Form 20-F
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

¨  

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

x  

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

OR

 

¨  

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report

OR

 

¨  

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 1-12158

 

 

LOGO

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

The People’s Republic of China

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

No. 48 Jinyi Road, Jinshan District, Shanghai, PRC 200540

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Mr. Zhang Jingming

No. 48 Jinyi Road, Jinshan District, Shanghai, 200540

The People’s Republic of China

Tel: +86 (21) 57943143

Fax: +86 (21) 57940050

(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of each class

  

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing 100 Class H

Ordinary Shares, par value RMB1.00 per Share

Class H Ordinary Shares, par value RMB1.00 per Share

  

New York Stock Exchange

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

2,330,000,000 H Shares, par value RMB1.00 per Share

4,870,000,000 Domestic Shares, par value RMB1.00 per Share

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or (15) (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer  x                Accelerated Filer  ¨                 Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP  ¨   International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board  x   Other  ¨

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.        Item 17  ¨        Item 18  ¨

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS    ii
EXCHANGE RATES    ii
CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS    ii
PART I       1

ITEM 1.

   IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS.    1

ITEM 2.

   OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE.    1

ITEM 3.

   KEY INFORMATION.    1

ITEM 4.

   INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY.    10

ITEM 4A.

   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.    30

ITEM 5.

   OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS.    30

ITEM 6.

   DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES.    44

ITEM 7.

   MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.    54

ITEM 8.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION.    56

ITEM 9.

   THE OFFER AND LISTING.    57

ITEM 10.

   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.    58

ITEM 11.

   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.    75

ITEM 12.

   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES.    78
PART II       79

ITEM 13.

   DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES.    79

ITEM 14.

   MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS.    79

ITEM 15.

   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.    79

ITEM 16A.

   AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.    81

ITEM 16B.

   CODE OF ETHICS.    81

ITEM 16C.

   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.    81

ITEM 16D.

   EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.    81

ITEM 16E.

   PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.    81

ITEM 16F.

   CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.    82

ITEM 16G.

   CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.    82
PART III       85

ITEM 17.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.    85

ITEM 18.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.    85

ITEM 19.

   EXHIBITS.    85

 

i


Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information in this Annual Report which does not relate to historical financial information may be deemed to constitute forward- looking statements. The words or phrases “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “will likely result”, “estimate”, “project”, “believe”, “intends to” or similar expressions identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and those presently anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligations to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events and circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Among the factors that could cause our actual results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements are the availability of crude oil supply channels and relevant prices, effects of the macroeconomic policy of The People’s Republic of China, government control of currency conversion and the prices of refined oil products, and other factors discussed in Item 3.D “Key Information - Risk Factors”.

EXCHANGE RATES

Unless otherwise specified, references in this Annual Report to “US dollars” or “US$” are to United States dollars, references to “HK dollars” or “HK$” are to Hong Kong dollars and references to “Renminbi” or “RMB” are to Renminbi yuan, the legal tender currency of the PRC.

We publish our financial statements in Renminbi. Unless otherwise indicated, all translations from Renminbi to US dollars have been made at a rate of RMB6.8259 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate on December 31, 2009 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. We do not represent that Renminbi or US dollar amounts could be converted into US dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate.

CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS

References to “we” or “us” are references to Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited and our subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. Before our formation, these references relate to the petrochemical businesses carried on by Shanghai Petrochemical Complex.

References to “China” or the “PRC” are references to The People’s Republic of China which, for the purpose of this Annual Report and for geographical reference only, excludes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

References to our “A Shares” are references to 720,000,000 of our domestic shares, par value RMB1.00 per share, which are ordinary shares subscribed for and traded exclusively on the Shanghai Stock Exchange by and between Chinese investors.

References to “ADSs” are references to our American Depositary Shares, which are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Each ADS represents 100 H Shares.

References to our “domestic shares” are references to all of our domestic shares, par value RMB1.00 per share, which are ordinary shares held by Chinese investors.

References to our “H Shares” are references to our overseas-listed foreign ordinary shares, par value RMB1.00 per share, which are listed and traded on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“HKSE”) under the number “338”.

“Rated Capacity” is the output capacity of a given production plant or, where appropriate, the throughput capacity, calculated by estimating the number of days in a year that the production plant is expected to operate, including downtime for regular maintenance, and multiplying that number by an amount equal to the plant optimal daily output or throughput, as the case may be.

All references to “tons” are to metric tons.

Unless otherwise noted, references to sales volume are to sales to entities other than us or our divisions and subsidiaries.

 

ii


Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION.

A. Selected Financial Data.

Our selected consolidated statements of income and cash flow data for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and our selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008 and 2009 are derived from our consolidated financial statements included in Item 17. Financial Statements. Our selected consolidated statements of income and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are derived from our consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report. Our selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, and Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

(in thousands, except per share and per ADS data)

 

     Years Ended December 31,
     2005
(RMB)
   2006
(RMB)
   2007
(RMB)
   2008
(RMB)
    2009
(RMB)

STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA

             

Net sales:

             

Synthetic fibers

   4,763,993    4,711,667    4,328,742    3,662,023      2,823,663

Resins and plastics

   13,958,329    15,753,304    15,878,803    14,850,284      12,263,540

Intermediate petrochemicals

   6,555,953    6,775,721    9,372,658    10,271,840      8,421,035

Petroleum products

   17,954,954    19,387,666    21,036,581    27,552,859      18,917,890

All others

   1,956,985    3,289,765    3,637,905    2,992,765      4,919,136

Income/(loss) from operations

   2,527,960    552,907    892,656    (7,817,264   2,023,476

Earnings/(loss) before income tax

   2,287,594    964,200    2,151,352    (8,014,438   2,166,509

Net income/(loss) attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

   1,850,449    844,407    1,634,080    (6,238,444   1,590,988

Net income attributable to minority interests

   70,845    66,555    49,056    36,717      64,471

Basic earnings/(loss) per share(a)

   0.26    0.12    0.23    (0.87   0.22

Basic earnings/(loss) per ADS(a)

   25.70    11.73    22.70    (86.65   22.10

 

 

(a) The calculation of earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year of 7,200,000,000 in each of 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Earnings per ADS are calculated on the basis that one ADS is equivalent to 100 shares.

 

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Table of Contents
     Years Ended December 31,
     2005
(RMB)
   2006
(RMB)
   2007
(RMB)
   2008
(RMB)
    2009
(RMB)

CASH FLOW DATA

             

Net cash flow generated from/ (used in) operating activities

   3,943,578    1,696,615    1,441,998    (3,986,490   3,346,890

Capital expenditures

   1,142,927    2,008,779    2,134,123    1,511,072      2,120,292

Net proceeds from issuance of corporate bonds

   —      2,977,800    —      —        1,000,000

Proceeds from loans and borrowings

   9,836,199    13,939,126    17,605,887    32,528,758      29,211,434

Repayment of loans and borrowings

   11,393,941    15,910,127    16,166,938    27,377,610      31,849,620

 

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Table of Contents
     Years Ended December 31,
     2005
(RMB)
   2006
(RMB)
   2007
(RMB)
   2008
(RMB)
   2009
(RMB)

BALANCE SHEET DATA

              

Current assets

   7,507,554    7,563,106    8,936,764    6,511,351    9,061,425

Property, plant and equipment

   14,651,167    13,359,862    14,977,237    13,272,899    14,977,205

Total assets

   26,810,371    27,406,060    29,853,050    27,533,027    29,908,486

Short term debt(a)

   3,926,742    4,270,337    4,091,969    9,372,725    7,774,673

Current liabilities

   6,132,637    7,030,050    8,261,732    13,342,720    14,304,925

Long term debt (excluding current portion)

   1,477,261    1,063,654    639,289    429,021    304,258

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

   18,829,987    18,976,343    20,648,038    13,496,933    15,005,018

 

(a) Including corporate bonds and current portion of long term debt.

Dividends

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the dividends since January 1, 1994:

 

Dividend Period

  

Dividend per Share

January 1, 1994-June 30, 1994

   RMB0.04 (US$0.0059)

July 1, 1994-December 31, 1994

   RMB0.085 (US$0.0125)

January 1, 1995-June 30, 1995

   RMB0.04 (US$0.0059)

July 1, 1995-December 31, 1995

   RMB0.09 (US$0.0132)

January 1, 1996-June 30, 1996

   RMB0.04 (US$0.0059)

July 1, 1996-December 31, 1996

   RMB0.08 (US$0.0117)

January 1, 1997-December 31, 1997

   RMB0.06 (US$0.0088)

January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998

   RMB0.03 (US$0.0044)

January 1, 1999-December 31, 1999

   RMB0.05 (US$0.0073)

January 1, 2000-December 31, 2000

   RMB0.06 (US$0.0088)

January 1, 2001-December 31, 2001

   No dividend

January 1, 2002-December 31, 2002

   RMB0.05 (US$0.0073)

January 1, 2003-December 31, 2003

   RMB0.08 (US$0.0117)

January 1, 2004-December 31, 2004

   RMB0.20 (US$0.0293)

January 1, 2005-December 31, 2005

   RMB0.10 (US$0.0147)

January 1, 2006-December 31, 2006

   RMB0.04 (US$0.0059)

January 1, 2007-December 31, 2007

   RMB0.09 (US$0.0132)

January 1, 2008-December 31, 2008

   No dividend

January 1, 2009-December 31, 2009

   RMB0.03 (US$0.0044)

See also Item 8.A. Financial Information – Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information – Dividend Policy.

Exchange Rates

The Chinese government controls its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. See Item 10.D. Additional Information – Exchange Controls.

 

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The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between Renminbi and US dollars for the periods indicated:

 

     Noon Buying Rates (RMB/US$)

Period

   Period End    Average(1)    High    Low

2005

   8.0702    8.1828    8.2765    8.0702

2006

   7.8041    7.9579    8.0702    7.8041

2007

   7.2946    7.5806    7.8127    7.2946

2008

   6.8225    6.9477    7.2946    6.7899

2009

   6.8259    6.8307    6.8470    6.8176

November 2009

   6.8265    6.8271    6.8300    6.8255

December 2009

   6.8259    6.8275    6.8299    6.8244

January 2010

   6.8268    6.8269    6.8295    6.8258

February 2010

   6.8258    6.8285    6.8330    6.8258

March 2010

   6.8258    6.8262    6.8270    6.8254

April 2010

   6.8247    6.8256    6.8275    6.8229

 

Source: The sources of the exchange rates are: (i) with respect to any period ending on or prior to December 31, 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and (ii) with respect to any period ending on or after January 1, 2009, the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.

Note: (1) Determined by averaging the rates on the last business day of each month during the respective period.

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness.

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds.

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors.

An investment in our ADSs involves significant risks. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. You should consider carefully all of the information in this annual report, including the risks and uncertainties described below and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before making an investment in our ADSs. Any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In any such case, the market price of our ADSs could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

The global financial crisis may have further material adverse effects on our financial condition and operating results.

The global financial crisis has resulted in reduced demand and decreased prices for the petrochemical industry. Although the Chinese government has taken measures to stabilize the macroeconomic environment and the Chinese economy maintained some growth as a result of the economic stimulus packages implemented by the Chinese government in 2009, it is not clear if and when economic growth in China will be as strong as it was in the past. China’s petrochemical industry is confronted with substantial difficulties and challenges. The uncertainty as to when certain economic stimulus policies will be revoked and the growth trend of international trade may continue to have an adverse impact on our operating results.

Our operations may be adversely affected by the cyclical nature of the petroleum and petrochemical market and by the volatility of prices of crude oil and petrochemical products.

Most of our revenues are attributable to petrochemical products, which have historically been cyclical and sensitive to the availability and price of raw materials and general economic conditions. Markets for many of our products are sensitive to changes in industry capacity and output levels, cyclical changes in regional and global economic conditions, the price and availability of substitute products and changes in consumer demand, which from time to time have had a significant impact on product prices in the regional and global markets. Historically, the markets for these products have experienced alternating periods of tight supply, causing prices and margins to increase, followed by periods of capacity additions, finally resulting in oversupply and declining prices and margins. As tariffs and other import restrictions are reduced and the control of product pricing is relaxed in China, the markets for many of our products have become increasingly subject to the cyclicality of regional and global markets.

 

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Historically, international prices of crude oil have also fluctuated widely due to many factors beyond our control. For example, international crude oil prices increased significantly in the first half of 2009 after reaching a low for the year of US$33.98 per barrel on February 12. In the second half, prices remained volatile and fluctuated at a relatively high level, rallying between US$70 ~ US$80 per barrel and rising to an all-year high closing price of US$81.18/barrel on October 22. As crude oil costs accounted for RMB26,450 million or 58.76% of the Group’s annual cost of sales in 2009, changes in crude oil prices can affect the Group’s profitability. We expect that the volatility and uncertainty of the prices of crude oil and petrochemical products will continue, and that increasing crude oil prices and declines in prices of petrochemical products may adversely affect our business and results of operations and financial condition.

Some of our major products are subject to government price controls, and we are not able to pass on all cost increases from rising crude oil prices through higher product prices.

We consume large amounts of crude oil to manufacture our products of which more than 90% is imported. We attempt to mitigate the effect of increased costs due to rising crude oil prices. However, our ability to pass on these increased costs to our customers is dependent on market conditions and government regulations, particularly government regulation with respect to the price of certain of our fuel products. In particular, gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas are subject to government price controls. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, approximately 54.06%, 43.52% and 47.70% of our net sales were from such products subject to price control. Although we do receive subsidies from the Chinese government to, among other things, cover part of our losses resulting from such price controls, the amount of such subsidies vary substantially from year to year or even quarter to quarter and is difficult to predict. Although the Chinese government has adopted a new pricing mechanism for domestic refined oil products that indirectly links the prices of these products to international crude oil prices (see “—Item 4. Information on the Company – B. Business Overview – Product Pricing”), such pricing mechanism is still nontransparent. Moreover, the Chinese government controls the distribution of many petroleum products in China. For instance, some of our petroleum products are required to be sold to designated distributors (such as the subsidiaries of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation). Because we cannot freely sell our fuel products to take advantage of opportunities for higher prices and because the formula for the new pricing mechanism set by the Chinese government is not transparent, in periods of high crude oil prices, we may not be able to fully cover increases in crude oil prices by increases in the sale prices of our products, which has had and will continue to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our development and operation plans have significant capital expenditure and financing requirements, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.

The petrochemical business is a capital intensive business. Our ability to maintain and increase our revenues, net income and cash flows depends upon continued capital spending. Our current business strategy contemplates capital expenditures for 2010 of approximately RMB2.0 billion (US$293 million), which will be provided through financing activities and use of our own capital. Our actual capital expenditures may vary significantly from these planned amounts due to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, investments and other factors that may be beyond our control. In addition, there can be no assurance as to whether, or at what cost, our capital projects will be completed or the success of these projects if completed.

As a result of the global economic downturn and its negative effect on our net income and cash flows, we have had to take on an increased amount of indebtedness in 2008, 2009 and 2010 to fund our capital expenditures and operations as compared to previous years. As of March 31, 2010, we had aggregate outstanding indebtedness of approximately RMB8.093 billion (US$1.186 billion). Most of our loans are with state-controlled banks in China and structured as short-term debt obligations with payment due in one year or less. These banks have generally been willing to provide new short-term loans while we pay down existing loans, as our overall debt level has been reduced slightly since 2008. China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (“Sinopec Corp”), our controlling shareholder, did not provide any guarantee or credit support for our debt for the year ended December 31, 2009 and for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010.

Our ability to obtain external financing in the future and our ability to make timely repayments of our debt obligations are subject to a variety of uncertainties, including: our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; the condition of the economy in China and the markets for our products; the cost of financing and the condition of financial markets; the issuance of relevant government approvals and other project risks associated with the development of infrastructure in China; and the continuing willingness of banks to provide new loans as we pay down existing debt.

While we anticipate that we will rely less on debt to finance capital expenditures and operations as the global economic outlook begins to improve, if we fail to obtain sufficient funding for our operations or development plans or are unable to obtain new short-term debt to pay off existing debt, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

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We could face increased competition.

Our principal market, Eastern China, which is comprised of Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi, has enjoyed stronger economic growth and a higher demand for petrochemical products than other regions of China. As a result, we believe that competitors will try to expand their sales and build up their distribution networks in our principal market. In 2010, we expect that China’s petrochemical market will reach a peak in newly built on stream capacity. The commencement of production by new plants will continue to create a capacity surplus and result in a structural oversupply in the petrochemical market in general. We believe this will have a substantial adverse impact on the production and sale of our major products. Moreover, Chinese private enterprises have gradually overcome technological and funding barriers to extend their business from the downstream processing sector to the upstream petrochemical field. These enterprises have advantages in many areas such as flexibility in operation costs, preferential policy treatment and regional presence, and may use these advantages to compete with us in markets for our products.

Related party transactions; non-competition; conflicts of interests.

We have engaged from time to time and will continue to engage in a variety of transactions with Sinopec Corp and China Petrochemical Corporation, the controlling shareholder of Sinopec Corp, and their various subsidiaries or affiliates who provide a number of services to us, including the supply of raw materials, product distribution and sales agency, project design and installment service. Our transactions with these companies are governed by a Mutual Product Supply and Sales Services Framework Agreement with Sinopec Corp and a Comprehensive Services Framework Agreement with Sinopec Group, the terms of which were negotiated on an arm’s length basis, see Item 7. B. Related Party Transactions – Intercompany Service Agreement and Business-related Dealings. Our business and results of operations could be adversely affected if Sinopec Corp refuses to engage in such transactions or if it seeks to amend the contracts between the parties in a way adverse to us. In addition, Sinopec Corp has interests in businesses which compete or are likely to compete, either directly or indirectly, with our businesses. Because Sinopec Corp is our controlling shareholder and its interests may conflict with our own interests, Sinopec Corp may take actions that favor itself over our interests.

We are controlled by Sinopec Corp, whose interests may not be aligned with yours.

As of May 1, 2010, Sinopec Corp owned 55.56% of our shares. Accordingly, it has voting and management control over us, and its interests may be different from your interests and the interests of our other shareholders. Subject to our Articles of Association and applicable laws and regulations, Sinopec Corp will be in a position to cause us to declare dividends, determine the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval or effect corporate transactions without the approval of the holders of the H shares and ADSs. Any such increase in our dividend payout would reduce funds available for reinvestment in our business and any such actions or transactions could adversely affect us or our minority shareholders. Additionally, Sinopec Corp may experience changes in its own business strategy and policies. Although we are not currently aware of any specific changes, they could, in turn, lead Sinopec Corp to change its policies or practices toward us in ways that we cannot predict, with corresponding unpredictable consequences for our business.

Our business operations may be adversely affected by present or future environmental regulations.

We are subject to extensive environmental protection laws and regulations in China. These laws and regulations permit:

 

   

the imposition of fees and penalties for the discharge of waste substances;

 

   

the levy of fines and payments for damages for environmental offenses; and

 

   

the government to close or suspend any facility which fails to comply with orders and require it to correct or stop operations causing environmental damage.

Our production operations produce substantial amounts of waste materials. In addition, our production and operations require permits that are subject to renewal, modification and revocation. At present, we believe that our operations substantially comply with all applicable Chinese environmental laws and regulations as they have been previously interpreted and enforced. The Chinese government, however, has moved, and may move further, toward more rigorous enforcement of applicable laws, and toward the adoption of more stringent environmental standards. Chinese national or local authorities may also impose additional regulations or apply more rigorous enforcement of such regulations which would require additional expenditures on environmental matters.

 

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Our business may be limited or adversely affected by government regulations.

The central and local Chinese governments continue to exercise a certain degree of control over the petrochemical industry in China by, among other things:

 

   

mandating distribution channels for our fuel products;

 

   

setting the allocations and pricing of certain resources, products and services;

 

   

assessing taxes and fees payable;

 

   

setting import and export quotas and procedures; and

 

   

setting safety, environmental and quality standards.

As a result, we may face significant constraints on our flexibility and ability to expand our business operations or to maximize our profitability. In the past, we have benefited from favorable regulatory policies that have, for example, reduced the competition we face from illegal imports of petroleum products. Existing policies that favor our industry may change in the future and our business could be adversely affected by any such changes.

Our development plans may require regulatory approval.

We are currently engaged in a number of construction and expansion projects. Most of our projects are subject to governmental review and approval. The timing and cost of completion of these projects will depend on numerous factors, including approvals from relevant government authorities and general economic conditions in China.

While in general we attempt to obtain governmental approval as far in advance as practicable, we may not be able to control the timing and outcome of these governmental reviews and approvals. If any of our important projects required for our future growth are not approved, or not approved on a timely basis, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, or WTO, may significantly increase foreign competition in our lines of business.

China joined the WTO on December 11, 2001. As part of its membership, China has committed to eliminate some tariff and non-tariff barriers to foreign competition in the domestic petrochemical industry that benefited us in the past. In particular, China:

 

   

has reduced tariffs on imported petrochemicals products that compete with ours;

 

   

increased levels of permitted foreign investment in the domestic petrochemicals industry, allowing foreign investors to own 100% of a domestic petrochemicals company from December 11, 2004;

 

   

has gradually relaxed restrictions on the import of crude oil by non-state owned companies;

 

   

has granted foreign-owned companies the right to import petrochemical products; and

 

   

has permitted foreign-owned companies to distribute and market fuel products in both retail and wholesale markets in China.

As a result of these measures, we face increased competition from foreign companies and imports. In 2010, the impact of the global economic downturn will continue, the global market for petrochemical products may be slow to recover, and many overseas petrochemical companies, in particular those from neighboring areas, such as Japan, South Korea and the Middle East, have switched their focus to sales in China, which we believe, will further intensify competition in the Chinese domestic petrochemical market. In addition, tariff reductions could reduce our profit margins or otherwise negatively impact our revenue from certain products, including a small number of significant products. The PRC government may also reduce the tariffs imposed on production equipment that we may import in the future.

 

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Political and economic policies in China could affect our business in unpredictable ways.

The economy of China differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in a number of respects, including:

 

   

structure;

 

   

level of government involvement;

 

   

level of development;

 

   

level of capital reinvestment;

 

   

control of foreign exchange; and

 

   

allocation of resources.

Before its adoption of reform and open-door policies beginning in 1978, China was primarily a planned economy. Since that time, the Chinese government has been reforming the Chinese economic system, and has also begun reforming the government structure. These reforms have resulted in significant economic growth and social progress. Although the Chinese government still owns a significant portion of the productive assets in China, economic reform policies since the late 1980s have emphasized autonomous enterprises and the utilization of market mechanisms. We currently expect that the Chinese government will continue these reforms, further reduce government intervention and rely more heavily on market mechanisms to allocate resources. Although we believe these reforms will have a positive effect on our overall long-term development, we cannot predict whether changes to China’s political, economic and social conditions, laws, regulations and policies will have any adverse effect on our current or future business or results of operations.

If the Chinese government changes current regulations that allow us to make payments in foreign currencies, we may be unable to obtain the foreign currency which is necessary for our business.

The Renminbi currently is not a freely convertible currency. We receive most of our revenue in Renminbi. A portion of our Renminbi revenue must be converted into other currencies to meet our foreign currency obligations. We have substantial requirements for foreign currency, including:

 

   

debt service costs on foreign currency-denominated debt;

 

   

purchases of imported equipment;

 

   

payment of any cash dividends declared in respect of the H shares; and

 

   

import of crude oil and other materials.

Under existing foreign exchange regulations in China, we may undertake current account foreign exchange transactions, including the payment of dividends, without prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange by producing commercial documents evidencing the foreign exchange transactions, provided that they are processed through Chinese banks licensed to engage in foreign exchange transactions. The Chinese government has stated publicly that it intends to eventually make the Renminbi freely convertible in the future. However, uncertainty exists as to whether the Chinese government may restrict access to foreign currency for current account transactions if foreign currency becomes scarce in China.

Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account (international revenues and expenditures that increase or decrease debt or equity, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations) continue to be subject to limitations and require the prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. These limitations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt financing, or to make capital expenditures in foreign currency.

If the Chinese government restricts our ability to make payments in foreign currency, we may be unable to obtain the foreign currency which is necessary for our business. In that case, our business may be materially adversely affected, and we may default on our obligations.

 

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The rejection of the proposed share reforms required of companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange may adversely affect our market image and our ability to effectuate future transactions such as public offerings on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Pursuant to regulations issued by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”), we were required to gain shareholder approval for and implement certain share reforms in 2006. Under the share reform plans proposed by holders of our non-circulating A Shares in 2006 and 2007, respectively, all non-circulating A Shares would be converted into circulating A Shares and may be sold publicly on the Shanghai Stock Exchange subject to any applicable lock-up period under the condition that holders of our non-circulating A Shares transfer a portion of their A Shares to holders of our circulating A Shares. However, holders of our circulating A Shares rejected both share reform plans. No specific new proposals have yet been presented to implement the required share reforms. We are uncertain as to when such share reforms will be completed. On January 8, 2007, the Shanghai Stock Exchange began to impose stricter regulations on its listed companies that are required but unable to complete the share reforms, including stricter trading information disclosure requirements and greater restrictions on their ability to effectuate future public offerings. Since March 26, 2007, the Shanghai Stock Exchange has required us to make periodically public announcements regarding the status of our share reforms. In addition, the CSRC is expected to more strictly scrutinize any securities-related applications by publicly listed PRC companies that are required to but have failed to complete such share reforms, their major shareholders and ultimate beneficial owners. The rejection of the proposed share reforms by the holders our circulating A Shares may adversely affect our market image and our ability to effectuate future transactions such as public offerings on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The possibility that the CSRC and the Shanghai Stock Exchange will impose more restrictions cannot be eliminated.

Interpretation and enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations is uncertain.

The Chinese legal system is based on statutory law. Under this system, prior court decisions may be cited as persuasive authority, but do not have the binding effect of precedents. Since 1979, the Chinese government has been developing a comprehensive system of commercial laws and considerable progress has been made in the promulgation of laws and regulations dealing with economic matters, such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade. Because these laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively new and not all accessible to the public and because prior court decisions have little precedential value, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, regulations and legal requirements involve greater uncertainty than in other jurisdictions.

You may not enjoy shareholders’ protections that you would be entitled to in other jurisdictions.

As most of our business is conducted in China, our operations are governed principally by the laws of China. Despite changes to the PRC Company Law, Chinese legal provisions for the protection of shareholders’ rights and access to information are different and less developed than those applicable to companies formed in the United States, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and other developed countries or regions. You may not enjoy shareholders’ protections under Chinese law that you would be entitled to in other jurisdictions.

Our Articles of Association require you to submit your disputes with us and other persons to arbitration. You will have no legal right to a court proceeding.

Our Articles of Association require holders of our H shares or ADSs having a claim against, or a dispute with, us, our directors, supervisors, executive officers or a holder of our domestic shares relating to any rights or obligations conferred or imposed by our Articles of Association, the Chinese Company Law or any other Chinese laws or regulations relating to our affairs, to submit such claim or dispute to arbitration with the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission or to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center. Our Articles of Association further provide that any arbitration decisions with respect to such disputes or claims shall be final and binding on all parties.

 

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We may be or become a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.

We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such characterization could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to you if you are a U.S. investor. For example, U.S. investors who owned our ADSs during any taxable year in which we were a PFIC generally are subject to increased U.S. tax liabilities and reporting requirements for that taxable year and all succeeding years, regardless of whether we actually continue to be a PFIC, although a shareholder election to terminate such deemed PFIC status may be available in certain circumstances. The same adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences will apply to U.S. investors who acquire our ADSs during the current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year if we are treated as a PFIC for that taxable year.

The determination of whether or not we are a PFIC is made on an annual basis and depends on the composition of our income and assets, from time to time. Specifically, we will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. tax purposes for a taxable year if either (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such taxable year is passive income, or (b) 50% or more of the average percentage of our assets during such taxable year either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. For such purposes, if we directly or indirectly own 25% or more of the shares of another corporation, we generally will be treated as if we (a) held directly a proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets, and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.

We do not believe that we are currently a PFIC. However, because the PFIC determination is highly fact intensive and made at the end of each taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current or any future taxable year or that the IRS will not challenge our determination concerning our PFIC status. For further discussion of the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences of our possible classification as a PFIC, see “Taxation” below.

 

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY.

A. History and Development of the Company

General Information

We were established in the People’s Republic of China as a joint stock limited company under the Chinese Company Law on June 29, 1993 as Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited. On October 12, 2000, we changed our name to Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited. Our registered office is at No. 48 Jinyi Road, Jinshan District, Shanghai, China 200540. Our telephone number there is (86-21) 5794-1941.

Our Predecessor

Our predecessor, Shanghai Petrochemical Complex (the “Complex”), was founded in 1972 as one of the first large scale Chinese petrochemical enterprises using advanced imported technology and equipment. Prior to June 29, 1993, the Complex was wholly-owned by China Petrochemical Corporation, at the time a ministerial level enterprise (before its restructuring in 1998, “Sinopec”). The Complex’s location was chosen because of accessibility by water and land transportation to Shanghai, a major industrial city of China, and the availability of reclaimable land. The Complex was initially under the administration of the Ministry of Textile Industry and in 1983 was placed under the administration of Sinopec.

The Complex and we, as its successor, have undergone four major stages of construction. The first stage of construction (1972 -1976) included reclamation of land and the installation of 18 production units. The second stage of construction (1980-1986) increased the Complex’s capacity for processing crude oil and doubled its capacity for synthetic fiber production. The third stage of construction (1987- 1992) primarily consisted of the installation of a 300,000 ton Rated Capacity ethylene unit, an additional crude oil refining unit and other units for the production of petrochemical products. The third stage of construction completed our transition from a synthetic fiber producer to a highly integrated producer of a wide variety of petrochemical products. The fourth stage of construction (2000-2002) mainly included the 700,000 ton Ethylene Expansion Project and Coal-Fired Power Plant Expansion Project which is described under Item 4. Information on the Company – Property, Plant and Equipment – Capital Expansion Program.

Over the past thirty-seven years, the Company built up an infrastructure system to support its production needs. The Company has its own facilities to supply water, electricity, steam and other utilities and to treat waste water, as well as ocean and inland waterway wharfs and railroad and road transportation facilities.

 

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Our Initial Public Offering and Listing

We were established as a subsidiary of Sinopec on June 29, 1993. In preparation for our initial public offering of ordinary shares, all assets and liabilities of the Complex were transferred either to us or to Sinopec Shanghai Jinshan Industrial Company (“JI”), a separate subsidiary of Sinopec. The Complex’s non-core businesses and assets, such as housing, stores, schools, transportation and medical services were transferred to JI. The Complex’s core business and assets was transferred to us. The Complex then ceased to exist as a legal entity. In 1998, Sinopec was restructured into a limited liability company under the name of China Petrochemical Corporation (“Sinopec Group”). On February 25, 2000, Sinopec Group transferred its interest in us to its subsidiary, Sinopec Corp. In 1997, JI was restructured and its subsidiaries were either transferred to Sinopec or Shanghai Jinshan District. Sinopec Group now provides community services to us that were formerly provided by JI.

Our H Shares were listed on the HKSE on July 26, 1993. Our ADSs, each representing 100 H Shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Our A Shares are listed on the Shanghai Securities Exchange. We were the first Chinese joint stock limited company to have securities concurrently traded in Hong Kong, the United States and China. On November 8, 1993, our A Shares were included in the Shanghai Securities Exchange Stock Index.

Description of Principal Capital Expenditures and Divestitures

In the fourth quarter of 2001, we established a Sino-foreign equity joint venture, Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited (“Secco”), together with BP Chemicals East China Investments Limited (“BP”) and Sinopec Corp. We own 20%, while BP and Sinopec Corp own 50% and 30% of the equity interest of Secco, respectively. Secco was established to build and operate a 900,000 ton Rated Capacity ethylene petrochemical manufacturing facility in order to manufacture and market ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, polystyrene, propylene, acrylonitrile, polypropylene, butadiene, aromatics and by-products; provide related after-sales services and technical advice with respect to such petrochemical products and by products; and engage in polymers application development. Secco completed construction in 2005. Secco’s registered capital is US$901,440,964 of which we were obligated to contribute an amount in Renminbi equivalent to US$180,287,952 prior to the end of 2005. As of December 31, 2005, we had contributed such amount in full. For a description of capital expansion projects related to our facilities, see Item 4. Information on the Company – Property, Plant and Equipment – Capital Expansion Program.

B. Business Overview

We are one of the largest petrochemical companies in China based on 2008 net sales and ethylene production. Our highly integrated petrochemical complex processes crude oil into a broad range of products in four major product areas:

 

   

synthetic fibers,

 

   

resins and plastics,

 

   

intermediate petrochemicals, and

 

   

petroleum products.

Based on 2009 sales volumes, we are a leading Chinese producer of synthetic fibers and resins and plastic products. We believe that we are also a leading competitor in sales of petroleum products and intermediate petrochemicals in our regional markets.

Our net sales by product category, as a percentage of total net sales in each of 2009, 2008 and 2007 are summarized as follows:

Net Sales of RMB 47,345.3 million (US$6,936.13 million) in 2009

 

Synthetic fibers

   5.96

Resins and plastics

   25.90

Intermediate petrochemicals

   17.79

Petroleum products

   39.96

All others

   10.39

Total

   100.00

 

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Net Sales of RMB59,330 million (US$8,696 million) in 2008

 

Synthetic fibers

   6.17

Resins and plastics

   25.03

Intermediate petrochemicals

   17.31

Petroleum products

   46.44

All others

   5.05

Total

   100.00

Net Sales of RMB54,255 million (US$7,952.36 million) in 2007

 

Synthetic fibers

   7.98

Resins and plastics

   29.27

Intermediate petrochemicals

   17.28

Petroleum products

   38.77

All others

   6.70

Total

   100.00

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from customers in Eastern China (principally Shanghai and its six neighboring provinces), an area that has experienced economic growth above the national average in recent years. We believe that we are well- positioned to take advantage of opportunities which may arise through the growth of the Chinese economy generally and in this area in particular. Shown by geographic region and exports, our net sales by product category as a percentage of total net sales for each of 2009, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

 

2009 Net Sales by Region (%)
     Eastern China    Other parts of China    Exports

Synthetic fibers

   83.00    16.04    0.96

Resins and plastics

   86.66    13.34    0

Intermediate petrochemicals

   83.78    14.49    1.73

Petroleum products

   99.84    0.16    0

Total net sales

   92.74    6.92    0.34
2008 Net Sales by Region (%)
     Eastern China    Other parts of China    Exports

Synthetic fibers

   80.84    17.12    2.04

Resins and plastics

   86.06    13.94    0

Intermediate petrochemicals

   84.88    13.79    1.33

Petroleum products

   99.55    0.45    0

Total net sales

   92.32    7.30    0.38
2007 Net Sales by Region (%)
     Eastern China    Other parts of China    Exports

Synthetic fibers

   79.94    19.32    0.74

Resins and plastics

   87.30    12.70    0.00

Intermediate petrochemicals

   89.12    9.86    1.02

Petroleum products

   98.68    1.32    0.00

Total net sales

   92.00    7.64    0.36

 

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Business Strategy

In line with the changes in external economic circumstances, in 2010 we will continue to actively capitalize on market opportunities, increase our total physical production volume, and improve in the areas of health, safety and the environment. We will strengthen our internal management and optimize our allocation of resources; devote efforts to project construction to maintain sustainable development; push forward team-building strategies to improve human resources development; and strive to increase production operations, reform and development to a new level.

We will devote efforts to production safety, environmental protection, occupational health, energy conservation and emissions reduction, striving to comply with the requirements for the development of a low-carbon, green economy with recyclable materials. We will continue to implement an accountability system for all staff to ensure that staff responsibilities for safety and environmental protection cover all relevant aspects. The system will also be implemented to strengthen safety monitoring in key areas by stepping up the desulfurization of flue gas and the treatment of foul odor and wastewater and by conducting vigorous investigations into potential problems and to control and prevent potential risks. We will advance energy conservation and emissions reduction work by implementing various initiatives on a full scale such as emissions reduction in production operations, engineering, structural and management projects.

We will endeavor to improve the operational performance of our main production plants, striving to set record highs in terms of crude oil processing volume and total physical production volume. We will continue to reinforce the management and optimization of production operations by reducing non-scheduled shut-downs of equipment and improving the overall efficiency of system operations. We will commit more efforts to resolve bottleneck issues that constrain the long-term operation of the production plants by further improving the operating rates, load rates as well as technical and economic indicators of our plants. We will also launch a competition among staff aimed at encouraging them to advance overall production levels.

We will continue to develop a sophisticated management system to be used as a frontline tool to cope with difficult challenges and increase profitability through system optimization and the unleashing of untapped potential, enhancement of efficiency and reduction of costs and expenses. We will continue to dedicate efforts to the efficient procurement and processing of crude oil and major intermediate petrochemical materials, and to the improvement of production methods, product mix and operation of public utility systems to effectively control production costs. We will further improve budget management and strengthen the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and analysis of the budget. We will incorporate various tasks into the management system so as to fully implement the internal control system among all staff members in the Company.

We will diligently accomplish preliminary work on our “Phase 6 Project” which focuses primarily on refinery renovations. We will place equal emphasis on low cost and scale in upstream operations as well as high value-add and differentiation in downstream operations. We will push forward environmentally-friendly and resource-saving projects as soon as possible to further improve the overall utilization of resources and the rate of return on assets. With respect to technological improvement and computerization, the Group will continue to devote efforts for the development of practical technologies, the application of new technologies and research and development of high value-added products, and play an active role in developing sophisticated petrochemical technologies and products in the extended downstream sector, so as to provide technical assurance for speeding up the adjustment of product mix, increasing the standards of energy conservation and consumption reduction and promoting subsequent development of the Company. We will also steadily develop a more computerized management system.

We will continue to actively and steadily promote various internal reform programs to adjust and improve the management system. We will strive to achieve professional centralized management at the corporate level and incorporate professional operating mechanisms under the centralized management system. We will further strengthen and improve performance evaluation including our “three tier” evaluation and assessment method as well as incentive and check-and-balance mechanisms. We will further strengthen the management and assessment of foreign investment operations, and advance the establishment and development of foreign-invested enterprises. We will continue to carry out good tracking management of reformed enterprises to facilitate their steady and sound development.

We will continue to reinforce the building of the operation management team, the professional technical team and the skills operation team; improve the mechanism for the selection, nurturing, utilization and retention of talent and fully mobilize the enthusiasm and creativity of our staff at all levels. We will continue to advance various tasks for the cultivation of our corporate culture, striving to create a united, proactive, positive and harmonious work environment. We will continue to satisfy, safeguard and extend the fundamental interests of staff and strengthen the staff’s cohesiveness and sense of belonging to the Company.

 

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Principal Products

We produce four principal types of products with different specifications, including synthetic fibers, resins and plastics, intermediate petrochemicals and petroleum products. We use many of the important petroleum products and intermediate petrochemicals we produce in producing our own downstream products. The following table shows our 2009 net sales by major product as a percentage of total net sales together with the typical uses of these products.

 

Product    % of net sales         Typical Use

SYNTHETIC FIBERS

        

Polyester staple fiber

   1.09       Textiles and apparel

Acrylic staple fiber

   4.59       Woven into fabrics or blended with other material fabrics to make fabric or acrylic top

Others

   0.28      
          

Sub-total

   5.96      

RESINS AND PLASTICS

        

Polyester chips

   6.79       Polyester fibers, films and containers

PE pellets

   10.62       Films, ground sheeting, wire and cable compound and other injection molding products such as housewares and toys

PP pellets

   7.52       Extruded films or sheets, injection molded products such as housewares, toys and household electric appliance and automobile parts

PVA

   0.91       PVA fibers, building coating materials and textile starch

Others

   0.06      
          

Sub-total

   25.90      

INTERMEDIATE PETROCHEMICALS

        

Ethylene

   1.06       Feedstock for Polyethylene, EG, PVC and other intermediate petrochemicals which can be further processed into resins and plastics and synthetic fiber.

Ethylene oxide

   2.28       Intermediate for chemical and pharmaceutical industry, dyes, detergents and auxiliary agents

Benzene

   2.60       Intermediate petrochemical products, styrene, plastics, explosives, dyes, detergents, epoxies and nylon

Butadiene

   1.97       Synthetic rubber and plastics

Ethylene glycol

   2.04       Fine chemicals

Others

   7.84      
          

Sub-total

   17.79      

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

        

Gasoline

   6.98       Transportation fuels

Diesel

   22.21       Agricultural fuels

Jet Fuel

   5.26       Transportation fuels

Others

   5.51      
          

Sub-total

   39.96      

ALL OTHERS

   10.39      
          

Total

   100.00      
          

Production Processes

The key sectors in our vertically integrated production facilities are the ethylene units which produce ethylene and propylene, and our aromatics plants which principally produce paraxylene (“PX”) and benzene. Ethylene is the major raw material in the production of polyethylene (“PE”) and monoethylene glycol (“MEG”) which, together with pure terephthalic acid (“PTA”), is used to manufacture polyester. Propylene is the major raw material in the production of acrylonitrile and polypropylene (“PP”). These products are produced through the processing of a series of petrochemical units from crude oil. Our production processes are shown in the flow chart below.

 

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LOGO

 

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Our refinery units refine crude oil into five basic components: (1) naphtha, (2) kerosene, (3) atmospheric gas oil (“AGO”), (4) VGO, and (5) residual oil. Naphtha and part of the AGO is fed to the ethylene units primarily to produce ethylene and propylene. The other part of the AGO is processed into diesel oil, and kerosene is fed to the jet fuel sweetening unit to produce jet fuel. Part of the VGO is further processed in a hydrocracking unit producing mainly light and heavy naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”), diesel oil, various aromatic hydrocarbon products and jet fuel. The other part of the VGO and residual oil can be further processed into gasoline, diesel oil, LPG, propylene and other products.

Intermediate Petrochemicals

Ethylene – Ethylene is either directly processed into PE resins or processed into other intermediate petrochemicals. The most important of these is MEG. MEG is a key ingredient in polyester. It is produced by oxidizing ethylene in the ethylene oxide (“EO”)/ethylene glycol (“EG”) unit. Ethylene is also used to produce vinyl acetate which is processed into PVA.

Propylene – Propylene is either processed directly into PP resins or is further processed into other intermediate petrochemicals such as acrylonitrile, acetonitrile, hydroxyl acetonitrile and sodium cyanide. Acrylonitrile is used in producing acrylics.

Vacuum gas oil – VGO is passed through the hydrocracker, and the resulting heavy naphtha is fed into the aromatics plants to produce PX and benzene. PX is processed into PTA, one of the principal raw materials in producing polyester.

