(19 December 2016 – Hong Kong) New World Department Store China Limited (“NWDS” or the “Company”; Hong Kong stock code: 825), one of the largest owners and operators of department stores in Mainland China, is pleased to announce its third win of the Gold Award in the category of “Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility, Environmental Responsibility and Investor Relations” in “The Asset Corporate Awards”. The accolade underscores NWDS’ efforts in upholding the highest standards of corporate governance, promoting excellent communication with investors, and caring for the community, aiming to maintain a good balance in the sustainable growth in both the corporate and social aspects.

Organized by renowned Asian financial publication The Asset magazine to commend listed companies with outstanding performance in corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental responsibility and investor relations, “The Asset Corporate Awards” recognizes the importance of sustainable growth and evaluates the integrated performance of companies in the above-mentioned areas. Companies are invited to answer a questionnaire and institutional investors are interviewed in the evaluation process. Each year, platinum, gold and titanium awards are presented, which are regarded as one of the most credible awards in Asia.

NWDS has always been devoted to constructing the most comprehensive corporate governance structure and mechanism, valuing such as an important cornerstone to withstand risks, enhance returns and achieve corporate sustainability. In FY2016, the Company’s management team put the innovative spirit of the “Artisanal Movement” into full play. In addition to propelling the introduction of themed interior designs in stores, they optimized the Company’s product and service mix and enriched the contents of its marketing and promotional activities to flexibly respond to changing market circumstances and consumer needs; they also implemented effective cost-control measures and increased the proportion of revenue from direct sales and leasing businesses so as to secure reasonable return for shareholders. Alongside these efforts, the Company is also an advocate of corporate social responsibilities with visible accomplishments. Not only did the NWDS Volunteer Team contribute up to 7,500 volunteer service hours, the entire staff has also been responding to the Company’s call to continually enhance its environmental performance, successfully reducing NWDS’ annual average carbon intensity by 7.8% in FY2016. Addressing the above performance in business and non-business development, the Investor Relations team has been progressing with time and persistently refining its investor relations work by actively taking part in industrial lectures and seminars as well as providing analysts and investors with timely information so as to enhance the Company’s transparency.

Ms. Violet Chan, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communication and Chairman of Sustainability Steering Committee of NWDS, said, “We are very honored to be recognized by The Asset magazine for the third consecutive year. This is a testament of the Company’s focus on sustainable development alongside our dedication for business performance. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our corporate governance, to maintain timely and adequate communication with investors and to further infuse the concepts of corporate citizenship and environmental protection into the Company’s day-to-day operations so as to strike a good balance between corporate and social sustainable growth.”

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