignity is the responsibility of all corporations. In addition to the employee's Code of Conduct on Fair Dealing, at the Head Office, we look to lead by example. We have instituted a policy that vendors and suppliers who wish to provide printing services, including the Annual Report, have to agree to a covenant based on the United Nations Global Compact. The principles include non-discriminatory hiring and employment practices, a safe and healthy workplace, complying with environmental laws and prohibition of child labour.

In Europe, A S Watson Group joined the Business Social Compliance Initiative which calls for, among other things, strict legal compliance of all applicable national laws, regulations, industry minimum standards and ILO and UN Conventions.

Government
As the Group operates across a wide-spectrum of industries around the world, operating companies are not only compliant with the laws and regulations in the countries that they operate, they will, on occasion, work with local authorities and organisations to improve industry standards and trade practices.

In addition, employees are not allowed to use any funds or assets of the Group for contributions to any political party or candidate for public office, nor create the impression that he is acting as a representative of the Group.

Customers
Customer feedback is important especially in the face of the changing economic situation. The Group's subsidiaries have numerous mechanisms to gather feedback from customers about their products and services.

Education programmes to help customers make informed choices not only benefit the customers, they help bring back return business. One of the Group's retailers, PARKnSHOP, pioneered "Farm Check", a barcode tracing system to track down vegetable to the farms they were grown, in addition to "Fishipedia", a resource for customers to find the perfect fish, an important ingredient to Chinese cuisine, Hygiene is a top priority as fish counter staff are examined by doctors and trained at PARKNSHOP's Fresh Check Food Hygiene Academy before qualifying as fresh food handlers.

Environment

HWL is committed to environmental excellence. Such commitment shall be pursued on three levels: minimising the impact of existing business activities on the environment, using HWL's entrepreneurial spirit to develop new environmentally-friendly products and processes with potential commercial applications and providing support for conservation and environmental protection programmes.

The Group seeks to improve the environment not only for future generations of mankind but also to ensure the survival of wildlife.

Husky announced a CAD1.625 million commitment over five years towards a biofuels research programme at the University of Manitoba. Husky's contribution will be used to establish the Husky Biofuel Research Fund to help the University of Manitoba create two research chairs in biofuels focusing on ethanol.

In Italy, to help offset carbon emissions, 3 Italia launched a handset "Re-generation campaign" that inaugurated 11 hectares of woods. 3 Italia also uses renewable energies for its power needs.

HK Electric donated over HKD1 million to sponsor renewable energy projects at local schools in Hong Kong to encourage the study and application of renewable energy. HK Electric also donated HKD125,000 to the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong to support their work in environmental protection and education. In addition to financial contributions, HK Electric volunteers and family members also took part in weed-clearing, tree-planting and eco-tour projects to help promote environmental awareness in the community.

Combining technological innovation and environmental protection, HIT deployed electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes as part of an electrification programme that will reduce diesel emissions.

Other HPH subsidiaries are also very active in local environmental projects. For example, Lazaro Cardenas Terminal Porturia de Contenedores, a port in Mexico, supports "Save the Turtles", a programme to protect local turtles and their breeding grounds and educate the community about the dangers the animals face.

Community

The Group is also recognised as one of the philanthropic leaders among global corporations. In addition to our significant involvement at the corporate level, we encourage our employees to play an active role in the communities where they live and work, and in cities and towns around the world.

We are committed to playing our part in local communities, wherever we operate. We encourage staff to participate in community services and work with community and other organizations to support non-profit making activities that benefit the society.

Volunteerism is encouraged across the Group and our employees have enthusiastically served the communities with their time, talents, and heart. The HWL Volunteer Team, formed by the Group's employees in Hong Kong, has contributed time and energy to help children and families lead a harmonious, healthy and happy life. Over the past year, HWL Volunteers have put on a range of activities for the
community in conjunction with various social organisations.

This year, under the motto of the 3Hs – Harmony, Health and Happiness, HWL Volunteers brought youths from minority groups together with local children to visit the Olympic Equestrian facilities. The programme helped promote diversity and understanding for the children as well as introducing them to the Olympic Sport that Hong Kong hosted. The Volunteer Team also initiated a programme with the Hospital Authority to serve terminally ill cancer patients and their families at several hospital’s hospice centres.

Many businesses look for innovative ways to help their community. In Beijing, Great Wall Sheraton Hotel organised blood drives and a separate programme to donate bicycles to financially strapped schools and families. In Hong Kong, Metro Broadcast partnered with celebrities and artistes to sell cookies to raise funds for the elderly.

In Australia, 3 Australia volunteered at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, helping organise a sports day and barbeque for the children, families and friends.

In Israel, some employees painted the homes of the elderly while others organised sporting activities for children recuperating from cancer.

TOM donated books to encourage children and youngsters to spend more time reading. TOM also held a charity book sale with the proceeds going to the reconstruction of an orphanage in Jin Tang County, the Mainland.