Resins and Plastics and Synthetic Fibers

We process our intermediate petrochemical products into five kinds of synthetic fiber raw materials: (1) polyester, (2) acrylonitrile, (3) PP, (4) PE and (5) PVA. Each of these five products has its own production line or lines. We further process polyester and acrylonitrile into various types of synthetic fibers.

Polyester – MEG and PTA are fed into a polymerization unit which produces polyester chips and polyester melt. Both chips and melt are used as raw materials in the production of polyester staple and filaments. Some chips are also sold to third parties.

Polyester staple fiber is a multi-strand fiber cut into short lengths which can be spun into fabric on its own or blended with cotton, wool or flax to produce textiles. Polyester filaments are a class of more highly processed polyester materials which have been drawn and oriented to produce a long thread-like fiber.

Acrylonitrile – We produce polyacrylonitrile by feeding acrylonitrile into a polymerization unit. By passing the polyacrylonitrile through the fiber unit, acrylic fiber and acrylic staple fiber are produced, including cotton and wool type staple fibers. Wool acrylic staple fiber can be processed into acrylic wool strips.

Polypropylene – We produce PP resins by feeding propylene into a polymerization unit. Our fiber grade PP resin is the main ingredient for PP fiber production.

Polyethylene – We have three sets of units producing PE, two of which produce LDPE using the kettle type process, and the other unit produces all density PE products using the Borstar bimodal process.

Polyvinyl acetate – PVA granules are produced from vinyl acetate (“VAC”), derived from ethylene.

Raw Materials

Crude Oil

Crude oil is our primary raw material and the most significant raw material we purchase from outside sources. In 2009, crude oil accounted for approximately 58.76 % of our total cost of sales. Accordingly, the supply and price of crude oil are key factors in determining our profitability.

Allocation and Transportation – The Chinese government exercises centralized management and control of the distribution of all crude oil, whether from domestic or foreign sources, and major petroleum products within China. Under this system, all our crude oil must be allocated by Sinopec Corp. During 2009, we did not experience any significant problems in obtaining sufficient crude oil to meet our production needs.

Sinopec Group is responsible for preparing an annual plan on demand and supply for crude oil and petroleum products that forms the basis of the Chinese government’s annual “balancing plan” which effectively dictates how much crude oil we will receive each year. Likewise, under the “balancing plan”, some of our petroleum products are designated for sale to the subsidiaries of Sinopec Group or other designated customers and we must consult Sinopec Group to sell elsewhere. Therefore, we cannot freely sell our petroleum products to take advantage of any opportunities for higher-priced sales.

 

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We have received confirmation from Sinopec Corp that we will receive an allocation of 0.4 million tons of domestic offshore crude oil and 10.3 million tons of foreign crude oil in 2010. Sinopec Corp has further confirmed that, subject to China’s national crude oil policy, it will continue to allocate sufficient quantities and appropriate kinds of crude oil to us, including domestic offshore and foreign crude oil, for our anticipated annual needs. We anticipate fully utilizing our 2010 allocation of crude oil. We believe that the mix of crude oil feedstocks currently available is satisfactory for our 2010 production capacity and targets. Additionally, as part of China’s commitment at its accession into WTO, certain non-state-owned enterprises have been granted an increasing quota to import crude oil. Although we do not expect to obtain crude oil through this channel in the foreseeable future due to the current crude oil allocation system, this may provide us with an alternative source of crude oil supply.

Crude Oil Mix – Our refining equipment is designed to process certain grades of crude oil. Therefore, the origin and quality of the crude oil available can be important to our business. We believe, as we are significantly increasing usage of foreign crude oil, we will continue to be able to obtain such foreign crude oil that is compatible with our refining equipment. The overall mix of foreign versus domestic crude oil we process in 2010 will depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of future allocations of domestic offshore crude oil and the availability, price, quality, processing profitability and compatibility with our refining capabilities of foreign crude oil. Provided there are no significant modifications to the existing crude oil allocation policy, we believe that sufficient supplies of crude oil will be available on the domestic or international markets for our 2010 production capacity and goals.

In 2009, our crude oil was sourced as follows:

 

Domestic offshore crude oil

   7.79

Foreign crude oil

   92.21

Total:

   100.00

In 2009, a minimal amount of our foreign crude oil was sourced from Iran, which is a country identified by the U.S. State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism and subject to U.S. economic sanctions and export controls. Details of the purchase volume and purchase expenses are provided below:

 

     Volume
(thousand tons)
   % of total    Expense
(RMB billion)
   % of total

Iran

   47.9    0.5    0.130    0.5

Others

   8,699.2    99.5    25.687    99.5
                   

Total

   8,747.1    100    25.817    100
                   

As a result of a consistent decrease in the supply of domestic crude oil, we expect that we will continue to rely principally on foreign sources for our crude oil supply. However, we believe that we will be able to maintain our processing efficiency through technological adjustments of our equipment and quality control and that increased use of imported oil will not materially adversely impact our business and results of operations.

Foreign and domestic offshore crude oil is supplied by tanker and pipeline to our oil terminal wharf and oil storage tank. See Item 4.D. Property, Plants and Equipment -Wharfs.

In the past, we have not experienced disruption in our crude oil supply. We have on-site crude oil storage tanks at Chenshan wharf capable of storing approximately 300,000 cubic meters of crude oil, primarily to provide crude oil to our No. 2 atmosphere vacuum distillation facility. This crude oil storage can provide us with approximately a 20 day supply of crude oil. The crude oil for our No. 3 atmosphere vacuum distillation facility is mainly supplied from the Ningbo-Shanghai-Nanjing oil pipeline. Due to our ability to obtain crude oil from multiple sources, we are able to meet our normal requirements for crude oil.

Pricing –The price of domestic offshore crude oil is controlled by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (“CNOOC”) and Sinopec Group based on government pricing policies and by reference to the price of the crude oil of the same quality in the international market, while imported crude oil is generally allocated to us at prevailing international market prices. The average cost of foreign and domestic offshore crude oil in 2009 was RMB 3,053 (US$447) per ton and RMB 2,626 (US$385) per ton, respectively. In 2009, we processed 8.08 million tons of foreign crude oil and 680 thousand tons of domestic offshore crude oil.

 

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Until March 2001 the Chinese government implemented a unified pricing system for crude oil. Each month, the National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”) would establish an indicative price for each grade of domestic onshore crude oil based on comparable international market prices, inclusive of any duties that would have been imposed had the oil been imported. The actual price for domestic onshore oil would be such indicative price plus a surcharge. This surcharge was determined by CNPC and Sinopec Group to reflect any transportation and other miscellaneous costs that would have been incurred in having the oil delivered to various refineries. Beginning March 2001, the NDRC ceased publishing an indicative price. Instead, the indicative price for domestic onshore oil is calculated and determined directly by CNPC and Sinopec Group based on the principles and methods formerly applied by the NDRC.

Sinopec Corp will allocate crude oil to us in sources selected and quantities confirmed by the Company at market prices. On this basis, we believe that changes in crude oil prices should not have a material effect on our competitiveness with other domestic producers. Nevertheless, any increase in the price of crude oil could have an adverse impact on our profitability to the extent that we are unable to pass cost increases on to our customers.

Coal

Most of the coal used for electricity generation is purchased through a unified system of procurement by Sinopec Corp, and the rest is purchased directly by us from mines. Coal is transported by rail from the mines to Qinhuangdao port and shipped by barge to Jinshanwei where it is delivered to the plant via a wharf and conveyer system. Our cost of coal is primarily dependent on transportation charges. Although coal may be purchased from alternative sources, railroad transportation must be obtained by allocation from the Chinese government on a monthly basis.

We expect that our total requirement for coal to generate electricity in 2010 will be approximately 2.03 million tons. In 2009, we consumed approximately 1.79 million tons of coal, a decrease from 2008 of approximately 0.33 million tons.

Other Raw Materials

We produce most of the raw materials used as feedstock for our operations. If any of these raw materials, other than ethylene, becomes unavailable from internal production, we believe that there are sufficient alternative sources at reasonable prices and the unavailability of raw materials from internal sources will not have a significant effect on our operations and profitability.

We purchase some ancillary raw materials from outside sources. These raw materials include methanol, ammonia, sodium hydroxide, sulfur, acetone, acrylonitrile, PTA, propylene and a variety of catalytic agents. In 2009, the total cost of these materials accounted for approximately 17.16 % of our total cost of sales. We do not expect any difficulties in obtaining a supply of any of these ancillary raw materials in amounts sufficient to meet our needs in the foreseeable future.

Sales and Marketing

Distribution

The distribution of our fuel products is subject to government regulations. We are required to sell certain refined products to the subsidiaries of Sinopec Group or customers designated by Sinopec Group. Since the second half of 2005, Sinopec Group has executed reforms to its system of selling petrochemical products and implemented what it refers to as a “Five Consolidations” strategy featuring “consolidated marketing strategy, consolidated promotion, consolidated logistics optimization, consolidated sales and consolidated branding”. As a result, the sales of our major petrochemical products are now conducted in a consolidated manner by sales agents designated by Sinopec Group. However, we have the autonomy to decide on the distribution method of our other products in accordance with market conditions. The products we sold in 2009 that were subject to planned distribution by Sinopec Group, sales by agents and sales based on our own discretion accounted for 53.43%, 37.43% and 9.14%, respectively, of the total products we sold.

We generally sell our products to larger trading companies and industrial users with whom we have long-standing relationships, including Sinopec Group or customers designated by Sinopec Group. We believe that the transition to sales of major petrochemical products by agents designated by Sinopec Group will increase our distribution efficiency by allowing us to benefit from Sinopec Group’s extensive and highly specialized sales network. It will also allow us to focus more of our resources on reducing production costs and enhancing our technical support.

We use long-term contracts to sell most of our products. We did not experience significant write-offs or defaults on our accounts receivable or other trade accounts in 2009. Though affected by the global economic downturn, in general we managed to keep a stable link between production and sales in 2009.

 

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Product breakdown

Synthetic Fibers – In 2009, 11.33 % of our synthetic fiber products were purchased by provincial and municipal government trading companies that act as intermediaries between us and end-users. No single customer accounted for more than 16 % of our sales of synthetic fibers in 2009.

Resins and Plastics – In 2009, approximately 5.52 % of our resins and plastics sales were to provincial and municipal government trading companies and approximately 60.80 % were sold to industrial users. No single customer accounted for more than 4 % of our sales of resins and plastics in 2009.

Intermediate Petrochemicals – We sell a variety of intermediate petrochemical products, none of which were sold in substantial quantities.

Shanghai Chlor-Alkali Chemical Co. Ltd. (“Chlor-Alkali”) is the principal outside consumer of our ethylene. In 2009, we sold 31.3 thousand tons of ethylene, representing 3.37 % of our total 2009 production of such product, to Chlor-Alkali at prices mutually agreed upon by both parties.

Petroleum Products – In 2009, our primary gasoline and diesel customer was Sinopec Sales Company Eastern China Branch Company. We sold residual oil directly to industrial end-users for use as industrial fuel and as feedstock to produce light petroleum products.

Product Pricing

Most of our products other than petroleum products are permitted to be sold at market prices. However, four types of petroleum products (gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas) that we sell are subject to varying degrees of government pricing control and are, accordingly, sold at prices set by the Chinese government, which are often below our costs. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, approximately 54.06%, 43.52% and 47.70 %, of our net sales were from products subject to price controls. Price controls may apply to these products in various ways. Such pricing controls are sometimes applied exclusively to our products, exclusively to our competitors’ products or sometimes applied to neither our products nor our competitors’ products. The Chinese government has adopted changes to the pricing mechanism for domestic refined oil to be indirectly aligned with international crude oil prices in a controlled manner through use of certain formula(s). However the pricing mechanism used in these formula(s) is not transparent.

For products that are not subject to price controls, we set our prices with reference to prices in the major Chinese chemical commodities markets in Shanghai and other parts of China. We also monitor pricing developments in major international commodities markets, particularly in Southeast Asia. In most cases, we revise product prices each month, or more frequently during periods of price volatility. Due to our economies of scale, brand recognition and high quality of products, we believe that we can continue to price our products competitively.

Competition

We compete principally in the Chinese domestic market where 99.86 % of our products in volume were sold in 2009. In addition, the limited transportation infrastructure in China and the difficulties involved in transporting petrochemical products force companies to compete primarily on a regional basis. In 2009, 92.74 % of our net sales were made to customers in Eastern China.

Our Competitive Advantages

We believe our primary competitive advantages are quality of product, pricing, brand recognition, geographic location and vertical integration. We have received many prizes and awards from both central and local government authorities for high product quality. Furthermore, our location on the outskirts of the densely populated and highly industrialized Shanghai area places us in close proximity to many of our customers. This location also gives us convenient access to ocean transport and inland waterways, which results in a competitive advantage in terms of transportation cost and reliability and punctuality of product delivery.

We believe that our vertical integration represents a significant competitive advantage over non-integrated competitors in China, both in terms of reliability in delivery and price. For most downstream products, our vertical integration results in significant savings on transportation and storage costs which would be incurred by less vertically integrated facilities.

 

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The Domestic Competitive Environment

Prior to 1993, because distribution and pricing of our products were determined in accordance with the State Plan, we did not operate in a competitive environment. With the liberalization of control over pricing and product allocation by the Chinese government, competition in the domestic market has been gradually increasing. At the same time, Chinese private enterprises have gradually overcome technological and funding barriers to extend their business from the downstream processing sector to the upstream petrochemical field. These enterprises have advantages in many areas such as flexibility in operation costs, preferential policy treatment and regional presence, and may use these advantages to compete with us in markets for our products.

Foreign Competition and the World Trade Organization

China joined the WTO on December 11, 2001. As part of its membership commitments, China agreed to eliminate certain tariff and non-tariff barriers to foreign competition in the domestic petrochemical industry that benefited us in the past. In particular, China has reduced tariffs on imported petrochemicals products that compete with ours from between 5% to 17% to between 0% to 14% with further reductions planned until they reach a range of between 0% and 6.5%. In accordance with its WTO commitments, China has made the following changes:

 

   

foreign investors are now permitted to wholly-own domestic petrochemical companies;

 

   

restrictions on the import of crude oil by non-state owned companies are gradually relaxed;

 

   

foreign-owned companies are granted the right to import petrochemical products; and

 

   

foreign-owned companies are permitted to distribute and market petroleum products in both retail and wholesale markets in China.

As a result of these measures, we are facing increased competition from foreign companies and importation. Changes in crude oil importation and distribution could potentially affect our current supply arrangements with Sinopec Corp.

Prior to its entry into the WTO, the Chinese government took early steps to reduce protection from import barriers. Tariffs have been gradually reduced beginning in 1997. Foreign imports are likely to reduce prices for domestic petrochemical products and may reduce our net sales. Nevertheless, we believe that our products have been, and will continue generally to be, competitive with imports. These early steps and recent tariff reductions have exposed us to international competition and should help us meet increased competition as China’s WTO entry begins to affect our markets.

In addition to tariff reductions, China is liberalizing the import of crude oil and the distribution of processed oil and other petrochemical products. Import and export of crude oil has historically been limited to designated state-owned companies. China agreed to allocate 7.2 million tons of crude oil to non-state owned traders in 2002 and to increase this amount by 15% each year for 10 years, at which time the growth rate will be reviewed by interested WTO member countries. Similarly, several categories of processed oil are also subject to limitation requiring trade through state owned traders. China will allocate 4.0 million tons of processed oils to non-state owned traders and increase this amount by 15% annually for 10 years.

In concurrent commitments, China has agreed that minority foreign-owned enterprises would receive trading rights by December 11, 2002, majority foreign-owned enterprises would receive trading rights by December 11, 2003 and wholly foreign- owned enterprises would receive trading rights by December 11, 2004. These changes could, in the long-term, open up alternative sources of crude oil that are not available to us today. We also expect that they will create additional foreign investment in China’s petrochemical industry and additional competition for us.

Overall, we think that China’s WTO entry will create substantial amounts of new investment and business in China, with a corresponding increase in sales opportunities for us.

Our Competitive Position

In the following discussion, internal consumption of resins and intermediate petrochemicals produced by integrated manufacturers in the production of downstream products are treated as sales.

 

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Synthetic Fibers

In 2009, we had an approximate 1.09 % share and imports had an approximate 2.25 % share of total domestic polyester and acrylic consumption. We attribute the high level of imports to a variety of factors, including a shortage in the domestic supply and the importation of synthetic fibers into special economic zones in China, where tariffs are not imposed on imports processed for re-export.

The following table summarizes the competitive position of our principal synthetic fibers according to domestic sales in 2009.

 

Product

   Our share of
domestic
consumption
    Our
competitive
ranking
   Location  of
principal
domestic
competitor
   Principal
domestic
competitor’s
share of
consumption
    Imports’
share  of
consumption
 
     (%)               (%)     (%)  

Acrylic

   18.72   1    Jilin

Province

   16.30   20.96

Sources: Statistics provided to us by the Sinopec Group and the China National Council of Textiles.

 

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Resins and Plastics

In 2009, we had an approximate 3.95 % share and imports had an approximate 31.06 % share of total domestic resins and plastics consumption. The following table summarizes the competitive position of our principal resins and plastics products according to domestic sales in 2009.

 

Product

   Our share  of
domestic
consumption
    Our
competitive
ranking
   Location  of
principal
domestic
competitor
   Principal
Domestic
competitor’s
Share of
consumption
    Imports’
share  of
consumption
 
     (%)               (%)     (%)  

Polyester chips

   4.41   20    Jiangsu
Province
   6   2.46

PE

   3.80   4    Guangdong
Province
   11.9   48.74

PP

   3.74   3    Guangdong
Province
   6.4   34.56

Sources: Statistics provided to us by Sinopec Group.

Intermediate Petrochemicals

In 2009, we were one of the largest sellers of intermediate petrochemicals in China and held an approximate 4.77 % share of the total domestic consumption. Imports had an approximate 28.51 % share of domestic consumption. Ethylene, benzene and butadiene are our major intermediate petrochemical products. In 2009, we were a major ethylene producer in China. The following table summarizes the competitive position of our principal intermediate petrochemicals according to domestic sales in 2009.

 

Product

   Our share  of
domestic
consumption
    Our
competitive
ranking
   Location  of
principal
domestic
competitor
   Principal
Domestic
competitor’s
Share of
consumption
    Imports’
share of
consumption
 
     (%)               (%)     (%)  

Ethylene glycol

   5.11   1    Jiangsu

Province

   3.5   75.52

Petroleum Products

In 2009, we had an approximate 1.86 % share of the total domestic petroleum products market while imports had an approximate 5 % share. Although we have one of the largest refining capabilities in China, we use most of our refining capacity to produce feedstock for our own downstream processing of petrochemical products.

The domestic markets for each of our major petroleum products are geographically concentrated because these markets tend to be highly localized with individual producers controlling a large share of the markets in their locality. In 2009, we sold approximately 98.62 % of our petroleum products in Eastern China.

Investments

We established Secco, a Sino-foreign equity joint venture, in late 2001 together with BP and Sinopec Corp, primarily to build and operate a 900,000 ton Rated Capacity ethylene petrochemical manufacturing facility. Secco completed construction and commenced its manufacturing operations in 2005. In 2009, we have expanded the capacity of certain facilities up to 1,090,000 tons of ethylene per annum. We own 20% of the equity interest of Secco.

In 2009, Secco achieved a total sales revenue of RMB 16.438 billion, representing a decrease of 28.06% from its sales revenue of RMB 22.851 billion in 2008. The decrease of sales revenue is attributable to a complete overhaul and facility reconstruction for capacity expansion purposes during May to July, 2009. The resulting decrease of facility operation time resulted in the decrease of production. The average sales price in 2009 was also lower than the average sales price in 2008, which also reduced sales revenue. Secco’s net profit in 2009 was RMB695 million, as compared to a net loss of RMB 494 million in 2008. Despite the average sales price in 2009 being lower than the average sales price in 2008, Secco achieved a net profit in 2009 primarily due to the greater effect of the lower cost of its raw materials as compared to the costs in 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

Environmental Protection

We are subject to national and local environmental protection regulations, which currently impose a graduated schedule of fees for the discharge of waste substances, require the payment of fines for pollution and provide for the forced closure of any facility that fails to comply with orders requiring it to cease or cure certain environmentally damaging practices. We have established environmental protection systems which consist of pollution control facilities to treat certain of our waste materials and to safeguard against accidents. Because of the nature of our business, however, we store and discharge into the environment a significant amount of waste substances. During 2009, we were assessed a total of RMB 35.48 million (US$5.198 million) in fees for discharges of waste substances. As of May 1, 2010, we had not been assessed any fines for environmental violations and there were no actions pending or, to our knowledge, threatened which would result in the assessment of such a fine.

We believe our environmental protection facilities and systems are adequate for the existing national and local environmental protection regulations. However, there can be no assurance that Chinese national or local authorities will not impose additional regulations that would require additional expenditures in respect of environmental matters in the future.

Insurance

We currently maintain insurance coverage with Sinopec Group which, as of December 31, 2009, was approximately RMB 28.3 billion (US$4.146 billion) on our property and facilities and approximately RMB 2.3 billion (US$ 337 million) on our inventory. Transportation vehicles and products in transit are not insured by Sinopec Group. We maintain insurance policies for these assets with The People’s Insurance Company of China. The Sinopec Group insurance coverage is compulsory and applies to all enterprises controlled by Sinopec Group, pursuant to guidelines of Sinopec Group which may not be legally enforceable against Sinopec Group. Thus, there is doubt under Chinese law as to whether we could enforce insurance claims against Sinopec Group.

We do not carry any third party liability insurance to cover claims in respect of personal injury, property or environmental damage arising from accidents on our property or relating to our operations other than on our transportation vehicles. We have not had a third party liability claim filed against us during the last five years. Since business interruption insurance is not customary in China, we do not carry such insurance.

Government Regulations

Following the development of several major oil fields and a growth in demand for petroleum and petrochemical products in China in the early 1970’s, the Chinese government organized petroleum refining and petrochemical production and processing facilities into large complexes that would permit integrated production of petroleum products, intermediate petrochemicals, resins and plastics, and synthetic fibers.

Although the Chinese government is liberalizing its control over the petroleum and petrochemical industries in China, significant government regulations that limit the business strategies available to us remain. Central government agencies and their local or provincial level counterparts do not own or directly control our production facilities. However, they exercise significant control over the petrochemical industry in areas such as pricing, production quotas, quality standards, allocation of raw materials and finished products, allocation of foreign exchange and Renminbi loans for capital construction projects. The Chinese government’s intentions with respect to the development objectives and policies for the petrochemical industry are stated as part of the Five Year Plans for National Economic and Social Development formulated every five years. These plans at both the national and Shanghai municipality level have identified the petrochemical industry as a “pillar industry” which may qualify companies in the petrochemical industry for preferential treatment by governmental agencies.

Historically, we were supervised by Sinopec, a ministry-level enterprise under the direct supervision of the State Council, China’s highest administrative body. As a result of a governmental restructuring in 1998, we became subject to the administration of the State Bureau of Petroleum and Chemical Industry. After its functions were terminated in March 2001, we became subject to the administration of the State Economic and Trade Commission. The State Economic and Trade Commission was dissolved in March 2003 and its function in directing the reform and management of state-owned enterprises were assumed by the State Assets Regulatory and Management Commission, its function in industry planning and policy making were assumed by NDRC, and its functions in administering domestic trade, coordinating and implementing import and export plans of critical industrial products and raw materials were assumed by the Ministry of Commerce. Since then, we have been subject to the industrial oversight of these three new governmental agencies at the national level.

 

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Table of Contents

As part of this restructuring, Sinopec was also restructured in July 1998. The succeeding entity, Sinopec Group, was authorized to conduct a petrochemical business and to control the exploration of crude oil and natural gas and crude oil refining, mainly in the southern and eastern regions of China. China Petroleum and Natural Gas Corporation, another major state-owned petrochemical company, was also restructured, renamed China National Petroleum Corporation and authorized to conduct the same type of business, mainly in the northern and western regions of China. On December 31, 1999, Sinopec Group completed a reorganization pursuant to which certain of its core oil and gas and chemical operations and businesses and related assets and liabilities were transferred to its subsidiary, Sinopec Corp, currently our controlling shareholder.

C. Organizational Structure.

Our Subsidiaries

Our significant subsidiaries are listed below. All of the subsidiaries named below are incorporated in China.

 

Subsidiary Name

   Our ownership interest
and voting power
     (%)

Shanghai Petrochemical Investment Development Company Limited

   100.00

China Jinshan Associated Trading Corporation

   67.33

Shanghai Jinchang Engineering Plastics Company Limited

   50.38

Shanghai Golden Phillips Petrochemical Company Limited

   60.00

Zhejiang Jin Yong Acrylic Fiber Company Limited

   75.00

Shanghai Golden Conti Petrochemical Company Limited

   100.00

Sinopec Corp

We are a member of a group (defined as a parent and all its subsidiaries) for purposes of the disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The parent company of this group is Sinopec Corp, our controlling shareholder. Sinopec Corp is operated by separate management and from time to time uses its interest as a shareholder to direct our policies and management. We have extracted the following information regarding Sinopec Corp from its public filings:

Overview

Sinopec Corp is an integrated petroleum and petrochemical company with upstream, midstream and downstream operations. Based on trading volume in 2009, Sinopec Corp is one of the largest publicly listed companies in China and one of the largest petroleum and petrochemical companies in both China and Asia. Sinopec Corp is one of the largest refiners, distributors and marketers of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and most other major refined products in China and Asia with principal markets in the eastern and southern regions of China. Sinopec Corp is also a producer and distributor of petrochemicals in China and additionally explores, develops and produces crude oil and natural gas principally to supply its refining and chemical operations.

Subsidiaries

Details of Sinopec Corp’s principal subsidiaries are given in the table below. Except for Sinopec Kantons Holdings Limited and Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited, which are incorporated in Bermuda and Hong Kong respectively, all of the below principal subsidiaries are incorporated in China.

 

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Table of Contents
               Percentage of equity     

Name of company

   Particulars
of  issued
capital
   Type of
legal

entity
   held by
Sinopec
Corp.
   held by
Sinopec
Corp.’s
Subsidiary
  

Principal activities

     (millions)         (%)    (%)     

China Petrochemical International Company Limited

   RMB1,400    Limited
Company
   100.00    —      Trading of petrochemical products and equipments

Sinopec Sales Company Limited

   RMB1,700    Limited
Company
   100.00    —      Distribution of refined oil products

Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Company Limited

   RMB16,337    Limited
Company
   100.00    —      Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products

Sinopec Zhongyuan Petroleum Company Limited

   RMB2,400    Limited
Company
   93.51    —      Exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas

Sinopec Chemical Sale Company Limited

   RMB1,000    Limited
Company
   100.00    —      Trade of petrochemical products

Sinopec Fujian Petrochemical Company Limited

   RMB4,769    Limited
Company
   50.00    —      Manufacturing of plastics, intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products

 

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Table of Contents
               Percentage of equity     

Name of company

   Particulars
of  issued
capital
   Type of
legal

entity
   held by
Sinopec
Corp.
   held by
Sinopec
Corp.’s
Subsidiary
  

Principal activities

     (millions)         (%)    (%)     

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited

   RMB7,200    Limited
company
   55.56    —     

Manufacturing of synthetic fibers,

resin and plastics, intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products

Sinopec Kantons Holdings Limited

   HK$104    Limited
company
   —      72.34    Trading of crude oil and petroleum products

Sinopec Qingdao Petrochemical Company Limited

   RMB$1,595    Limited
company
   100.00    —      Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical and petroleum products

Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company Limited

   RMB4,000    Limited
company
   42.00    —      Production and sale of polyester chips and polyester fibers

Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Development Company Limited

   RMB4,500    Limited
company
   100.00    —      Investment on exploration, trade and manufacturing of petroleum and nature gas

Sinopec Shell (Jiangsu) Petroleum Sales Company Limited

   RMB830    Limited
company
   60.00    —      Distribution of refined oil products

BP Sinopec (Zhejiang) Petroleum Company Limited

   RMB800    Limited

Company

   60.00    —      Distribution of refined oil products

Sinopec Qingdao Refining and Chemical Company Limited

   RMB5,000    Limited
company
   85.00    —      Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products

China International United Petroleum and Chemical Company Limited

   RMB3,040    Limited
company
   100.00       Trading of crude oil and petrochemical products

Sinopec Hainan Refining and Chemical Company Limited

   RMB3,986    Limited
company
   75.00       Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products

Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited

   HK$5,477    Limited
company
   100.00    —      Trading of crude oil and petrochemical products

Sinopec Senmei (Fujian) Petroleum Ltd.

   RMB1,840    Limited

company

   55.00    —     

Distribution of refined

oil products

 

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Table of Contents

D. Property, Plant and Equipment.

Real Property

Our corporate headquarters and production facilities, occupying an area of approximately 7.03 square kilometers, are located in Jinshanwei, approximately 75 kilometers from downtown Shanghai. The total gross floor area of all our production and other facilities is approximately 2 million square meters. We own all of the buildings and facilities located at the site. We have the right to use the land upon which our buildings and facilities are located for a term of 50 years beginning in 1993 without the payment of any rent or usage fees other than land use taxes. We also have the right to transfer our land use rights to third parties without any payment to the Chinese government, so long as the use of the land remains the same as when the land use right was granted to us and the terms of the land use right we received will be applicable to any transferee.

Plants and Facilities

The following charts set forth the Rated Capacities of our principal production units. The actual production capacity of a production unit can exceed Rated Capacity and may be further increased without increasing the Rated Capacity through technical improvements or expansion of such unit. The utilization rate of a production unit is based upon Rated Capacity rather than actual production capacity and may vary with technical enhancements, changes in production management and scheduling of maintenance.

The following table sets forth the Rated Capacities and weighted average utilization rates of our principal production units for petroleum products and intermediate petrochemicals in 2009:

 

Production Unit (number of units)

   Rated Capacity (tons)    Utilization Rate (%)

Crude oil distillation units (2)

   14,000,000    60.09

Hydrocracker (2)

   3,000,000    78.29

Ethylene units (2)

   850,000    103.21

Aromatics unit

   835,000    84.99

PTA unit

   400,000    92.89

EO/EG unit (2)

   525,000    89.42

Acrylonitrile unit

   130,000    108.30

Acetaldehyde unit

   42,000    81.59

Acetic acid unit

   45,000    54.01

Cracking and catalyzing

   1,000,000    98.08

Delayed Coking (2)

   22,000,000    105.02

Our two crude oil distillation units were designed and built in China. In 2009, the actual amount of crude oil we processed was approximately 8.76 million tons. Our hydrocracker uses technology from United Oil Products Corporation of the United States. Our first ethylene unit uses technology from Mitsubishi Petrochemical Corporation of Japan. The second ethylene unit uses technology from ABB Lummus Global Inc. of the United States. The aromatics unit uses technology from Universal Oil Products Corporation of the United States. The PTA unit uses technology from Mitsui Petrochemical Corporation of Japan. The EO/EG unit was constructed using technology from Scientific Design Corporation of the United States.

The following table sets forth the Rated Capacities and weighted average utilization rates of our principal production units for resins and plastics and synthetic fibers in 2009:

 

Production Unit (number of units)

   Rated Capacity (tons)    Utilization Rate (%)

Polyester units (3)

   550,000    94.03

Polyester staple units (2)

   154,000    68.69

Polyester filament units (3)

   45,000    0.00

Acrylic staple fiber units (4)

   191,000    80.10

Acrylic top units (2)

   32,000    0.00

PE units (3)

   408,000    99.33

PP units (3)

   400,000    103.06

PP staple fiber unit

   17,000    0.00

Vinyl acetate unit (2)

   102,000    112.47

 

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Table of Contents

Our polyester units use technology from Kanebo Corporation of Japan and E.I. Dupont DeNemours & Co. Inc. (“Dupont”) of the United States. The polyester staple units use technology from Teijin of Japan and Jima of Germany as well as Chinese technology. The polyester filament units use technology from Murata Manufacturing Company Limited and Teijin Corporation of Japan, Barmag AG of Germany and Dupont. We produce polyethylene in three units, two LDPE units which use technology from Mitsubishi Petrochemical Corporation of Japan and BASF LDPE of Germany and one HDPE unit uses the Borstar bimodal polyethylene technology from Northern European Chemical Engineering Company.

The acrylic fiber units were built domestically, based on a design of equipment which had been imported into China in the 1960s and that we substantially improved. In 1996, we acquired two additional acrylic fiber units which use technology from the Kawasaki Corporation of Japan. We produce PP in three identical units using technology from Himont Corporation of the United States. The PP staple fiber unit employs technology from FARE Company of Italy. The PVA unit uses technology acquired from Kuraray Corporation of Japan.

Power Facilities

Our electricity requirements are currently supplied by our own 425 megawatt coal-fired power plant and petroleum coke power plant. These power plants are designed to supply power needed by our facilities. We are connected to the East China electricity grid, which provides a back-up source of power in case of a shortfall in our power supply.

Other Facilities

We also have facilities to produce industrial water, steam, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen which we use in our production facilities.

Maintenance

We engage in production stoppages for facility maintenance and repairs and implement our routine monthly maintenance and repair plans according to the needs of our production facilities, our requirements for product quality, and our commitment to security and environmental protection, The technicians in our facility management department have responsibility for the daily management of maintenance and repair work. We also outsource facility maintenance and repair projects to qualified contractors.

Transportation-Related Fixtures

Crude oil, our principal raw material, is transported by pipeline and oil tanker to a crude oil terminal wharf and storage tanks. Our products leave the factory by water, rail, road and pipeline. In 2009, approximately 57.42 % of our products by sales volume were collected by customers from our premises, and we delivered the balance. Our major ethylene customer is supplied via a pipeline. Some of the products collected by customers were also transported using our facilities.

Wharfs

We own two chemical wharfs at Jinshan with four berths of 3,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 25,000 tons. We also own a connecting pipeline capable of loading up to approximately 1.4 million tons of chemical products annually onto ocean-going barges and ships. In 2009, products representing 16.16 % of total sales volume were shipped from the wharf. We also have a facility to load ships and barges which use the region’s inland waterways. In 2009, products representing 6.76% of total sales volume were shipped from these facilities. We believe that we have a competitive advantage because a greater proportion of our products are shipped by water as opposed to rail and truck, which is subject to capacity constraints on China’s rail and highway networks. Additionally, we own facilities for receiving crude oil and coal at docks that we own and transporting such materials by pipeline or conveyor to our production facilities.

We own an oil terminal wharf at Chenshan in Zhejiang Province, which is comprised of two berths, each of which is capable of handling 45,000 ton vessels. Two 25 kilometer pipelines connect this oil terminal wharf with our facilities.

Rail

We own a railroad loading depot with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons. The depot provides access via a spur line to the national Chinese railway system. In 2009, products representing 1.87 % of total sales volume were transported from the factory by rail. Our ability to transport products by rail is limited because of China’s overburdened railway system, the allocation of use of which remains strictly controlled by the Chinese government.

 

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Capital Expansion Program

Our principal capital expansion projects for the near term are summarized in the table and further described below. In aggregate, we expect that total investment in the projects described will be approximately RMB 2.0 billion in 2010. This amount will be funded internally and by bank loans.

 

      

Name of Project

   Rated
Capacity
(tons/year)

Date
   Start    Expected
Completion
Date
   Status

Refining Capacity Expansion

           

Refinery Reconstruction Project

   16,000,000    2010    2012    Feasibility study
report submitted

Expansion of New and Existing Downstream Production Facilities

           

150,000-ton C5 Segregation Unit

   150,000    2008    2009    Completed

600,000 ton Aromatics Unit

   600,000    2007    2009    Completed

No.1 Ethylene Unit, Relocation and Reconstruction

   600,000    2010    2012    Pending government
approval

PAN Carbon Fiber Project with annual output of 1.5 thousand tons

   1,500    2010    2013    Feasibility study
report submitted

Jin Shang Company M-PP Project with annual output of 30 thousand tons

   30,000    2010    2011    Basic design
submitted

Ethanolamine Project with annual output of 50 thousand tons

   50,000    2010    2011    Feasibility study
report submitted

Other Projects

           

No. 3 and No. 4 Flue Gas Desulphurization (“FGD”)

   N/A    2008    2009    Completed

Project of No. 2 Oxidation Unit Transformation for System Optimization, Energy Saving and Consumption Reduction

   N/A    2009    2011    Basic design
submitted

Technological Transformation of No. 7 and 8 Berths of Chenshan Wharf

   N/A    2009    2009    Completed

Supporting Project for Connection of Natural Gas to the Plant

   N/A    2009    2010    Under construction

Oxidized waste water processing facilities reconstruction

   N/A    2010    2010    Basic design
submitted

 

N/A – not applicable.

In 2007, 2008 and 2009, we invested RMB2.134 billion, RMB1.511 billion, and RMB 2.120 billion, respectively, in capital expansion projects.

Refining Capacity Expansion Plans

With a view to accommodating the adjustment in our product mixes, we process the heavy and low-quality crude oil we purchase in order to control our cost, improve the overall processing procedures, enhance our reprocessing capacity, and continuously increase the operating adaptability and overall efficiency of our refining facilities. We are promoting the construction of the “Phase VI” project, which focuses on the reconstruction of refining facilities, fine chemicals, structure adjustment and system perfection.

We are currently in the early stages of preparation for the launching of a refining facilities reconstruction project with a goal of further enhancing the reprocessing capacity of refining facilities. We have submitted the feasibility study report to Sinopec Corp. for this reconstruction project in September 2009 and plan to commence construction in 2010 and complete the construction in 2012.

Expansion of New and Existing Downstream Petrochemical Products

As a fully integrated petrochemical complex, we produce a wide range of intermediate and downstream petrochemical products. We plan to utilize the currently available resources and develop higher-margin downstream products and fine chemicals, with raw materials including cracking carbon 5, carbon 4, epoxy ethane, vinyl acetate and acrylonitrile. With a view towards enhancing our competitive power and the ability to keep sustainable development, we plan to further increase the overall resource utility rate and adjust and improve our company’s industrial structure through the measures discussed below.

 

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To take advantage of our specialty in production of acrylics fiber and to improve our industrial structure and upgrade certain products, we plan to construct a PAN carbon fiber manufacturing facility with an annual output of 1.5 thousand tons. The feasibility study report has been submitted and we have executed a purchase contract for one series of the facility. The construction is scheduled to commence in 2010 and one series of facility is planned to be put into production in 2011.

We plan to utilize our own technology to construct an M-PP project with an annual output of 30 thousand tons at the site of the Jing Chang Company.

To take advantage of our possession of epoxyethane and the current manufacturing conditions, we plan to utilize foreign technologies to construct an ethanolamine facility with an annual output of 50 thousand tons. The feasibility study report has been submitted. The construction is scheduled to commence in 2010 and be completed in 2011.

Other Projects

The feasibility study for the No. 2 oxidation unit transformation project for the purpose of further energy saving, consumption reduction, cost cutting and efficiency improvement, was approved by Sinopec Corp in September 2008, and the basic design has been submitted to Sinopec Corp. The Company plans to start the procurement of long-cycle facilities in 2009, civil engineering at the end of 2010, and complete the project in 2011.

In an effort to support a gas supply from Sichuan to eastern China and the Company’s optimization and comprehensive utilization of energy sources, the basic design for the Company’s comprehensive natural gas utilization project was approved by Sinopec Corp in July 2009. The civil engineering commenced in July 2009. The pipe network system, the replacement of coal with natural gas for reheating furnaces in the polyester fiber division, and the reconstruction of the 1# hydrogen manufacturing aromatic hydrocarbons division have been completed. The overall project is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

To address the disposal of waste water produced in the manufacturing process of polyester fiber, the plan for the oxidized waste water processing facilities reconstruction project has been submitted to Sinopec Corp. The project is scheduled to commence and be completed in 2010.

 

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

On December 24, 2009, we received a letter from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which contained certain comments to our Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The comments addressed, among other things, disclosure of any contacts we may have had with countries such as Iran, Syria, Sudan and Cuba, which are countries that are identified by the State Department as state sponsors of terrorism and subject to U.S. economic sanctions and export controls. Our response to this December 24, 2009 letter was filed via the Commission’s EDGAR system on January 27, 2010. We received a second letter from the Commission on February 19, 2010 requesting that we provide additional explanation on the matters addressed in our January 27, 2010 response. We responded via EDGAR to the February 19, 2010 letter on March 29, 2010 and agreed to disclose the annual volume of our imports of crude oil sourced from the above mentioned countries in our Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. As of the date of the filing of this Annual Report, we have not received any additional comments from the Commission since the February 19, 2010 letter.

 

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS.

General

Our financial performance has been affected by factors arising from operating in a planned economy which are beyond our control. However, with China’s WTO accession, the impact of these factors has gradually been decreasing.

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our audited financial statements and our selected financial data, in each case, together with the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Our audited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during 2009. Our financial condition and results of operations are sensitive to accounting methods, assumptions and estimates that underlie the preparation of our financial statements. We based our assumptions and estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable which form the basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. On an on-going basis, our management evaluates its estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates as facts, circumstances and conditions change.

Our principal accounting policies are set forth in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors to be considered when reviewing our financial statements. To enhance our readers’ understanding of our business activities, we have identified critical accounting policies. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Impairments for long-lived assets

If circumstances indicate that the net book value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the asset may be considered “impaired”, and an impairment loss may be recognized in accordance with International Accounting Standard No.36 “Impairment of Assets”. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment at the end of each reporting period or whenever events or changes in circumstance have indicated that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such a decline has occurred, the carrying amount is reduced to recoverable amount. For goodwill, the recoverable amount is estimated annually. The recoverable amount is the greater of the net selling price and the value in use. It is difficult to precisely estimate selling prices because quoted market prices for our assets or cash-generating units are not readily available. In determining the value in use, expected cash flows generated by the asset or the cash-generating unit are discounted to their present value, which requires significant judgment relating to level of sale volume, selling price and amount of operating costs. We use all readily available information in determining an amount that is a reasonable approximation of recoverable amount, including estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections of sale volume, selling price and amount of operating costs. During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, we recognized impairment charges on property, plant and equipment of RMB 200 million, RMB 441 million and RMB 98 million, respectively.

Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, after taking into account the estimated residual values. We review the estimated useful lives of the assets regularly in order to determine the amount of depreciation expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The useful lives are based on our historical experience with similar assets and taking into account anticipated technological changes. The depreciation expense for future periods is adjusted if there are significant changes from previous estimates. There were no significant changes in these estimates during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Impairment for bad and doubtful debts

We estimate impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts resulting from the inability of the customers to make the required payments. We base the estimates on the aging of the accounts receivable balance, customer credit-worthiness and historical write-off experience. If the financial condition of the customers were to deteriorate, actual write-offs would be higher than estimated. Impairment provisions for bad and doubtful debts were RMB 4 million, nil and nil during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

Allowance for diminution in value of inventories

Any excess of the cost over the net realizable value of each item of inventories is recognized as a provision for diminution in the value of inventories. Net realizable value represents the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. We base the estimates on all available information, including the current market prices of the finished goods and raw materials and historical operating costs. If the actual selling prices were to be lower or the costs of completion were to be higher than the estimates, the actual allowance for diminution in value of inventories could be higher than estimated. Provisions for diminution in the value of inventories were RMB 36 million, RMB 745 million and RMB58 million during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

 

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Income tax

In June 2007, the State Administration of Taxation issued a notice requesting local tax authorities to immediately cease the implementation of certain preferential tax treatment which was granted to nine joint stock enterprises approved by the State Council in 1993 to offer shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the basis that such treatment had expired. The notice further required that any difference in the past financial years between the enterprise income tax (“EIT”) calculated based on the preferential tax rates that had expired and that calculated based on the applicable regular tax rates must be subject to the PRC Law on Tax Collection and Management.

We are one of the nine joint stock enterprises and had enjoyed a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15%. In August 2007, we were notified by the Shanghai Municipal Office of the State Administration of Taxation that from 2007, our income tax rate would be adjusted from the original 15% to 33% with effect from 2007. With respect to uncertainties about enterprise income tax differences arising from 2006 and before as originated therefrom, the Company has been informed by the relevant tax authority to settle the EIT for the years prior to 2007 at a rate of 33 percent. To date, the Company has not been requested to pay additional EIT in respect of any years prior to 2007. There is no further development of this matter during the year ended 31 December 2009. No provision has been made in the financial statements for this uncertainty for tax years prior to 2007 because management believes it can not reliably estimate the amount of the obligation, if any, that might exist.

Recognition of deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets are recognized in respect of temporary deductible differences. Since deferred tax assets are only recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management’s judgment is required to assess the probability of future taxable profits. Management’s assessment is periodically reviewed and deferred tax assets are adjusted according to the probability of future taxable profits.

 

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Summary

The following table sets forth our sales volumes and net sales for the years indicated:

 

     For the years ended 31 December
     2007    2008    2009
     Sales
Volume
(‘000 tons)
   Net Sales
(Millions of

RMB)
   % of
Total
Net Sales
   Sales
Volume
(‘000 tons)
   Net Sales
(Millions of
RMB)
   % of
Total
Net Sales
   Sales
Volume
(‘000 tons)
   Net Sales
(Millions of
RMB)
   % of
Total
Net Sales

Synthetic Fibres

   296.0    4,328.7    7.9    278.4    3,662.0    6.2    245.8    2,823.7    6.0

Resins and Plastics

   1,549.0    15,878.8    29.3    1,462.6    14,850.3    25.0    1,543.3    12,263.6    25.9

Intermediate Petrochemicals

   1,232.4    9,372.7    17.3    1,347.1    10,271.8    17.3    1,519.4    8,421.0    17.8

Petroleum Products

   5,376.2    21,036.6    38.8    5,747.0    27,552.9    46.4    5,271.4    18,917.9    39.9

All others

   —      3,637.9    6.7    —      2,992.8    5.1    —      4,919.1    10.4
                                            

Total

   8,453.6    54,254.7    100.0    8,835.1    59,329.8    100.0    8,579.9    47,345.3    100.0
                                            

 

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Table of Contents

The following table sets forth a summary statement of income for the years indicated:

 

     For the years ended 31 December  
     2007     2008     2009  
     Millions of
RMB
    % of
Net sales
    Millions of
RMB
    % of
Net sales
    Millions of
RMB
    % of
Net sales
 

Synthetic fibres

            

Net sales

   4,328.7      7.9      3,662.0      6.2      2,823.7      6.0   

Operating expenses

   (4,410.8   (8.1   (5,313.5   (9.0   (2,812.3   (5.9

Segment profit/(loss)

   (82.1   (0.2   (1,651.5   (2.8   11.4      0.1   

Resins and plastics

            

Net sales

   15,878.8      29.3      14,850.3      25.0      12,263.6      25.9   

Operating expenses

   (15,222.3   (28.1   (17,027.0   (28.7   (11,419.3   (24.1

Segment profit/(loss)

   656.5      1.2      (2,176.7   (3.7   844.3      1.8   

Intermediate petrochemicals

            

Net sales

   9,372.7      17.3      10,271.8      17.3      8,421.0      17.8   

Operating expenses

   (8,558.9   (15.8   (10,314.5   (17.4   (8,230.2   (17.4

Segment profit/(loss)

   813.8      1.5      (42.7   (0.1   190.8      0.4   

Petroleum Products

            

Net sales

   21,036.6      38.8      27,552.9      46.4      18,917.9      39.9   

Other income

   93.9      0.2      2,312.2      3.9      —        —     

Operating expenses

   (21,774.7   (40.2   (33,811.0   (57.0   (18,113.0   (38.3

Segment profit/(loss)

   (644.2   (1.2   (3,945.9   (6.7   804.9      1.6   

Others

            

Net sales

   3,637.9      6.7      2,992.8      5.1      4,919.1      10.4   

Operating expenses

   (3,489.2   (6.4   (2,993.3   (5.1   (4,747.0   (10.0

Segment profit/(loss)

   148.7      0.3      (0.5   0.0      172.1      0.4   

Total

            

Net sales

   54,254.7      100.0      59,329.8      100.0      47,345.3      100.0   

Other income

   93.9      0.2      2,312.2      3.9      —        —     

Operating expenses

   (53,455.9   (98.6   (69,459.3   (117.1   (45,321.8   (95.7

Income / (loss) from operations

   892.7      1.6      (7,817.3   (13.2   2,023.5      4.3   

Net financing costs

   (177.9   (0.3   (330.4   (0.6   (321.1   (0.7

Investment income

   770.7      1.4      131.8      0.2      222.8      0.5   

Share of profits of associates and jointly controlled entities

   665.9      1.2      1.5      0.0      241.3      0.5   

Earnings / (loss) before income tax

   2,151.4      4.0      (8,014.4   (13.5   2,166.5      4.6   

Income tax

   (468.3   (0.9   1,812.7      3.1      (511.0   (1.1

Net income / (loss)

   1,683.1      3.1      (6,201.7   (10.4   1,655.5      3.5   

Attributable to:

            

Equity shareholders of the Company

   1,634.1      3.0      (6,238.4   (10.5   1,591.0      3.4   

Minority interests

   49.0      0.1      36.7      0.1      64.5      0.1   

Net income / (loss)

   1,683.1      3.1      (6,201.7   (10.4   1,655.5      3.5   

 

(1) Net sales represent sales revenue of the respective segments after sales taxes and surcharges. Operating expenses represent cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses and other operating expenses /income, as allocated to respective segments.

 

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Table of Contents

Results of Operations

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared with year ended December 31, 2008.

Net sales

Our total net sales decreased by 20.20% to RMB 47,345.3 million in 2009 compared to RMB 59,329.8 million in 2008. In early 2009, the impact of the global financial crisis on the real economy became more apparent. With decreasing demand and plummeting prices, the domestic petrochemical market continued with the downward trend of late 2008. A package of stimulus policies aimed at “expanding domestic demand and maintaining growth” implemented by the Chinese government helped cause demand in the market to bounce back from the bottom in March. Since then, the overall market trends have been better. The demand for some staple products gradually increased and consumption of products continued to recover. The prices of petrochemical products in the market also began to increase. However, in general, the average price of various petrochemical products in 2009 decreased slightly as compared to 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the weighted average prices (excluding tax) of our synthetic fibres as well as resins and plastics, intermediate petrochemicals and petroleum products decreased by 12.66%, 21.74%, 27.32% and 25.14%, respectively as compared to 2008.

(i) Synthetic fibres

The net sales of synthetic fibre products decreased to RMB 2,823.7 million in 2009, representing a 22.89% decrease compared to RMB3,662.0 million in 2008. The weighted average price of synthetic fibres decreased by 12.66% as compared to 2008. As a result of the global economic crisis, the sales volume of our synthetic fibres in 2009 further decreased, which led to a decrease of 11.71% in the total sales of synthetic fibres as compared to 2008. With the recovery of the textile market in the second half of 2009, the demand in the market for the synthetic fibre products increased slightly. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the market price for acrylic fibre, the main product of synthetic fibre, was close to reaching its highest price in history.

Net sales of synthetic fibre products accounted for 6.00% of our total net sales in 2009, representing a decrease of 0.20 percentage points as compared to 2008.

(ii) Resins and plastics

The net sales of resins and plastics decreased to RMB 12,263.6 million in 2009, representing a decrease of 17.42% compared to RMB14,850.3 million in 2008. Weighted average sales price of resins and plastics in 2009 decreased by 21.74% compared to 2008 and sales volume in 2009 increased by 5.52% compared to 2008. Among our resins and plastics products, the average sales price of polyester chips for 2009 decreased by 16.60% compared to 2008 and the sales volume increased by 4.76% compared to 2008. The average sales price of polyethylene for 2009 decreased by 21.89% as compared to 2008 and the sales volume increased by 4.66% as compared to 2008. The sales volume of polyester chips and polyethylene accounted for 26.25% and 29.09% of our total sales of resins and plastics in 2009 respectively. With the implementation of a national government investment plan in an amount of RMB 4,000 billion, the demand for resins and plastics in the market should increase steadily as compared to 2008.

Net sales of resins and plastics accounted for 25.90% of our total net sales in 2009, representing an increase of 0.90 percentage points as compared to 2008.

(iii) Intermediate petrochemicals

The net sales of intermediate petrochemicals decreased to RMB 8,421.0 million in 2009, representing a decrease of 18.02% compared to RMB 10,271.8 million in 2008, with the weighted average price of intermediate petrochemicals decreasing by 27.32% compared to 2008 and sales volume increasing by 12.79% as compared to 2008. Among our intermediate petrochemicals, the weighted average sales prices of pure benzene and ethylene oxide decreased by 34.28% and 37.71% respectively as compared to 2008. The sales volume of pure benzene and ethylene oxide accounted for 14.65% and 12.87% of our total sales of intermediate petrochemicals in 2009 respectively.

The net sales of intermediate petrochemicals accounted for 17.80% of our total net sales in 2009, representing an increase of 0.50 percentage points as compared to 2008.

(iv) Petroleum products

The net sales of petroleum products decreased to RMB 18,917.9 million in 2009, representing a decrease of 31.34% compared to RMB 27,552.9 million in 2008, with a decrease of 25.14% in the weighted average price as compared to 2008, and with a decrease of 8.28% in the sales volume. As a result of the global economic crisis, the demand for diesel oil in the market decreased as compared to 2008, which led to a decrease of 19.06% in our sales volume of diesel oil. Diesel oil is mainly used for the transportation industry. According to relevant statistics, the business volume for the Chinese transportation industry in 2009 decreased by 20% as compared to 2008.

 

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The net sales of petroleum products accounted for 39.90% of our total net sales in 2009, representing a decrease of 6.50 percentage points as compared to 2008.

(v) Other activities

The net sales from other activities increased to RMB 4,919.1 million in 2009, representing an increase of 64.36% compared to RMB2,992.8 million in 2008 primarily due to a significant increase in our trading volume of petrochemical products at one subsidiary as compared to 2008.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses are comprised of cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses, other operating expenses and other operating income.

Our operating expenses significantly decreased by 34.75% to RMB 45,321.8 million in 2009 compared to RMB 69,459.3 million in 2008. The cost of sales and expenses of synthetic fibres, resins and plastics, intermediate petrochemicals, and petroleum products amounted to RMB 2,812.3 million, RMB 11,419.3 million, RMB 8,230.2 million and RMB 18,113.0 million, respectively, representing decreases of 47.07%, 32.93%, 20.21% and 46.43%, respectively, as compared to 2008. The operating expenses of other activities amounted to RMB 4,747.0 million, representing an increase of 58.59% as compared to 2008.

(i) Synthetic fibres

The operating expenses of synthetic fibres decreased by RMB 2,501.2 million compared to 2008, primarily due to a decrease in the unit price of raw materials for producing synthetic fibres.

(ii) Resins and plastics

The operating expenses of resins and plastics decreased by RMB 5,607.7 million as compared to 2008, primarily due to decreased unit costs for raw materials such as ethylene and propylene.

(iii) Intermediate petrochemicals

The operating expenses of intermediate petrochemicals decreased by RMB 2,084.3 million compared to 2008, which was mainly attributable to a decrease in unit cost of intermediate petrochemicals resulting from the decrease in the annual average unit cost of crude oil, which directly led to a decrease in the operating expenses of intermediate petrochemicals.

(iv) Petroleum products

The operating expenses of petroleum products decreased by RMB 15,698.0 million compared to 2008, primarily due to the decrease in crude oil prices (which is our major production raw material) which directly led to a significant decrease in the operating expenses of petroleum products.

(v) Other activities

The operating expenses of other activities increased by RMB 1,753.7 million compared to 2008, which was primarily attributable to the significant increase of trading volume of petrochemical products at one subsidiary.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales significantly decreased to RMB 45,010.2 million in 2009, representing a decrease of 34.35% compared to RMB68,556.4 million in 2008, and the cost of sales accounted for 95.07% of the net sales for 2009, primarily due to the significant decrease in crude oil prices in 2009, which was our major raw material.

(i) Crude Oil

In 2009, we processed 8,757,800 tons of crude oil (no imported crude oil was processed on a sub-contracting basis during the year), representing a decrease of 480,500 tons compared to 9,238,300 tons in 2008. The volumes of imported crude oil and offshore crude oil processed by us were 8,076,900 tons and 680,900 tons, respectively.

 

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The total cost of crude oil processed by us in 2009 amounted to RMB 26,450.0 million, representing a significant decrease of 46.02% compared to RMB 48,997.0 million in 2008 and accounting for 58.76% of the total cost of sales. The weighted average cost of crude oil for us was RMB 3,020.15 per ton, representing a significant decrease of 43.06% as compared to 2008. The average cost of imported crude oil and offshore crude oil processed by us were RMB 3,053.40 per ton and RMB 2,625.79 per ton, respectively. Because our offshore crude oil is mainly purchased in the first half year, the average cost of the offshore crude oil processed by us was relatively lower.

(ii) Other expenses

The expenses for other ancillary materials were RMB 7,724.9 million in 2009, representing a decrease of 22.59% compared to RMB 9,978.8 million in 2008, which was primarily attributable to the decrease of the cost of ancillary materials resulting from the decreased crude oil price.

Selling and administrative expenses

Selling and administrative expenses amounted to RMB450.4 million, representing a decrease of 3.76% compared to RMB468.0 million in 2008 primarily due to a decrease in the sales operation fees resulting from the decrease of sales volume and a decrease in our sales agency fees for daily (continuous) related party transactions during the reporting period.

Other operating income

Other operating income amounted to RMB277.2 million in 2009, representing an increase of 90.91% compared to RMB145.2 million in 2008, which was primarily due to income of RMB92.0 million from the disposal of land use right and an increase in income from other investments during the reporting period.

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses decreased from RMB580.0 million in 2008 to RMB138.3 million in 2009, representing a decrease of 76.16%, primarily due to a decrease of RMB342.5 million in our provision made for impairments of fixed assets during the reporting period as compared to 2008. On the other hand, our employee reduction expenses during the reporting period decreased by RMB77.3 million as compared to 2008.

Income/ (loss) from operation

We earned an operating profit of RMB2,023.5 million in 2009, representing a significant increase of RMB 9,840.8 million compared to an operating loss of RMB7,817.3 million in 2008, which was primarily due to a significant decrease in cost of sales and other expenses during the reporting period.

Net financing costs

Our net financing costs were RMB321.1 million in 2009, representing a decrease of 2.81% compared to RMB330.4 million in 2008.

Investment income

Our investment income was RMB222.8 million in 2009, mainly due to income from the disposal of financial assets.

Earnings/(loss) before income tax

We obtained a profit before tax of RMB2,166.5 million in 2009, representing a significant increase of RMB10,180.9 million compared to a pre-tax loss of RMB8,014.4 million in 2008.

 

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Income tax

We had an income tax of RMB511.0 million in 2009. Our income tax credit from 2008 was RMB1,812.7 million, which was primarily due to the fact that we recognized deferred income tax asset for tax losses generated in 2008. We earned a profit in 2009 and realized part of the deferred income tax assets in respect of tax losses carried forward and provision for inventories.

In accordance with the revised “Enterprise Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China” with effect from January 1, 2008, the income tax rate of the Company for 2009 was 25% (2008: 25%).

Net income/(loss)

We earned a net income after tax of RMB1,655.5 million in 2009, an increase of RMB7,857.2 million compared to an after-tax loss of RMB6,201.7 million in 2008.

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared with year ended December 31, 2007.

Net sales and other income

Our total net sales increased by 9.35% to RMB59,329.8 million in 2008 compared to RMB54,254.7 million in 2007. In the first half of 2008, the prices of petrochemical products continued to rise in general as a result of a substantial rise in international oil prices. However, in the second half, there was a fall in both product sales volume and prices as a result of the slump in the petrochemicals market triggered by the global economic downturn. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the weighted average prices (excluding tax) of our synthetic fibres as well as resins and plastics decreased by 10.15% and 1.05%, respectively, from their levels in the previous year; the weighted average prices (excluding tax) of intermediate petrochemicals and petroleum products increased by 0.14% and 20.65% respectively, from their levels in the previous year.

(i) Synthetic fibres

The net sales of synthetic fibre products decreased to RMB3,662.0 million in 2008, representing a 15.40% decrease compared to RMB4,328.7 million in 2007. The weighted average price of synthetic fibres decreased by 10.15% as compared to 2007, and the profit margin of synthetic fibre products was substantially reduced as raw material costs of synthetic fibres remained at high levels. As such, sales volume of our synthetic fibres in 2008 decreased by 5.95% as compared to 2007 because the sales volumes of major synthetic fibre products decreased by varying extent in 2008.

Net sales of synthetic fibre products accounted for 6.20% of our total net sales in 2008, representing a decrease of 1.70 percentage points as compared to 2007.

(ii) Resins and plastics

The net sales of resins and plastics decreased to RMB14,850.3 million in 2008, representing a decrease of 6.48% compared to RMB15,878.8 million in 2007. Weighted average price of resins and plastics in 2008 decreased by 1.05% compared to 2007 and sales volume in 2008 decreased by 5.58% compared to 2007. Among our resins and plastics products, the sales volume of polyester chips for 2008 decreased by 11.14% and the average sales price decreased by 9.21%. The sales volumes of polyethylene and polypropylene for 2008 also decreased as compared to 2007.

Net sales of resins and plastics accounted for 25.00% of our total net sales in 2008, representing a decrease of 4.30 percentage points as compared to 2007.

(iii) Intermediate petrochemicals

The net sales of intermediate petrochemicals increased to RMB10,271.8 million in 2008, representing an increase of 9.59% compared to RMB9,372.7 million in 2007, with the weighted average price of intermediate petrochemicals increasing by 0.14% compared to 2007 and sales volume increasing by 9.31% as compared to 2007. Among our intermediate petrochemicals, the weighted average prices of ethylene, butadiene and ethylene oxide increased slightly compared to 2007.

 

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The net sales of intermediate petrochemicals accounted for 17.3% of our total net sales in 2008, basically at par with 2007.

(iv) Petroleum products

The net sales of petroleum products increased to RMB27,552.9 million in 2008, representing an increase of 30.98% compared to RMB21,036.6 million in 2007, with an increase of 20.65% in the weighted average price as compared to 2007. The weighted average prices of gasoline and diesel oil increased by 20.68% and 19.70%, respectively as compared to 2007. Due to the price limits set by the Chinese government, the petroleum products segment reported a negative profit margin, while we increased sales volume of gasoline and diesel by 18% as compared to 2007 in compliance with government policies.

The net sales of petroleum products accounted for 46.40% of our total net sales in 2008, representing an increase of 7.6 percentage points as compared to 2007.

During the year ended December 31, 2008, we recognized a grant income of RMB2,312.2 million (2007: RMB93.9 million; 2006: RMB282.1 million). These grants were for compensation of losses incurred due to the distortion of the correlation of domestic refined petroleum product prices and the crude oil prices, and the measures taken by us to stabilize the supply in the PRC refined petroleum product market during the respective years. There are no unfilled conditions and other contingencies attached to the receipts of these grants. There is no assurance that we will continue to receive such grant in the future.

(v) Other activities

Revenues from other activities decreased to RMB2,992.8 million in 2008, representing a decrease of 17.73% compared to RMB3,637.9 million in 2007. Such decrease in revenues was mainly attributed to a decrease in the trading volume of petrochemical products.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses are comprised of cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses, other operating expenses and other operating income.

Our operating expenses increased by 29.90% to RMB69,459.3 million in 2008 compared to RMB53,455.9 million in 2007. The operating expenses of synthetic fibres, resins and plastics, intermediate petrochemicals, and petroleum products amounted to RMB5,313.5 million, RMB17,027.0 million, RMB10,314.5 million and RMB33,811.0 million, respectively, representing increases of 20.47%, 11.86%, 20.51% and 55.28%, respectively, as compared to 2007. The operating expenses of other activities amounted to RMB2,993.3 million, representing a decrease of 14.21% as compared to 2007.

(i) Synthetic fibres

The operating expenses of synthetic fibres increased by RMB902.7 million compared to 2007, primarily due to an increase in the unit price of raw materials (such as ethylene) for producing synthetic fibres. For example, the price of ethylene increased from RMB 8,785.0 per ton in 2007 to RMB9,496.2 per ton in 2008.

(ii) Resins and plastics

The operating expenses of resins and plastics increased by RMB1,804.7 million as compared to 2007, primarily due to increased unit costs for raw materials such as ethylene.

(iii) Intermediate petrochemicals

The operating expenses of intermediate petrochemicals increased by RMB1,755.6 million compared to 2007, which was mainly attributable to increase in sales of ethylene glycol, and the corresponding increases in costs and expenses of intermediate petrochemicals ultimately resulting from the increase in average unit cost of crude oil from RMB3,865.85 per ton in 2007 to RMB5,303.68 per ton during the year.

(iv) Petroleum products

The operating expenses of petroleum products increased by RMB12,036.3 million compared to 2007, primarily due to the increase in crude oil prices (which is our major production raw material) which directly led to a significant increase in the operating expenses of petroleum products.

 

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(v) Other activities

The operating expenses of other activities decreased by RMB495.9 million compared to 2007, which was primarily attributable to reduced business volume.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales increased to RMB68,556.4 million in 2008, representing an increase of 30.22% compared to RMB52,646.5 million in 2007, primarily due to significant increase in crude oil prices in 2008, which was our major raw material, and an increase in the purchase of other raw materials. Cost of sales accounted for 115.60% of the net sales for 2008.

(i) Crude Oil

In 2008, we processed 9,238,300 tons of crude oil ( no imported crude oil was processed on a sub-contracting basis during the year), representing an increase of 299,900 tons compared to 8,938,400 tons in 2007 (of which 25,400 tons imported crude oil were processed on a sub-contracting basis). The volumes of imported crude oil and offshore crude oil processed by us were 8,739,000 tons and 499,300 tons, respectively.

The total cost of crude oil processed by us in 2008 amounted to RMB48,997.0 million, representing an increase of 42.20% compared to RMB34,456.3 million in 2007 and accounting for 71.47% of the total cost of sales. The weighted average cost of crude oil for us was RMB5,303.68 per ton, representing a significant increase of 37.19% as compared to 2007. The weighted averaged cost of imported crude oil and offshore crude oil were RMB5,339.95 per ton and RMB4,668.86 per ton, respectively.

(ii) Other expenses

The expenses for other ancillary materials were RMB9,978.8 million in 2008, representing an immaterial decrease of 0.44% compared to RMB10,022.5 million in 2007.

Selling and administrative expenses

Selling and administrative expenses amounted to RMB468.0 million, representing a decrease of 7.27% compared to RMB504.7 million in 2007 primarily due to a decrease in the our sales agency fees for sales operations during the reporting period.

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses increased from RMB521.3 million in 2007 to RMB580.0 million in 2008, representing an increase of 11.26%, primarily due to an increase of RMB240.7 million in our provision made for impairments of fixed assets in 2008 as compared to 2007. On the other hand, our employee reduction expenses during the reporting period decreased by RMB118.2 million as compared to 2007, and the loss on disposal of non-current assets decreased by RMB47.3 million as compared to 2007.

Other operating income

Other operating income amounted to RMB145.2 million in 2008, a decrease of 32.96% compared to RMB216.6 million in 2007, which was primarily due to a decrease in income from the disposal of unlisted investments during the reporting period.

Income/ (loss) from operations

We incurred an operating loss of RMB7,817.3 million in 2008, compared to an operating profit of RMB892.7 million in 2007. Two factors primarily contributed to the operating loss in 2008. We incurred losses in our petroleum products business in the first half of 2008 as a result of the substantial rise in world oil price and the government restriction on refined petroleum product prices. Then in the second half of 2008 the global economic downturn had a significant adverse impact on the petrochemicals market, and our operating results suffered as a result.

Net financing costs

Our net financing costs were RMB330.4 million in 2008, representing an increase of 85.72% compared to RMB177.9 million in 2007, which consisted primarily of an increase of RMB297.8 million in our interest expense due to an increase of RMB5,280.8 million in our short-term borrowings. In addition, there was an increase of RMB145.3 million in our financial income as compared to 2007, which was mainly due to the increase of net gain in the fair value of derivative financial instruments amounting to RMB97.6 million and net foreign exchange gain amounting to RMB34.6 million.

 

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Investment income

Our investment income was RMB131.8 million in 2008, mainly due to income from the disposal of marketable securities.

Share of profits of associates and jointly controlled entities

In 2008, our share of net profits from associates and jointly controlled entities was RMB1.5 million, a decrease of RMB664.4 million as compared to 2007, primarily due to the operating losses suffered by the 20% held investee, Secco. Our share of profits in Secco was RMB587.9 million in 2007, however, we had a share of losses in Secco of RMB98.7 million in 2008. The results of Secco’s operations are discussed in Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Investments.

Income tax

We had an income tax credit benefit of RMB1,812.7 million in 2008, compared to an income tax expense of RMB468.3 million in 2007. The income tax credit benefit in 2008 was primarily due to the fact that we recognized deferred income tax asset for tax losses generated in 2008 that we expect to be able to utilize to offset future taxable income. Based on the Company’s financial data of previous years and forecast of the future operating results, the management believes it is probable that the Company will have sufficient taxable profit available in the foreseeable future to utilize the tax losses.

Following the implementation of the newly revised “Enterprise Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China” with effect from January 1, 2008, the income tax rate of the Company was adjusted to 25%.

Net Income/(loss)

We incurred a net loss of RMB6,201.7 million in 2008, compared to net income of RMB1,683.1 million in 2007.

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.

We strive to always have sufficient liquidity to meet our liabilities when due, preparing for both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to our reputation. We prepare monthly cash flow budget to ensure that we will always have sufficient liquidity to meet our financial obligations as they become due. We arrange and negotiate financing with financial institutions and maintain a certain level of standby credit facilities to reduce liquidity risk.

At December 31, 2009, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by RMB5,243.5 million. In 2010, our liquidity will be primarily dependent on our ability to maintain adequate cash inflow from operations, the renewal of our short-term bank loans and on our ability to obtain adequate external financing, including the issuance of short-term corporate bonds, to support our working capital and meet our debt obligations when they become due. At December 31, 2009, we had standby credit facilities with several PRC financial institutions which allow us to borrow up to RMB9,100.0 million on an unsecured basis, at a weighted average interest rate of 3.34%. At December 31, 2009, our outstanding borrowings under these facilities were RMB4,458.0 million and were included in short-term bank loans. We believe our sources of liquidity are sufficient for our present requirements.

Net cash inflows provided by operating activities

The net cash inflows from our operating activities amounted to RMB3,346.9 million in 2009, representing an increase of cash inflows of RMB7,333.4 million compared to a net cash outflows of RMB3,986.5 million in 2008. Our net cash inflows from earnings before income tax (net of depreciation) in 2009 amounted to RMB3,815.3 million due to a significant decrease in the costs of the crude oil during the reporting period, representing an increase of cash inflows of RMB10,197.8 million compared to the net cash outflows of RMB6,382.5 million in 2008. An increased inventories balance before provision at the end of 2009 led to an increase in cash outflows of RMB2,449.7 million in 2009 (as compared to an increase in cash outflows of RMB38.9 million in 2008 due to an increased inventories balance at the end of 2008). Changes in the year-end balances of accounts payable, other payable and notes payable led to a decrease in cash outflows of RMB994.0 million (as compared to an increase in cash outflows of RMB786.9 million in 2008 due to such changes). Decreases in the year-end balances of amounts of receivable, notes receivable and advance payments led to an increase in cash inflows of RMB202.9 million in 2009 (as compared to an increase in cash inflows of RMB1,122.0 million in 2008 as a result of a decrease in such year-end balances).

 

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Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash outflow for investing activities increased from RMB707.5 million in 2008 to RMB2,175.4 million in 2009, mainly representing an increase in capital expenditure and purchase of available-for-sale financial assets of RMB 700 million in 2009.

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash from financing activities decreased from an inflow of RMB4,429.2 million in 2008 to an outflow of RMB1,673.3 million in 2009, mainly representing an increase in repayment of loans and a decrease in proceeds from loans.

Borrowings

Our total borrowings at the end of 2009 amounted to RMB8,078.9 million, representing a decrease of RMB1,722.8million as compared to that at the end of 2008. Short-term liabilities decreased by RMB1,598.0 million, and long-term liabilities decreased by RMB124.8 million.

We managed to maintain our liability-to-asset ratio at a safe level by enhancing controls over both liabilities (including borrowings) and financing risks. We generally do not experience any seasonality in borrowings. Due to the nature of the capital expenditures plan, long-term bank loans can be arranged in advance of expenditures while short-term borrowings are used to meet operational needs. The terms of our existing borrowings do not restrict our ability to pay dividends on our shares.

Liability-to-asset ratio (prepared according to the International Financial Reporting Standards)

Our liability-to-asset ratio was 48.85% as of December 31, 2009 (compared to 50.02% as of December 31, 2008). The ratio is calculated using this formula: total liabilities/total assets.

C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

We maintain a number of technology development units, including the Petrochemical Research Institute, the Plastics Research Institute, the Polyester Fiber Research Institute, the Acrylic Fibre Research Institute and the Environmental Protection Research Institute. These units are charged with various research and development tasks with respect to new technology, new products, new production processes and equipment and environmental protection. Our research and development expenditures in 2007, 2008 and 2009 were RMB53.5 million, RMB47.3 million and RMB40.3 million, respectively, representing approximately 0.1% of the total sales for those years.

We are not, in any material aspect, dependant on any patents, licenses, industrial, commercial or financial contracts, or new production processes.

D. Trend Information

In 2010, we expect that the global economy will continue to recover slowly with a relatively low growth rate. However, the foundation of this recovery remains weak and not yet stable. If conditions continue to improve in the global economic environment, the Chinese government continues its stable macro-economic policies, and the ongoing implementation of the Chinese government’s proactive fiscal policies and moderately relaxed monetary policies continues, we anticipate that the Chinese economy will maintain stable and relatively fast growth at a rate slightly higher than that in 2009.

 

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In 2010, we expect the demand for petroleum to increase as the world economy begins to recover. The general level of international crude oil prices is anticipated to be higher than that in 2009 considering certain factors such as the overall capacity surplus, OPEC output policies, U.S. dollar trends, geopolitical risks, inflationary pressures and climate change. The global petrochemical industry itself should continue to encounter sluggish growth in 2010. As newly added production capacity is being gradually released, excess global capacity will likely persist with low rates of operation. However, the overall situation should be better than that experienced in 2009. With continued steady and relatively rapid economic development in China, the domestic petroleum and petrochemical industry should generally recover despite the presence of many difficult conditions. On the one hand, the overall macroeconomic situation in China remains positive and the policies for boosting domestic macro-economic demand and stabilizing overseas demand are gradually becoming more effective, which will stimulate continued growth in market demand for domestic petroleum and petrochemical products. On the other hand, we expect international crude oil prices to continue to trend upward. In addition, newly added production capacity for global oil refining and ethylene may be released at the same time, in which case overcapacity will become more acute. Competition should escalate as a whole, in particular from multinationals operating in the China market, and could lead to an influx of a large amount of imported products. We also expect international trade protectionism to intensify and be made worse by increasing foreign trade conflicts. Finally, constraints due to limited resources and carbon emissions reduction and other environmental protection measures may also hinder economic growth.

E. Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2009, we had no contingent liabilities in respect of guarantees issued to banks in favor of our associated companies and other unlisted investments, while such contingent liabilities as of December 31, 2008 were RMB25.7 million. Our guarantees issued to banks in favor of associated companies and other unlisted investments are limited to the respective share in equity interest held by us. Please refer to Note 27(b) to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 17. Financial Statements for more detailed information on our guarantees and commitments.

F. Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table sets forth our obligations to make future payments under contracts effective as of December 31, 2009.

 

          As of December 31, 2009 Payment Due by period
     Total    Less than 1
year
   1-3
years
   4-5
years
   More than
5 years
     (RMB’000)    (RMB’000)    (RMB’000)    (RMB’000)    (RMB’000)

Contractual obligations

              

Short-term loan

   6,700,398    6,700,398    —      —      —  

Short-term corporate bonds

   1,000,000    1,000,000    —      —      —  

Long-term loan

   378,533    74,275    104,258    200,000    —  
                        

Total contractual obligations

   8,078,931    7,774,673    104,258    200,000    —  
                        

Estimated future interest payments

              

Fixed rate

   103,143    66,936    25,839    10,368    —  

Variable rate

   58,057    58,057    —      —      —  
                        

Total estimated future interest payments

   161,200    124,993    25,839    10,368    —  
                        

Other commercial commitments

              

Capital commitments (note)

   7,790,065    2,000,000    5,790,065    —      —  
                        

Total commercial commitments

   7,790,065    2,000,000    5,790,065    —      —  
                        

 

Note: Capital commitments refer to commitments for purchase of property, plant and equipment and investment.

G. Other Information

Employees

Our staff costs for 2009 were RMB 1,233.7 million.

As at December 31, 2009, we had 17,131 employees in total, among whom there were 9,396 production staff, 6,381 sales representatives, financial personnel and other personnel and 1,354 administrative staff. 34.96% of our employees had tertiary qualifications or above. The company has 13,054 retired employees who are under retirement insurance plans, details of which are provided under Item 6. D.

 

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Capital Expenditures

In 2009, our capital expenditures amounted to RMB 2,120.3 million, representing an increase of 40.32% as compared to RMB 1,511.1 million in capital expenditures in 2008. Major projects include the following:

 

Project

   Total project
investment RMB
million
   Project progress as at
December 31, 2009

600,000-ton/year PX aromatics complex

   2,425.0    Completed

150,000-ton/year C5 segregation plant

   262.0    Completed

Natural gas integrated utilization project

   195.0    Under construction
       

Total

   2,882.0    —  
       

Our capital expenditure for 2010 is estimated at approximately RMB 2,000.0 million.

Purchase, Sale and Investment

Except as disclosed in this report, during the year 2009, we engaged in no material purchase or sale of our subsidiaries or associated companies or any other material investments.

Pledge of Assets

As of December 31, 2009, we have not pledged any of our property or equipment.

 

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES.

A. Directors and Senior Management.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our directors, executive officers and members of our supervisory committee (“Supervisory Committee”). The current term for our directors, executive officers and members of our Supervisory Committee is three years, which term will end in June 2011.

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position

Directors      
Rong Guangdao    54    Chairman of the Board of Directors and President
Du Chongjun    55    Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Vice President
Li Honggen    53    Director and Vice President
Shi Wei    50    Director and Vice President
Dai Jinbao    53    Director

 

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Lei Dianwu    47    External Director
Xiang Hanyin    55    External Director
Chen Xinyuan    45    Independent Director and Director of the Audit Committee
Sun Chiping    51    Independent Director
Jiang Zhiquan    59    Independent Director
Zhou Yunnong    67    Independent Director and Director of the Remuneration and Appraisal Committee
Other Executive Officers      
Zhang Jianping    47    Vice President
Tang Chengjian    54    Vice President
Zhang Zhiliang    56    Vice President
Ye Guohua    41    Chief Financial Officer
Zhang Jingming    52    Secretary of the Company and Chief Legal Officer
Supervisory Committee      
Gao Jinping    43    Chairman of the Supervisory Committee
Zhang Chenghua    54    Supervisor
Wang Yanjun    49    Supervisor
Zhai Yalin    45    External Supervisor
Wu Xiaoqi    53    External Supervisor
Liu Xiangdong    58    Independent Supervisor
Yin Yongli    70    Independent Supervisor

Directors

Rong Guangdao, 54, is Chairman, President and Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Company. Mr. Rong joined the Shanghai Petrochemical Complex (the “Complex”) in 1973 and has held various positions, including Deputy Director of the No.1 Chemical Plant and Deputy Director and Director of the Ethylene Plant. In April 1994 he was appointed Vice President of the Company, and in June 1995 he was elected Director of the Company. In October 2003, Mr. Rong was appointed President of the Company. In May 2004, Mr. Rong was elected Chairman of the China Jinshan Associated Trading Corporation. From June 2004 to June 2005, Mr. Rong served as Vice Chairman of the Company. In April 2005, Mr. Rong was elected as Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee. In June 2005, Mr. Rong was elected as Chairman of the Company. In November 2006, Mr. Rong was appointed Director and Vice Chairman of Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited (“Shanghai Secco”). In August 2008, he was appointed Director and Chairman of Shanghai Chemical Industrial Park Development Company Limited. Mr. Rong has rich experience in management of large-scale petrochemical enterprise operations. In 1985 Mr. Rong graduated from the Automated Instrument Department of the Shanghai Petrochemical College for Workers and Staff Members. In 1997 he obtained an MBA from China Europe International Business School. He is a senior engineer by professional title.

Du Chongjun, 55, is Secretary of the Communist Party Committee, Vice Chairman and Vice President of the Company. He joined the Complex in 1974 and has held various positions, including Deputy Secretary and Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Acrylic Fibre Plant of the Complex, General Manager and Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Shanghai Jinyang Acrylic Fibre Plant and General Manager of the Acrylic Fibre Division of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited. In May 1999 he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee and Secretary of the Communist Party Discipline Supervisory Committee. From June 1999 to June 2004 he was Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Company. In October 2003 he was appointed Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Company. In June 2004, Mr. Du was appointed Vice Chairman of the Company. In June 2005, Mr. Du was appointed Vice President of the Company. Mr. Du has extensive experience in large-scale enterprise operation, management and internal supervision. Mr. Du graduated, majoring in enterprise management, from East China Institute of Chemical Technology in 1986. In 1999 Mr. Du graduated, majoring in computer application management, from Shanghai Second Polytechnic University. He is a professional technician of professor level.

 

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Li Honggen, 53, is Executive Director and Vice President of the Company. Mr. Li joined the Complex in 1973 and has held various positions including Deputy Director of No. 1 Chemical Plant of the Complex, Deputy Director and Director of the Ethylene Plant of the Company and Deputy Manager and Manager of the Refining and Chemical Division of the Company. From August 2000 to December 2003, he served as Vice President of Shanghai Chemical Industrial Park Development Company Limited. From August 2002 to January 2006, he served as Vice President of Shanghai Secco. In March 2006, he was appointed Vice President of the Company. In June 2006, he was appointed Director of the Company. In August 2008, he was concurrently appointed Director of Shanghai Chemical Industrial Park Development Company Limited. Mr. Li graduated from East China Institute of Chemical Technology majoring in engineering management and completed a post-graduate course majoring in engineering management at East China University of Science and Technology in 1998. He is an engineer by professional title.

Shi Wei, 50, is Executive Director and Vice President of the Company. Mr. Shi joined the Complex in 1982 and has held various positions including Assistant to the Manager, Deputy Manager of the Refining and Chemical Division of the Company, Manager of the Environmental Department, Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Refining and Chemical Division of the Company and then Manager of the division. In October 2003, Mr. Shi was appointed Vice President of the Company. In June 2005, he was appointed Director of the Company. In 1982, Mr. Shi graduated from East China University of Science and Technology majoring in oil refining engineering and obtained a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Mr. Shi completed post-graduate studies in Business Management at East China University of Science and Technology in 1998. Mr. Shi is a senior engineer by professional title.

Dai Jinbao, 53, is Executive Director of the Company, Secretary of the Communist Party Committee and Deputy Manager, of the Company’s Refining and Chemical Division and Chairman of the Labor Union. Mr. Dai joined the Complex in November 1973 and has held various positions including Deputy Director of No. 1 Chemical Plant of the Company, Director of No.1 Ethylene Complex of the Refining and Chemical Division of the Company, Chairman of the Labor Union of the Company’s Refining and Chemical Division, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee and Chairman of the Labor Union of the Company’s Refining and Chemical Division. In June 2006, he was appointed Director of the Company. In June 2008, he was appointed Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Company’s Olefin Division and Deputy Manager of the division. Mr. Dai graduated from the Shanghai Second Polytechnic University majoring in business management. He is an intermediate technician by professional title.

External Directors

Lei Dianwu, 47, is Assistant to the General Manager of Sinopec Group, Vice President and Director of Development and Planning Division of Sinopec Corp. In June 2005, Mr. Lei was elected External Director of the Company. Mr. Lei has held various positions including Deputy Director of Planning Division of Yangzi Petrochemical Company, Director of the Preparation Office of the Joint Venture of Yangzi Petrochemical Company, Vice President and Manager of production division of Yangzi BASF Stylene Company Limited. He acted as Deputy Manager and Deputy Director of the Joint Venture Office at Yangzi Petrochemical Company, Director of Project Development Department in China Dong Lian Petrochemical Limited Liabilities Company (中國東聯石化有限責任公司), Deputy General Manager of Yangzi Petrochemical Limited Liabilities Company and Deputy Director of Development and Planning Division of Sinopec Corp. From March 2001, he assumed the current position of Director of Development and Planning Division of Sinopec Corp. From March 2009, he assumed the current position of Assistant to General Manager of Sinopec Corp. From May 2009, he assumed the position of Vice President of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Lei has rich experience in enterprise planning and investment development management. Mr. Lei graduated from the East China Petroleum Institute with a major in basic organic chemicals and obtained a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He is a senior engineer by professional title.

