28 January 2013 HANG SENG TO BUILD 800 BIOGAS FACILITIES TO COMMEMORATE 80th ANNIVERSARY As part of the programme to commemorate its 80th anniversary, Hang Seng Bank will build 800 biogas facilities in mainland China this year. This commitment is the Bank’s largest since it began sponsoring the Hang Seng Yunnan Biogas Project (the Project) in 2007. The Project is organised by the Conservancy Association and the Yunnan Green Environment Development Foundation. To date, the Bank has sponsored the construction of 3,000 biogas facilities in Yunnan province. The facilities provide a free and stable energy supply to nearly 12,000 people in rural areas, saving about 2,470 acres of forest every year (equivalent to the area of 130 Victoria Parks) and reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by 27,700 tonnes. A team of Hang Seng volunteers from Hong Kong and the Mainland recently visited Fengqing County in Yunnan to ensure the construction of the 550 biogas facilities built in 2012 had been satisfactorily completed, and help teach local children about the advantages of renewable energy. Ms Alison Ho, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Hang Seng, said: "We are pleased that our staff volunteers have been able to monitor the completion of the Project in these remote villages. The Project is an important example of Hang Seng’s determination to ‘walk the talk’ in being a responsible corporate citizen and supporting community betterment.” Mr Ken So, Chief Executive of the Conservancy Association, said: “We would like to thank Hang Seng Bank for their continuous support in the past six years. The Project is a good demonstration of the effectiveness of collaborative sustainable development efforts by corporations, green groups and local communities.” Hang Seng’s commitment to sustainable development has earned it international recognition. In 2011, Hang Seng became the first local bank in Hong Kong to be included as a constituent stock of the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index, which provides a benchmark for best-in-class corporate sustainability performance of companies in the Asia Pacific region. The Bank has also been a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Global Index for 11 consecutive years. This year, Hang Seng became the first local bank in Hong Kong to attain an A+ Global Reporting Initiative rating – the top rating – for sustainability reporting in its 2011 Corporate Responsibility Report. more… Hang Seng to Build 800 Biogas Facilities to Commemorate 80th Anniversary / 2 About Hang Seng Yunnan Biogas Project Since 2007, the Bank has supported the building of 3,000 biogas toilets in Yunnan, benefitting over 11,700 villagers. Please see appendix for the project implementation sites in Yunnan. The Project provides a free and stable energy supply for cooking and lighting by channelling the methane gas that is released from pig manure and human waste collected in a specially designed underground pit. The biogas facilities help conserve natural resources and protect the environment, while also bringing positive change to villagers’ lives by reducing the energy and time they need to spend on collecting firewood. It also helps slow the pace of soil erosion resulting from deforestation. The residue left in the underground pit is used as a natural substitute for chemical fertilisers. About Hang Seng Bank Founded in 1933, Hang Seng Bank operates around 220 service outlets serving both personal and business customers. The Bank also maintains a branch in Shenzhen for foreign currency wholesale business, branches in Macau and Singapore, and a representative office in Taipei. Established on 28 May 2007, wholly owned subsidiary Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited operates a mainland China network of 46 outlets in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Fuzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Tianjin, Kunming, Foshan, Zhongshan, Huizhou, Xiamen, Zhuhai and Jiangmen. With total assets of HK$1,006 billion as at 30 June 2012, Hang Seng Bank reported a profit attributable to shareholders of HK$9,302 million for the first six months of 2012 and HK$16,885 million in 2011. Hang Seng Bank is a principal member of the HSBC Group, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. For further information on Hang Seng Bank, please visit the Bank's website at www.hangseng.com. --- End --- Appendix Hang Seng Yunnan Biogas Project – Implementation Sites in Yunnan Shangri-La (2013) Lijiang (2013) Tengchong (2009/10) Luxi (2007) Dehong (2010/11) Fengqing (2011/12) Yanshan (2008) Jinghong (2009/10) .