HK Electric donated over HKD450,000 to 19 elderly service agencies in Hong Kong to promote life-long learning and volunteerism among retirees. Over 6,500 senior citizens benefited ted from the project. HK Electric also donated HKD100,000 to the Music Concert for Youth.

Marionnaud France raised EUR112,000 on International Women's Day to help domestically abused women overcome their sufferings.

The Kowloon Hotel participated in the "School-Company Partnership" programme organised by Youth Entrepreneurs Development Council. Through group discussion, games and various activities, the programme introduced entrepreneurship to youngsters at the early stage of career planning and let them gain exposure to the business world.

Putting on a different hat, chefs and volunteers from Harbour Plaza North Point and the Hong Kong Rugby Team spent a sunny and sporty morning with children from Precious Blood Children's Home where the children were given tips to making Swan Cream Puff and a taste of rugby.

Education

HWL has donated over GBP3,630,000 to the Hutchison Chevening Scholarships in eight years to fund young postgraduates from Hong Kong and the Mainland to pursue their studies in British Universities. Over 470 scholars have benefited from the scheme since its inception.

HK Electric sponsored HKD340,000 to the Centenary Trust Scholarship to provide financial assistance to secondary students in need. In Israel, Partner donated computers to schools and libraries around the country.

HPH, through its renowned Dock School Programme, continues the tradition of encouraging the educational development of the communities they operate in. The Korean, Ningbo and Xiamen ports were among the many who offered scholarships to local students to support their studies. Employees like those at the Port of Felixstowe, volunteered at their local schools. Other ports such as the Mexican and Guangxi ports helped by donating teaching equipment such as computers and servers so that students will have access to these important educational aids.

Medical / Healthcare

The Group is keen to support initiatives that promote public health and medical research and development.

In the UK, Superdrug organised a fundraising ball "Out of this World", raising a total of over GBP300,000 for three charities including the Teenage Cancer Trust. 3 UK colleagues scaled the 5,895-metre high Mount Kilimanjaro, raising BP12,000 for the Macmillan Cancer Foundation.

In Canada, Husky donated CAD500,000 to Husky Energy Easter Seals House, an accessible recreational facility for children with disabilities in St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The state-of-the-art facility will benefit more than 1,500 children. The donation was in addition to the CAD250,000 Husky Energy donated the year before.

Arts and Culture

Part of the support for the community is through donations to cultural events so that communities can have a better understanding of different countries and territories and their cultures.

In 2008, the Group contributed HKD150,000 to the Le French May festival in Hong Kong to help promote art and cultural exchanges.

Hutchison Whampoa Property Group is very active in introducing different arts and cultural activities for residents and the local communities. These initiatives include Chinese opera, lion dance, arts education, fashion shows and even automobile shows.

HK Electric donated HKD220,000 to community groups and rural Committees for various cultural projects including traditional festival celebrations and the Dragon Boat races.

Sports

The Group is a firm supporter of sports development and encourages its employees to lead a healthy lifestyle. This year, the Mainland's capital hosted the world's biggest sporting event, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The Group and its subsidiaries were pleased to support the Games and promote the Chinese cities' people and culture to people around the world. Headquartered in one of the cohost
cities, Hong Kong, the Group also had the opportunity to initiate a variety of programmes to encourage the community's participation in sporting events and promote camaraderie and a healthy lifestyle.

The A S Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Awards honoured 802 primary, secondary and special school student athletes. The programme also brought student athletes to a preview tour of the Olympic Stadiums.

Following the Olympic Games, Hong Kong is gearing up for the next major sports event in the city. Watsons Water has thrown in its support of the 2009 East Asian Games as a diamond partner.

Disaster Relief

The year 2008 was marked by several major natural disasters around the world. Our Group spared no time to respond to the catastrophes and show support to the colleagues, families and the communities that are affected by the crises. As time is critical in such circumstances, the Group responded with financial support or delivery of daily necessities in order to meet the most urgent needs of the victims.

In May, one of the deadliest earthquakes of all time hit the Sichuan province in the Mainland. The earthquake, measuring 8 on the Richter scale, killed over 60,000 people and left hundreds of thousands injured and millions homeless.

HWL, along with Cheung Kong Holdings and the Li Ka Shing Foundation, donated over RMB135 million to different projects to aid victims of the Sichuan earthquake and help with the rebuilding process. Among the programmes are financial aid for students affected by the quake. Many of the Group's businesses initiated fund-raising activities as a show of support for the people in Sichuan.

Cyclone Nargis hit southeast Myanmar on 9 May 2008 displacing 100,000 people. Through a matching programme by the HWL Volunteer Fund, the Group raised over HKD450,000 for UNICEF's emergency efforts in Myanmar.

While typhoon Morakat caused serious damage in Taiwan in August 2009, the Li Ka Shing Foundation donated TWD100 million to Taiwan Red Cross for relief.

Apart from the CSR programmes launched by the Group companies, Chairman Mr Li Ka-shing has also been supporting, through the Li Ka Shing Foundation, education and medical and health projects, as well as philanthropic activities with grants, sponsorships, and commitments of HKD11 billion.

For further information of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, please visit: www.lksf.org

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