Xiang Hanyin, 55, is Deputy Director of Chemical Division of Sinopec Corp. In June 2005, Mr. Xiang was elected External Director of the Company. Mr. Xiang commenced work in February 1982 and was Deputy Director of the Chemical Plant of Yizheng Chemical Fibre Company and Director of Chemical Plant of Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co., Ltd. In February 2000, he assumed the current position of Deputy Director of the Chemical Division of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Xiang has rich experience in the management of production and operation of chemical enterprises. Mr. Xiang graduated from Nanjing Chemical College with a major in basic organic chemicals and a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1982. In 2000, he completed post-graduate studies in enterprise management at Nanjing University. He is a senior engineer by professional title.

 

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Independent Directors

Chen Xinyuan, 45, is currently Dean, Professor and Tutor to doctoral students of the College of Accounting, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and was elected as an Independent Director of the Company in June 2003. Between June 2000 and June 2003 he was an Independent Supervisor of the Company. After graduation from the Accounting Faculty, Hangzhou College of Commerce in July 1985, Mr. Chen undertook post-graduate studies at the Accounting Faculty of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and continued as a lecturer. He commenced his doctoral studies in accounting while teaching and received his doctorate in June 1994. He has been a tutor to doctoral students since December 1998. Mr. Chen has also studied in West Germany for one year. He is an expert in financial reporting and accounting, given his experience in the academic aspects of accounting and notable achievements in accounting research. He is also experienced in business management.

Sun Chiping, 51, is President and Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (“ICBC”), Jiangsu Branch. In June 2005, Mr. Sun was elected Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Sun started to be involved in the finance industry in March 1979 and has held various positions including accountant, team leader and Deputy Director of the People’s Bank of China, Shanghai Branch, sub-branch in both Huang Pu and Jing’an Districts. He joined the ICBC, Shanghai Branch, operating division and was Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee and Secretary of the Communist Party Discipline Supervisory Committee. He also acted as Deputy Director, President and Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of ICBC, Shanghai Branch, Rep. Office (Sub-branch) in Xu Hui District, General Manager of the International Business Division of ICBC, Shanghai Branch, Assistant to the President of the ICBC, Shanghai Branch and concurrently General Manager of International Business Division of ICBC, Shanghai Branch and Deputy President of ICBC, Shanghai Branch, Deputy President, President and Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of ICBC, Guangdong Branch, President and Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of ICBC, Shanghai Branch. From June 2009, he assumed the current position as President and Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of ICBC, Jiangsu Branch. Mr. Sun graduated from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics with a major in Finance. He studied for a master’s degree at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and the Shanghai-Hong Kong Management School jointly organized by University of Hong Kong and Fudan University and obtained a Master in Economics and an MBA. Mr. Sun has been engaged in the management of banking business for many years and has extensive experience in finance practice. He is a senior economist by professional title.

Jiang Zhiquan, 59, is Secretary of the Communist Party Committee and Chairman of Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company. In June 2005, Mr. Jiang was elected Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Jiang started work in December 1968, and has held various positions including a cadre and Deputy Director of Shanghai Construction and Industry Bureau, Manager of the Fourth Construction Company of Shanghai, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Shanghai Construction Engineering Administration Bureau (being in charge of the overall work of the unit), Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee (being in charge of the overall work of the unit), Vice Chairman and General Manager of the Shanghai Construction Group. In March 2001, he assumed the current positions as Secretary of the Communist Party Committee and Chairman of Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company. Mr. Jiang is experienced in operational decision making and large-scale enterprise management. Mr. Jiang graduated from the Shanghai-Hong Kong Management School jointly run by the University of Hong Kong and Fudan University in July 2000 and obtained an MBA. He is a senior economist by professional title.

Zhou Yunnong, 67, has been an Independent Director of the Company since June 2005. He joined the Complex in October 1972 and has held various positions including Deputy President of the Complex, Deputy Director of the Human Resource Department of China Petrochemical Corporation, Deputy Secretary of Communist Party Committee of the Complex, Vice President of the Company, Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Sinopec Jinshan Industrial Company and the Governor of Jinshan District of Shanghai. From November 1999 to April 2002 he was a Senior Advisor to Shanghai Jinshan District. From June 2003 to June 2005, Mr. Zhou was an Independent Supervisor of the Company. Mr. Zhou has extensive experience in business management and public administration management. Mr. Zhou graduated from East China Normal University in August 1964, majoring in radio. He is a senior engineer by professional title.

Supervisory Committee

The Company has a Supervisory Committee whose primary duty is to supervise senior management of the Company that includes the Board of Directors, managers and senior officers. The function of the Supervisory Committee is to ensure that senior management of the Company act in the interests of the Company, its shareholders and employees and in compliance with PRC law. The Supervisory Committee reports to the shareholders in the general meeting. The Articles of Association provide the Supervisory Committee with the right to investigate the business and the financial affairs of the Company and to convene shareholder’s meetings from time to time. The Supervisory Committee currently comprises of seven members, two of whom are employee representatives and five of whom are external supervisors, including two independent supervisors.

 

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Gao Jinping, 43, is Chairman of the Supervisory Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee, Secretary of the Communist Party Discipline Supervisory Committee of the Company and Chairman of the Labor Union of the Company. Mr. Gao joined the Complex in 1990 and has held various positions including Deputy Secretary of the Communist Youth League of the Company, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Experimental Plant and Chemical Division of the Company and Director of the Propaganda Division of the Company. In May 2003, Mr. Gao was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Company and Chairman of the Labor Union of the Company. From June 2004 to June 2006, Mr. Gao served as Director of the Company. In April 2006, Mr. Gao was appointed Secretary of the Communist Party Discipline Supervisory Committee of the Company. In June 2006, Mr. Gao was appointed Supervisor and Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Company. Mr. Gao graduated from the Food Processing Faculty of Shanghai Aquatic Products University with a major in cooling and cold storage technology and obtained a bachelor’s degree in engineering in July 1990. In 2001, he completed his post-graduate studies in business administration in the aspect of industrial economics at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. He has senior professional title.

Zhang Chenghua, 54, is a Supervisor, Deputy General Political Official and Director of the Communist Party Committee Office of the Company. Mr. Zhang joined the Complex in 1974 and worked in the Thermal Power Plant of the Complex as Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee cum Chairman of Labor Union of the Thermal Power Plant of the Complex, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Discipline Supervisory Committee and Director of Supervisory Committee Office of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited. In April 2002, Mr. Zhang was appointed Director of Supervisory Committee Office of the Company. In June 2002, Mr. Zhang was appointed Supervisor of the Company. In April 2004, Mr. Zhang was appointed Director of the Communist Party Committee Office. In July 2009, Mr. Zhang assumed the position of Deputy General Political Official of the Company. Mr. Zhang graduated, majoring in party administrative management, from Shanghai Party Institute in January 1999. In 2001, he completed his post-graduate studies in business administration in the aspect of industrial economics at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. He has senior professional title.

Wang Yanjun, 49, is a Supervisor and Vice Chairwoman of the Labor Union of the Company. Ms. Wang joined the Complex in July 1982 and has held various positions including Chairwoman of the Labor Union of the Plastics Plant of the Company, Chairwoman of the Labor Union of Plastics Division of the Company, Chairwoman of the Labor Union of Chemical Division of the Company, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee, Secretary of Communist Party Discipline Supervisory Committee of the Communist Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Labor Union of Chemical Division of the Company. In January 2005, Ms. Wang was appointed Vice Chairwoman of the Labor Union of the Company. In June 2005, Ms. Wang was appointed Supervisor of the Company. Ms. Wang graduated from East China University of Science and Technology majoring in basic organic chemistry in July 1982. In 2001, she completed her post-graduate studies in business administration in the aspect of industrial economics at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. She has senior professional technical qualifications.

External Supervisors

Zhai Yalin, 45, is Deputy Director of the Auditing Bureau of Sinopec Group and Deputy Director of Auditing Department of Sinopec Corp and has served as External Supervisors of the Company since June 2008. Mr. Zhai began his career in 1986 and had been successively Deputy Head of the Head Office and Director of the Auditing Department of Qianguo Refinery, Deputy Director of the General Office of Sinopec Huaxia Auditing Company and Deputy Manager of the Sinopec Huaxia Auditing Company, Deputy Director of the General Administrative Office of the Auditing Bureau of China Petrochemical Corporation, Director of the General Administrative Office of the Auditing Bureau of Sinopec Group, and Director of the General Administrative Office of the Auditing Bureau of Sinopec Group (Auditing Department of Sinopec Corp.). Since December 2001, Mr. Zhai has been holding concurrently the posts of Deputy Director of the Auditing Bureau of Sinopec Group and Deputy Director of Auditing Department of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Zhai graduated from Jilin Siping Normal College in 1986 and is a senior economist.

Wu Xiaoqi, 53, is Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Sinopec Yunnan Oil Products Company, Deputy General Manager of said company. Mr. Wu has been an External Supervisor of the Company since June 2008. Mr. Wu began his career in 1971 and had been successively Deputy Director Class Disciplinary Supervisory Inspector of the Supervisory Bureau of China Petrochemical Corporation’s Disciplinary Division, Deputy Head (Deputy Director) and Head (Director) of the Office of the Supervisory Bureau of China Petrochemical Corporation’s Disciplinary Division, and Director of Section 1 of Supervisory Bureau of Sinopec Group’s Disciplinary Division. From June 2004 to April 2005, he served as a Deputy Bureau Director Class Disciplinary Inspector of Supervisory Bureau of Sinopec Group and a Deputy Bureau Director Class Supervisory Inspector of Supervisory Department of Sinopec Corp. From April 2005 to December 2008, Mr. Wu was Deputy Director of Supervisory Bureau of China Petrochemical Corporation and Deputy Director of Supervisory Department of Sinopec Corp. Since December 2008, he has served as Secretary of the Communist Party Committee, and Deputy General Manager of Sinopec Yunnan Oil Products Company. Mr. Wu graduated from Shijiazhuang Army Command Academy and has a senior professional title.

 

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Independent Supervisors

Liu Xiangdong, 58, is an Executive Director and President of Zhengxin Bank Company Limited, and an Independent Director of Shanghai Bright Dairy & Food Co., Ltd. He was elected as an Independent Supervisor of the Company in June 2000. Mr. Liu has held various positions including Vice President of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Shanghai Branch cum Principal of the Notes Business Department of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, General Manager of Investment Division of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Executive Director and President of Zhengda International Finance Corporation, Independent Director of Shanghai No.1 Pharmacy Co., Ltd and Shanghai Shenbei Office Machine Co. From January 2010, Mr. Liu assumed the positions of Executive Director and President of Zhenxin Bank Company Limited. Mr. Liu has been working in the banking sector for many years and has abundant experience in business management practices. He obtained a master’s degree in economics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and an EMBA degree after completing the EMBA program jointly sponsored by Arizona State University and Shanghai National Accounting Institute and is a senior economist.

Yin Yongli, 70, has served as Independent Supervisor of the Company from June 2005. Mr. Yin has held various positions including Deputy Chief and Chief of Finance section of Shandong Shengli Refinery, Deputy Chief Accountant of Qliu Petrochemical Company, Chief Accountant of Planning and Financing Department of China Petrochemical Corporation and Chief Accountant and Deputy Director of Financing Department of China Petrochemical Corporation and Director of Shihua Auditing Firm. In September 2001, he was Chairman of China Rights on Certified Public Accountants. Since June 2004, Mr. Yin has been appointed Chairman of Huazheng Certified Public Accountants. From June 2005 to June 2008, Mr. Yin has been Chairman of the Management Committee of Tianhua Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Yin has engaged in financing and auditing for many years and has rich experience in financing management and enterprise auditing. Mr. Yin graduated from Shandong Institute of Finance and Economics in 1964. Mr. Yin is a professional accountant and is a certified accountant.

Senior Management

Zhang Jianping, 47, is a Vice President of the Company. He joined the Complex in 1987, and successively held the positions of Deputy Chief Engineer of the Aromatics Plant of the Refining and Chemical Division, Deputy Director of the Plastic Plant, Deputy Manager of Plastics Division of the Company, Director of the Petrochemical Research Institute, Director of the Production Division of the Company, Assistant to President of the Company and Director of the Production Division. In July 2004, he was appointed Vice President of our Company. Mr. Zhang graduated in 1984 from East China Institute of Chemical Technology specializing in Petroleum Refinery and received a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Processing from the same institute in 1987. He is a qualified senior engineer.

Tang Chengjian, 54, is a Vice President of our Company. He joined the Complex in 1974, and successively held the positions of Deputy Secretary of Communist Party Committee, Trade Union Director, Deputy Director of the Thermal Power Plant of the Complex, Director of Thermal Power Plant of the General Thermal Power Unit of the Company, Deputy Director and Director of the Company’s General Thermal Power Unit. He was appointed the Vice President of our Company in July 2004. Mr. Tang graduated in 1974 from Shanghai Power Technology School with a specialization in power plant steam turbines and graduated from Shanghai Power College in power plant and power systems in 1986. In 1991, he graduated from Shanghai No. 2 Industry University majoring in project management; he earned an MBA from the China Europe International Business School in 2001. He is a senior economist in terms by professional title.

Zhang Zhiliang, 56, is committee member of the Communist Party Committee of the Company. Mr Zhang joined the Complex in 1977 and held various positions including Deputy Director and Director of the No.1 Chemical Plant of the Complex, as well as assistant manager and manager of the Company’s Refining and Chemical Division. He was Vice President of the Company from April 1997 to March 2006. He was Director of the Company from June 1997 to June 2003. He was Director of Shanghai Secco from November 2002 to April 2010, and Vice President of Shanghai Secco from January 2006 to November 2006. He was President of Shanghai Secco from November 2006 to April 2010. In April 2010, he was appointed as committee member of the Communist Party Committee of the Company. Mr. Zhang graduated from Fudan University in 1977, majoring in high molecular chemistry. He graduated from Shanghai No.2 Industrial University in 1999, majoring in Applied Computer Management. He is a senior cadre of professorate rank.

Ye Guohua, 41, is the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Ye joined Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Corporation in 1991 and had held various positions including Deputy Section Chief and Section Chief of the Cost Accounting Section of the Financial Division of Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Corporation, Director of the Financial Division of the Oil Refinery Factory of Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Corporation, Deputy Chief Accountant and Director of the Financial Department of Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Corporation. In October 2009, Mr. Ye was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Ye graduated from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics majoring in accounting in July 1991 and is a senior economist by professional title.

 

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Zhang Jingming, 52, is the Secretary of the Board of Directors, General Legal Counsel, Director of the Secretarial Office of the Board of Directors and Director of the Strategy Office of the Company. Mr. Zhang joined the Complex in 1978 and has held various positions including Project Manager and Deputy Director of the International Department, Securities Affairs Representative in Hong Kong and Deputy Director of the Board Secretariat. In June 1999, Mr. Zhang was concurrently appointed as Secretary to the Board of Directors and Director of the Board Secretariat. In June 2001, Mr. Zhang was appointed Director of Strategy Research Department of the Company. In January 2005, Mr. Zhang was appointed General Counsel of the Company. In 1987, Mr. Zhang graduated from the Shanghai International Studies University majoring in English. During the period from 1992 to 1993, he was enrolled in graduate courses for the fourth Sino-British joint MBA program at Northwestern Polytechnic University and later on, Mr. Zhang went to the University of Hull in the United Kingdom for further study to earn an MBA degree and was granted the degree by the University of Hull in the United Kingdom in July 1995. In 2002, Mr. Zhang completed his graduate courses in international economic law at East China University of Political Science and Law. He is a senior economist by professional title.

B. Compensation.

The aggregate amount of cash compensation we paid to our directors, supervisors and executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2009 was approximately RMB5.799 million. In addition, directors and supervisors who are also officers or employees receive certain other benefits-in-kind, such as subsidized or free health care services, housing and transportation, which large Chinese enterprises customarily provide to their employees. No benefits are payable to members of the board or the Supervisory Committee or the executive officers upon termination of their relationship with us.

The following table sets forth the compensation on an individual basis for our directors, supervisors and executive officers who received compensation from us in 2009.

 

Name

  

Position with the Company

   Remuneration in
2009
         

(RMB’000)

(before tax)

Rong Guangdao

   Chairman of the Board of Directors and President    560

Du Chongjun

   Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Vice President    560

Han Zhihao

   Director    465

Li Honggen

   Director and Vice President    468

Shi Wei

   Director and Vice President    467

Dai Jinbao

   Director    301

Lei Dianwu

   External Director    —  

Xiang Hanyin

   External Director    —  

Chen Xinyuan

   Independent Director    150

Sun Chiping

   Independent Director    150

Jiang Zhiquan

   Independent Director    150

Zhou Yunnong

   Independent Director    150

Gao Jinping

   Chairman of the Supervisory Committee    467

Zhang Chenghua

   Supervisor    297

Wang Yanjun

   Supervisor    277

Zhai Yalin

   External Supervisor    —  

Wu Xiaoqi

   External Supervisor    —  

Liu Xiangdong

   Independent Supervisor    —  

Yin Yongli

   Independent Supervisor    —  

Zhang Jianping

   Vice President    464

Tang Chengjian

   Vice President    461

Ye Guohua

   Chief Financial Officer    59

Zhang Jingming

   Company Secretary    353

C. Board Practices.

Board of Directors

Our board of directors consists of twelve members. Our directors are elected at meetings of our shareholders, and, unless they resign at an earlier date, are deceased or removed, will serve three-year terms. The directors shall be eligible for reelection upon expiry of their terms of office, however, the combined tenure of an independent director may not exceed a total of six years. The term of our current board of directors will expire in 2011. None of our directors have entered into any service contracts with us or any of our subsidiaries providing for benefits upon termination of appointment or employment (with the exception of compensation required by Chinese labor law).

 

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Supervisory Committee

The Supervisory Committee is responsible for ensuring that our directors and senior officers act in the interests of our company or those of our shareholders or employees and that they do not abuse their positions and powers. The Supervisory Committee has no power to overturn the decisions or actions of our directors or officers and may only recommend that they correct any acts that are harmful to our interests or the interests of our shareholders or employees. The Supervisory Committee is currently composed of seven members appointed for a three year term. The term of the current members will expire in June 2011. Supervisory Committee members have the right to attend meetings of our board of directors, inspect our financial affairs and perform other supervisory functions.

Audit Committee

Pursuant to Paragraph 14 of the Code of Best Practices set out in Appendix 14 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd, we formed an audit committee on June 15, 1999 which consists of three directors. The current members are Chen Xinyuan, Zhou Yunnong and Sun Chiping according to the Resolutions of the First Meeting of the Sixth Session of the Board of Directors. The principal duty of the audit committee is to review and supervise our financial reporting process and internal controls. The members of the audit committee will hold office for the same term as their directorships which will expire in 2011.

Remuneration Committee

We formed a remuneration committee on December 25, 2001 which consists of three directors. The current members are Dai Jinbao, Jiang Zhiquan and Zhou Yunnong. The key responsibility of the Remuneration Committee is to formulate and review the remuneration policy and plan for the directors and executive officers, formulate the standards for evaluation of the directors and executive officers and conduct such evaluations.

 

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Summary Corporate Governance Differences

There are significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those of U.S. issuers listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Pursuant to Section 303A.11 of the NYSE listing Manual, we have disclosed certain of these differences on our website at www.spc.com.cn/enspc/spc/newsroomlook.php?Did=1650&cid=69dD1ev=5.

D. Employees.

As of December 31, 2009, we had 17,131 employees.

The following table shows the approximate number of employees we had at the end of our last three years by the principal business function they performed:

 

     December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Management

   1,533    1,355    1,354

Engineers, technicians and factory personnel

   11,067    9,795    9,396

Accounting, marketing and other

   6,652    6,447    6,381
              

Total

   19,252    17,597    17,131
              

Approximately 34.96 % of our work force are graduates with an associate degree or higher. In addition, we offer our employees opportunities for education and training based upon our development and the individual performance of each employee.

A system of labor contracts has been adopted in our company. The contract system imposes discipline, provides incentives to adopt better work habits and gives us greater management control over our work force. We believe that by linking remuneration to productivity, the contract system has also improved employee morale. As of December 31, 2009, almost all of the work force was employed pursuant to labor contracts which specify the employee’s position, responsibilities, remuneration and grounds for termination. The contracts generally have short terms of one to five years and may be renewed with the agreement of both parties. The remaining personnel are employed for an indefinite term.

We have a trade union that protects employees’ rights, aims to assist in the fulfillment of our economic objectives, encourages employee participation in management decisions and assists in mediating disputes between us and union members. We have not been subject to any strikes or other labor disturbances which have interfered with our operations, and we believe that our relations with our employees are good.

Total remuneration of our employees includes salary and bonuses. Employees also receive certain benefits in terms of housing, education and health services that we subsidize, and other miscellaneous subsidies. In 2009, we paid RMB1,233.7 million in employment costs.

In compliance with Shanghai regulations, we and our employees participate in a defined contribution government pension scheme under which all employees upon retirement are entitled to receive pensions. Pursuant to government regulations, we established a supplementary defined contribution retirement scheme for all employees in 1995. This scheme provides for a supplementary pension funded by voluntary payments by employees that are matched by payments we make. Each year’s level of matching payments is based upon our profitability and the employee’s performance and attitude. The supplementary pension is intended to provide a further incentive to employees. The company has 13,054 retired employees under the above retirement insurance plans.

We do not carry worker’s compensation or other similar insurance. However, all employees (both contract and non-contract employees) who are unable to work due to illness or disability, whether or not such illness or disability is job-related, will continue, based on seniority, to receive most or all of their base salary and certain subsidies (but not bonuses) throughout the period of their absence, subject to certain time limitations. Employees who are unable to work due to job-related illnesses or disabilities will receive certain additional compensation from us. The compensation varies depending on the severity of the illness or disability. Structural changes being implemented by the Chinese and Shanghai governments and our own implementation of joint stock limited company accounting and financial principles may result in certain adjustments of the funding, management and payment methods for these types of worker’s compensation arrangements over time.

 

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E. Share Ownership.

The following table shows the ownership interests of our Directors, Supervisors and senior officers in our shares as of May 1, 2010. All shares indicated are A shares and are directly owned by the relevant persons. In each case, they represent less than 1% of the outstanding A shares. No change in shareholdings occurred. Except as disclosed below, none of the Directors, Supervisors or senior officers or their affiliates had any other beneficial interest in our issued share capital as of May 1, 2010.

 

Name

  

Position

  

Shares held at

May 1, 2010

Rong Guangdao    Chairman and President    3,600
Du Chongjun    Vice Chairman and Vice President    1,000
Li Honggen    Director and Vice President    0
Shi Wei    Director and Vice President    0
Dai Jinbao    Director    0
Lei Dianwu    External Director    0
Xiang Hanyin    External Director    0
Sun Chiping    Independent Director    0
Jiang Zhiquan    Independent Director    0
Zhou Yunnong    Independent Director    0
Chen Xinyuan    Independent Director    0
Gao Jinping    Chairman of Supervisory Committee    0
Zhang Chenghua    Supervisor    0
Wang Yanjun    Supervisor    0
Zhai Yalin    External Supervisor    0
Wu Xiaoqi    External Supervisor    0
Liu Xiangdong    Independent Supervisor    0
Yin Yongli    Independent Supervisor    0
Zhang Jianping    Vice President    0
Tang Chengjian    Vice President    0
Zhang Zhiliang    Vice President    0
Ye Guohua    Chief Financial Officer    0
Zhang Jingming    Company Secretary    0

 

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We have no employee share purchase plan, share option plan or other arrangement to involve employees in our share capital.

 

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.

A. Major Shareholders.

Sinopec Corp owns 55.56% of our share capital and is able to exercise all the rights of a controlling shareholder, including the election of directors and voting on amendments to our Articles of Association.

The table below sets forth information regarding ownership of our capital stock as of March 31, 2010 by (i) all persons who we know own more than five percent of our capital stock and (ii) our officers and directors as a group. We are not aware that any such shareholder had voting rights different from those of our other shareholders.

 

Title of Class

  

Identity of Person or Group

   Number of
Shares
Held
   Percent of
Total Share
Capita
 
Domestic Shares    China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (1)    4,000,000,000    55.56
H Shares    HKSCC nominees Ltd.    2,300,402,101    31.95
A Shares    Directors and Officers    4,600    less than 1

 

(1). This company is controlled by China Petrochemical Corporation which is itself controlled by the Chinese government.

As of May 1, 2010, a total of 2,330,000,000 H Shares were outstanding. As of April 1, 2010, a total of 2,405,623 ADSs, representing the equivalent of 240,562,300 H Shares, were outstanding and held by 112 holders of record. A total of 720,000,000 circulating A Shares were outstanding on April 1, 2010.

To the best of our knowledge, except as disclosed above, we are not directly or indirectly controlled by another corporation, any foreign government, or any other natural or legal person, severally or jointly.

We are not aware of any arrangement that may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of our company.

 

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B. Related Party Transactions.

Intercompany service agreements and business-related dealings

During 2009, pursuant to the Mutual Product Supply and Sales Service Framework Agreement entered into by the Company and Sinopec Corp, we purchased raw materials from, and sell petroleum products and petrochemicals as well as lease properties to, Sinopec Corp and its associates, and Sinopec Corp and its associates act as sales agents for our petrochemical products. Under the Comprehensive Services Framework Agreement entered into by the Company and Sinopec Group, we accept construction and installation, engineering design, insurance agency and financial services relating to the petrochemical industry provided by Sinopec Corp and its associates. The relevant connected transactions were conducted in accordance with the terms of the Mutual Product Supply and Sales Services Framework Agreement and the Comprehensive Services Framework Agreements. The transaction amounts of the relevant connected transactions did not exceed the caps in relation to the continuing connected transactions approved at the 2007 Extraordinary General Meeting.

The purchases by us of crude oil and related materials from, and sales of petroleum products by us to, Sinopec Corp and its associates were conducted in accordance with the State’s relevant policy and applicable State tariffs or State guidance prices. As long as the State does not lift its control over purchases of crude oil, sales of petroleum products and pricing thereof, such connected transactions will continue to occur. We sell petrochemicals to Sinopec Corp and its associates and Sinopec Corp and its associates act as agents for the sale of petrochemicals in order to reduce our inventories, expand their trading, distribution and sales networks and improve our bargaining power with our customers. We lease part of the properties to Sinopec Corp and its associates in consideration of their good financial background and credit standing. We accept construction and installation, engineering design, insurance agency and financial services relating to the petrochemical industry from Sinopec Group and its associates in order to secure steady and reliable services at reasonable prices.

The prices of the continuing connected transactions conducted between the Company and Sinopec Group, Sinopec Corp and its associates are determined by the parties involved after consultation pursuant to (1) the fixed price of the state; or (2) the guiding price of the state; or (3) market prices, and the conclusion of agreements for the connected transactions are in compliance with the needs of the Company’s production and operation. Therefore the above continuing connected transactions do not cause a material impact on the Company’s independence.

Unit: RMB’000

Type of transactions

  

Related parties

   Amount    Percentage of
total amount
of the type of
transaction
               (%)
Income from sale of products and services    Sinopec East China Company    20,313,011    39.32
   Other related parties    6,852,612    13.27
Purchases    China International United Petroleum & Chemical Co., Ltd.    17,379,243    44.22
   Sinopec Transport and Storage Company    2,812,701    7.16
   Other related parties    4,574,415    11.64
Installation fees    Sinopec and its subsidiaries    165,204    71.10
Transportation costs    Sinopec Transport and Storage Company    29,661    12.12

This includes an amount of RMB25,591,745,000 for the connected transactions in respect of the sale of products or the provision of labor services to the controlling shareholder and its subsidiaries by the listed company during 2009.

 

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Other related party transactions

We transferred to Sinopec Corp. a 81.97% equity interest owned by our wholly owned subsidiary Shanghai Petrochemical Investment Development Company Limited in Shanghai Jin Hua Industrial Company Limited for a consideration of RMB61,600,400. The relevant transfer agreement was entered into on February 8, 2006. The transaction generated a gain of RMB24,307,946 in 2006. The pricing principle was determined on the basis of a valuation report prepared by a qualified asset valuation company independent of the Company and Sinopec Corp. and upon arm’s length negotiations between the parties. On the asset disposal date, the book value of the assets was RMB37,292,454, while the appraised value of the assets was RMB53,600,422 as at March 31, 2005.

We entered into equity transfer agreements with Sinopec Finance Co., Ltd to transfer our respective equity interests in China Everbright Bank and Bank of Shanghai to Sinopec Finance Co., Ltd. The considerations for the China Everbright Bank transfer and Bank of Shanghai transfer were RMB66,993,800 and RMB14,729,600, respectively. The relevant transfer agreements were entered into on December 7, 2006. As at the asset appraisal date, the book value of the equity interests held by the respective parties in China Everbright Bank and Bank of Shanghai totaled RMB55,449,641. The increase in the fair value of those equity interests of RMB26,228,500 as a result of the above transaction was recognized in the reserve, net of deferred tax, in 2006. The transaction prices were determined by way of a bidding process on the China Beijing Equity Exchange. The transfer of equity interest in China Everbright Bank was completed in April 2007. The transfer of equity interest in Bank of Shanghai was completed in July 2007.

We signed an agreement on December 30, 2005 to transfer our 2% equity interest in Sinopec Finance Co., Ltd. to Sinopec Corp for a purchase price of RMB82,000,000. In accordance with the payment terms of the agreement, we were paid the consideration on February 28, 2006.

We paid an amount of RMB164,763,000 to Sinopec Corp and its subsidiary which consisted of equipment pre-payments and progress payments for the 380,000 tons per year glycol project and the long-cycle facility of the 3,300,000 tons per year diesel hydrogenization project. Both facilities were delivered in the first half of the year in 2006.

He Fei, a non-executive Director prior to June 18, 2002, is a partner of Haiwen & Partners, our legal advisor on Chinese laws, which has received and will continue to receive legal fees in connection with their representation of us.

Equity joint venture

Late in 2001, we established Secco, a Sino-foreign equity joint venture, together with BP and Sinopec Corp. We own a 20% interest in Secco, while BP and Sinopec Corp own 50% and 30% interests in Secco, respectively. Secco was established to build and operate a 900,000 ton Rated Capacity ethylene petrochemical manufacturing facility to manufacture and market ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, polystyrene, propylene, acrylonitrile, polypropylene, butadiene, aromatics and by-products; provide related after-sales services and technical advice with respect to such petrochemical products and by products; and engage in polymers application development. Secco completed construction in 2005. Secco’s total registered capital is US$901,440,964, of which we provided the Renminbi equivalent of US$180,287,952.

HKSE connected transactions rules

We are required by HKSE listing rules to obtain advance shareholder approval for certain transactions with related parties such as Sinopec Group, Sinopec Corp, or its associates. We comply with such HKSE listing rules by obtaining advance shareholder approval at least every three years for the renewal of our framework agreements (e.g. the Mutual Product Supply and Sales Services Framework Agreement and the Comprehensive Services Framework Agreement) with Sinopec Group and Sinopec Corp for setting maximum aggregated annual values spent on the supply of products and services under these agreements. The independent non-executive directors will need to confirm each year, upon reviewing our continuing connected transaction, that these transactions are conducted in the ordinary and usual course of our business, on normal commercial terms and in accordance with the terms of these agreements.

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information.

Please see Item 17. Financial Statements for our audited consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.

 

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Please see Item 17. Financial Statements for the separate financial statements and notes for Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Co., Ltd., which are being filed pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X.

Export Sales

In 2009, export sales accounted for RMB147.528 million (US$21.61million) or 0.31% of our total net sales.

Litigation

Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries is a party to, nor is any of our or their property the subject of any legal or arbitration proceedings which may have significant effects on our financial position or profitability. We are not aware of any litigation or arbitration proceedings in which any of our directors, any member of our senior management or any of our affiliates is an adverse party or has a material adverse interest.

Dividend Policy

Our board of directors may propose dividend distributions subject to the approval of the shareholders. The Articles of Association also provide that, unless the shareholders otherwise resolve, our board of directors is authorized in advance to distribute interim dividends each year of up to 50% of our distributable profits. Shareholders receive dividends in proportion to their shareholdings.

The Articles of Association require that cash dividends and other distributions in respect of H shares be declared in Renminbi and paid by us in Hong Kong dollars while cash dividends and other distributions in respect of our H shares be paid in Renminbi. If we record no profit for the year, we may not distribute dividends in such year.

We expect to continue to pay dividends, although there can be no assurance as to the particular amounts that might be paid from year to year. Payment of future dividends will depend upon our revenue, financial condition, future earnings and other factors. See Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and Item 3. Key Information – Selected Financial Data – Dividends.

B. Significant Changes.

No significant change has occurred since the date of the financial statements included in this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING.

A. Offer and Listing Details

Set forth below is certain market information relating to our H Shares, ADSs and A Shares for the periods indicated.

 

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          The Stock
Exchange

of Hong Kong
   The New
York Stock
Exchange
   The Shanghai
Stock
Exchange
          High    Low    High    Low    High    Low

2005

      3.58    2.25    45.20    29.55    5.07    3.11

2006

      5.00    2.97    64.60    38.60    7.18    4.03

2007

      7.38    3.26    102.77    31.37    22.49    6.05

2008

      4.88    1.10    61.88    14.50    13.64    3.58

2009

      4.13    1.61    52.09    20.75    12.48    5.06

2008

                    
   First Quarter    4.88    2.37    61.88    31.37    13.64    9.21
   Second Quarter    3.50    2.63    44.71    33.93    9.68    6.41
   Third Quarter    2.80    1.60    34.99    20.15    7.02    4.59
   Fourth Quarter    2.25    1.10    28.99    14.50    5.87    3.58

2009

                    
   First Quarter    2.22    1.61    28.72    20.75    6.66    5.06
   Second Quarter    3.10    1.94    39.47    27.26    8.87    6.27
   Third Quarter    4.13    2.57    52.09    32.83    12.48    8.09
   Fourth Quarter    3.21    2.90    44.38    38.12    12.37    10.16

2010

                    
   First Quarter    3.35    2.58    43.14    33.17    11.15    9.50

Most Recent Six Months

                 
   November 2009    3.37    2.96    43.69    38.64    12.37    10.50
   December 2009    3.21    2.90    41.19    38.12    11.65    10.16
   January 2010    3.35    2.64    43.14    34.35    11.15    9.95
   February 2010    2.90    2.58    37.10    33.17    10.05    9.50
   March 2010    3.17    2.75    40.79    35.41    10.17    9.61
   April 2010    3.18    2.85    40.71    36.68    10.18    8.24

B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

C. Markets

The principal trading market for our H Shares is the HKSE. The ADSs, each representing 100 H Shares, have been issued by The Bank of New York as a depositary under a Deposit Agreement with us and are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SHI.” We have also listed our A Shares on the Shanghai Securities Exchange. Prior to our initial public offering on July 26, 1993 and subsequent listings on the HKSE and NYSE, there was no market for our H Shares or the ADSs. Public trading in our A Shares commenced on November 8, 1993.

D. Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

E. Dilution

Not applicable.

F. Expenses of the issue

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

A. Share Capital

Not applicable.

 

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B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The following is a summary based upon provisions of our Articles of Association as currently in effect, the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China (1993) and other selected laws and regulations applicable to us. You should refer to the text of the Articles of Association and to the texts of applicable laws and regulations for further information.

We are a joint stock limited company established in accordance with the Company Law and certain other laws and regulations of the PRC. We are registered with the Shanghai Administration of Industry and Commerce with business license number 310000000021453. Our Articles of Association provide, at article 12, that our purpose is:

 

   

to build and operate a diversified industrial company which will be one of the world’s leading petrochemical companies;

 

   

to promote the development of the petrochemical industry in China through the production of a broad variety of outstanding products; and

 

   

to practice advanced, scientific management and apply flexible business principles, and to develop overseas markets for our products so that we and our shareholders receive reasonable economic benefits.

Our scope of business is limited to matters approved by Chinese authorities. Article 13 provides that our primary business scope includes:

 

   

refining crude oil, a wide range of petroleum products, petrochemical products, basic organic chemicals, synthetic fibers and monomers, plastic products, polyester fibers and yarns, raw materials for knitting and textile products and finished products; and

 

   

production and operation of industrial fuels, production and operation of other by-products and refining and processing of platinum metals.

Our secondary scope of operation includes: electricity generation, supply of heat, supply of liquefied petroleum gas, water treatment, railways, ocean and inland water transport, warehousing, real estate, technical consultation, import and export, research and all other activities incidental and consistent with our primary and secondary operation and business scope. We may adjust these subject to approval by governmental authorities.

The following discussion primarily concerns our shares and the rights of our shareholders. Holders of our ADSs will not be treated as our shareholders and will be required to surrender their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal from the depositary facility in which the H shares are held in order to exercise shareholder rights in respect of H shares.

Domestic shares and overseas-listed foreign invested H shares are both ordinary shares in our share capital. Domestic shares are shares we issue to domestic Chinese investors for subscription in Renminbi, while H shares are shares we issue for subscription in other currencies to investors from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and outside of China.

Sources of Shareholders’ Rights

China’s legal system is based on written statutes and is a system in which decided legal cases have little precedent value. China’s legal system is similar to civil law systems in this regard. In 1979, China began the process of developing its legal system by undertaking to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws. In December 1993, the Standing Committee of the 8th National People’s Congress adopted the Chinese Company Law. Although the Chinese Company Law is expected to serve as the core of a body of regulatory measures, which will impose a uniform standard of corporate behavior on companies and their directors and shareholders, only a limited portion of this body of regulatory measures has so far been promulgated.

Currently, the primary sources of shareholder rights are the Articles of Association, the Chinese Company Law and the HKSE listing rules, which, among other things, impose standards of conduct, fairness and disclosure on us, our directors and our controlling shareholder. To facilitate the offering and listing of shares of Chinese companies overseas, and to regulate the behavior of companies whose shares are listed overseas, the State Council Securities Committee and the State Commission for Restructuring the Economic System issued the Mandatory Provisions for articles of association of Companies Listing Overseas on August 27, 1994. These provisions have been incorporated into our Articles of Association and any amendment to those provisions will only become effective after approval by the companies approval department of local government authorized by the State Economic and Trade Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

In addition, upon the listing of and for so long as the H shares are listed on the HKSE, we will be subject to those relevant ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to companies listed on the HKSE, the Securities and Futures Ordinance and the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Repurchases.

 

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Unless otherwise specified, all rights, obligations and protections discussed below derive from our Articles of Association and/or the Chinese Company Law.

Enforceability of Shareholders’ Rights

There has not been any public disclosure in relation to the enforcement by holders of H shares of their rights under the charter documents of joint stock limited companies or the Chinese Company Law or in the application or interpretation of the Chinese or Hong Kong regulatory provisions applicable to Chinese joint stock limited companies.

In most states of the United States, shareholders may sue a corporation “derivatively”. A derivative suit involves the commencement by a shareholder of a corporate cause of action against persons who have allegedly wronged the corporation, where the corporation itself has failed to enforce the claims directly. This would include suits against corporate officers, directors, or controlling shareholders. This type of action is brought based upon a primary right of the corporation, but is asserted by a shareholder on behalf of the corporation. Because the right to sue derivatively is not available under Chinese law, our shareholders may have to rely on other means to enforce the rights of shareholders, such as through administrative proceedings.

Our Articles of Association provide that all differences or claims

 

   

between a holder of H shares and us;

 

   

between a holder of H shares and any of our directors, supervisors, manager or other senior officers; or

 

   

between a holder of H shares and a holder of domestic shares,

involving any right or obligation provided in the Articles of Association, the Chinese Company Law or any other relevant law or administrative regulation which concerns our affairs must, with certain exceptions, be referred to arbitration at either the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission in China or the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center. Our Articles of Association also provide that the arbitration will be final and conclusive. On June 21, 1999, an arrangement was made between Hong Kong and China for the summary mutual enforcement of each other’s arbitration awards in a manner consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and practices that occurred before the handover of Hong Kong to China. This arrangement was approved by the Supreme Court of China and the Hong Kong Legislative Council, and became effective on February 1, 2000.

All of our directors and officers reside outside the United States (principally in China) and substantially all of our assets and of those persons are located outside the United States. Therefore, you may not be able to effect service of process within the United States against any of those persons. In addition, China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts within the United States or most other countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This means that administrative actions brought by regulatory authorities such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other actions which result in foreign court judgments could only be enforced in China if the judgments or rulings do not violate the basic principles of the law of China or the sovereignty, security and social public interest of the society of China, as determined by a People’s Court of China which has jurisdiction for recognition and enforcement of judgments. We have been advised by our Chinese counsel, Haiwen & Partners, that there is doubt as to the enforceability in China of any actions to enforce judgments of United States courts arising out of or based on the ownership of our H shares or ADSs, including judgments arising out of or based on the civil liability provisions of United States federal or state securities laws.

Restrictions on Transferability and the Share Register

All fully paid up H shares will be freely transferable in accordance with the Articles of Association unless otherwise prescribed by law and/or administrative regulations. Under current laws and regulations, H shares may be traded only among investors who are not Chinese persons, and may not be sold to Chinese investors. Consequences under Chinese law of a purported transfer of H shares to Chinese investors are unclear.

 

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As provided in our Articles of Association, we may refuse to register a transfer of H shares without providing any reason unless:

 

   

all relevant transfer fees and stamp duties are paid;

 

   

the instrument of transfer is accompanied by the share certificates to which it relates and any other evidence reasonably required by our board to prove the transferor’s right to make the transfer;

 

   

there are no more than four joint holders as transferees; and

 

   

the H shares are free from any lien of ours.

Additionally, no transfers of shares may be registered within the 30 days prior to a shareholders’ general meeting or within five days before we decide on the distribution of dividends.

We are required to keep a register of our shareholders which shall be comprised of various parts, including one part which is to be maintained in Hong Kong in relation to H shares listed on the HKSE. Shareholders have the right to inspect the share register. For a reasonable fee, shareholders may copy any part of the share register, obtain background information regarding our directors, supervisors, manager and other senior officers, minutes of shareholder general meetings and reports regarding our share capital and any share repurchases in the prior year.

Dividends

Our Articles of Association require the Company to distribute dividends annually in the second quarter of the year following that in which the Company made the profits from which the dividend is paid. The Articles of Association allow for distribution of dividends in the form of cash or shares. A distribution of shares, however, must be approved by special resolution of the shareholders.

Dividends may only be distributed, however, after allowance has been made for:

 

   

recovery of losses, if any;

 

   

allocations to the statutory common reserve fund;

 

   

payment of dividends on any preference shares we issue in the future; and

 

   

allocations to a discretionary common reserve fund.

The Articles of Association require us to appoint on behalf of the holders of H shares a receiving agent which is registered as a trust corporation under the Trustee Ordinance of Hong Kong to receive dividends we declare in respect of the H shares on behalf of the H shareholders. The Articles of Association require that cash dividends and other distributions in respect of H shares be declared in Renminbi and paid by us in Hong Kong dollars while cash dividends and other distributions of the domestic shares shall be paid in Renminbi.

If we record no profit for the year, we may not normally distribute dividends for the year.

Dividend payments may be subject to Chinese withholding tax. See Item 10. Additional Information – Taxation.

Voting Rights and Shareholders’ Meetings

Our board of directors must convene a shareholders’ annual general meeting once every year within six months from the end of the preceding financial year. Our board must convene an extraordinary general meeting within two months of the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

   

where the number of directors is less than 10 or two-thirds of the number specified in our Articles of Association;

 

   

if the number of directors is less than five, the number stipulated in the Chinese Company Law;

 

   

where our unrecovered losses reach one-third of the total amount of our share capital;

 

   

where shareholder(s) holding 10% or more of our issued and outstanding voting shares request(s) in writing; or

 

   

whenever our board deems necessary or our Supervisory Committee so requests.

 

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Meetings of a special class of shareholders must be called in specified situations when the rights of the holders of that class of shares may be varied or abrogated, as discussed below. Resolutions proposed by our Supervisory Committee or shareholder(s) holding 5% or more of the total number of voting shares shall be included in the agenda for the relevant annual general meeting if they are matters which fall within the scope of the functions and powers of shareholders in general meeting.

All shareholders’ meetings must be convened by our board by notice given to shareholders by personal service, mail or announcement in the newspaper not less than 45 days before the meeting. Based on the written replies we receive 20 days before a shareholders’ meeting, we will calculate the number of voting shares represented by shareholders who have indicated that they intend to attend the meeting. We can convene the shareholders’ general meeting if the number of voting shares represented by those shareholders is more than one-half of our total voting shares, regardless of the number of shareholders who actually attend the meeting. Otherwise, we shall, within five days, inform the shareholders again of the motions to be considered and the date and venue of the meeting by way of public announcement. After the announcement is made, the shareholders’ meeting may be convened. Our accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by, a shareholder will not invalidate the proceedings at that shareholders’ meeting. However, an extraordinary shareholders meeting cannot conduct any business not contained in the notice of meeting.

Shareholders at meetings have the power, among other things, to decide on our operational policies and investment plans, to approve or reject our proposed annual budget, approve or reject our profit distribution plans, an increase or decrease in share capital, the issuance of debentures, our merger or liquidation and any amendment to our Articles of Association. Shareholders also have the right to review any proposals by a shareholder owning 5% or more of our shares. In general, holders of H shares and domestic shares vote together as a single class at all meetings and on all matters. However, the rights of a class of shareholders may not be varied or abrogated, unless approved by both a special resolution of all shareholders at a general shareholders’ meeting and by a special resolution of shareholders of that class of shares at a separate meeting. Our Articles of Association specify, without limitation, that the following amendments would be deemed to be a variation or abrogation of the rights of a class of shareholders:

 

   

increasing or decreasing the number of shares of a class or of a class having voting or distribution rights or privileges equal or superior to that class;

 

   

removing or reducing rights to receive dividends in a particular currency;

 

   

creating shares with voting or distribution rights superior to shares of that class;

 

   

restricting or adding restrictions to the transfer of ownership of shares of that class;

 

   

allotting and issuing rights to subscribe for, or to convert into, shares of that class or another class;

 

   

increasing the rights or privileges of any other class; or

 

   

modifying the provision of our Articles of Association that specifies which amendments would be deemed a variation or abrogation of the rights of a class of shareholder.

For votes on any of these matters, or any other matter that would vary or abrogate the rights of the domestic shares or H shares, the holders of domestic shares and H shares are deemed to be separate classes and vote separately. However, “Interested Shareholders” are not entitled to vote at class meetings. The meaning of “Interested Shareholder” depends on the proposal to be voted on at the class meeting:

 

   

If the proposal is for us to repurchase our shares either from all shareholders proportionately or by purchasing share on a stock exchange, an “Interested Shareholder” is our controlling shareholder;

 

   

If the proposal is for us to repurchase our shares from a shareholder by a private contract, an “Interested Shareholder” is the shareholder whose shares would be repurchased;

 

   

If the proposal is for our restructuring, an “Interested Shareholder” is any shareholder that has an interest in the restructuring different from the other shareholders of the class or who bears a burden under the proposed restructuring that is less than proportionate to his shareholdings of the class.

Our Articles of Association specifically provide that an issue of up to 20% of domestic and H shares would not be a variation or abrogation of the rights of domestic shareholders or H shareholders, therefore, separate approval of the domestic shareholders or H Shareholders would not be required.

Each share is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders at all shareholders’ meetings, except for meetings of a special class of shareholders where only holders of shares of the affected class are entitled to vote on the basis of one vote per share of the affected class.

 

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Shareholders are entitled to attend and vote at meetings either in person or by proxy. Proxy authorization forms must be in writing and deposited at our company’s principal offices, or at such other place specified in the notice of shareholders meeting not less than 24 hours before the time that such meeting will be held or the time appointed for passing upon the relevant resolutions. If a proxy authorization form is signed by a third party on behalf of the relevant shareholder, then such proxy authorization form must be accompanied by the signature authorization letter or other such document authorizing such third party to sign on behalf of the shareholder.

Except for those actions discussed below, which require supermajority votes, or special resolutions, resolutions of the shareholders are passed by a simple majority of the voting shares held by shareholders who are present in person or by proxy. Special resolutions must be passed by more than two-thirds of the voting rights represented by shareholders who are present in person or by proxy.

The following decisions must be adopted by special resolution:

 

   

an increase or reduction of our share capital or the issue of shares of any class, warrants and other similar securities;

 

   

the issue of our debentures;

 

   

our division, merger, dissolution and liquidation;

 

   

amendments to our Articles of Association;

 

   

significant acquisition or disposal of material assets or provision of guarantees conducted within the period of one year with a value exceeding 30% of our latest audited total assets;

 

   

share incentive schemes; and

 

   

any other matters considered by the shareholders in a general meeting and which they have resolved by way of an ordinary resolution to be material and should be adopted by special resolution.

All other actions taken by the shareholders, including the appointment and removal of our directors and independent auditors and the declaration of normal dividend payments, will be decided by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders.

Our listing agreement with the HKSE provides that we may not permit amendments to certain sections of our Articles of Association that are subject to the Mandatory Provisions. These sections include provisions relating to (i) varying the rights of existing classes of shares, (ii) voting rights, (iii) our ability to purchase our own shares, (iv) rights of minority shareholders and (v) procedures on liquidation. In addition, certain amendments to the Articles of Association require the approval and assent of Chinese authorities.

Board of Directors

Our Articles of Association authorize up to 19 directors. Directors are elected by shareholders at a general meeting for a three year term from among candidates nominated by the board of directors or by shareholders holding 5% or more of our shares. Because our directors do not serve staggered terms, the entire board of directors will stand for election, and could be replaced, every three years. Our directors are not required to hold any shares in us, and there is no age limit requirement for the retirement or non- retirement of our directors.

In addition to obligations imposed by laws, administrative regulations or the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which our shares are listed, the Articles of Association place on each of our directors, supervisors, manager and any other senior officers a duty to each shareholder, in the exercise of our functions and powers entrusted to them:

 

   

not to cause us to exceed the scope of business stipulated in our business license;

 

   

to act honestly in what he considers our best interests;

 

   

not to expropriate our assets in any way, including (without limitation) usurpation of opportunities which may benefit us; and

 

   

not to expropriate the individual rights of shareholders, including (without limitation) rights to distributions and voting rights, except according to a restructuring which has been submitted to the shareholders for their approval in accordance with the Articles of Association.

 

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Our Articles of Association further place on each of our directors, supervisors, manager and other senior officers:

 

   

a duty, in the exercise of their powers and discharge of their duties, to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances;

 

   

a fiduciary obligation, in the discharge of his duties, not to place himself or herself in a position where his or her interests may conflict with his or her duty to us; and

 

   

a duty not to cause a person or an organization related or connected to him or her in specified relationships to do what they are prohibited from doing.

We pay all expenses that our directors incur for their services as directors. Directors also receive compensation for their services under service contracts that are negotiated by the supervisory committee and approved by the shareholders.

Subject to the stipulations of relevant laws and regulations, the shareholders in a general meeting may by ordinary resolution remove any director before the expiration of his term of office. Except for the restrictions placed on controlling shareholders, discussed below, our shareholders in general meeting have the power to relieve a director, supervisor, manager or senior officer from liability for specific breaches of duty.

Cumulative voting is required for election of our directors as long as more than 30% of our outstanding shares are held by a single shareholder. Cumulative voting allows shareholders to cast a number of votes for a candidate equal to the number of shares held multiplied by the number of directors being elected at the shareholders’ meeting. If a shareholder attempts to cast more votes than he is entitled to under this system, all of the shareholder’s votes will be invalid and will be deemed an abstention.

More than one third of our directors of board must be independent from our shareholders and not hold any office with us (each, “Independent Director”). At least one Independent Director must be an accounting professional and all Independent Directors must possess a basic knowledge of the operations of a listed company and be familiar with relevant laws and rules and have at least five years working experience in law, economics or other area required for the fulfillment of responsibilities as an Independent Director. Independent Directors may not serve for terms exceeding six years. In addition, there are specific persons who are disqualified from acting as Independent Director. These include:

 

   

immediate family members of persons who work for us or our associated entities;

 

   

persons or their immediate family who hold one percent or more of our shares or are among our ten largest shareholders;

 

   

any persons that satisfied the foregoing conditions within the past one year;

 

   

persons providing financial, legal, consultation or other services to us or our associated entities;

 

   

persons who already serve as Independent Director for five other listed companies; and

 

   

anyone designated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

If the resignation of an Independent Director would cause our Board of Directors to have less than one third Independent Directors, the resignation will only become effective after a new Independent Director has been appointed.

Our Board will be required to meet at least four times each year. Directors who miss two consecutive Board meetings without appointing an alternate director to attend on their behalf will be proposed for removal at the next shareholders’ meeting, provided that Independent Directors may miss three consecutive meetings before being proposed for removal. Otherwise, Independent Directors cannot be removed without cause.

Directors may not vote on any matter in which he has a material interest, nor will he be counted for purposes of forming a quorum on such a matter.

Board resolutions are passed by a simple majority of the Directors except for the following matters which require the consent of more than two thirds of the Directors:

 

   

proposals for our financial policies;

 

   

the increase or reduction of our registered capital;

 

   

the issue of securities of any kind and their listing;

 

   

any repurchase of our shares;

 

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significant acquisitions or disposals;

 

   

our merger, division or dissolution; and

 

   

any amendment to our Articles of Association.

Our Board of Directors or Supervisory Committee may nominate candidates for our Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee. In addition, shareholders holding one percent or more of our shares have the right to nominate candidates for Independent Director or Independent Supervisor and shareholders holding five percent or more of our shares have the right to nominate other candidates for Director or Supervisor. For Director candidates, the nominator and candidate will be responsible for providing truthful and complete information about the candidate for disclosure. Candidates for Independent Director must publicly declare that there does not exist any relationship between himself and us that may influence his independent, objective judgment. The China Securities Regulatory Commission may veto any candidate for Independent Director.

Our Independent Directors must approve any connected transactions. Connected transactions are those defined by the HKSE and by Chinese rules and regulations, but would generally include transactions with any of the following:

 

   

any company that, directly or indirectly, controls us or is under common control with us;

 

   

any shareholders owning 5% or more of our shares;

 

   

our directors, supervisors and other senior management;

 

   

any of our key technical personnel or key technology suppliers; and

 

   

any close relative or associate of any of the above.

Our independent directors can also propose to the Board of Directors the appointment or removal of our auditors, the convening of a Board meeting, independently appoint external auditors, solicit votes from shareholders and report circumstances directly to shareholders, Chinese securities regulatory authorities or other government departments. Two or more may request that the Board convene an extraordinary meeting of shareholders.

Our Independent Directors will have to express their opinion on specified matters to the Board or to the shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting, either by a single unanimous statement or individually. These matters are:

 

   

the nomination, removal and remuneration of directors or senior management;

 

   

any major loans or financial transactions with our shareholders or related enterprises and whether we have taken adequate steps to ensure repayment;

 

   

matters that the Independent Director believes may harm the rights and interests of minority shareholders; and

 

   

any other matter that they are required to opine on by applicable law or rules.

These opinions must be expressed as either, agree, qualified agreement, opposition or unable to form an opinion. All but agreement must also be accompanied by a supporting explanation. If public disclosure of the matter is required, we must also disclose the opinions of our Independent Directors.

Any Independent Director may engage independent institutions to provide independent opinions as the basis of their decision. We must arrange the engagement and bear any costs.

Supervisory Committee

The Supervisory Committee is responsible for supervising our directors and senior officers and preventing them from abusing their positions and powers or infringing upon the rights and interests of our company or those of our shareholders and employees. The Supervisory Committee has no power over the decisions or actions of our directors or officers to correct any acts that are harmful to our interests. The Supervisory Committee is currently composed of seven members appointed for a three year term. It has the right to:

 

   

attend the meetings of our board of directors;

 

   

inspect our financial affairs;

 

   

supervise and evaluate the conduct of our directors, general manager and other senior officers in order to determine whether they violate any laws, regulations or the Articles of Association in performing their duties;

 

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require our directors, general manager or other senior officers to correct any act harmful to our interests and those of our shareholders and employees;

 

   

verify financial reports, accounting reports, business reports, profit distribution plans and other financial information proposed to be tabled at the shareholders’ general meeting;

 

   

require the board of directors to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders;

 

   

represent us in negotiations with directors or in initiating legal proceedings against a director on our company’s behalf;

 

   

conduct investigation into any identified irregularities in our operations, and where necessary, to engage accountants, legal advisers or other professionals to assist in the investigation; and

 

   

any other matters authorized by the Articles of Association.

Our Supervisory Committee must include two employee representatives appointed by our employees. The remaining members are appointed by the shareholders in a general meeting, provided that our directors, general manager and senior officers are not eligible to serve as supervisors. The Supervisory Committee must meet at least once a year. Decisions of the Supervisory Committee must be made by a one-half vote. We will pay all reasonable expenses incurred by the Supervisory Committee in appointing professional advisors, such as lawyers, accountants or auditors.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of our liquidation, payment of debts out of our remaining assets will be made in the order of priority prescribed by applicable laws and regulations. After payment of debts, we will distribute the remaining property to shareholders according to the class and proportion of their shareholdings. For this purpose, the H shares will rank equally with the domestic shares.

Obligation of Shareholders

Shareholders are not obligated to make any further contributions to our share capital other than as agreed by the subscriber of the relevant shares on subscription. This provision means that holders of ADSs will also not be obligated to make further contributions to our share capital.

Duration

We are organized as a joint stock limited company of indefinite duration.

Increase in Share Capital

The Articles of Association require that approval by a resolution of the shareholders be obtained prior to issuing new shares. New issues of shares must also be approved by the relevant Chinese authorities.

Reduction of Share Capital and Purchase by Us of Our Shares

We may reduce our registered share capital only upon obtaining the approval of the shareholders and, when applicable, relevant Chinese authorities. Repurchases may be made either by way of a general offer to all shareholders in proportion to their shareholdings, by purchasing our shares on a stock exchange or by an off-market contract with individual shareholders.

Restrictions on Large or Controlling Shareholders

Our Articles of Association provide that, in addition to any obligation imposed by laws and administrative regulations or required by the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which our shares are listed, a controlling shareholder cannot exercise voting rights in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the shareholders generally or of some part of the shareholders:

 

   

to relieve a director or supervisor from his or her duty to act honestly in our best interest;

 

   

to approve the expropriation by a director or supervisor (for his or her own benefit or for the benefit of another person) of our assets in any way, including, without limitation, opportunities which may benefit us; or

 

   

to approve the expropriation by a director or supervisor (for his or her own benefit or for the benefit of another person) of the individual rights of other shareholders, including, without limitation, rights to distributions and voting rights (but not according to a restructuring of our company which has been submitted for approval by the shareholders in a general meeting in accordance with our Articles of Association).

 

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A controlling shareholder, however, will not be precluded by our Articles of Association or any laws and administrative regulations or the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which our shares are listed from voting on these matters.

A controlling shareholder is defined by our Articles of Association as any person who, acting alone or together with others:

 

   

has the power to elect more than one-half of the board of directors;

 

   

has the power to exercise, or to control the exercise of, 30% or more of our voting rights;

 

   

holds 30% or more of our issued and outstanding shares; or

 

   

has de facto control of us in any other way.

Minutes, Accounts and Annual Report

Our shareholders may inspect copies of the minutes of the shareholders’ general meetings during our business hours free of charge. Shareholders are also entitled to receive copies of these minutes within seven days of receipt of the reasonable charges we may require.

Our fiscal year is the calendar year ending December 31. Each fiscal year, we must mail our financial report to shareholders not less than 21 days before the date of the shareholders’ annual general meeting. These and any interim financial statements must be prepared in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and, for so long as H shares are listed on the HKSE, must also be prepared in accordance with or reconciled to either Hong Kong accounting standards or international accounting standards. The financial statements must be approved by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders at the annual general meeting.

Independent auditors are appointed each year by the shareholders at the annual meeting.

C. Material Contracts.

We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in Item 4. “Information on the Company” or elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

D. Exchange Controls.

Our Articles of Association require that cash dividends on our H Shares be declared in Renminbi and paid in HK dollars. The Articles of Association further stipulate that such dividends must be converted to HK dollars at a rate equal to the average of the closing exchange rates for HK dollars as announced by the Chinese Foreign Exchange Trading Center for the calendar week preceding the date on which the dividends are declared.

The Renminbi currently is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), under supervision of the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) controls the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currency. Although PRC governmental policies were introduced in 1996 to reduce restrictions on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currency for current account items, conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange for capital items, such as foreign direct investment, loans or securities, requires the approval of SAFE and other relevant authorities. These limitations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, or to obtain foreign exchange for capital expenditures.

On July 21, 2005, the Chinese government changed its policy of pegging the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. Since the adoption of this new policy, the value of the Renminbi has fluctuated daily within a narrow band, but overall has appreciated against the US dollar. Nevertheless, the PRC government continues to receive significant international pressure to further liberalize its currency policy which could result in a further and more significant appreciation in the value of the Renminbi against the US dollar.

While the impact of the foregoing developments is not entirely clear, it appears that the trend in the Chinese government’s foreign exchange policy is toward easier convertibility of the Renminbi.

The holders of the ADSs will receive the HK dollar dividend payments in US dollars at conversion rates related to market rates and subject to fees as set forth in our Deposit Agreement with The Bank of New York, as Depositary. The HK dollar is currently linked to and trades within a narrow band against the US dollar at a rate that does not deviate significantly from HK$7.80 = US$1.00. The Hong Kong government has stated its intention to maintain such link, although there can be no guarantee that such link will be maintained.

 

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E. Taxation

PRC Taxation

The following is a summary of those taxes, including withholding provisions, to which United States security holders are subject under existing Chinese laws and regulations. The summary is subject to changes in Chinese law, including changes that could have retroactive effect. The summary does not take into account or discuss the tax laws of any country other than China, nor does it take into account the individual circumstances of a security holder. This summary does not purport to be a complete technical analysis or an examination of all potential tax effects under such laws and regulations.

Tax on Dividends

For an Individual Investor

According to the Individual Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China, as amended on December 29, 2007 (the “Individual Income Tax Law”) dividends paid by Chinese companies to foreign individuals are ordinarily subject to Chinese withholding tax at a flat rate of 20%.

However, pursuant to the Notice Concerning the Taxation of Gains on Transfer and Dividends from Shares (Equities) Received by Foreign Investment Enterprises, Foreign Enterprises and Foreign Individuals (the “Tax Notice”), issued by the State Tax Bureau (now the State Administration of Taxation or “SAT”) on July 21, 1993, dividends paid by Chinese companies to foreign individuals, with respect to their shares listed on an overseas stock exchange (“Overseas Shares”), such as H Shares (including H Shares represented by ADSs), or on domestically-listed foreign invested shares (“B Shares”) are temporarily exempt from Chinese withholding tax. The Tax Notice remains in force and the relevant tax authority has thus far not collected withholding tax on dividends paid by Chinese companies, with respect to their Overseas Shares and B Shares, to foreign individuals.

In the event that the Tax Notice is withdrawn, a 20% withholding tax may be imposed in accordance with the Individual Income Tax Law, subject to reduction by an applicable income tax treaty.

For a Corporation

According to the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China (“Enterprise Income Tax Law “) and its implementation rules, effective January 1, 2008, dividends by Chinese resident enterprises to non-resident enterprises are ordinarily subject to a Chinese withholding tax levied at a flat rate of 10%. For purposes of the Enterprise Income Tax Law, a “Chinese resident enterprise” is an enterprise which is either (i) set up in China in accordance with PRC laws or (ii) set up in accordance with the laws of a foreign country (region) but whose actual administrative headquarters is in China. For purposes of the Enterprise Income Tax Law, a “non-resident enterprise” is an enterprise which is set up in accordance with the laws of a foreign country (region) and whose actual administrative headquarters is located outside China but which has either (i) set up a legal presence in China or (ii) has income originating from China despite not having formally set up a legal presence in China. The State Administration of Taxation issued a Circular on Issues Relating to the Withholding of Enterprise Income Tax for Dividends Distributed by Resident Enterprises in China to Non-resident Enterprises Holding H-shares of the Enterprises (Guo Shui Han [2008] No. 897)(“Circular No. 897”) on November 6, 2008, which further clarifies that Chinese resident enterprises should, in distributing dividends for 2008 or any year hereafter to non-resident enterprises holding H-shares of the Chinese resident enterprise, withhold enterprise income tax for such dividends at a tax rate of 10%. After receiving dividends, non-resident enterprises holding H-shares of any Chinese resident enterprise can, on their own or through an agent, file an application to the relevant taxation authorities for such dividends to be covered by any applicable tax treaty (or other arrangement). The relevant taxation authorities should, upon reviewing and verifying the application and supporting materials to be correct, refund the difference between the tax levied and the tax payable calculated at a tax rate specified by the applicable tax treaty (or other arrangement).

Capital Gains Tax

According to the Individual Income Tax Law and its implementation regulation, the sales by foreign individuals of shares in Chinese companies are ordinarily subject to Chinese withholding tax at a flat rate of 20%. However, according to the Tax Notice, gains realized upon the sale of overseas-listed shares issued by PRC companies by foreign individual investors are exempted from tax on capital gains. In the event that the Tax Notice is revoked or becomes invalid in the future, a 20% Chinese withholding tax may be imposed on the sale by foreign individuals of shares in Chinese companies unless exempted or reduced pursuant to an applicable double-taxation treaty or other exemptions.

 

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In accordance with the new Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, capital gains realized by foreign enterprises which are non-resident enterprises in China upon the sale of overseas-listed shares are generally subject to a PRC withholding tax levied at a rate of 10% unless exempted or reduced pursuant to an applicable double-taxation treaty or other exemptions. The capital gains realized by resident enterprises, including enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC upon the sales of overseas-listed shares are subject to the PRC enterprise income tax. Before the effectiveness of the new Enterprise Income Tax Law, gains realized by foreign enterprises that are holders of overseas-listed shares of a PRC company excluding the shares held through their PRC domestic establishment or place of business were exempted from the withholding tax according to the Tax Notice. However, the effectiveness of such exemption granted by the Tax Notice becomes uncertain in light of the provisions under the new Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules.

Tax Treaties

China has an income tax treaty with the United States that currently limits the rate of Chinese withholding tax to 10% for dividends paid to individuals and corporations that qualify for treaty benefits. However, this treaty does not offer reduced tax rates for capital gains.

Stamp Tax

While no express exemption exists for the imposition of Chinese stamp tax on transfers of Overseas Shares pursuant to the Provisional Regulations of the People’s Republic of China Concerning Stamp Tax effective on July 1, 1989, we are not aware of any circumstance under which Chinese stamp tax has actually been imposed on the transfer of Overseas Shares.

Estate or Gift Tax

China does not currently impose any estate or gift tax.

U.S. Taxation

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of H Shares or ADSs. The following discussion is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Such change could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences described below. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert, or that a court will not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below.

This discussion does not address state, local, or foreign tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of H Shares or ADSs. (See “PRC Taxation” above).

This summary is for general information only and does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular holder in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to holders subject to special tax rules, such as: banks; financial institutions; insurance companies; dealers in stocks, securities, or currencies; traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to- market method of accounting for their securities holdings; tax-exempt organizations; real estate investment trusts; regulated investment companies; qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, and other tax-deferred accounts; expatriates of the United States; persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; persons holding H Shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, or other integrated transaction; persons who acquired H Shares or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation for services; persons actually or constructively holding 10% or more of our voting stock; and U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.

This discussion is not a comprehensive description of all of the U.S. federal tax consequences that may be relevant with respect to the ownership and disposition of H Shares or ADSs. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances and the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to you of owning and disposing of H Shares or ADSs, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, or foreign or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.

 

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This summary is directed solely to persons who hold their H Shares or ADSs as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, which generally means as property held for investment. For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of H Shares or ADSs that is any of the following:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States or someone treated as a U.S. citizen or resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source;

 

   

a trust if a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or

 

   

a trust in existence on August 20, 1996 that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

The term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of H Shares or ADSs that is not a U.S. Holder. As described in “Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders” below, the tax consequences to a Non-U.S. Holder may differ substantially from the tax consequences to a U.S. Holder.

If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of H Shares or ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of H Shares or ADSs that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of H Shares or ADSs.

ADSs

As it relates to the ADSs, this discussion is based in part upon the representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

Generally, a holder of ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying H Shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if the holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying H Shares represented by those ADSs. The holder’s adjusted tax basis in the H Shares will be the same as the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs surrendered in exchange therefor, and the holding period for the H Shares will include the holding period for the surrendered ADSs.

TAXATION OF U.S. HOLDERS

The discussion in “Distributions on H Shares or ADSs” and “Dispositions of H Shares or ADSs” below assumes that we will not be treated as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For a discussion of the rules that apply if we are treated as a PFIC, see the discussion in “Passive Foreign Investment Company” below.

Distributions on H Shares or ADSs

General. Subject to the discussion in “Passive Foreign Investment Company” below, if you actually or constructively receive a distribution on H Shares or ADSs, you must include the distribution in gross income as a taxable dividend on the date of your (or in the case of ADSs, the depositary’s) receipt of the distribution, but only to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated under U.S. federal income tax principles. Such amount must be included without reduction for any foreign taxes withheld. Dividends paid by us will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations with respect to dividends received from certain domestic corporations. Dividends paid by us may or may not be eligible for preferential rates applicable to qualified dividend income, as described below.

To the extent a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in the H Shares or ADSs, and thereafter as capital gain. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain may be applicable to non-corporate U.S. Holders.

 

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We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, you should expect that a distribution will generally be reported as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.

Qualified Dividend Income. With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders (i.e., individuals, trusts, and estates), for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, dividends that are treated as qualified dividend income (“QDI”) are taxable at a maximum tax rate of 15%. Among other requirements, dividends generally will be treated as QDI if either (i) our H Shares or ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or (ii) we are eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which includes an information exchange program and which is determined to be satisfactory by the U.S. Treasury. It is expected that our ADSs will be “readily tradable” as a result of being listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

In addition, for dividends to be treated as QDI, we must not be a PFIC (as discussed below) for either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year. We do not believe that we were a PFIC for the preceding taxable year or will be a PFIC for the current taxable year. However, please see the discussion under “Passive Foreign Investment Company” below. Additionally, in order to qualify for QDI treatment, you generally must have held the H Shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days prior to the ex-dividend date. However, your holding period will be reduced for any period during which the risk of loss is diminished.

Moreover, a dividend will not be treated as QDI to the extent you are under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Since the QDI rules are complex, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the availability of the preferential tax rates for dividends paid on H Shares or ADSs.

Foreign Currency Distributions. A dividend paid in foreign currency (e.g., Hong Kong dollars or Chinese Renminbi) must be included in your income as a U.S. dollar amount based on the exchange rate in effect on the date such dividend is received, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted to U.S. dollars. If the dividend is converted to U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, you generally will not recognize a foreign currency gain or loss. However, if you convert the foreign currency to U.S. dollars on a later date, you must include in income any gain or loss resulting from any exchange rate fluctuations. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between (i) the U.S. dollar value of the amount you included in income when the dividend was received and (ii) the amount that you receive on the conversion of the foreign currency to U.S. dollars. Such gain or loss will generally be ordinary income or loss and U.S. source for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

In-Kind Distributions. Distributions to you of new H Shares or ADSs or rights to subscribe for new H Shares or ADSs that are received as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. The adjusted tax basis of the new H Shares or ADSs or rights so received will be determined by allocating your adjusted tax basis in the old H Shares or ADSs between the old H Shares or ADSs and the new H Shares or ADSs or rights received, based on their relative fair market values on the date of distribution. However, in the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for H Shares or ADSs, the adjusted tax basis of the new rights will be zero if the fair market value of the new rights is less than 15% of the fair market value of the old H Shares or ADSs on the date of distribution and you do not make an election to determine the adjusted tax basis of the rights by allocation as described above. Your holding period for the new H Shares or ADSs or rights will generally include the holding period for the old H Shares or ADSs on which the distribution was made.

Foreign Tax Credits. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, any foreign taxes paid on or withheld from distributions from us and not refundable to you may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability or, alternatively, may be deducted from your taxable income. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid by you or withheld from you that year. As discussed above, no Chinese withholding tax currently is imposed on dividends to foreign individual holders of H Shares and ADSs, however non-resident enterprises holding H-shares or ADSs of a Chinese resident enterprise are generally subject to a withholding tax on dividends at a tax rate of 10%.

Distributions will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. The foreign tax credit limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, distributions characterized as dividends distributed by us will generally constitute “passive category income” or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, “general category income.” Special limitations may apply if a dividend is treated as QDI (as defined above).

Special rules may apply to individuals whose foreign source income during the taxable year consists entirely of “qualified passive income” and whose creditable foreign taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year do not exceed $300 ($600 in the case of a joint return).

 

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Since the rules governing foreign tax credits are complex, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the availability of foreign tax credits in your particular circumstances.

The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are pre-released may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by U.S. Holders of ADSs. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the preferential tax rates applicable to QDI, as defined above. Accordingly, the creditability of any foreign taxes and the availability of such preferential tax rates could be affected by future actions that may be taken by the U.S. Treasury or parties to whom ADSs are pre-released.

Dispositions of H Shares or ADSs

Subject to the discussion in “Passive Foreign Investment Company” below, you generally will recognize taxable gain or loss realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of H Shares or ADSs equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of (i) the amount realized on the disposition (i.e., the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received), and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the H Shares or ADSs. Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss.

If you have held the H Shares or ADSs for more than one year at the time of disposition, such capital gain or loss will be long- term capital gain or loss. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain (currently, with a maximum rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011) will apply to non-corporate U.S. Holders. If you have held the H Shares or ADSs for one year or less, such capital gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss taxable as ordinary income at your marginal income tax rate. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Generally, any gain or loss recognized will not give rise to foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences if you receive currency other than U.S. dollars upon the disposition of H Shares or ADSs.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

We generally will be a PFIC under Section 1297 of the Code if, for a taxable year, either (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such taxable year is passive income (the “income test”) or (b) 50% or more of the average percentage, generally determined by fair market value, of our assets during such taxable year either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). “Passive income” includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions.

Certain “look through” rules apply for purposes of the income and asset tests described above. If we own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, we generally will be treated as if we (a) held directly a proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets, and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the other corporation’s income. In addition, passive income does not include any interest, dividends, rents, or royalties that are received or accrued by us from a “related person” (as defined in Section 954(d)(3) of the Code), to the extent such items are properly allocable to income of such related person that is not passive income.

Under the income and asset tests, whether or not we are a PFIC will be determined annually based upon the composition of our income and the composition and valuation of our assets, all of which are subject to change. In determining that we are not a PFIC, we are relying on our projected revenues and projected capital expenditures. If our actual revenues and capital expenditures do not match our projections, we may become a PFIC. For example, if we do not spend enough of the cash (a passive asset) we raise from any financing transactions we may undertake, the relative percentage of our passive assets will increase. In addition, our determination is based on a current valuation of our assets. We believe our valuation approach is reasonable. However, it is possible that the IRS will challenge the valuation of our assets, which may result in our being a PFIC.

We do not believe that we are currently a PFIC. However, because the PFIC determination is highly fact intensive and made at the end of each taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current or any future taxable year or that the IRS will not challenge our determination concerning our PFIC status.

 

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Default PFIC Rules under Section 1291 of the Code. If we are treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holder of the ownership and disposition of H Shares or ADSs will depend on whether such U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) under Section 1295 of the Code (a “QEF Election”) or a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code (a “Mark-to-Market Election”). A U.S. Holder owning H Shares or ADSs while we were or are a PFIC that has not made either a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election will be referred to in this summary as a “Non-Electing U.S. Holder.”

If you are a Non-Electing U.S. Holder, you will be subject to the default tax rules of Section 1291 of the Code with respect to:

 

   

any “excess distribution” paid on H Shares or ADSs, which means the excess (if any) of the total distributions received by you during the current taxable year over 125% of the average distributions received by you during the three preceding taxable years (or during the portion of your holding period for the H Shares or ADSs prior to the current taxable year, if shorter); and

 

   

any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition (including a pledge) of H Shares or ADSs.

Under these default tax rules:

 

   

any excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the H Shares or ADSs;

 

   

the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any period prior to the first day of the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income in the current taxable year;

 

   

the amount allocated to each of the other years will be treated as ordinary income and taxed at the highest applicable tax rate in effect for that year; and

 

   

the resulting tax liability from any such prior years will be subject to the interest charge applicable to underpayments of tax.

In addition, notwithstanding any election you may make, dividends that you receive from us will not be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to QDI (as discussed above in “Distributions on H Shares or ADSs”) if we are a PFIC either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year, but will instead be taxable at rates applicable to ordinary income.

Special rules for Non-Electing U.S. Holders will apply to determine U.S. foreign tax credits with respect to foreign taxes imposed on distributions on H Shares or ADSs.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold H Shares or ADSs, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to you for all succeeding years during which you hold H Shares or ADSs, regardless of whether we actually continue to be a PFIC. You may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the default tax rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above) as if your H Shares or ADSs had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which we were a PFIC.

If we are treated as a PFIC in any year with respect to you, you will be required to file an annual return on IRS Form 8621 regarding distributions received on H Shares or ADSs and any gain realized on the disposition of H Shares or ADSs.

QEF Election. If you own (or owned) H Shares or ADSs while we are (or were) a PFIC and you make a QEF Election, you generally will not be subject to the default rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above. Instead, you will be subject to current U.S. federal income tax on your pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to you by us. However, you can make a QEF Election only if we agree to furnish you annually with certain tax information, and we currently do not intend to prepare or provide such information.

Mark-to-Market Election. U.S. Holders may make a Mark-to-Market Election, but only if the H Shares or ADSs are marketable stock. The H Shares or ADSs will be “marketable stock” as long as they are regularly traded on a qualified exchange. Stock is considered “regularly traded” for any calendar year during which it is traded (other than in de minimis quantities) on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. Qualified exchanges include (a) a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) the national market system established pursuant to section 11A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and (c) a foreign securities exchange that is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located, provided that (i) such foreign exchange has trading volume, listing, financial disclosure, surveillance, and other requirements and the laws of the country in which such foreign exchange is located, together with the rules of such foreign exchange, ensure that such requirements are actually enforced, and (ii) the rules of such foreign exchange effectively promote active trading of listed stocks.

 

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Since the H Shares are listed on a foreign exchange (i.e., the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited) and the IRS has yet to identify specific foreign exchanges that are qualified for this purpose, there can be no assurances that the H Shares will be marketable stock and will be regularly traded. As for the ADSs, they will be “marketable stock” as long as they remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are regularly traded. There can be no assurances, however, that the ADSs will be treated, or continue to be treated, as regularly traded.

If you own (or owned) H Shares or ADSs while we are (or were) a PFIC and you make a Mark-to-Market Election, you generally will not be subject to the default rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above. Rather, you generally will be required to recognize ordinary income for any increase in the fair market value of the ADSs for each taxable year that we are a PFIC. You will also be allowed to deduct as an ordinary loss any decrease in the fair market value to the extent of net marked-to-market gain previously included in prior years. Your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs will be adjusted to reflect the amount included or deducted.

The Mark-to-Market Election will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years, unless the ADSs cease to be marketable stock or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a Mark-to-Market Election.

Since the PFIC rules are complex, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding them and how they may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of H Shares or ADSs.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Generally, information reporting requirements will apply to distributions on H Shares or ADSs or proceeds from the disposition of H Shares or ADSs paid within the United States (and, in certain cases, outside the United States) to a U.S. Holder unless such U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient, such as a corporation. Furthermore, backup withholding (currently at 28%) may apply to such amounts unless such U.S. Holder (i) is an exempt recipient that, if required, establishes its right to an exemption, or (ii) provides its taxpayer identification number, certifies that it is not currently subject to backup withholding, and complies with other applicable requirements.

A U.S. Holder may generally avoid backup withholding by furnishing a properly completed IRS Form W-9.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability. Furthermore, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information in a timely manner.

TAXATION OF NON-U.S. HOLDERS

Distributions on H Shares or ADSs

Subject to the discussion in “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” below, as a Non-U.S. Holder, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on distributions received on H Shares or ADSs, unless the distributions are effectively connected with a trade or business that you conduct in the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires, attributable to a permanent establishment that you maintain in the United States).

If distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (and, if applicable, attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment), you generally will be subject to tax on such distributions in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, as described in “Taxation of U.S. Holders – Distributions on H Shares or ADSs” above. In addition, any such distributions received by a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Dispositions of H Shares or ADSs

Subject to the discussion in “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” below, as a Non-U.S. Holder, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, on any gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of H Shares or ADSs, unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business that you conduct in the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires, attributable to a permanent establishment that you maintain in the United States), or (ii) you are an individual and are present in the United States for at least 183 days in the taxable year of the disposition, and certain other conditions are met.

 

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If you meet the test in clause (i) above, you generally will be subject to tax on any gain that is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, as described in “Taxation of U.S. Holders – Dispositions of H Shares or ADSs” above. Effectively connected gain realized by a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

If you meet the test in clause (ii) above, you generally will be subject to tax at a 30% rate on the amount by which your U.S. source capital gain exceeds your U.S. source capital loss.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments to Non-U.S. Holders of distributions on, or proceeds from the disposition of, H Shares or ADSs are generally exempt from information reporting and backup withholding. However, a Non-U.S. Holder may be required to establish that exemption by providing certification of non-U.S. status on an appropriate IRS Form W-8.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability. Furthermore, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information in a timely manner.

F. Dividends and Paying Agents.

Not applicable.

G. Statement by Experts.

Not applicable.

H. Documents on Display.

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F no later than six months after the close of each fiscal year, which is December 31 of each year. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains a Web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short- swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

I. Subsidiary Information.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

We are subject to risk resulting from fluctuations in interest rates. Our debts are fixed and variable rate bank and other loans, with original maturities ranging from 1 to 13 years. Accordingly, fluctuations in interest rates can lead to significant fluctuations in the fair value of such debt instruments. We have no program of interest rate hedging activities and did not engage in any such activities in 2009 or 2008.

 

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The following table provides information, by maturity date, regarding our interest rate sensitive financial instruments, which consist of fixed and variable rate short-term and long-term debt obligations, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

     As of December 31, 2009
     2010     2011     2012    2013     2014    Total
Recorded
Amount
    Fair Value
     (RMB equivalent in thousands, except interest rates)

Fixed rate bank and other loans

                

In U.S. Dollars

   —        —        —      —        —      —        —  

Average interest rate

   —        —        —      —        —      —        —  

In RMB

   1,660,400      100,000      —      200,000      —      1,960,400      1,960,853

Average interest rate(1)

   3.10   5.10   —      5.18   —      3.15   —  

Variable rate bank and other loans

                

In U.S. Dollars

   6,039,998      —        —      —        —      6,039,998      6,039,998

Average interest rate (1)

   0.96   —        —      —        —      0.96   —  

 

(1) The average interest rates for variable rate bank and other loans are calculated based on the year end indices.

 

     As of December 31, 2008
     2009     2010     2011     2012    2013     Total
Recorded
Amount
    Fair Value
     (RMB equivalent in thousands, except interest rates)

Fixed rate bank and other loans

               

In U.S. Dollars

   —        —        —        —      —        —        —  

Average interest rate

   —        —        —        —      —        —        —  

In RMB

   5,230,000      100,000      100,000      —      200,000      5,630,000      5,635,091

Average interest rate(1)

   5.08   6.80   5.10   —      5.27   5.12   —  

Variable rate bank and other loans

               

In U.S. Dollars

   4,093,204      —        —        —      —        4,093,204      4,093,204

Average interest rate (1)

   5.26   —        —        —      —        5.26   —  

 

(1) The average interest rates for variable rate bank and other loans are calculated based on the year end indices.

Exchange Rate Sensitivity

We are also exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk as a result of our foreign currency denominated short-term debt, long-term debt and, to a limited extent, cash and cash equivalents denominated in foreign currencies.

 

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The following table provides information, by maturity date, regarding our foreign currency exchange rate sensitive financial instruments, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term debt obligations as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

     As of December 31, 2009
     2010     2011    2012    2013    2014    Thereafter    Total
Recorded
Amount
    Fair Value
     (RMB equivalent in thousands, except interest rates)

On-balance sheet financial instruments

                     

Cash and cash equivalents:

                     

In Hong Kong Dollars

   12,040      —      —      —      —      —      12,040      12,040

In U.S. Dollars

   250      —      —      —      —      —      250      250

In Euro

   —        —      —      —      —      —      —        —  

In Japanese Yen

   —        —      —      —      —      —      —        —  

In Swiss Frank

   840      —      —      —      —      —      840      840

Debt:

                     

Fixed rate bank and other loans in U.S. Dollars

   —        —      —      —      —      —      —        —  

Average interest rate

   —        —      —      —      —         —        —  

Variable rate bank and other loans in U.S. Dollars

   6,039,998      —      —      —      —         6,039,998      6,039,998

Average interest rate (1)

   0.96   —      —      —      —         0.96   —  

Interest free bank and other loans in U.S. Dollars

   7,375      2,458    —      —      —         9,833      9,298

 

(1) The average interest rates for variable rate bank and other loans are calculated based on the year end indices

 

     As of December 31, 2008
     2009     2010    2011    2012    2013    Thereafter    Total
Recorded
Amount
    Fair Value
     (RMB equivalent in thousands, except interest rates)

On-balance sheet financial instruments

                     

Cash and cash equivalents:

                     

In Hong Kong Dollars

   11,912      —      —      —      —      —      11,912      11,912

In U.S. Dollars

   318      —      —      —      —      —      318      318

In Euro

   —        —      —      —      —      —      —        —  

In Japanese Yen

   —        —      —      —      —      —      —        —  

In Swiss Frank

   840      —      —      —      —      —      840      840

Other debtors

                     

Forward contracts receivable

   97,644      —      —      —      —      —      97,644      97,644

Debt:

                     

Fixed rate bank and other loans in U.S. Dollars

   —        —      —      —      —         —        —  

Average interest rate

   —        —      —      —      —         —        —  

Variable rate bank and other loans in U.S. Dollars

   4,093,204      —      —      —      —         4,093,204      4,093,204

Average interest rate (1)

   5.26   —      —      —      —         5.26   —  

Interest free bank and other loans in U.S. Dollars

   4,921      2,460    2,461    —      —         9,842      8,884

 

(1) The average interest rates for variable rate bank and other loans are calculated based on the year end indices.

 

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ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES.

In connection with our ADS program, a holder of our ADSs may have to pay, either directly or indirectly, certain fees and charges, as described in Item 12.D.3. In addition, we receive fees and other direct and indirect payments from Bank of New York that are related to our ADS as described in Item 12.D.4.

12D.3 Fees and Charges that a holder of our ADSs May Have to Pay

The Bank of New York collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The Bank of New York also collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The Bank of New York may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deductions from cash distributions.

 

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares must pay:

 

For:

$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)   Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs   Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the Bank of New York to ADS registered holders
Registration or transfer fees   Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares
Expenses of the Bank of New York  

Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement);

Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars

Taxes and other governmental charges the Bank of New York or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes   As necessary
Any charges incurred by Bank of New York or its agents for servicing the deposited securities   As necessary

12D.4 Fees and Other Payments Made by the Bank of New York

From January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010, a total of US$103,149.09 was paid by Bank of New York on our behalf for our ADSs program. Specifically, the following fees were paid on our behalf: US$$52,228.67 for continuing annual stock exchange listing fees, US$39,943.92 for standard out-of-pocket maintenance costs for the ADSs program (primarily consisting of expenses related to our Annual General Meeting), and US$10,976.50 for investor relations services from third party vendors.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES.

None.

 

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

 

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

A. Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. These rules refer to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. This includes controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We maintain a written policy adopted by our board of directors that governs the collection, coordination and disclosure of information to our shareholders, the public and to governmental and other regulatory bodies. All such disclosures are coordinated by the Secretary and subject to execution by either the Chairman of the Board or, for disclosures by our Supervisory Board, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Under the policy, all material issues must be disclosed and our disclosures must be true, accurate, complete and timely without any false or misleading statements. Each of our departments and subsidiaries has their own supplemental policies which may be both written and unwritten.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.

B. Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission as of December 31, 2009. Based on that evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009 based on these criteria.

KPMG, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F and, as part of the audit, has issued a report, included herein, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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C. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited:

We have audited Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and our report dated March 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

KPMG

Hong Kong, China

March 26, 2010

 

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D. Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, there have been no significant changes to our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

We currently have an audit committee financial expert, Chen Xinyuan, serving on our audit committee and he is an independent director as defined in 17 CFR 240.10A-3.

 

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

We have not adopted a code of ethics as defined by the applicable U.S. securities regulations that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions since it is not a customary practice for a PRC company to adopt such code of ethics.

 

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table summarizes the fees charged by KPMG, our principal accountant, for certain services rendered to us during 2008 and 2009.

 

     For the year ended
December 31,
     (in thousands of RMB)
     2008    2009

Audit fees (1)

   8,310    8,787

Audit-related fees (2)

   —      —  

Tax fees (3)

   —      —  

All other fees (4)

   —      —  
         

Total

   8,310    8,787
         

 

(1) “Audit fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered by our principal auditors for the audit of our annual financial statements.
(2) “Audit-related fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for assurance and related services rendered by our principal auditors for the audit of our financial information.
(3) “Tax fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for professional services rendered by our principal auditors for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(4) “All other fees” means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for products and services provided by the our principal accountant, other than the services reported under audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees.

Audit Committee Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

Our audit committee has adopted procedures which set forth the manner in which the committee will review and approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided by KPMG. The pre-approval procedures are as follows:

 

   

Any audit or non-audit service to be provided to us by the independent accountant must be (i) pre-approved by the audit committee; or (ii) pre-approved by one or several committee members designated by the committee and rectified by the audit committee.

 

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.

We have not been granted an exemption from the applicable listing standards for the audit committee of our board of directors.

 

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

None.

 

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ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange and those of the People’s Republic of China for listed companies:

 

   NYSE Corporate Governance Rules   

The Company’s Corporate Governance Practices

 

(which conform with the corporate governance rules for companies organized and listed in the People’s Republic of China)

Director Independence    A listed company must have a majority of independent directors on its board of directors. The board of directors needs to affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company). In addition, a director must meet certain standards to be deemed independent.   

It is required in China that any listed company must have independent directors and set forth specific requirements for the qualification and election of independent directors in compliance with PRC laws. For example, an independent director shall not hold any other position in the listed company other than being a director and shall not be influenced by the main shareholders or the controlling persons of the listed company, or by any other entities or persons with whom the listed company has a significant relationship.

 

The Company has complied with the relevant Chinese corporate governance rules and has implemented internal rules governing the independence and responsibilities of independent directors. The Company determines the independence of independent directors every year.

   The non-management directors of each listed company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management.    No similar requirements.
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee    Listed companies must have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors.    The board of directors can establish a nominating committee if the shareholders pass resolutions to establish such a committee. A majority of the directors on the committee shall be independent directors, who shall act as the convener. As of now, the Company has not set up a nominating committee.
   The nominating/corporate governance committee must have a written charter that addresses the committee’s purposes and responsibilities which, at minimum, must be to: search for eligible people for the board of directors, select and nominate directors for the next session of the shareholders’ annual meeting, study and propose corporate governance guidelines, supervise the evaluation of the board of directors and management, and evaluate the performance of the committee every year.    Relevant responsibilities of the nominating/corporate governance committee are similar to those stipulated by the NYSE rules, but the main responsibilities do not include the research and recommendation of corporate governance guidelines, the supervision of the evaluation of the board of directors and management, or the annual evaluation of the committee.

 

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Compensation Committee    Listed companies must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.    The board of directors can establish a compensation and assessment committee if the shareholders pass resolutions to establish such a committee. A majority of the directors on the committee shall be independent directors, who shall act as the convener.
  

The purposes and responsibilities of the compensation committee stated in its charter must include the following:

 

(1) review and approve the corporate goals associated with CEO’s compensation, evaluate the performance of the CEO in fulfilling these goals, and based on such evaluation determine and approve the CEO’s compensation level;

 

(2) make recommendations to the board with respect to non-CEO executive officer compensation, and incentive-compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to board approval;

 

(3) produce a committee report on executive compensation as required by the SEC to be included in the annual proxy statement or annual report filed with the SEC.

 

The charter must also include the requirement for an annual performance evaluation of the compensation committee.

  

The responsibilities of the compensation and assessment committee include:

 

(1) review the standards for the evaluation of directors and management, evaluate directors and management and report the results of such evaluation to the board of directors;

 

(2) review compensation policies and benefit plans for directors and executive officers.

 

Unlike the NYSE rules, the PRC rules do not require the committee to produce a report on the executive compensation or make an annual performance evaluation of the committee. In addition, the compensation committee evaluates and reviews the compensation of directors as well as executive officers.

 

The board of directors of the Company has established a compensation and performance evaluation committee composed mainly of independent directors who act as the convener, and the committee has established a written charter complying with the domestic corporate governance rules.

Audit Committee   

Listed companies must have an audit committee that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). It must have a minimum of three members, and all audit committee members must satisfy the requirements for independence set forth in Section 303A.02 of NYSE Corporate Governance Rules as well as the requirements of Rule 10A-3b(1) of the Exchange Act.

 

The written charter of the audit committee must specify that the purpose of the audit committee is to assist the board oversight of the integrity of financial statements, the company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, qualifications and independence of independent auditors, the performance of the listed company’s internal audit function and the appointment and retention of independent auditors.

 

The written charter must also require the audit committee to prepare an audit committee report as required by the SEC to be included in the listed company’s annual proxy statement as well as an annual performance evaluation of the audit committee.

  

The board of directors of a listed company can, through the resolution of the shareholders’ meeting, establish an audit committee composed entirely of directors, of which the independent directors are the majority and act as the convener, and, at minimum, one independent director is an accounting professional.

 

The purpose, authority and responsibilities of the audit committee are similar to those stipulated by the NYSE rules, but according to customary practices in China, the Company is not required to make an annual performance evaluation of the audit committee, and the audit committee is not required to prepare an audit report to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement. The board of directors of the Company has established an audit committee that satisfies Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and relevant domestic requirements. The audit committee has a written charter.

 

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   Each listed company must have an internal audit department.    China has a similar regulatory provision, and the Company has an internal audit department.
Equity Compensation    Shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on equity compensation plans and material revisions thereto, except for employment incentive plans, certain awards and plans in the context of mergers and acquisitions.    The relevant regulations of China require the board of directors propose plans on the amount and types of director compensation for the shareholders’ meeting to approve. The compensation plan of executive officers shall be approved by the board and announced at the shareholders’ meeting and disclosed to the public upon the approval of the board of directors.
Corporate Governance Guidelines    Listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines involving director qualification standards, director compensation, director continuing education and annual performance evaluation of the board of directors.   

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) has issued the Corporate Governance Rules, prescribing detailed guidelines on directors of the listed companies, including director selection, the structure of the board of directors and director performance evaluation.

 

The Company has complied with the above mentioned rules.

Code of Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees    Listed companies must adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers.    There is no such requirement for a code for ethics in China. As the directors and officers of the Company have all signed a Director Service Agreement, however, they are bound by their fiduciary duties to the Company. In addition, the directors and officers must perform their legal duties in accordance with the Company Law of the PRC, relevant requirements of CSRC and Mandatory Provisions to the Charter of Companies Listed Overseas.
   Each listed company CEO must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards and he or she must promptly notify the NYSE on writing of any material non-compliance with any applicable provisions of Section 303A.    No similar requirements.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

See pages F-1 to F-69.

Separate financial statements and notes thereto for Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Co., Ltd. are being filed pursuant to Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X. See pages F-70 to F-114.

 

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

We have elected to provide the financial statements and related information specified in Item 17 in lieu of the information called for by this Item 18.

 

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

No.

  

Exhibit

  1.1    Translation of the Articles of Association of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of our annual report on Form 20-F/A (File No. 1-12158) filed with the Commission on August 20, 2008).
  4.1    Translation of the Product Supply and Sales Services Framework Agreement dated as of October 19, 2007 between Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our annual report on Form 20-F/A (File No. 1-12158) filed with the Commission on August 20, 2008).
  4.2    Translation of the Comprehensive Services Framework Agreement dated as of October 19, 2007 between Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our annual report on Form 20-F/A (File No. 1-12158) filed with the Commission on August 20, 2008).
12.1    Certification of Chairman Required by Rule 13a-14(a).
12.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a).
13.1    Certification of Chairman Required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
13.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

 

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SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

    

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL

COMPANY LIMITED

Date: June 10, 2010     

/S/    RONG GUANGDAO        

     Rong Guangdao, Chairman

 

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Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited

Index

Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

Consolidated Financial Statements of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited

 

      Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2008 and 2009

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Income Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Equity Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

   F-7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

   F-9

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-11

Financial Statements of Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited (1) Years Ended December  31, 2007, 2008 (Unaudited) and 2009 (Unaudited)

   F-70

 

(1) The financial statements of Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited, an investee of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited, are included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited to comply with Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Federal Securities Laws.

 

F-1


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited and subsidiaries (the “Group”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

KPMG

Hong Kong, China

March 26, 2010

 

F-2


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of December 31, 2008 and 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

           December 31,
           2008    2009
     Note     Renminbi    Renminbi

Assets

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

     627,685    125,917

Inventories

   15      4,492,215    6,883,834

Other investments

   22      —      700,000

Amounts due from related parties

   24,29      277,777    576,399

Trade debtors

   16      89,086    120,145

Bills receivable

     532,580    573,283

Deposits, other debtors and prepayments

   17      484,475    81,847

Income tax recoverable

     7,533    —  
           

Total current assets

     6,511,351    9,061,425
           

Non-current assets:

       

Property, plant and equipment

   18      13,272,899    14,977,205

Investment property

   19      492,690    479,247

Construction in progress

   20      1,854,154    348,865

Lease prepayments and other assets

     604,163    754,126

Interest in associates and jointly controlled entities

   21      2,545,978    2,749,646

Other investments

   22      289,657    —  

Deferred tax assets

   11 (b)    1,962,135    1,537,972
           

Total non-current assets

     21,021,676    20,847,061
           

Total assets

     27,533,027    29,908,486
           

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of December 31, 2008 and 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        

Current liabilities:

        

Loans and borrowings

   23    9,372,725    7,774,673

Amounts due to related parties

   24,29    1,752,647    3,487,645

Trade creditors

      1,272,811    1,521,319

Bills payable

      263,443    112,271

Other creditors

      679,415    1,399,719

Income tax payable

      1,679    9,298
            

Total current liabilities

      13,342,720    14,304,925
            

Non-current liabilities:

        

Loans and borrowings

   23    429,021    304,258
            

Total non-current liabilities

      429,021    304,258
            

Total liabilities

      13,771,741    14,609,183
            

Shareholders’ equity:

        

Share capital

   25    7,200,000    7,200,000

Reserves

   26    6,296,933    7,805,018
            

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

      13,496,933    15,005,018

Minority interests

      264,353    294,285
            

Total equity

      13,761,286    15,299,303
            

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   27,533,027    29,908,486
            

Approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on March 26, 2010.

Rong Guangdao

Chairman and director

Ye Guohua

Chief Financial Officer

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

           Years ended December 31,  
           2007     2008     2009  
     Note     Renminbi     Renminbi     Renminbi  

Sales

       55,328,384        60,226,859        51,657,929   

Less: Sales taxes and surcharges

       (1,073,695     (897,088     (4,312,665
                          

Net sales

       54,254,689        59,329,771        47,345,264   

Other income

   4        93,900        2,312,227        —     

Cost of sales

   5        (52,646,516     (68,556,447     (45,010,196
                          

Gross profit/(loss)

       1,702,073        (6,914,449     2,335,068   

Selling and administrative expenses

       (504,712     (467,987     (450,432
                          
       1,197,361        (7,382,436     1,884,636   

Other operating income

   6        216,553        145,191        277,169   

Other operating expenses

   7        (521,258     (580,019     (138,329
                          

Income/ (loss) from operations

       892,656        (7,817,264     2,023,476   
                          

Financial income

       82,280        227,533        19,405   

Financial expenses

       (260,206     (557,971     (340,554
                          

Net financing costs

   9        (177,926     (330,438     (321,149
                          

Investment income

   10        770,725        131,772        222,810   
                          

Share of profits of associates and jointly controlled entities

       665,897        1,492        241,372   
                          

Earnings/(loss) before income tax

       2,151,352        (8,014,438     2,166,509   

Income tax

   11 (a)      (468,216     1,812,711        (511,050
                          

Net income/(loss)

       1,683,136        (6,201,727     1,655,459   
                          

Attributable to:

        

Equity shareholders of the Company

       1,634,080        (6,238,444     1,590,988   

Minority interests

       49,056        36,717        64,471   
                          

Net income/(loss)

       1,683,136        (6,201,727     1,655,459   
                          

Earnings/(loss) per share

   12         

Basic

     RMB 0.23      RMB (0.87   RMB 0.22   
                          

Diluted

     RMB 0.23      RMB (0.87   RMB 0.22   
                          

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

          Years ended December 31,  
          2007    2008     2009  
     Note    Renminbi    Renminbi     Renminbi  

Net income/(loss)

      1,683,136    (6,201,727   1,655,459   

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year (after tax and reclassification adjustments)

          

Available-for-sale securities: net movement in the fair value reserve

   14    325,615    (264,661   (82,903
                    

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

      2,008,751    (6,466,388   1,572,556   
                    

Attributable to

          

Equity shareholders of the Company

      1,959,695    (6,503,105   1,508,085   

Minority interests

      49,056    36,717      64,471   
                    

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

      2,008,751    (6,466,388   1,572,556   
                    

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

     Attributable to equity shareholders of the Company              
     Note     Share
capital
RMB’000
   Share
premium
RMB’000
   Reserves
RMB’000
    Retained
earnings
RMB’000
    Total
RMB’000
    Minority
interests
RMB’000
    Total Equity
RMB’000
 

Balance at January 1, 2007

     7,200,000    2,420,841    4,488,232      4,867,270      18,976,343      336,013      19,312,356   

Changes in equity for 2007:

                  

Adjustment to statutory surplus reserve

     —      —      (36,733   36,733      —        —        —     

Appropriation

           192,434      (192,434   —        —        —     

Dividends approved in respect of previous year

   13 (b)    —      —      —        (288,000   (288,000   —        (288,000

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to minority shareholders

     —      —      —        —        —        (81,078   (81,078

Total comprehensive income for the year

     —      —      325,615      1,634,080      1,959,695      49,056      2,008,751   
                                          

Balance at December 31, 2007

     7,200,000    2,420,841    4,969,548      6,057,649      20,648,038      303,991      20,952,029   
                                          

Balance at January 1, 2008

     7,200,000    2,420,841    4,969,548      6,057,649      20,648,038      303,991      20,952,029   

Changes in equity for 2008:

                  

Dividends approved in respect of previous year

   13 (b)    —      —      —        (648,000   (648,000   —        (648,000

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to minority shareholders

     —      —      —        —        —        (76,355   (76,355

Total comprehensive income for the year

     —      —      (264,661   (6,238,444   (6,503,105   36,717      (6,466,388
                                          

Balance at December 31, 2008

     7,200,000    2,420,841    4,704,887      (828,795   13,496,933      264,353      13,761,286   
                                          

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

    Attributable to equity shareholders of the Company             
    

Note

   Share
capital
   Share
premium
   Reserves     Retained
earnings
    Total    Minority
interests
    Total
Equity
 
         RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000    RMB’000     RMB’000  

Balance at January 1, 2009

     7,200,000    2,420,841    4,704,887      (828,795   13,496,933    264,353      13,761,286   

Changes in equity for 2009:

                   

Appropriation

     —      —      35,358      (35,358   —      —        —     

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to minority shareholders

     —      —      —        —        —      (34,539   (34,539

Total comprehensive income for the year

     —      —      (82,903   1,590,988      1,508,085    64,471      1,572,556   
                                         

Balance at December 31, 2009

     7,200,000    2,420,841    4,657,342      726,835      15,005,018    294,285      15,299,303   
                                         

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

           Years ended December 31,  
           2007     2008     2009  
           Renminbi     Renminbi     Renminbi  

Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities

   (a   1,441,998      (3,986,490   3,346,890   
                    

Cash flows from investing activities:

        

Interest income received

     46,421      59,472      19,405   

Dividend income received

     393,062      546,333      116,713   

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other long-term assets

     68,708      51,829      139,666   

Proceeds from disposal of investments

     1,114,701      153,997      506,144   

Capital expenditure

     (2,134,123   (1,511,072   (2,120,292

Purchase of investments and interests in associates

     —        (8,039   (837,008
                    

Net cash used in investing activities

     (511,231   (707,480   (2,175,372
                    

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Proceeds from loans and borrowings

     17,605,887      32,528,758      29,211,434   

Proceeds from issuance of corporate bonds

     —        —        1,000,000   

Repayment of loans and borrowings

     (16,166,938   (27,377,610   (31,849,620

Redemption of corporate bonds

     (2,000,000   —        —     

Dividends paid to equity shareholders of the Company

     (288,000   (645,551   (559

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to minority shareholders

     (81,078   (76,355   (34,539
                    

Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities

     (930,129   4,429,242      (1,673,284
                    

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     638      (264,728   (501,766

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     894,650      893,165      627,685   

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held

     (2,123   (752   (2
                    

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     893,165      627,685      125,917   
                    

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Amounts in thousands)

 

(a) Reconciliation of earnings/(loss) before income tax to net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities

 

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2007     2008     2009  
     Renminbi     Renminbi     Renminbi  

Earnings/(loss) before income tax

   2,151,352      (8,014,438   2,166,509   

Interest income

   (46,421   (59,472   (19,405

Income from unlisted investments

   (122,709   (9,721   (72,215

Share of profits of associates and jointly controlled entities

   (665,897   (1,492   (241,372

Gain on disposal of available-for-sale securities

   (770,725   (131,772   (222,810

Interest expense

   260,206      557,971      313,989   

Depreciation for property, plant and equipment

   1,687,435      1,618,478      1,635,518   

Depreciation for investment property

   14,879      13,440      13,261   

Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment

   200,295      440,946      98,486   

Amortization of lease prepayments

   16,972      16,759      16,111   

Impairment loss of goodwill

   —        22,415      —     

Write down of inventories

   35,753      744,578      58,040   

Unrealized exchange gain

   (16,535   (70,993   (47

Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment and other long-term assets, net

   44,045      (13,166   (107,988

Increase in inventories

   (1,070,346   (38,944   (2,449,659

(Increase)/decrease in debtors, bills receivable and deposits

   (387,688   1,122,004      202,876   

Increase/(decrease) in trade creditors, other creditors and bills payable

   643,342      (786,918   993,976   

Increase in balances with related parties

   485,161      1,159,222      1,362,376   
                  

Cash generated from/ (used in) operations

   2,459,119      (3,431,103   3,747,646   

Interest paid

   (342,574   (578,605   (356,652

Income tax paid

   (674,547   (60,699   (52,539

Income tax refunded

   —        83,917      8,435   
                  

Net cash generated from/ (used in) operations

   1,441,998      (3,986,490   3,346,890   
                  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

1. ORGANIZATION, PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited (“the Company”), formerly Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited, was established in the People’s Republic of China (“the PRC” or “the State”) on June 29, 1993 as a joint stock limited company to hold the assets and liabilities of the production divisions and certain other units of the Shanghai Petrochemical Complex (“SPC”). SPC was established in 1972 and owned and managed the production divisions as well as the related housing, stores, schools, hotels, transportation, hospitals and other municipal services in the community of Jinshanwei.

The Company’s former controlling shareholder, China Petrochemical Corporation (“CPC”) completed its reorganization on February 25, 2000 in which its interests in the Company were transferred to its subsidiary, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (“Sinopec Corp”). In connection with the reorganization, CPC transferred the ownership of its 4,000,000,000 of the Company’s state owned legal shares, which represented 55.56 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company, to Sinopec Corp. On October 12, 2000, the Company changed its name to Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited.

The principal activity of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) is the processing of crude oil into petrochemical products for sale. The Group is one of the largest petrochemical enterprises in the PRC, with a highly integrated petrochemical complex which processes crude oil into a broad range of synthetic fibres, resins and plastics, intermediate petrochemicals and petroleum products. Substantially all of its products are sold in the PRC domestic market.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

1. ORGANIZATION, PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION (continued)

 

At December 31, 2009, the following list contains the particulars of subsidiaries, all of which are limited companies established and operating in the PRC, which principally affected the results and assets of the Group.

 

Company

   Registered
Capital
   Percentage
of equity
held by the
Company
   Percentage
of equity
held by
subsidiaries
   Principal
activities
          %    %     

Shanghai Petrochemical Investment Development Company Limited

   RMB 800,000    100    —      Investment
management

China Jinshan Associated Trading Corporation

   RMB 25,000    67.33    —      Import and
export of
petrochemical
products and
equipment

Shanghai Jinchang Engineering Plastics Company Limited

   US$ 4,750    —      50.38    Production of
polypropylene
compound
products

Shanghai Golden Phillips Petrochemical Company Limited

   US$ 50,000    —      60    Production of
polypropylene
products

Zhejiang Jin Yong Acrylic Fibre Company Limited

   RMB 250,000    75    —      Production of
acrylic fibre
products

Shanghai Golden Conti Petrochemical Company Limited

   RMB 545,776    —      100    Production of
petrochemical
products

None of the subsidiaries have issued any debt securities.

Note: Effective from August 31, 2009, Shanghai Petrochemical Enterprise Development Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, merged into Shanghai Petrochemical Investment Development Company Limited. This merger had no financial impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

1. ORGANIZATION, PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION (continued)

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis except for available-for-sale equity securities and derivative financial instruments which are stated at fair value.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Judgments made by management in the application of IFRS that have significant effect on the financial statements and major sources of estimation uncertainty are disclosed in note 31.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

  (a) Basis of consolidation

 

  (i) Subsidiaries and minority interests

The consolidated financial statements of the Group include the financial statements of the Company and all of its principal subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that presently are exercisable are taken into account.

An investment in a subsidiary is consolidated into the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. Intra-group balances and transactions and any unrealized profits arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated in full in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealized losses resulting from intra-group transactions are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Minority interests represent the portion of the net assets of subsidiaries attributable to equity interests that are not owned by the Company, whether directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, and in respect of which the Group has not agreed any additional terms with the holders of those interests which would result in the Group as a whole having a contractual obligation in respect of those interests that meets the definition of a financial liability. Minority interests are presented in the consolidated balance sheet within equity, separately from equity attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company. Minority interests in the results of the Group are presented on the face of the consolidated statements of income and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as an allocation of the total profit or loss and total comprehensive income for the year between minority interests and the equity shareholders of the Company.

Where losses applicable to the minority exceed the minority’s interest in the equity of a subsidiary, the excess, and any further losses applicable to the minority, are charged against the Group’s interest except to the extent that the minority has a binding obligation to, and is able to, make additional investment to cover the losses. If the subsidiary subsequently reports profits, the Group’s interest is allocated all such profits until the minority’s share of losses previously absorbed by the Group has been recovered.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (a) Basis of consolidation (continued)

 

  (ii) Associates and jointly controlled entities

An associate is an entity in which the Group has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over its management, including participation in the financial and operating policy decisions.

A jointly controlled entity is an entity which operates under a contractual arrangement between the Group and other parties, where the contractual arrangement establishes that the Group and one or more of the other parties share joint control over the economic activity of the entity.

An investment in an associate or a jointly controlled entity is accounted for in the consolidated financial statements under the equity method and is initially recorded at cost and adjusted thereafter for the post acquisition change in the Group’s share of the associate’s or the jointly controlled entity’s net assets. The Group’s share of the post-acquisition, post-tax results of the investees and any impairment losses for the year are recognized in the consolidated statements of income, whereas the Group’s share of the post-acquisition post-tax items of the investees’ other comprehensive income is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in the associate or the jointly controlled entity, the Group’s interest is reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the investee. For this purpose, the Group’s interest is the carrying amount of the investment under the equity method together with the Group’s long-term interests that in substance form part of the Group’s net investment in the associate or the jointly controlled entity.

Unrealized profits and losses resulting from transactions between the Group and its associates and jointly controlled entities are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the investee, except where unrealized losses provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred, in which case they are recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

  (b) Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business combination or an investment in an associate or a jointly controlled entity over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (b) Goodwill (continued)

Goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill arising on a business combination is allocated to each cash-generating unit, or groups of cash-generating units, that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination and is tested annually for impairment (see note 2(u)). In respect of associates or jointly controlled entities, the carrying amount of goodwill is included in the carrying amount of the interest in the associate or jointly controlled entities, and the investment as a whole is tested for impairment whenever there is objective evidence of impairment (see note 2(u)).

Any excess of the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of a business combination or an investment in an associate or a jointly controlled entity is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

  (c) Other investments

The Group’s policies for other investments, other than investments in associates and jointly controlled entities, are as follows:

Investments in available-for-sale financial assets are carried at fair value with any change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in the fair value reserve. When these investments are derecognized or impaired, the cumulative gain or loss is reclassified from equity to profit or loss. Investments in equity securities that do not have a quoted market price in an active market and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured are recognized in the balance sheet at cost less impairment losses (see note 2(u)).

 

  (d) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated in the balance sheet at cost (see note 18) less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (see note 2(u)).

The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials, direct labor, the initial estimate, where relevant, of the costs of dismantling and removing the items and restoring the site on which they are located, and an appropriate proportion of production overheads and borrowing costs.

Gains or losses arising from the retirement or disposal of items of property, plant and equipment are determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the items and are recognized in profit or loss on the date of retirement or disposal.

Depreciation is calculated to write off the costs of property, plant and equipment over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis, after taking into account their estimated residual values, as follows:

 

Buildings

   15 to 40 years

Plant and machinery

   10 to 20 years

Vehicles and other equipment

   5 to 26 years

 

F-16


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (d) Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, the cost of the item is allocated on a reasonable basis between the parts and each part is depreciated separately. Both the useful life of an asset and its residual value are reviewed annually.

 

  (e) Investment property

Investment properties are properties which are owned or held under a leasehold interest either to earn rental income and / or for capital appreciation.

Investment properties are stated in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (see note 2(u)). Depreciation is provided over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis, after taking into account their estimated residual values. Estimated useful life of the investment property is 40 years.

 

  (f) Lease prepayments and other assets

Lease prepayments and other assets mainly represent prepayments for land use rights and catalysts used in production. The assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses (see note 2(u)). Lease prepayments and other assets are written off on a straight-line basis over the respective periods of the rights and the estimated useful lives of the catalysts.

 

  (g) Construction in progress

Construction in progress represents buildings, various plant and equipment under construction and pending installation, and is stated at cost less government grants that compensate the Company for the cost of construction, and impairment losses (see note 2(u)). Cost comprises direct costs of construction as well as interest charges, and foreign exchange differences on related borrowed funds to the extent that they are regarded as an adjustment to interest charges, during the period of construction.

Construction in progress is transferred to property, plant and equipment when the asset is substantially ready for its intended use.

No depreciation is provided in respect of construction in progress.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (h) Inventories

Inventories, other than spare parts and consumables, are carried at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average cost formula and comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

When inventories are sold, the carrying amount of the inventories is recognized as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories is recognized as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognized as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs.

Spare parts and consumables are stated at cost less any provision for obsolescence.

 

  (i) Trade receivables, bills and other receivables

Trade receivables, bills and other receivables are initially recognized at fair value and thereafter stated at amortized cost less allowance for impairment of doubtful debts (see note 2(u)), except where the receivables are interest-free loans made to related parties without any fixed repayment terms or the effect of discounting would be immaterial. In such cases, the receivables are stated at cost less allowance for impairment of doubtful debts.

Trade receivables, bills and other receivables are derecognized if the Group’s contractual rights to the cash flows from these financial assets expire or if the Group transfers these financial assets to another party without retaining control or substantially all risks and rewards of the assets.

 

  (j) Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments are recognized initially at fair value. At each balance sheet date the fair value is remeasured. The gain or loss on remeasurement of derivative financial instruments to fair value is recognized in profit or loss.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (k) Interest-bearing borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are recognized initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortized cost with any difference between the amount initially recognized and redemption value being recognized in profit or loss over the period of the borrowings, together with any interest and fees payable, using the effective interest method.

 

  (l) Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are initially recognized at fair value and thereafter stated at amortized cost unless the effect of discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost.

 

  (m) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand and time deposits with banks and other financial institutions with an initial term of less than three months at acquisition. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

 

  (n) Translation of foreign currencies

Foreign currency transactions during the year are translated into Renminbi at the applicable exchange rates ruling at the transaction dates.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Renminbi at rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which are stated at historical cost, are translated into Renminbi at the closing foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction.

Foreign currency translation differences relating to funds borrowed to finance the construction of property, plant and equipment to the extent that they are regarded as an adjustment to interest costs are capitalized during the construction period. All other exchange gains and losses are dealt with in profit or loss.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (o) Revenue recognition

Revenues associated with the sale of petroleum and chemical products are recognized in profit or loss when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer. Revenue excludes value added tax and is after deduction of any trade discounts and returns. No revenue is recognized if there are significant uncertainties regarding recovery of the consideration due to the possible return of goods, or when the amount of revenue and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction cannot be measured reliably.

Revenue from services rendered is recognized in profit or loss upon performance of the services.

Dividend income is recognized in profit or loss on the date the shareholder’s right to receive payments is established.

Gains or losses arising from the disposal of unlisted investments are determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the investment and are recognized in profit or loss on the date of disposal.

Rental income from investment property is recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

 

  (p) Government grants

Government grants are recognized in the balance sheet initially when there is reasonable assurance that they will be received and that the Group will comply with the conditions attaching to them. Grants that compensate the Group for expenses incurred are recognized as revenue in profit or loss on a systematic basis in the same periods in which the expenses are incurred. Grants that compensate the Group for the cost of an asset are deducted from the carrying amount of the asset and consequently are effectively recognized in profit or loss over the useful life of the asset by way of reduced depreciation expense.

 

  (q) Net financing costs

Net financing costs comprise interest payable on borrowings calculated using the effective interest rate method, interest income on bank deposits, gains and losses in fair value change of derivative financial instruments, foreign exchange gains and losses and bank charges.

Interest income from bank deposits is recognized in profit or loss as it accrues using the effective interest method.

All interest and other costs incurred in connection with borrowings are expensed as incurred as part of net financing costs, except to the extent that they are capitalized as being directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of an asset which necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (r) Repairs and maintenance expenses

Repairs and maintenance expenses are charged to profit or loss as and when they are incurred.

 

  (s) Research and development costs

Research and development costs comprise all costs that are directly attributable to research and development activities or that can be allocated on a reasonable basis to such activities. Because of the nature of the Group’s research and development activities, no development costs satisfy the criteria for the recognition of such costs as an asset. Both research and development costs are therefore recognized as expense in the period in which they are incurred.

 

  (t) Employee benefits

The contributions payable under the Group’s retirement plans are charged to the profit or loss on an accrual basis according to the contribution determined by the plans. Further information is set out in note 28.

Termination benefits, recorded as employee reduction expenses in the profit or loss, are recognized when, and only when, the Group demonstrably commits itself to terminate employment or to provide benefits as a result of voluntary redundancy by having a detailed formal plan which is without realistic possibility of withdrawal.

 

  (u) Impairment loss

 

  (i) Trade accounts receivable, bills and other receivables and investments in equity securities other than investments in associates and jointly controlled entities, that do not have a quoted market price in an active market are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. If any such evidence exists, an impairment loss is determined and recognized.

The impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the estimated future cash flows, discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar financial asset where the effect of discounting is material, and is recognized as an expense in the profit or loss. Impairment losses for trade accounts receivable, bills and other receivables are reversed through the profit or loss if in a subsequent period the amount of the impairment loss decreases. Impairment losses for investments in equity securities carried at cost are not reversed.

For investments in associates and jointly controlled entities recognized using the equity method (note 2(a)(ii)), the impairment loss is measured by comparing the recoverable amount of the investment as a whole with its carrying amount in accordance with note 2(u)(ii). The impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favourable change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount in accordance with note 2(u)(ii).

 

F-21


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (u) Impairment loss (continued)

 

  (ii) Impairment of other long-lived assets is accounted for as follows:

The carrying amounts of other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, construction in progress, lease prepayment, other assets and investments in associates and jointly controlled entities, are reviewed at each balance sheet date to identify indications that the asset may be impaired. These assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their recorded carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such a decline has occurred, the carrying amount is reduced to the recoverable amount. For goodwill, the recoverable amount is estimated at each balance sheet date.

The recoverable amount is the greater of the fair value less costs to sell and the value in use. In determining the value in use, expected future cash flows generated by the asset are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Where an asset does not generate cash inflows largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows independently (i.e. a cash-generating unit).

The amount of the reduction is recognized as an expense in the profit or loss. Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit and then, to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis, except that the carrying value of an asset will not be reduced below its individual fair value less costs to sell, or value in use, if determinable.

Management assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is any indication that an impairment loss recognized for an asset, except in the case of goodwill, in prior years may no longer exist. An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favourable change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. A subsequent increase in the recoverable amount of an asset, when the circumstances and events that led to the write-down or write-off cease to exist, is recognized in profit or loss. The reversal is reduced by the amount that would have been recognized as depreciation had the write-down or write-off not occurred. An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (v) Dividends payable

Dividends are recognized as a liability in the period in which they are declared.

 

  (w) Income tax

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax expense is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the relevant amounts of tax are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes, except differences relating to goodwill not deductible for tax purposes and the initial recognition of assets or liabilities which affect neither accounting nor taxable income. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date. The effect on deferred tax of any changes in tax rates is charged or credited to the profit or loss, except for the effect of a change in tax rate on the carrying amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities which were previously charged or credited directly to equity upon initial recognition, in such case the effect of a change in tax rate is also charged or credited to equity.

A deferred tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against the assets which can be realized or utilized. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

  (x) Provisions and contingent liabilities

Provisions are recognized for liabilities of uncertain timing or amount when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation arising as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made. Where the time value of money is material, provisions are stated at the present value of the expenditure expected to settle the obligation.

Where it is not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated reliably, the obligation is disclosed as a contingent liability, unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote. Possible obligations, whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future events are also disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote.

 

  (y) Related parties

Parties are considered to be related to the Group if the Group has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control or jointly control the party or exercise significant influence over the party in making financial and operating decisions, or vice versa, or where the Group and the party are subject to common control or common significant influence. Related parties may be individuals (being members of key management personnel, significant shareholders and / or their close family members) or other entities and include entities which are under the significant influence of related parties of the Group where those parties are individuals, and post-employment benefit plans which are for the benefit of employees of the Group or of any entity that is a related party of the Group.

 

  (z) Segment reporting

Operating segments, and the amounts of each segment item reported in the financial statements, are identified from the financial information provided regularly to the Group’s chief operating decision maker for the purposes of allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of the Group’s various lines of business.

 

F 24


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

3 CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The IASB has issued one new IFRS, a number of amendments to IFRSs and new Interpretations that are first effective for the current accounting period of the Group. Of these, the following developments are relevant to the Group’s financial statements:

 

   

IFRS 8, Operating segments

 

   

IAS 1 (revised 2007), Presentation of financial statements

 

   

Improvements to IFRSs (2008)

 

   

Amendments to IAS 27, Consolidated and separate financial statements – cost of an investment in a subsidiary, jointly controlled entity or associate

 

   

Amendments to IFRS 7, Financial instruments: Disclosures – improving disclosures about financial instruments

 

   

IAS 23 (revised 2007), Borrowing costs

The “Improvements to IFRSs (2008)” comprise a number of minor and non-urgent amendments to several IFRSs which the IASB has issued as an omnibus batch of amendments. The amendments had no material impact on the Group’s financial statements.

IAS 23 (revised 2007) has had no material impact on the Group’s financial statements as the amendments were consistent with policies already adopted by the Group. In addition, the amendments to IFRS 7 do not contain any additional disclosure requirements specifically applicable to the Group’s financial statements. The impact of the remainder of these developments on the financial statements is as follows:

 

   

IFRS 8 requires segment disclosure to be based on the way that the Group’s chief operating decision maker manages the Group, with the amounts reported for each reportable segment being the measures reported to the Group’s chief operating decision maker for the purposes of assessing segment performance and making decisions about operating matters. The adoption of IFRS 8 has not resulted in any significant changes to the presentation of segment information since the identification and presentation of reportable segments in prior periods were consistent with IFRS 8.

 

   

As a result of the adoption of IAS 1 (revised 2007), details of changes in equity during the period arising from transactions with equity shareholders in their capacity as such have been presented separately from all other income and expenses in a revised consolidated statements of changes in equity. All other items of income and expense are presented in the consolidated statements of income, if they are recognized as part of profit or loss for the period, or otherwise in a new primary statement, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Corresponding amounts have been restated to conform to the new presentation. This change in presentation has no effect on reported profit or loss, total income and expense or net assets for any period presented.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

3 CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

   

The amendments to IAS 27 have removed the requirement that dividends arising from pre-acquisition profits should be recognized as a deduction in the carrying amount of the investment in the investee, rather than as income. As a result, as from January 1, 2009 all dividends receivable from associates and jointly controlled entities, whether arising from pre- or post-acquisition profits, will be recognized in the Company’s profit or loss and the carrying amount of the investment in the investee will not be reduced unless that carrying amount is assessed to be impaired as a result of the investee declaring the dividend. In such cases, in addition to recognizing dividend income in profit or loss, the Company would recognize an impairment loss. In accordance with the transitional provisions in the amendment, this new policy will be applied prospectively to any dividends receivable in the current or future periods and previous periods have not been restated.

In prior years, property, plant and equipment were carried at revalued amount, being the fair value at the date of the revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Revaluation was performed periodically to ensure that the carrying amount did not differ materially from that which would be determined using fair value at the previous balance sheet dates. Based on the revaluations performed in prior years, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment did not differ materially from their fair value.

In 2009, property, plant and equipment are accounted for using the cost model, being the cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. This change is to align the Group’s accounting policy with industry peers to provide more relevant financial information to the users of the Group’s financial statements. This change has been applied retrospectively. This change in accounting policy had no effect on the financial condition as at December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and the results of operation for the years then ended, therefore, no comparative balance sheet as at January 1, 2008 was presented.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

4. OTHER INCOME

The Group recognized grant income of RMB 2,312,227 (2007: RMB 93,900) during the year ended December 31, 2008. These grants were mainly for compensation of losses incurred due to the distortion of the correlation of domestic refined petroleum product prices and the crude oil prices, and the measures taken by the Group to stabilize the supply in the PRC refined petroleum product market during the year ended December 31, 2008. There were no unfilled conditions and other contingencies attached to the receipts of these grants. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Group did not receive such government grants.

5. COST OF SALES

Cost of sales represents:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Costs of raw materials

        

-crude oil

   34,456,334    48,996,902    26,450,043

-other ancillary materials

   10,022,551    9,978,791    7,724,881

Depreciation

   1,681,874    1,616,596    1,632,086

Repairs and maintenance

   1,023,794    988,393    1,044,863

Research and development

   53,548    47,303    40,293

Employees’ pension costs

        

-municipal retirement scheme costs

   197,191    199,135    185,445

-supplementary retirement scheme costs

   55,048    54,862    46,974

Staff costs

   1,209,035    1,160,658    1,204,098

Amortization of lease prepayments

   16,972    16,759    16,111

Fuel and power

   1,942,095    1,979,089    1,608,493

Others

   1,988,074    3,517,959    5,056,909
              
   52,646,516    68,556,447    45,010,196
              

 

F-27


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

6. OTHER OPERATING INCOME

Other operating income represents:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Income from rendering of services

   36,282    34,842    33,565

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment and other long-term assets

   7,745    17,618    116,476

Rental income from investment property

   40,021    48,869    31,233

Gain from disposal of unlisted investments

   122,709    9,721    72,215

Others

   9,796    34,141    23,680
              
   216,553    145,191    277,169
              

7. OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Other operating expenses represent:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

   51,790    4,452    8,488

Employee reduction expenses (note 8)

   208,013    89,844    12,518

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment (note (i) and 18)

   200,295    440,946    98,486

Impairment loss on goodwill

   —      22,415    —  

Donations

   14,250    2,000    —  

Others

   46,910    20,362    18,837
              
   521,258    580,019    138,329
              

 

  (i) Impairment loss recognized on property, plant and equipment, were primarily related to impairment of certain synthetic fibres facilities of the synthetic fibres segment in the amount of RMB 75,140 for the year ended December 31, 2009 (2008: RMB 417,936; 2007: RMB 181,681). The carrying values of these facilities were written down to their recoverable amounts that were primarily based on the facilities’ fair values less costs to sell, determined by reference to the recent observable market prices for similar assets within the same industry . The primary factor resulting in the impairment losses on property, plant and equipment was due to the shut down of these facilities during the year caused by the adverse changes in the business environment.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

8. EMPLOYEE REDUCTION EXPENSES

In accordance with the Group’s voluntary employee reduction plan, the Group recognized employee reduction expenses of RMB 12,518 in respect of the voluntary resignation of approximately 238 employees (947 employees in 2008 and 2,622 employees in 2007) during the year ended December 31, 2009 (2008: RMB 89,844 2007: RMB 208,013).

9. NET FINANCING COSTS

Net financing costs represent:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2007     2008     2009  

Interest income

   (46,421   (59,472   (19,405

Net foreign exchange gain

   (35,859   (70,417   —     

Net gain in fair value change of derivative financial instruments

   —        (97,644   —     
                  

Financial income

   (82,280   (227,533   (19,405
                  

Net foreign exchange loss

   —        —        16,142   

Net loss in fair value change of derivative financial instruments

   —        —        10,423   

Interest on loans and borrowings

   329,643      585,142      358,474   

Less: borrowing costs capitalized as construction in progress*

   (69,437   (27,171   (44,485
                  

Financial expenses

   260,206      557,971      340,554   
                  

Net financing costs

   177,926      330,438      321,149   
                  

 

* The borrowing costs during 2009 have been capitalized at a rate of 2.12%-5.04% per annum (2008: 5.10%-7.47%; 2007: 5.27%-7.47%) for construction in progress.

10. INVESTMENT INCOME

Investment income represents the gain on disposal of available-for-sale securities of RMB 222,810 during the year ended December 31, 2009 (2008: RMB 131,772; 2007: RMB 770,725).

 

F-29


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

11. INCOME TAX

 

  (a) Taxation in the consolidated statements of income represents:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007     2008     2009

Current tax

      

-Provision for income tax for the year

   557,078      34,919      58,410

- Under-provision in respect of prior years

   2,439      16,655      843

Deferred taxation

   (91,301   (1,864,285   451,797
                

Total income tax expense/(benefit)

   468,216      (1,812,711   511,050
                

A reconciliation of the expected income tax expense/(benefit) calculated at the applicable tax rate with the actual income tax expense/(benefit) is as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2007     2008     2009  

Earnings/(loss) before income tax

   2,151,352      (8,014,438   2,166,509   
                  

Expected PRC income tax expense/(benefit) at the statutory tax rate of 25%

      

(2008: 25%; 2007: 33%)

   709,946      (2,003,610   541,627   

Tax effect of non-deductible expenses

   47,056      29,348      5,932   

Tax effect of non-taxable income

   (32,201   (1,276   (472

Under-provision in prior years

   2,439      16,655      843   

Effect of change in tax rate on deferred tax assets and liabilities

   (23,083   —        —     

Tax effect of share of profits recognized under the equity method

   (219,746   (373   (60,343

Tax effect of unused tax losses not recognized

   22,621      49,488      26,823   

Tax effect of unrecognized deferred tax assets

   —        97,057      18,755   

Utilization of unrecognized deferred tax assets

   —        —        (17,176

Tax effect of differential tax rate on subsidiaries’ income

   (38,816   —        —     

Others

   —        —        (4,939
                  

Actual income tax expense/(benefit)

   468,216      (1,812,711   511,050   
                  

The Group did not carry out business overseas and therefore does not incur overseas income taxes.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

11. INCOME TAX (continued)

 

  (b) Deferred taxation:

 

  (i) Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are attributable to items detailed in the tables below:

 

     Assets    Liabilities     Net balance  
     December 31,    December 31,     December 31,  
     2008    2009    2008     2009     2008     2009  

Current

              

Provisions

   203,974    36,778    —        —        203,974      36,778   

Forward exchange contracts

   —      —      (24,411   —        (24,411   —     

Non-current

              

Provisions for impairment losses

   98,156    85,112    —        —        98,156      85,112   

Land use rights

   29,717    28,842    —        —        29,717      28,842   

Capitalization of borrowing costs

   —      —      (29,196   (26,322   (29,196   (26,322

Available-for-sale securities

   —      —      (27,634   —        (27,634   —     

Tax losses carry forward

   1,701,453    1,401,978    —        —        1,701,453      1,401,978   

Others

   10,946    11,584    (870   —        10,076      11,584   
                                  

Deferred tax assets / (liabilities)

   2,044,246    1,564,294    (82,111   (26,322   1,962,135      1,537,972   
                                  

 

F-31


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

11. INCOME TAX (continued)

 

  (b) Deferred taxation (continued):

 

  (ii) Movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     Balance at
January 1,
2007
    Recognized
in consolidated
statements of
income
    Recognized
in reserve
    Balance at
December 31,
2007
 

Current

        

Provisions

   12,141      27,934      —        40,075   

Non-current

        

Provision for impairment losses

   16,342      60,968      —        77,310   

Land use rights

   18,880      11,712      —        30,592   

Capitalization of borrowing costs

   (20,799   (11,271   —        (32,070

Available-for-sale securities

   (3,873   —        (111,982   (115,855

Others

   7,619      1,958      —        9,577   
                        

Net deferred tax assets

   30,310      91,301      (111,982   9,629   
                        
     Balance at
January 1,
2008
    Recognized
in consolidated
statements of
income
    Recognized
in reserve
    Balance at
December 31,
2008
 

Current

        

Provisions

   40,075      163,899      —        203,974   

Forward exchange contracts

   —        (24,411   —        (24,411

Non-current

        

Provision for impairment losses

   77,310      20,846      —        98,156   

Land use rights

   30,592      (875   —        29,717   

Capitalization of borrowing costs

   (32,070   2,874      —        (29,196

Available-for-sale securities

   (115,855   —        88,221      (27,634

Tax losses carry forward

   —        1,701,453      —        1,701,453   

Others

   9,577      499      —        10,076   
                        

Net deferred tax assets

   9,629      1,864,285      88,221      1,962,135   
                        
     Balance at
January 1,
2009
    Recognized
in consolidated
statements of
income
    Recognized
in reserve
    Balance at
December 31,
2009
 

Current

        

Provisions

   203,974      (167,196   —        36,778   

Forward exchange contracts

   (24,411   24,411      —        —     

Non-current

        

Provision for impairment losses

   98,156      (13,044   —        85,112   

Land use rights

   29,717      (875   —        28,842   

Capitalization of borrowing costs

   (29,196   2,874      —        (26,322

Available-for-sale securities

   (27,634   —        27,634      —     

Tax losses carry forward

   1,701,453      (299,475   —        1,401,978   

Others

   10,076      1,508      —        11,584   
                        

Net deferred tax assets

   1,962,135      (451,797   27,634      1,537,972   
                        

 

F-32


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

11. INCOME TAX (continued)

 

  (b) Deferred taxation (continued):

 

  (ii) Movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (continued):

 

The Group recognizes deferred tax assets only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which the assets can be utilized. Based on the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets will be utilized, management believes that it is probable the Group will realize the benefits of these temporary differences.

 

  (iii) Deferred tax assets not recognized:

As at December 31, 2009, a subsidiary of the Company did not recognize the deferred tax assets in respect of the impairment losses on property, plant and equipment amounting to RMB 432,579 (2008: RMB 357,560, 2007: RMB nil) and the tax value of losses carried forward for PRC income tax purpose amounting to RMB 417,688 (2008: RMB 310,396, 2007 RMB 112,444), because it was not probable that the related tax benefit will be realized. The deductible tax losses carried forward of RMB 14,539, RMB 29,357, RMB 68,548, RMB 197,952 and RMB 107,292 will expire in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

12. EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE

The calculation of basic earnings/(loss) per share is based on the profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company of RMB 1,590,988 (2008: loss of RMB 6,238,444; 2007: profit of RMB1,634,080) and 7,200,000,000 (2008: 7,200,000,000; 2007: 7,200,000,000) shares in issue during the year.

 

F-33


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

13. DIVIDENDS

 

  (a) Dividends attributable to the year:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Final dividend proposed after the balance sheet date of RMB 0.03 per share

        

(2008: RMB nil per share; 2007: RMB 0.09 per share)

   648,000    —      216,000
              

Pursuant to a resolution passed at the directors’ meeting on March 26, 2010, a final dividend of RMB 0.03 per share totalling RMB 216,000 (2008: RMB nil, 2007: RMB 648,000) was proposed for shareholders’ approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held in June 2010. The final dividend proposed after the balance sheet date has not been recognized as a liability at the balance sheet date.

 

  (b) Dividends attributable to the previous financial year, approved and paid during the year:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Final dividend in respect of the previous financial year, approved and paid during the year, of RMB nil per share

        

(2008: RMB 0.09 per share; 2007: RMB 0.04 per share)

   288,000    648,000    —  
              

 

F-34


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

14. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME / (LOSS)

 

  (a) Tax effects relating to each component of other comprehensive income

 

     2007  
     Before-tax
amount
    Tax
expense
    Net-of tax
amount
 
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Available-for-sale securities:

      

Net movement in fair value reserve

   437,597      (111,982   325,615   
                  
     2008  
     Before-tax
amount
    Tax
benefit
    Net-of tax
amount
 
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Available-for-sale securities:

      

Net movement in fair value reserve

   (352,882   88,221      (264,661
                  
     2009  
     Before-tax
amount
    Tax
benefit
    Net-of tax
amount
 
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Available-for-sale securities:

      

Net movement in fair value reserve

   (110,537   27,634      (82,903
                  

 

  (b) Reclassification adjustments relating to components of other comprehensive income

 

     2007     2008     2009  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Available-for-sale securities:

      

Changes in fair value recognized during the year

   1,208,322      (221,110   112,273   

Reclassification adjustments for amounts transferred to profit or loss

      

- gains on disposal

   (770,725   (131,772   (222,810

Income tax on other comprehensive income

   (111,982   88,221      27,634   
                  

Net movement in fair value reserve during the year recognized in other comprehensive income

   325,615      (264,661   (82,903
                  

 

F-35


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

15. INVENTORIES

Inventories in the balance sheet comprise:

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Raw materials

   2,018,250    4,188,941

Work in progress

   1,158,924    1,352,767

Finished goods

   590,640    717,337

Spare parts and consumables

   724,401    624,789
         
   4,492,215    6,883,834
         

At December 31, 2009, the Group had inventories carried at net realizable value with carrying amount of RMB 1,603,140 (2008: RMB 3,728,692).

Allowance for diminution in value of inventories is analyzed as follows:

 

At January 1, 2007

   41,355   

Provision for the year

   35,753   

Write-off

   (3,316
      

At December 31, 2007

   73,792   

Provision for the year

   744,578   

Write-off

   —     
      

At December 31, 2008

   818,370   

Provision for the year

   58,040   

Write-off

   (716,602
      

At December 31, 2009

   159,808   
      

16. TRADE DEBTORS

Trade debtors comprise:

 

     December 31,  
     2008     2009  

Trade debtors

   107,697      132,779   

Less: Impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts

   (18,611   (12,634
            
   89,086      120,145   
            

 

F-36


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

16. TRADE DEBTORS (continued)

 

The aging analysis of trade debtors (net of impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts) is as follows:

 

     2008    2009

Invoice date:

     

Within one year

   88,952    120,111

Between one and two years

   134    34
         
   89,086    120,145
         

Impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts are analyzed as follows:

 

At January 1, 2007

   30,911   

Provision for the year

   3,687   

Written-off

   (10,007
      

At December 31, 2007

   24,591   

Provision for the year

   —     

Written-off

   (5,980
      

At December 31, 2008

   18,611   

Provision for the year

   —     

Written-off

   (5,977
      

At December 31, 2009

   12,634   
      

17. DEPOSITS, OTHER DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS

Deposits, other debtors and prepayments comprise:

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Purchase deposits

   45,632    2,996

Forward contracts receivable

   97,644    —  

Sundry debtors

   341,199    78,851
         
   484,475    81,847
         

 

F-37


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

18. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment comprise:

 

     Buildings     Plant and
Machinery
    Vehicles and
other equipment
    Total  

Cost:

        

At January 1, 2008

   5,666,583      22,944,863      6,623,179      35,234,625   

Additions

   7,414      66,961      30,150      104,525   

Transferred from construction in progress (note 20)

   11,084      180,739      97,241      289,064   

Disposals

   (19,324   (67,545   (42,406   (129,275
                        

At December 31, 2008

   5,665,757      23,125,018      6,708,164      35,498,939   
                        

At January 1, 2009

   5,665,757      23,125,018      6,708,164      35,498,939   

Additions

   69,270      61,973      74,446      205,689   

Transferred from construction in progress (note 20)

   55,347      3,003,956      204,116      3,263,419   

Disposals

   (34,518   (479,524   (76,359   (590,401
                        

At December 31, 2009

   5,755,856      25,711,423      6,910,367      38,377,646   
                        

Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses:

        

At January 1, 2008

   3,281,443      12,819,860      4,156,085      20,257,388   

Charge for the year

   161,275      1,141,925      315,278      1,618,478   

Impairment loss

   3,281      403,748      33,917      440,946   

Written back on disposals

   (6,181   (47,868   (36,723   (90,772
                        

At December 31, 2008

   3,439,818      14,317,665      4,468,557      22,226,040   
                        

At January 1, 2009

   3,439,818      14,317,665      4,468,557      22,226,040   

Charge for the year

   175,598      1,154,494      305,426      1,635,518   

Impairment loss

   51,480      25,269      21,737      98,486   

Written back on disposals

   (26,751   (461,994   (70,858   (559,603
                        

At December 31, 2009

   3,640,145      15,035,434      4,724,862      23,400,441   
                        

Net book value:

        

At December 31, 2009

   2,115,711      10,675,989      2,185,505      14,977,205   
                        

At December 31, 2008

   2,225,939      8,807,353      2,239,607      13,272,899   
                        

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

18. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

 

All of the Group’s buildings are located in the PRC (including Hong Kong).

Buildings in Hong Kong with a net book value of RMB 30,573 (2008: RMB 31,759) were held under medium-term leases.

The Company was established in the PRC on June 29, 1993 as a joint stock limited company as part of the restructuring of Shanghai Petrochemical Complex (“SPC”). On the same date, the principal business undertakings of SPC together with the relevant assets and liabilities were taken over by the Company. As required by the relevant PRC rules and regulations, a valuation of the assets and liabilities to be injected into the Company was carried out as at January 1, 1993 by the State-owned Assets Administration Bureau and the injected assets and liabilities were reflected in the financial statements on this basis.

19. INVESTMENT PROPERTY

 

     2008     2009  

Cost:

    

At January 1

   554,233      546,838   

Disposals

   (7,395   (208
            

At December 31

   546,838      546,630   
            

Accumulated depreciation:

    

At January 1

   41,440      54,148   

Charge for the year

   13,440      13,261   

Written back on disposals

   (732   (26
            

At December 31

   54,148      67,383   
            

Net book value:

    

At December 31

   492,690      479,247   
            

Investment property represents certain floors of an office building leased under operating leases.

The fair value of the investment property of the Group as at December 31, 2009 was estimated by the directors to be approximately RMB 808,751 by reference to market values of like properties in the relevant regions (2008: RMB 729,739). The investment property has not been valued by an external independent valuer.

Rental income of RMB 31,233 was received by the Group during the year ended December 31, 2009 (2008: RMB 48,869).

 

F-39


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

20. CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

 

     2008     2009  

At January 1

   962,313      1,854,154   

Additions

   1,180,905      1,758,130   

Transferred to property, plant and equipment (note 18)

   (289,064   (3,263,419
            

At December 31

   1,854,154      348,865   
            

21. INTEREST IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINTLY CONTROLLED ENTITIES

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Interest in associates

   2,431,973    2,640,631

Interest in jointly controlled entities

   114,005    109,015
         
   2,545,978    2,749,646
         

The above amount represents the share of net assets of the Company’s interest in its associates and jointly controlled entities.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

21. INTEREST IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINTLY CONTROLLED ENTITIES (continued)

 

The particulars of these significant associates and jointly controlled entities, which are limited companies established and operating in the PRC, which principally affected the results or assets of the Group at December 31, 2009 are as follows:

 

Company

   Registered
Capital
   Percentage
of equity
held by the
Company
   Percentage
of equity
held by
subsidiaries
  

Principal

activities

          %    %     

Shanghai Chemical Industry Park Development Company Limited

   RMB 2,372,439    38.26    —     

Planning,

development

and operation

of the Chemical

Industry Park in Shanghai, PRC

Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

   US$ 901,441    20    —     

Manufacturing

and distribution

of chemical

products

Shanghai Jinpu Plastics Packaging Material Company Limited

   US$ 20,204    —      50   

Production of

polypropylene film

Shanghai Jinsen Hydrocarbon Resins Company Limited

   US$ 23,395    —      40   

Production of

resins products

Shanghai Yamatake Automation Company Limited

   US$ 3,000    —      40   

Service and maintenance

of building automation systems

and products

BOC-SPC Gases Company Limited

   US$ 32,000    50    —     

Production

and sales of

industrial gases

Summary financial information on associates:

 

     Assets    Liabilities     Equity    Revenues    Profit/(Loss)  

2009

             

100 per cent

   25,558,995    (13,671,420   11,887,575    17,881,950    922,218   

Group’s effective interest

   6,162,828    (3,522,197   2,640,631    3,850,409    218,862   

2008

             

100 per cent

   25,240,902    (14,233,529   11,007,373    25,015,211    (324,948

Group’s effective interest

   6,090,701    (3,658,728   2,431,973    5,406,041    (30,232

 

F-41


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

22. OTHER INVESTMENTS

Other investments comprise:

 

     December 31,
     2008     2009

Non-current investments

    

Available-for-sale equity securities

   123,918      —  

Other unlisted investments

   202,939      —  
          
   326,857      —  

Less: provision for impairment losses

   (37,200   —  
          
   289,657      —  
          

Current investments

    

Available-for-sale financial assets

   —        700,000
          

Provision for impairment losses is analyzed as follows:

 

      2007     2008    2009  

At January 1

   38,838      37,200    37,200   

Written back on disposals

   (1,638   —      (37,200
                 

At December 31

   37,200      37,200    —     
                 

Available-for-sale financial assets, with a carrying amount of RMB 700,000 at December 31, 2009 (2008: nil), which approximates the cost, represents an investment fund purchased from a PRC state-owned bank. The fund mainly invests in debt and equity securities in the PRC.

The Group’s exposure to credit and interest rate risks related to other investments is disclosed in note 32.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

23. LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Short-term debts consist of:

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Short-term bank loans

   8,428,204    6,460,398

Current portion of long-term bank loans

   514,521    74,275

Current portion of long-term loans from a related party

   20,000    —  

Corporate bonds (note a)

   —      1,000,000

Loans from a related party

   410,000    240,000
         
   9,372,725    7,774,673
         

The Group’s short-term debts are used primarily to finance working capital needs. At December 31, 2009, no loans and borrowings were secured by the way of pledge of property, plant and equipment (2008: nil). The Group’s weighted average short-term interest rates were 5.80% and 3.32% at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

Note a:

The Company issued RMB 1 billion 330-day unsecured corporate bonds to corporate investors in the PRC inter-bank debenture market on April 3, 2009. The bonds were issued at 100% of face value, with an effective yield of 2.05% per annum, and mature on March 3, 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

23. LOANS AND BORROWINGS (continued)

 

The Group’s long-term debts, which are for the addition of plant and equipment and working capital purposes, consist of:

 

     Interest rate at
December 31, 2009
    Interest
type
   December 31,  
          2008     2009  

Arranged by the Company:

         

Renminbi denominated:

         

Due in 2009

   —        —      450,000      —     

Due in 2011

   5.10   Fixed    100,000      100,000   

Due in 2013

   5.18   Fixed    200,000      200,000   

Arranged by subsidiaries:

         

U.S. Dollar denominated:

         

Payable due in 2011

   Interest free      —      9,842      9,833   

Renminbi denominated:

         

Payable due in 2009

   —        —      35,000      —     

Payable due in 2010

   —        —      100,000      —     

Payable due in 2010

   Interest free      —      61,500      61,500   

Payable due in 2011

   Interest free      —      7,200      7,200   
                 

Total long-term debt outstanding

        963,542      378,533   

Less: Amounts due within one year

        (534,521   (74,275
                 

Amounts due after one year

        429,021      304,258   
                 

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt subsequent to December 31, 2009 are as follows:

 

2010

   74,275

2011

   104,258

2013

   200,000
    
   378,533
    

Included in short-term and long-term debts are the following amounts denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entity to which they relate:

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

United States Dollars

   USD 600,314    USD 886,007
             

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

24 AMOUNTS DUE FROM / TO RELATED PARTIES

Amounts due from / to related parties are unsecured and interest free.

25. SHARE CAPITAL

Share capital represents:

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Registered, issued and paid up capital:

     

4,870,000,000 A shares of RMB 1.00 each

   4,870,000    4,870,000

2,330,000,000 H shares of RMB 1.00 each

   2,330,000    2,330,000
         
   7,200,000    7,200,000
         

All the A and H shares rank pari passu in all respects.

Capital management

Management optimises the structure of its capital, comprising equity and loans. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, management may cause the Group to issue new shares, adjust the capital expenditure plan, sell assets to reduce debt, or adjust the proportion of short-term and long-term loans. Management monitors capital on the basis of debt-to-equity ratio, which is calculated by dividing loans and borrowings, by the total of equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company, and liability-to-asset ratio, which is calculated by dividing total liabilities by total assets. Management’s strategy is to make appropriate adjustments according to the operating and investment needs and the changes of market conditions, and to maintain the debt-to-equity ratio and the liability-to-asset ratio at a range considered reasonable by management. As at December 31, 2009, the debt-to-equity ratio and the liability-to-asset ratio of the Group were 53.84% (2008: 72.62%) and 48.85% (2008: 50.02%), respectively.

The schedule of the contractual maturities of loans and commitments are disclosed in notes 23 and 27, respectively.

There were no changes in the management’s approach to capital management of the Group during the year. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries are subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

26. RESERVES

Movements on reserves comprise:

 

     2008     2009  

Share premium (note a)

    

Balance at January 1 and December 31

   2,420,841      2,420,841   
            

Statutory surplus reserve (note b)

    

Balance at January 1

   3,485,894      3,485,894   

Appropriation(note b)

   —        35,358   
            

Balance at December 31 (note b)

   3,485,894      3,521,252   
            

Capital reserve (note c)

    

Balance at January 1 and December 31

   4,180      4,180   
            

Discretionary surplus reserve (note d)

    

Balance at January 1 and December 31

   1,280,514      1,280,514   
            

Excess over share capital (note e)

    

Balance at January 1 and December 31

   (148,604   (148,604
            

Fair value reserve (note f)

    

Balance at January 1

   347,564      82,903   

Other comprehensive income for the year

   (264,661   (82,903
            

Balance at December 31

   82,903      —     
            

Retained earnings/ (accumulated losses) (note g)

    

Balance at January 1

   6,057,649      (828,795

(Loss)/ profit for the year attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company

   (6,238,444   1,590,988   

Dividend approved in respect of previous years

   (648,000   —     

Appropriation

   —        (35,358
            

Balance at December 31

   (828,795   726,835   
            
   6,296,933      7,805,018   
            

Note a

The application of the share premium account is governed by Sections 178 and 179 of the PRC Company Law.

 

F-46


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

26. RESERVES (continued)

 

Note b

According to the Company’s Articles of Association, the Company is required to transfer 10% of the Company’s profit after taxation, as determined under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, to a statutory surplus reserve until the reserve balance reaches 50% of the registered capital. The transfer to this reserve is made before distribution of a dividend to shareholders.

The statutory surplus reserve can be used to make good of previous years’ losses, if any, and may be converted into share capital by the issue of new shares to shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital.

Note c

This reserve represents gifts or grants received from China Petrochemical Corporation, the ultimate parent company and which are required to be included in this reserve fund by PRC regulations.

Note d

The transfer to this reserve from the retained profits is subject to the approval by shareholders at general meetings. Its usage is similar to that of statutory surplus reserve.

Note e

Effective from January 1, 2002, land use rights which are included in lease prepayments are carried at historical cost. Accordingly, the surplus on the revaluation of land use rights is reversed to shareholders’ equity. Under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, land use rights are carried at revalued amounts.

Note f

The fair value reserve comprises the unrealized gain or loss of available-for-sale securities, net of deferred tax, held at the balance sheet date.

Note g

According to the Company’s Articles of Association, the reserve available for distribution is the lower of the amount determined under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises and the amount determined under IFRS. A dividend of RMB 216,000 (2008: RMB nil) in respect of the financial year 2009 was declared after the balance sheet date.

 

F-47


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

27. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

  (a) Capital commitments

The Group had capital commitments outstanding at December 31, 2009 not provided for in the financial statements as follows:

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Property, plant and equipment

     

Contracted but not provided for

   90,987    35,745

Authorized by the Board but not contracted for

   2,450,250    7,754,320
         
   2,541,237    7,790,065
         

 

  (b) Contingent liabilities

 

  (i) Financial guarantees issued

At December 31, 2009, the Group was contingently liable with respect to guarantees issued to banks in favor of associates and joint ventures of RMB nil (2008: RMB 25,747).

Guarantees issued to banks in favor of associates and joint ventures are given to the extent of the Company’s respective interest in these entities. Management monitors the conditions that are subject to the guarantees to identify whether it is probable that a loss has occurred, and recognize any such losses under guarantees when those losses are estimable. At December 31, 2008 and 2009, it is not probable that the Group will be required to make payments under the guarantees. Thus no liability has been accrued for a loss related to the Group’s obligation under the guarantee arrangements.

 

  (ii) Income tax differences

With respect to uncertainties about enterprise income tax differences arising from 2006 and before as originated from a tax circular (Circular No.664) issued by the State Administrative of Taxation in June 2007, the Company has been informed by the relevant tax authority to settle the enterprise income tax (“EIT”) for the years prior to 2007 at a rate of 33 percent. To date, the Company has not been requested to pay additional EIT in respect of any years prior to 2007. There is no further development of this matter during the year ended December 31, 2009. No provision has been made in the financial statements for this uncertainty for tax years prior to 2007 because management believes it cannot reliably estimate the amount of the obligation, if any, that might exist.

 

F-48


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

28. RETIREMENT SCHEMES

As stipulated by the regulations of the PRC, the Group participates in a defined contribution retirement plan organized by the Shanghai Municipal Government for its employees. The Group is required to make contributions to the retirement plan at a rate of 22% of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of its employees in 2009 (2008: 22%). A member of the plan is entitled to a pension equal to a fixed proportion of the salary prevailing at his retirement date. The Group has no other material obligation for the payment of pension benefits associated with this plan beyond the annual contributions described above.

Pursuant to a document “Lao Bu Fa (1995) No.464” dated December 29, 1995 issued by the Ministry of Labor of the PRC, the Group has set up a supplementary defined contribution retirement plan for the benefit of employees. Employees who have served the Group for five years or more may participate in this plan. The Group and participating employees make defined contributions to their pension saving accounts according to the plan. The assets of this plan are held separately from those of the Group in an independent fund administered by a committee consisting of representatives from the employees and the Group. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Group’s contribution to this plan amounted to RMB 49,513 (2008: RMB54,862; 2007: RMB 55,048).

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

  (a) Most of the transactions undertaken by the Group during the year ended December 31, 2009 have been affected on such terms as determined by China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, the immediate parent company, and relevant PRC authorities.

Sinopec Corp negotiates and agrees the terms of crude oil supply with suppliers on a Group basis, which is then allocated among its subsidiaries, including the Group, on a discretionary basis. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the value of crude oil purchased in accordance with Sinopec Corp’s allocation is as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Purchases of crude oil

   33,588,285    37,790,324    20,332,851
              

 

F-49


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

  (b) Other transactions between the Group and China Petrochemical Corporation, the ultimate parent company and its fellow subsidiaries, Sinopec Corp and its fellow subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities during the year ended December 31, 2009 were as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Sales of goods and service fee income

   22,907,085    29,908,286    27,165,623

Purchases other than crude oil

   5,400,022    5,853,079    4,463,169

Insurance premiums paid

   106,000    93,587    88,408

Interest received and receivable

   908    649    532

Loans borrowed

   1,475,300    543,000    2,353,000

Loans repayment

   40,000    1,488,300    2,643,000

Interest paid and payable

   9,813    26,682    26,423

Construction and installation fees

   206,256    114,878    165,204

Gains from disposal of investments

   25,822    —      —  

Sales commissions

   194,645    146,137    116,441

Financial guarantees issued (note 27(b))

   —      25,747    —  

Rental income

   13,216    19,009    20,213
              

The relevant amounts due from/to China Petrochemical Corporation and its fellow subsidiaries, Sinopec Corp and its fellow subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are summarized as follows:

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Amounts due from related parties

     

- Trade accounts receivable

   277,777    576,399
         

Amounts due to related parties

     

- Trade accounts payable

   1,752,647    3,487,645
         

 

  (c) Cash deposits with a related party - a subsidiary of the ultimate parent company

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Cash deposits, maturing within 3 months

   23,318    957
         

 

  (d) Loans with a related party - a subsidiary of the ultimate parent company

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Short-term loans

   410,000    240,000

Long-term loans

   120,000    —  
         
   530,000    240,000
         

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

  (e) Key management personnel compensation and post-employment benefit plans

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Short-term employee benefits

   5,301    5,008    6,019

Post-employment benefits

   89    95    102
              
   5,390    5,103    6,121
              

Post-employment benefits are included in “contributions to defined contribution retirement plans” as disclosed in note 29(f).

 

  (f) Contributions to defined contribution retirement plans

The Group participates in defined contribution retirement plans organized by municipal governments for its staff. The contributions to defined contribution retirement plans are as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Municipal retirement scheme costs

   197,191    199,135    192,791

Supplementary retirement scheme costs (note 28)

   55,048    54,862    49,513
              

At December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, there was no material outstanding contribution to the above defined contribution retirement plans.

 

  (g) Transactions with other state-owned entities in the PRC

The Group is a state-controlled enterprise and operates in an economic regime currently dominated by entities directly or indirectly controlled by the PRC government (collectively referred as “state-controlled entities”) through its government authorities, agencies, affiliations and other organizations.

Apart from transactions with related parties, the Group has transactions with other state-controlled entities include but are not limited to the following:

 

   

sales and purchase of goods and ancillary materials;

 

   

rendering and receiving services;

 

   

lease of assets, purchase of property, plant and equipment;

 

   

placing deposits and obtaining finance; and

 

   

use of public utilities.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

  (g) Transactions with other state-owned entities in the PRC (continued)

 

These transactions are conducted in the ordinary course of the Group’s business on terms comparable to those with other entities that are not state controlled. The Group has established its procurement policies, pricing strategy and approval process for purchases and sales of products and services which do not depend on whether the counterparties are state-controlled entities or not.

Having considered the transactions potentially affected by related party relationships, the entity’s pricing strategy, procurement policies and approval processes, and the information that would be necessary for an understanding of the potential effect of the related party relationship on the financial statements, the directors are of the opinion that the following transactions require disclosure of the related amounts.

 

  (i) Transactions with other state-controlled energy and chemical companies

The Group’s major domestic suppliers of crude oil are China National Offshore Oil Corporation and its subsidiaries and Sinochem International Corporation and its subsidiaries, which are state-controlled entities.

During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the aggregate amount of crude oil purchased by the Group from the above state-controlled energy and chemical companies are as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Purchases of crude oil

   1,126,222    11,460,909    7,643,780
              

The amounts due to the above state-controlled energy and chemical companies are RMB nil as at December 31, 2009 (December 31, 2008 and 2007: nil).

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

29. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

  (g) Transactions with other state-owned entities in the PRC (continued)

 

  (ii) Transactions with state-controlled banks

The Group deposits its cash with several state-controlled banks in the PRC. The Group also obtains short-term and long-term loans from these banks in the ordinary course of business. The interest rates of the bank deposits and loans are regulated by the People’s Bank of China. The Group’s interest income from and interest expense to these state-controlled banks in the PRC are as follows:

 

     2007    2008    2009

Interest income

   45,992    59,249    18,873

Interest expense

   231,707    531,289    272,248
              

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Group did not enter into any forward exchange contracts with state-controlled banks (2008: USD460,224; 2007: nil).

The amounts of cash deposited at and loans from state-controlled banks in the PRC are summarized as follows:

 

     2008    2009

Cash and cash equivalents at state-controlled banks in the PRC

   604,367    124,960
         

Short-term loans and current portion of long-term loans

   8,893,204    6,460,398

Long-term loans excluding current portion of long-term loans

   300,000    300,000
         

Total loans from state-controlled banks in the PRC

   9,193,204    6,760,398
         

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

30. SEGMENT REPORTING

Segment information is presented in respect of the Group’s business segments. The format is based on the Group’s management and internal reporting structure. In view of the fact that the Company and its subsidiaries operate mainly in the PRC, no geographical segment information is presented.

In a manner consistent with the way in which information is reported internally to the Group’s chief operating decision maker for the purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment, the Group has identified the following four reportable segments. No operating segments have been aggregated to form the following reportable segments.

The Group principally operates in four operating segments: synthetic fibres, resins and plastics, intermediate petrochemicals and petroleum products. All of the Group’s products are produced through intermediate steps from the principal raw material of crude oil. The specific products of each segment are as follows:

 

  (a) The synthetic fibres segment produces primarily polyester and acrylic fibres mainly used in the textile and apparel industries.

 

  (b) The resins and plastics segment produces primarily polyester chips, low density polyethylene resins and films, polypropylene resins and PVA granules. The polyester chips are used in the processing of polyester fibres and construction coating materials and containers. Low density polyethylene resins and plastics are used in cable jacketing, sheeting, the manufacture of moulded products, such as housewares and toys and for agricultural and packaging uses. Polypropylene resins are used in the manufacturing of extruded films or sheets and injection moulded products such as housewares, toys and household electric appliance and automobile parts.

 

  (c) The intermediate petrochemicals segment primarily produces ethylene and benzene. Most of the intermediate petrochemicals produced by the Group are used by the Group as raw materials in the production of other petrochemicals, resins, plastics and synthetic fibres. A portion of the intermediate petrochemicals as well as certain by-products of the production process are sold to outside customers.

 

  (d) The Group’s petroleum products segment has crude oil distillation facilities used to produce vacuum and atmospheric gas oils used as feedstocks of the Group’s downstream processing facilities. Residual oil and low octane gasoline fuels are produced primarily as a co-product of the crude oil distillation process. A proportion of the residual oil is further processed into qualified refined gasoline and diesel oil. In addition, the Group produces a variety of other transportation, industrial and household heating fuels, such as diesel oils, jet fuels, heavy oils and liquefied petroleum gases.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

30. SEGMENT REPORTING (continued)

 

  (e) All other operating segments represent the operating segments which do not meet the quantitative threshold for determining reportable segments. These include sales of consumer products, services and a variety of other commercial activities, which are not allocated to the above four operating segments.

 

(a) Segment results, assets and liabilities

In accordance with IFRS 8, segment information disclosed in the annual financial statements has been prepared in a manner consistent with the information used by the Group’s chief operating decision maker for the purposes of assessing segment performance and allocating resources of the segments. In this regard, the Group’s chief operating decision maker monitors the results, assets and liabilities attributable to each reportable segment on the following bases:

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items mainly comprise income-earning assets and revenue, interest-bearing loans, borrowings and expenses, and corporate assets and expenses.

Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the year to acquire segment assets that are expected to be used for more than one year.

 

F-55


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

30. SEGMENT REPORTING (continued)

 

(b) Reportable information on the Group’s operating segments is as follows:

Sales and other income

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2007     2008     2009  

Manufactured Products

      

Synthetic Fibres

      

External sales

   4,342,215      3,670,362      2,860,851   

Intersegment sales

   85      73      57   
                  

Total

   4,342,300      3,670,435      2,860,908   
                  

Resins and Plastics

      

External sales

   15,927,089      14,880,659      12,407,738   

Intersegment sales

   75,183      53,065      44,245   
                  

Total

   16,002,272      14,933,724      12,451,983   
                  

Intermediate Petrochemicals

      

External sales (note a)

   9,406,507      10,296,256      8,511,347   

Intersegment sales

   16,966,433      17,801,810      12,165,836   
                  

Total

   26,372,940      28,098,066      20,677,183   
                  

Petroleum Products

      

External sales (note a)

   21,997,362      28,372,037      22,936,392   

Intersegment sales

   1,336,695      2,153,355      1,762,391   

Other income

   93,900      2,312,227      —     
                  

Total

   23,427,957      32,837,619      24,698,783   
                  

All others

      

External sales (note a)

   3,655,211      3,007,545      4,941,601   

Intersegment sales

   3,402,717      2,720,112      2,589,206   
                  

Total

   7,057,928      5,727,657      7,530,807   
                  

Elimination of intersegment sales

   (21,781,113   (22,728,415   (16,561,735
                  

Consolidated sales and other income

   55,422,284      62,539,086      51,657,929   
                  

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

30. SEGMENT REPORTING (continued)

 

Sales and other income (continued)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2007     2008     2009  

Segment profit/ (loss)

      

Synthetic Fibres

   (82,083   (1,651,458   11,423   

Resins and Plastics

   656,475      (2,176,731   844,325   

Intermediate Petrochemicals

   813,762      (42,654   190,761   

Petroleum Products

   (644,234   (3,945,873   804,871   

All others

   148,736      (548   172,096   
                  
   892,656      (7,817,264   2,023,476   

Net financing costs

   (177,926   (330,438   (321,149

Investment income

   770,725      131,772      222,810   

Share of profits of associates and jointly controlled entities

   665,897      1,492      241,372   
                  

Earnings/ (loss) before income tax

   2,151,352      (8,014,438   2,166,509   
                  

Note (a): External sales include sales to Sinopec Corp Group companies as follows:

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Sales to Sinopec Corp Group companies

        

Intermediate Petrochemicals

   2,968,753    3,168,697    2,058,491

Petroleum Products

   17,884,389    24,698,143    20,299,415

All others

      —      3,233,839
              

Total

   20,853,142    27,866,840    25,591,745
              

 

F-57


Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

30. SEGMENT REPORTING (continued)

 

     December 31,
     2008    2009

Assets

     

Segment assets

     

Synthetic Fibres

   1,714,136    1,497,295

Resins and Plastics

   1,826,536    1,628,238

Intermediate Petrochemicals

   6,152,669    6,973,974

Petroleum Products

   9,391,724    12,034,731

All others

   2,350,640    2,081,466
         

Total segment assets

   21,435,705    24,215,704

Interest in associates and jointly controlled entities

   2,545,978    2,749,646

Unallocated:

     

(including Cash and cash equivalents, Income tax recoverable, Other Investments, Deferred tax assets, Investment property and Other assets)

   3,551,344    2,943,136
         

Consolidated assets

   27,533,027    29,908,486
         
     December 31,
     2008    2009

Liabilities

     

Segment liabilities

     

Synthetic Fibres

   244,937    238,911

Resins and Plastics

   993,272    1,035,855

Intermediate Petrochemicals

   687,040    710,695

Petroleum Products

   1,842,894    4,123,220

All others

   200,173    412,273
         

Total segment liabilities

   3,968,316    6,520,954

Loans and borrowings

     

-current

   9,372,725    7,774,673

Loans and borrowings

     

-non-current

   429,021    304,258

Income tax payable

   1,679    9,298
         

Consolidated liabilities

   13,771,741    14,609,183
         

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

30. SEGMENT REPORTING (continued)

 

     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Depreciation and amortization

        

Synthetic Fibres

   227,503    223,146    223,924

Resins and Plastics

   351,273    350,563    350,669

Intermediate Petrochemicals

   603,707    560,086    571,369

Petroleum Products

   352,532    339,068    341,126

All others

   169,392    162,374    164,541
              

Segment depreciation and amortization

   1,704,407    1,635,237    1,651,629

Unallocated:

   14,879    13,440    13,261
              

Consolidated depreciation and amortization

   1,719,286    1,648,677    1,664,890
              
     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Impairment losses on long lived assets

        

Synthetic Fibres

   180,681    440,351    75,140

Resins and plastics

   —      23,010    —  

All others

   19,614    —      23,346
              

Consolidated impairment losses on long lived assets

   200,295    463,361    98,486
              
     Years ended December 31,
     2007    2008    2009

Total capital expenditures for segment long-lived assets

        

Synthetic Fibres

   130,392    73,653    98,668

Resins and Plastics

   16,973    6,484    16,913

Intermediate Petrochemicals

   773,720    1,175,451    1,324,081

Petroleum Products

   1,098,320    58,374    397,482

All others

   114,718    197,110    283,148
              

Capital expenditures for segment long-lived assets

   2,134,123    1,511,072    2,120,292
              

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

31. ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

The Group’s financial condition and results of operations are sensitive to accounting methods, assumptions and estimates that underlie the preparation of the financial statements. Management bases the assumptions and estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable and which form the basis for making judgements about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates as facts, circumstances and conditions change.

The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgements and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors to be considered when reviewing the financial statements. The principal accounting policies are set forth in Note 2. Management believes the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgements and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements.

Impairments for long lived assets

If circumstances indicate that the net book value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the asset may be considered “impaired”, and an impairment loss may be recognized in accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment of Assets”. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment at the end of each reporting period or whenever events or changes in circumstance have indicated that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such a decline has occurred, the carrying amount is reduced to recoverable amount. For goodwill, the recoverable amount is estimated annually. The recoverable amount is the greater of the net selling price and the value in use. It is difficult to precisely estimate selling price because quoted market prices for the Group’s assets or cash-generating units are not readily available. In determining the value in use, expected cash flows generated by the asset or the cash-generating unit are discounted to their present value, which requires significant judgement relating to level of sale volume, selling price and amount of operating costs. The Group uses all readily available information in determining an amount that is a reasonable approximation of recoverable amount, including estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections of sale volume, selling price and amount of operating costs.

Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, after taking into account the estimated residual value. The Group reviews the estimated useful lives of the assets annually in order to determine the amount of depreciation expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The useful lives are based on the Group’s historical experience with similar assets and take into account anticipated technological changes. The depreciation expense for future periods is adjusted if there are significant changes from previous estimates.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

31. ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES (continued)

 

Impairment for bad and doubtful debts

Management estimates impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts resulting from the inability of the customers to make the required payments. Management bases the estimates on the ageing of the accounts receivable balance, customer credit-worthiness, and historical write-off experience. If the financial condition of the customers were to deteriorate, actual impairment losses would be higher than estimated.

Allowance for diminution in value of inventories

If the costs of inventories fall below their net realisable values, an allowance for diminution in value of inventories is recognized. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Management bases the estimates on all available information, including the current market prices of the finished goods and raw materials, and historical operating costs. If the actual selling prices were to be lower or the costs of completion were to be higher than estimated, the actual allowance for diminution in value of inventories could be higher than estimated.

Recognition of deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets are recognized in respect of temporary deductible differences. Since deferred tax assets are only recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against the assets which can be realized or utilized, management’s judgment is required to assess the probability of future taxable profits. Management’s assessment is periodically reviewed and deferred tax assets are adjusted according to the probability of future taxable profits.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Overview

Financial assets of the Group include cash and cash equivalents, other investments, trade debtors, bills receivable, derivative financial instruments, other debtors and amounts due from related parties. Financial liabilities of the Group include loans and borrowings, trade creditors, bills payable, other creditors and amounts due to related parties.

The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

 

   

credit risk;

 

   

liquidity risk; and

 

   

market risk

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment, oversight of the Group’s risk management framework, and developing and monitoring the Group’s risk management policies.

The Group’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group’s activities. The Group, through its training and management standards and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles and obligations. Internal audit department undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures, the results of which are reported to the Group’s audit committee.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Group’s deposits placed with financial institutions and receivables from customers. The majority of the Group’s trade debtors and amounts due from related parties relate to sales of petroleum and chemical products to third parties and related parties operating in the petroleum and chemical industries. Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral on trade debtors and related parties. The Group maintains an impairment loss for doubtful accounts and actual losses have been within management’s expectations. The details of the Group’s credit policy and quantitative disclosures in respect of the Group’s exposure on credit risk for trade debtors are set out in Note 16.

The carrying amounts of other investments, trade debtors, bills receivable, other debtors, and amounts due from related parties, represent the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. Management’s approach in managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation. Management prepares monthly cash flow budget to ensure that they will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its financial obligation as they fall due. Management arranges and negotiates financing with financial institutions and maintains a certain level of standby credit facilities to reduce the liquidity risk.

At December 31, 2009, the Group’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets by RMB 5,243,500 (December 31, 2008: RMB 6,831,369). In 2010, the liquidity of the Group is primarily dependent on its ability to maintain adequate cash inflow from operations, the renewal of its short-term bank loans and on its ability to obtain adequate external financing, including the issuance of short-term corporate bonds, to support its working capital and meet its debt obligation when they become due. At December 31 2009, the Group has standby credit facilities with several PRC financial institutions which provide the Group to borrow up to RMB 9,100,000 (2008: RMB 9,600,000) on an unsecured basis. At 31 December 2009, the Group’s outstanding borrowings under these facilities were RMB 4,458,044 (2008: RMB 6,933,385) and were included in short-term bank loans.

Management has carried out a detailed review of the cash flow forecast of the Group for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010. Based on such forecast, management believes that adequate sources of liquidity exist to fund the Group’s working capital and capital expenditure requirements, and meet its short term debt obligations as they become due. In preparing the cash flow forecast, management has considered historical cash requirements of the Group as well as other key factors, including the availability of the above-mentioned banking facilities which may impact the operations of the Group during the next twelve-month period. Management is of the opinion that the assumptions used in the cash flow forecast are reasonable.

 

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Table of Contents

SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

Liquidity risk (continued)

 

The following table sets out the remaining contractual maturities at the balance sheet date of the Group’s financial liabilities, which are based on contractual undiscounted cash flows (including interest payments computed using contractual rates or, if floating, based on prevailing rates current at the balance sheet date) and the earliest date the Group would be required to repay:

 

     2009  
     Carrying
amount
   Total
contractual
undiscounted
cash flow
    Within 1
year or on
demand
    More than 1
year but less
than 2 years
    More than 2
years but less
than 5 years
 

Loans and borrowings (current)

   7,774,673    (7,884,195   (7,884,195   —        —     

Loans and borrowings (non-current)

   304,258    (355,936   (15,471   (119,729   (220,736

Trade creditors

   1,521,319    (1,521,319   (1,521,319   —        —     

Bills payable

   112,271    (112,271   (112,271   —        —     

Other creditors

   1,399,719    (1,399,719   (1,399,719   —        —     

Amounts due to related parties

   3,487,645    (3,487,645   (3,487,645   —        —     
                             
   14,599,885    (14,761,085   (14,420,620   (119,729   (220,736
                             
     2008  
     Carrying
amount
   Total
contractual
undiscounted
cash flow
    Within 1
year or  on
demand
    More than 1
year but less
than 2 years
    More than 2
years but less
than 5 years
 

Loans and borrowings (current)

   9,372,725    (9,741,390   (9,741,390   —        —     

Loans and borrowings (non-current)

   429,021    (510,928   (22,437   (147,368   (341,123

Trade creditors

   1,272,811    (1,272,811   (1,272,811   —        —     

Bills payable

   263,443    (263,443   (263,443   —        —     

Other creditors

   679,415    (679,415   (679,415   —        —     

Amounts due to related parties

   1,752,647    (1,752,647   (1,752,647   —        —     
                             
   13,770,062    (14,220,634   (13,732,143   (147,368   (341,123
                             

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk.

 

  (a) Currency risk

Currency risk arises on financial instruments that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency in which they are measured. The Group’s currency risk exposure primarily relates to short-term and long-term debts denominated in US dollars. The Group entered into forward exchange contracts to manage such exposure during the year ended December 31, 2008. All of the forward exchange contracts have maturities of less than one year as at December 31, 2008. All of these contracts matured and settled in 2009.

The changes in the fair value of forward exchange contracts that economically hedge monetary liabilities in foreign currencies are recognized as finance costs in the consolidated statements of income. The net fair value of forward exchange contracts used by the Group as economic hedges of monetary liabilities in foreign currencies at December 31, 2009 was RMB nil (2008: RMB 97,644).

The following table details the Group’s exposure at the balance sheet date to currency risk mainly arising from loans and borrowings denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity to which they relate.

 

     2008     2009  
     USD’000     USD’000  

Gross exposure arising from loans and borrowings

   (600,314   (886,007

Notional amounts of forward exchange contracts

   460,224      —     
            
   (140,090   (886,007
            

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

Market risk (continued)

 

  (a) Currency risk (continued)

A 5 percent strengthening of Renminbi against the USD at December 31, 2009 would have increased net profit for the year and retained earnings of the Group by approximately RMB 226,869 (2008: RMB 35,905; 2007: RMB 21,181). This analysis has been determined assuming that the change in foreign exchange rates had occurred at the balance sheet date and had been applied to the foreign currency balances to which the Group has significant exposure as stated above, and that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2008 and 2007.

Other than the amounts as disclosed above, the amounts of other financial assets and liabilities of the Group are substantially denominated in the functional currency of respective entity of the Group.

 

  (b) Interest rate risk

The Group’s interest rate risk exposure arises primarily from its short-term and long-term loans. Loans carrying interest at variable rates and at fixed rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk and fair value interest rate risk respectively. The interest rates of loans and borrowings of the Group are disclosed in note 23.

As at December 31, 2009, it is estimated that a general increase / decrease of 100 basis points in variable interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would decrease / increase the Group’s net profit for the year and retained earnings by approximately RMB 43,444 (2008: RMB 42,341; 2007: RMB 12,146). This sensitivity analysis has been determined assuming that the change in interest rates had occurred at the balance sheet date and the change was applied to the Group’s debts outstanding at that date with exposure to cash flow interest rate risk. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2008 and 2007.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

Fair value

 

  (i) Financial instruments carried at fair value

The following table presents the carrying value of financial instruments measured at fair value at the balance sheet date across the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined in IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, with the fair value of each financial instrument categorized in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to that fair value measurement. The levels are defined as follows:

 

   

Level 1 (highest level): fair values measured using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments

 

   

Level 2: fair values measured using quoted prices in active markets for similar financial instruments, or using valuation techniques in which all significant inputs are directly or indirectly based on observable market data

 

   

Level 3 (lowest level): fair values measured using valuation techniques in which any significant input is not based on observable market data

2009

 

     Level 1
RMB’000
   Level 2
RMB’000
   Level 3
RMB’000
   Total
RMB’000

Assets

           

Available-for-sale financial assets

   —      700,000    —      700,000
                   
   —      700,000    —      700,000
                   

During the year there were no significant transfers between instruments in Level 1 and Level 2.

 

  (ii) Fair values of financial instruments carried at other than fair value

The disclosures of the fair value estimates, methods and assumptions, set forth below for the Group’s financial instruments, are made to comply with the requirements of IFRS 7 and IAS 39 and should be read in conjunction with the Group’s consolidated financial statements and related notes. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by management using market information and valuation methodologies considered appropriate. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Group could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/ or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

32. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

Fair value (continued)

 

  (ii) Fair values of financial instruments carried at other than fair value (continued)

The fair value of long term loans is estimated by discounting future cash flows thereon using current market interest rates offered to the Group for loans with substantially the same characteristics and maturities ranging from 5.31% to 5.94% (2008: 5.31% to 5.94%). The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s long term loans at December 31, 2008 and 2009.

 

     2008    2009
      Carrying
amount
   Fair
value
   Carrying
amount
   Fair
value

Liabilities

           

Long-term loans

   963,542    958,461    378,533    375,233
                   

The fair value of available-for-sale equity securities, which amounted to RMB nil as at December 31, 2009 (2008: RMB 123,918) was based on quoted market price on a PRC stock exchange. The fair value of forward exchange contracts which amounted to RMB nil as at December 31, 2009 (2008: RMB 97,644) was based by discounting the contractual forward price and deducting the current spot rate. Unquoted equity investments are individually and in the aggregate not material to the Group’s financial condition or results of operations. There are no listed market prices for such interests in the PRC and, accordingly, a reasonable estimate of fair value could not be made without incurring excessive costs.

The fair values of all other financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

33. POSSIBLE IMPACT OF AMENDMENTS, NEW STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE FOR THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTING PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009

Up to the date of issue of these financial statements, the IASB has issued a number of amendments, new standards and interpretations which are not yet effective for the year ended December 31, 2009 and which have not been adopted in these financial statements.

Management is in the process of making an assessment of what the impact of these amendments, new standards and new interpretations is expected to be in the period of initial application and has so far concluded that the adoption of these amendments, new standards and new interpretations is unlikely to have a significant impact on the Group’s results of operations and financial position.

 

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SINOPEC SHANGHAI PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Renminbi amounts in thousands, except per share data and except otherwise stated)

 

34. PARENT COMPANIES

The Directors consider the immediate parent company and the ultimate parent company at December 31, 2009 to be China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation and China Petrochemical Corporation, respectively, which are incorporated in the PRC. China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation produces financial statements available for public use.

35 COMPARATIVE FIGURES

As a result of the application of IAS 1 (revised 2007), Presentation of Financial Statements, certain comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to current year’s presentation and to provide comparative amounts in respect of items disclosed for the first time in 2009. Further details of these developments are disclosed in note 3.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Index

Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 (Unaudited) and 2009 (Unaudited)

Financial Statements of Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited (1)

 

     Page

Independent Auditors’ Report

   F-71

Balance Sheets December 31, 2008 (Unaudited) and 2009 (Unaudited)

   F-72

Income Statements Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 (Unaudited) and 2009 (Unaudited)

   F-74

Cash Flow Statements Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 (Unaudited) and 2009 (Unaudited)

   F-75

Statements of Changes in Owners’ Equity Years Ended December  31, 2007, 2008 (Unaudited) and 2009 (Unaudited)

   F-77

Notes to the Financial Statements

   F-78

 

(1) The financial statements of Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited, an investee of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited, are included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited to comply with Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Federal Securities Laws.

 

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Table of Contents

Independent Auditors’ Report

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited:

We have audited the accompanying income statement, statement of changes in owners’ equity, and cash flow statement of Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited for the year ended December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited for the year ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with the requirements of China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises issued by the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China.

China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Information relating to the nature of such differences is presented in Note 39 to the financial statements.

 

KPMG
Certified Public Accountants
Hong Kong, China
April 1, 2008

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2009

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

     Note    2008
RMB’000
   2009
RMB’000
          (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)

Assets

        

Current assets

        

Cash at bank and on hand

   6    1,748,561    1,377,004

Bills receivable

   7    277,261    335,104

Accounts receivable

   8    88,466    260,412

Prepayments

   9    151,585    222,973

Other receivables

   10    13,043    14,443

Inventories

   11    1,003,329    1,454,558

Other current assets

   12    28,192    233,093
            

Total current assets

      3,310,437    3,897,587
            

Non-current assets

        

Fixed assets

   13    11,633,383    12,201,994

Construction in progress

   14    693,033    227,609

Intangible assets

   15    1,265,174    1,191,101

Long-term deferred expenses

   16    12,005    113,692

Deferred tax assets

   17    32,242    25,289
            

Total non-current assets

      13,635,837    13,759,685
            

Total assets

      16,946,274    17,657,272
            

The notes on pages F-78 to F-114 form part of these financial statements.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2009—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

     Note     2008
RMB’000
    2009
RMB’000
 
           (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Liabilities and owners’ equity

      

Current liabilities

      

Short-term loans

   19      102,519      143,392   

Bills payable

   20      3,258      270,000   

Accounts payable

     587,774      694,266   

Advances from customers

     124,841      243,417   

Employee benefits payable

   21      93,931      88,947   

Taxes payable

   5 (3)    74,650      57,716   

Interest payable

     11,434      8,022   

Dividends payable

     370,000      —     

Other payables

     19,535      113,103   

Long-term loans due within one year

   22      534,971      645,251   
              

Total current liabilities

     1,922,913      2,264,114   
              

Non-current liabilities

      

Long-term loans

   23      7,972,311      7,644,732   

Special payables

     2,482      4,952   
              

Total non-current liabilities

     7,974,793      7,649,684   
              

Total liabilities

     9,897,706      9,913,798   
              

Owners’ equity

      

Paid-in capital

   24      7,443,585      7,443,585   

Capital reserve

   25      (509   (509

Surplus reserve

   26      98,580      98,580   

(Accumulated losses) / Retained earnings

     (493,088   201,818   
              

Total owners’ equity

     7,048,568      7,743,474   
              

Total liabilities and owners’ equity

     16,946,274      17,657,272   
              

The notes on pages F-78 to F-114 form part of these financial statements.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Income statements

for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

     Note    2007
RMB’000
    2008
RMB’000
    2009
RMB’000
 
                (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Operating income

   28    24,218,596      22,851,386      16,438,094   

Less: Operating costs

   29    (20,357,771   (22,314,753   (14,545,186

Business taxes and surcharges

      (503   (588   (614

Selling and distribution expenses

      (321,285   (330,461   (297,266

General and administrative expenses

      (443,189   (502,516   (613,870

Financial expenses

   30    (238,032   (157,523   (314,814

Impairment (loss) / reversal

   31    (127   (37,157   26,360   

Add: Investment income

   32    39,238      24,043      —     
                     

Operating profit / (loss)

      2,896,927      (467,569   692,704   

Add: Non-operating income

      10,654      13,217      11,993   

Less: Non-operating expenses

      (1,194   (948   (2,838

(Including: Loss on disposal of non-current assets)

      (893   (185   (2,394
                     

Profit / (loss) before income tax

      2,906,387      (455,300   701,859   

Less: Income tax benefit / (expense)

   33    52,967      (38,361   (6,953
                     

Net profit / (loss) for the year

      2,959,354      (493,661   694,906   
                     

Other comprehensive income for the year

      —        —        —     
                     

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

      2,959,354      (493,661   694,906   
                     

The notes on pages F-78 to F-114 form part of these financial statements.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Cash flow statements for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

     Note    2007
RMB’000
    2008
RMB’000
    2009
RMB’000
 
                (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

         

Cash received from sale of goods and rendering of services

      27,458,031      27,919,030      19,086,794   

Refund of taxes

      230      118      29,838   

Other cash received relating to operating activities

      64,618      78,277      33,406   
                     

Sub-total of cash inflows

      27,522,879      27,997,425      19,150,038   
                     

Cash paid for goods

      (22,924,708   (24,475,251   (16,314,982

Cash paid to and for employees

      (218,791   (247,360   (252,670

Cash paid for all types of taxes

      (923,535   (463,198   (230,013

Other cash paid relating to operating activities

      (16,026   (18,604   (283,677
                     

Sub-total of cash outflows

      (24,083,060   (25,204,413   (17,081,342
                     

Net cash inflow from operating activities

   34    3,439,819      2,793,012      2,068,696   
                     

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

Cash received from disposal of investments

      2,572,000      2,236,000      —     

Cash received from return on investments

      37,929      25,352      —     

Net cash received from disposal of fixed assets

      —        44      13   
                     

Sub-total of cash inflows

      2,609,929      2,261,396      13   
                     

Cash paid for acquisition of fixed assets, construction in progress, intangible assets and other long-term assets

      (311,201   (638,212   (1,556,700

Cash paid for acquisition of investments

      (2,572,000   (782,000   —     
                     

Sub-total of cash outflows

      (2,883,201   (1,420,212   (1,556,700
                     

Net cash (outflow) /inflow from investing activities

      (273,272   841,184      (1,556,687
                     

The notes on pages F-78 to F-114 form part of these financial statements.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Cash flow statements for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

     

Note

   2007
RMB’000
    2008
RMB’000
    2009
RMB’000
 
                (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

Cash received from borrowings

      9,366,238      102,519      457,443   
                     

Sub-total of cash inflows

      9,366,238      102,519      457,443   
                     

Cash repayments of borrowings

      (10,056,238   (531,541   (630,456

Cash paid for profits distribution or interest

      (2,563,383   (3,022,862   (710,572

Other cash paid relating to financing activities

      (429   —        —     
                     

Sub-total of cash outflows

      (12,620,050   (3,554,403   (1,341,028
                     

Net cash outflow from financing activities

      (3,253,812   (3,451,884   (883,585
                     

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

      (1,157   (148   19   
                     

Net (decrease)/ increase in cash

      (88,422   182,164      (371,557

Add: cash at the beginning of the year

      1,654,819      1,566,397      1,748,561   
                     

Cash at the end of the year

      1,566,397      1,748,561      1,377,004   
                     

The notes on pages F-78 to F-114 form part of these financial statements.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Statements of changes in owners’ equity

for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

     Note     Paid-in
capital
   Capital
reserve
    Surplus
reserve
   Retained earnings /
(Accumulated
losses)
    Total  
           RMB’000    RMB’000     RMB’000    RMB’000     RMB’000  

Balance at January 1, 2007

     7,443,585    (509   39,393    1,910,567      9,393,036   
                              

Changes in equity for the year

              

1. Net profit for the year

     —      —        —      2,959,354      2,959,354   

2. Other comprehensive income

     —      —        —      —        —     
                              

Sub-total of 1&2

     —      —        —      2,959,354      2,959,354   
                              

3. Distributions to owners

   27 (2)    —      —        —      (1,910,567   (1,910,567
                              

Balance at December 31, 2007

     7,443,585    (509   39,393    2,959,354      10,441,823   
                              

Balance at January 1, 2008 (Unaudited)

     7,443,585    (509   39,393    2,959,354      10,441,823   
                              

Changes in equity for the year

              

1. Net loss for the year (Unaudited)

     —      —        —      (493,661   (493,661

2. Other comprehensive income (Unaudited)

     —      —        —      —        —     
                              

Sub-total of 1&2

     —      —        —      (493,661   (493,661
                              

3. Appropriation of profits (Unaudited)

              

- Appropriation for surplus reserve

   27 (1)    —      —        59,187    (59,187   —     

- Distributions to owners

   27 (2)    —      —        —      (2,870,000   (2,870,000

- Appropriation for staff and workers’ bonus and welfare fund

   27 (1)    —      —        —      (29,594   (29,594
                              

Balance at December 31, 2008 (Unaudited)

     7,443,585    (509   98,580    (493,088   7,048,568   
                              

Balance at January 1, 2009 (Unaudited)

     7,443,585    (509   98,580    (493,088   7,048,568   
                              

Changes in equity for the year

              

1. Net profit for the year (Unaudited)

     —      —        —      694,906      694,906   

2. Other comprehensive income (Unaudited)

     —      —        —      —        —     
                              

Sub-total of 1&2

     —      —        —      694,906      694,906   
                              

Balance at December 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

     7,443,585    (509   98,580    201,818      7,743,474   
                              

The notes on pages F-78 to F-114 form part of these financial statements.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

(Expressed in Renminbi)

1 COMPANY STATUS

Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited (“the Company”) is an equity joint venture established in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) by China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (“Sinopec”), Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (“SPCL”) and BP Chemicals East China Investments Ltd. (“BPCECIL”) (registered in the United Kingdom). The Company obtained an approval certificate [Wai Jing Mao Zi Shen Zi (2001) No. 0099] from the Ministry of Commerce (formerly Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation) on September 13, 2001, and a business license (Qi He Hu Zong Zi No. 029541 (Shi ju)) on October 29, 2001 issued by the State Administration of Industry and Commerce of the PRC. The registered capital is USD 901,440,964.

According to the joint venture agreement and articles of association, the Company’s period of operation is 50 years and its principal activities are to produce, market and sell ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, polystyrene, propylene, acrylonitrile, polypropylene, butadiene, aromatics and co-products; provide related after-sales services and technical advice with respect to such main petrochemical products and co-products; engage in polymers application development; and provide ancillary utilities services to suppliers and processors. The Company commenced its manufacturing operations on March 31, 2005.

2 BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

  (1) Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of “Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises—Basic Standard” and 38 Specific Standards issued by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on February 15, 2006, and application guidance, bulletins and other relevant accounting regulations issued subsequently (collectively referred to as “Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises” or “CAS”). These financial statements present truly and completely the financial position, the results of operations and the cash flows of the Company.

 

  (2) Accounting year

The accounting year of the Company is from January 1 to December 31.

 

  (3) Measurement basis

The measurement basis used in the preparation of the financial statements is historical cost basis.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (4) Functional currency and presentation currency

The Company’s functional currency is Renminbi. These financial statements are presented in Renminbi.

3 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

  (1) Translation of foreign currencies

When the Company receives capital in foreign currencies from investors, the capital is translated to Renminbi at the spot exchange rate on the date of the receipt. Other foreign currency transactions are, on initial recognition, translated to Renminbi at the spot exchange rates on the dates of the transactions.

A spot exchange rate is an exchange rate quoted by the People’s Bank of China.

Monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are translated to Renminbi at the spot exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The resulting exchange differences are recognized in profit or loss, except those arising from the principal and interest on foreign currency borrowings specifically for the purpose of acquisition, construction of qualifying assets (see Note 3(15)). Non-monetary items denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at historical cost are translated to Renminbi using the foreign exchange rate at the transaction date.

 

  (2) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits.

 

  (3) Inventories

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost and net realizable value.

Cost of inventories comprises all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs. Inventories are initially measured at their actual cost. Cost of inventories is calculated using the weighted average method. In addition to the purchase cost of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods include direct labour costs and an appropriate allocation of production overheads.

Any excess of the cost over the net realizable value of each class of inventories is recognized as a provision for diminution in the value of inventories. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the normal course of business less the estimated costs to complete and the estimated expenses and related taxes necessary to make the sale.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (4) Fixed assets and construction in progress

Fixed assets represent the tangible assets held by the Company for use in the production of goods, supply of services or for operation and administrative purposes with useful lives over one year.

Fixed assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (see Note 3(9)(b)). Construction in progress is stated in the balance sheet at cost less impairment losses (see Note 3(9)(b)).

The cost of a purchased fixed asset comprises the purchase price, related taxes, and any directly attributable expenditure for bringing the asset to working condition for its intended use. The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials, direct labour, capitalized borrowing costs (see Note 3(15)), and any other costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to working condition for its intended use.

Construction in progress is transferred to fixed assets when it is ready for its intended use. No depreciation is provided against construction in progress.

Where the parts of an item of fixed asset have different useful lives or provide benefits to the Company in different pattern, thus necessitating use of different depreciation rates or methods, each part is recognized as a separate fixed asset.

The subsequent costs including the cost of replacing part of an item of fixed assets are recognized in the carrying amount of the item if the recognition criteria are satisfied, and the carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of fixed assets are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Gains or losses arising from the retirement or disposal of an item of fixed asset are determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the item and are recognized in profit or loss on the date of retirement or disposal.

Fixed assets are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation rates of each class of fixed assets are as follows:

 

     Useful life    Estimated
residual value
    Depreciation
rate
 

Plant and buildings

   10-40 years    3   2.43%-9.70

Machinery and equipment

   10-28 years    3   3.46%-9.70

Office and other equipment

   4-5 years    3   19.40%-24.25

Motor vehicles

   8 years    3   12.13

Useful lives, residual values and depreciation methods are reviewed at least each year end.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (5) Operating lease charges

Rental payments under operating leases are recognized as costs or expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

  (6) Intangible assets

Intangible assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated amortization (where the estimated useful life is finite) and impairment losses (see Note 3(9)(b)). For an intangible asset with finite useful life, its cost less residual value and impairment loss is amortized on the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. The respective amortization periods for such intangible assets are as follows:

 

     Estimated useful lives

Land use right

   47 years

Patent

   10 years

Computer software

   5 years

An intangible asset is regarded as having an indefinite useful life and is not amortized when there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the asset is expected to generate economic benefits for the Company. At the balance sheet date, the Company does not have any intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.

 

  (7) Long-term deferred expenses

Long-term deferred expenses represent catalyst costs, which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

 

  (8) Financial instruments

Financial instruments comprise cash at bank and on hand, receivables, payables, loans and borrowings, etc.

 

  (a) Recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities

A financial asset or financial liability is recognized in the balance sheet when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of a financial instrument.

The Company classifies financial assets and liabilities into different categories at initial recognition based on the purpose of acquiring assets or assuming liabilities: loans and receivables, and other financial liabilities.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are measured initially at fair value. Any attributable transaction costs are included in their initial costs. Subsequent to initial recognition financial assets and liabilities are measured as follows:

 

   

Receivables

Receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market.

Subsequent to initial recognition, receivables are subsequently stated at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

 

   

Other financial liabilities

Financial liabilities other than the financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are classified as other financial liabilities.

Subsequent to initial recognition, other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

 

  (b) Derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities

A financial asset is derecognized if the Company’s contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or if the Company transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset to another party.

Where a transfer of a financial asset in its entirety meets the criteria of the derecognition, the difference between the two amounts below is recognized in profit or loss:

 

   

carrying amount of the financial asset transferred

 

   

the consideration received from the transfer.

The Company derecognizes a financial liability (or part of it) only when the underlying present obligation (or part of it) is discharged.

 

  (9) Impairment of financial assets and non-financial long-term assets

 

  (a) Impairment of financial assets

The carrying amounts of financial assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. If any such evidence exists, impairment loss is provided.

 

   

Receivables

Receivables are assessed for impairment both on an individual basis and on a collective group basis.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

Where impairment is assessed on an individual basis, an impairment loss in respect of a receivable is calculated as the excess of its carrying amount over the present value of the estimated future cash flows (exclusive of future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the original effective interest rate. All impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss.

The assessment is made collectively where receivables share similar credit risk characteristics (including those having not been individually assessed as impaired), based on their historical loss experiences, and adjusted by the observable figures reflecting present economic conditions.

If, after an impairment loss has been recognized on receivables, there is objective evidence of a recovery in value of the financial asset which can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss. A reversal of an impairment loss will not result in the asset’s carrying amount exceeding that which would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in prior years.

 

  (b) Impairment of non-financial long-term assets

The carrying amounts of the following assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date based on the internal and external sources of information to determine whether there is any indication of impairment:

 

   

fixed assets

 

   

construction in progress

 

   

intangible assets

If any indication exists that an asset may be impaired, recoverable amount of the asset is estimated.

An asset group is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or asset groups. An asset group is composed of assets directly relating to cash-generation. Identification of an asset group is based on whether major cash inflows generated by the asset group are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or asset groups. In identifying an asset group, the Company also considers how management monitors the Company’s operations and how management makes decisions about continuing or disposing of the Company’s assets.

The recoverable amount of an asset, asset group or set of asset groups is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its present value of expected future cash flows.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

An asset’s fair value less costs to sell is the amount determined by the price of a sale agreement in an arm’s length transaction, less the costs that are directly attributable to the disposal of the asset. The present value of expected future cash flows of an asset is determined by discounting the future cash flows, estimated to be derived from continuing use of the asset and from its ultimate disposal, to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

If the result of the recoverable amount calculation indicates the recoverable amount of an asset is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount. That reduction is recognized as an impairment loss and charged to profit or loss for the current period. A provision for impairment loss of the asset is recognized accordingly. For impairment losses related to an asset group or a set of asset groups, the carrying amount of the assets in the asset group or set of asset groups will be reduced on a pro rata basis. However, the carrying amount of an impaired asset will not be reduced below the highest of its individual fair value less costs to sell (if determinable), the present value of expected future cash flows (if determinable) and zero.

Once an impairment loss is recognized, it is not reversed in a subsequent period.

 

  (10) Employee benefits

Employee benefits are all forms of considerations given and other relevant expenditures incurred in exchange for services rendered by employees. Except for termination benefits, employee benefits are recognized as a liability in the period in which the associated services are rendered by employees, with a corresponding increase in cost of relevant assets or expenses in the current period.

 

  (a) Pension benefits

Pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC, the Company has participated a basic pension insurance for the employees arranged by local Labour and Social Security Bureaus. The Company makes contributions to the pension insurance at the applicable rates based on the amounts stipulated by the government organization. The contributions are capitalized as part of the cost of assets or charged to profit or loss on an accrual basis. When employees retire, the local Labour and Social Security Bureaus are responsible for the payment of the basic pension benefits to the retired employees.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (b) Housing fund and other social insurances

Besides the pension benefits, pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC, the Company has participated defined social security contribution plans for employees, such as a housing fund, basic medical insurance, unemployment insurance, injury insurance and maternity insurance. The Company makes contributions to the housing fund and other social insurances mentioned above at the applicable rate(s) based on the employees’ salaries each month. The contributions are capitalized as part of the cost of assets or charged to profit or loss on an accrual basis.

 

  (c) Termination benefits

When the Company terminates the employment relationship with employees before the employment contracts have expired, or provides compensation as an offer to encourage employees to accept voluntary redundancy, a provision for the termination benefits provided is recognized in profit or loss when both of the following conditions have been satisfied:

 

   

The Company has a formal plan for the termination of employment or has made an offer to employees for voluntary redundancy, which will be implemented shortly

 

   

The Company is not allowed to withdraw from termination plan or redundancy offer unilaterally.

 

  (11) Income tax

Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in profit or loss.

Current tax is the expected tax payable calculated at the applicable tax rate on taxable income for the year, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax assets arise from deductible temporary differences, being the differences between the carrying amounts of assets for financial reporting purposes and their tax bases, which include the deductible losses and tax credits carry forward to subsequent periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized.

At the balance sheet date, the amount of deferred tax recognized is measured based on the expected manner of recovery or settlement of the carrying amount of the assets, using tax rates that are expected to be applied in the period when the asset is recovered in accordance with tax laws.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at each balance sheet date. The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow the benefit of the deferred tax asset to be utilized. Any such reduction is reversed to the extent that it becomes probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available.

 

  (12) Provisions and contingent liabilities

A provision is recognized for an obligation related to a contingency if the Company has a present obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of time value of money is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows.

In terms of a possible obligation resulting from a past transaction or event, whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of uncertain future events or a present obligation resulting from a past transaction or event, where it is not probable that the settlement of the above obligation will cause an outflow of economic benefits, or the amount of the outflow cannot be estimated reliably, the possible or present obligation is disclosed as a contingent liability.

 

  (13) Revenue recognition

Revenue is the gross inflow of economic benefit arising in the course of the Company’s ordinary activities when the inflows result in increase in equity, other than increases relating to contributions from owners. Revenue is recognized in profit or loss when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company, the revenue and costs can be measured reliably and the following respective conditions are met:

 

  (a) Sale of goods

Revenue from sale of goods is recognized when all of the general conditions stated above and following conditions are satisfied:

 

   

The significant risks and rewards of ownership of goods have been transferred to the buyer

 

   

The Company retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold.

Revenue from the sale of goods is measured at the fair value of the considerations received or receivable under the sales contract or agreement.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (b) Rendering of services

Revenue from rendering of services is measured at the fair value of the considerations received or receivable under the contract or agreement.

At the balance sheet date, where the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, revenue from the rendering of services is recognized in the income statement by reference to the stage of completion of the transaction based on the progress of work performed.

Where the outcome of rendering of services cannot be estimated reliably, if the costs incurred are expected to be recoverable, revenues are recognized to the extent that the costs incurred that are expected to be recoverable, and an equivalent amount is charged to profit or loss as service cost; if the costs incurred are not expected to be recoverable, the costs incurred are recognized in profit or loss and no service revenue is recognized.

 

  (c) Interest income

Interest income is recognized on a time proportion basis with reference to the principal outstanding and the applicable effective interest rate.

 

  (14) Government grants

Government grants are transfers of monetary assets or non-monetary assets from the government to the Company at no consideration except for the capital contribution from the government as an investor in the Company. Special funds such as investment grants allocated by the government, if clearly defined in official documents as part of “capital reserve” are dealt with as capital contributions, and not regarded as government grants.

A government grant is recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and that the Company will comply with the conditions attaching to the grant.

If a government grant is in the form of a transfer of a monetary asset, it is measured at the amount that is received or receivable.

A government grant that compensates the Company for expenses incurred is recognized in profit or loss immediately.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (15) Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs incurred directly attributable to the acquisition, construction of a qualifying asset are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset.

Except for the above, other borrowing costs are recognized as financial expenses in the income statement when incurred.

During the capitalization period, the amount of interest (including amortization of any discount or premium on borrowing) to be capitalized in each accounting period is determined as follows:

 

   

Where funds are borrowed specifically for the acquisition, construction of a qualifying asset, the amount of interest to be capitalized is the interest expense calculated using effective interest rates during the period less any interest income earned from depositing the borrowed funds before being used on the asset.

 

   

Where funds are borrowed generally and used for the acquisition, construction of a qualifying asset, the amount of interest to be capitalized on such borrowings is determined by applying a capitalization rate to the weighted average of the excess amounts of cumulative expenditures on the asset over the above amounts of specific borrowings. The capitalization rate is the weighted average of the interest rates applicable to the general-purpose borrowings.

The effective interest rate is determined as the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash flow through the expected life of the borrowing or, when appropriate, a shorter period to the initially recognized amount of the borrowings.

During the capitalization period, exchange differences related to the principal and interest on a specific-purpose borrowing denominated in foreign currency are capitalized as part of the cost of the qualifying asset. The exchange differences related to the principal and interest on foreign currency borrowings other than a specific-purpose borrowing are recognized as a financial expense in the period in which they are incurred.

The capitalization period is the period from the date of commencement of capitalization of borrowing costs to the date of cessation of capitalization, excluding any period over which capitalization is suspended. Capitalization of borrowing costs commences when expenditure for the asset is being incurred, borrowing costs are being incurred and activities of acquisition, construction that are necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use are in progress, and ceases when the assets become ready for their intended use. Capitalization of borrowing costs is suspended when the acquisition, construction activities are interrupted abnormally and the interruption lasts over three months.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (16) Dividends appropriated to owners

Dividends or distributions of profits proposed in the profit appropriation plan which will be authorised and declared after the balance sheet date, are not recognized as a liability at the balance sheet date but disclosed in the notes separately.

 

  (17) Related parties

If the Company has the power to control, jointly control or exercise significant influence over another party, or vice versa, or where two or more parties are subject to common control, joint control, or significant influence from another party, they are considered to be related parties. Related parties may be individuals or enterprises. Enterprises with which the Company is under common control only from the State and that have no other related party relationships are not regarded as related parties of the Company. Related parties of the Company include, but are not limited to:

 

  (a) the Company’s parent

 

  (b) enterprises that are controlled by the Company’s parent

 

  (c) investors that have joint control or exercise significant influence over the Company

 

  (d) enterprises or individuals if a party has control, joint control or significant influence over both the enterprises or individuals and the Company

 

  (e) principal individual investors and close family members of such individuals

 

  (f) key management personnel of the Company and close family members of such individuals

 

  (g) key management personnel of the Company’s parent

 

  (h) close family members of key management personnel of the Company’s parent

 

  (i) other enterprises that are controlled, jointly controlled or significantly influenced by principal individual investors, key management personnel of the Company, and close family members of such individuals.

 

  (18) Significant accounting estimates and judgments

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty are as follows:

 

  (a) Impairment of receivables

As described in Note 3(9)(a), receivables that are measured at amortized cost are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. If any such evidence exists, impairment loss is provided. Objective evidence of impairment includes observable data that comes to the attention of the Company about loss events such as a significant decline in the estimated future cash flow of an individual debtor or the portfolio of debtors, and significant changes in the financial condition that have an adverse effect on the debtor. If there is an indication that there has been a change in the factors used to determine the provision for impairment, the impairment loss recognized in prior years is reversed.

 

  (b) Impairment of non-financial long-term assets

As described in Note 3(9)(b), non-financial long-term assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount of the assets. If any such indication exists, impairment loss is provided.

The recoverable amount of an asset (asset group) is the greater of its net selling price and its present value of expected future cash flows. Since a market price of the asset (the asset group) cannot be obtained reliably, the fair value of the asset cannot be estimated reliably. In assessing value in use, significant judgements are exercised over the asset’s production, selling price, related operating expenses and discount rate to calculate the present value. All relevant materials which can be obtained are used for estimation of the recoverable amount, including the estimation of the production, selling price and related operating expenses based on reasonable and supportable assumption.

 

  (c) Depreciation and amortization

As described in Notes 3(4) and 3(6), fixed assets and intangible assets are depreciated and amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives after taking into account residual value. The useful lives are regularly reviewed to determine the depreciation and amortization costs charged in each reporting period. The useful lives are determined based on historical experiences of similar assets and the estimated technical changes. If there is an indication that there has been a change in the factors used to determine the depreciation or amortization, the amount of depreciation or amortization is revised.

 

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Shanghai Secco Petrochemical Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

4 CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICY

 

  (1) Change in accounting policy and its effect

 

  (a) Description of and reasons for change in accounting policy

In accordance with China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises (CAS) Bulletin No. 3 (“Bulletin No. 3”), newly issued by the Ministry of Finance in 2009, the Company changed the following significant accounting policy in the current accounting year:

 

   

Presentation of the income statement and statement of changes in owners’ equity

“Other comprehensive income for the year” and “Total comprehensive income for the year” are added in the income statement. “Other comprehensive income for the year” comprises items of gains or losses net of related tax effects that are not recognized in profit or loss under CAS. “Total comprehensive income for the year” represents the total amount of net profit and other comprehensive income.

In the statement of changes in owners’ equity, the line item “Gains and losses recognized directly in equity” together with its breakdown were replaced by the line item “Other comprehensive income”.

The relevant comparative items have been adjusted accordingly for the above change on the presentation of the income statement and statement of changes in owners’ equity (see related items in the income statement and the statement of changes in owners’ equity).

 

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5 TAXATION

 

  (1) The types of taxes applicable to the Company’s sale of goods and rendering of services include business tax and value added tax (VAT).

 

Tax Name

  

Tax basis and applicable rates

Business tax    5% of taxable income
VAT    Output VAT is 17% of product sales and taxable services revenue, based on tax laws. The remaining balance of output VAT, after subtracting the deductible input VAT of the period, is VAT payable

 

  (2) Income tax

The statutory income tax rate of the Company is 25%. For the current year, the Company paid income tax at a preferential rate of 10% (2008: 9%).

Pursuant to the Income Tax Law of PRC for Foreign Invested Enterprises and Foreign Enterprises, starting from the year in which a taxable profit is made after the offset of deductible losses incurred in prior years, the Company is entitled to a preferential tax treatment of a tax-free period for the first and second profit making years and a 50% reduction in the income tax rate for the third to fifth years. This year is the fourth profit making year.

On March 16, 2007, the Fifth Plenary Session of the Tenth National People’s Congress passed the Corporate Income Tax Law of the PRC (“the new tax law”) which took effect on January 1, 2008, when the current tax law was abolished. The new tax law adopts an uniform tax rate of 25% for all enterprises including foreign investment enterprises and revokes the current tax exemption, reduction and protective treatments only applicable to foreign invested enterprises. State Council of the PRC passed the implementation guidance (“Implementation Guidance”) on December 26, 2007, which set out the details of how the existing preferential income tax rate will be adjusted to the statutory rate of 25%. According to the Implementation Guidance, the Company, which is eligible for a 100% or 50% relief from PRC Enterprise Income Tax, will continue to enjoy the preferential income tax rate up to its expiring date, after which, the 25% standard rate applies.

 

  (3) Taxes payable

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

VAT payable

   73,828    54,288

Others

   822    3,428
         

Total

   74,650    57,716
         

 

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6 CASH AT BANK AND ON HAND

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

Demand deposits

   1,748,561    1,377,004
         

7 BILLS RECEIVABLE

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

Bank acceptance bills

   277,261    335,104
         

All of the above bills held by the Company are due within one year.

8 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

  (1) Accounts receivable by customer type:

 

     2008     2009  
Note    RMB’000     RMB’000  

Amounts due from related parties 37(2) (ii)

   64,999      250,924   

Amounts due from other customers

   27,891      16,526   
            

Subtotal

   92,890      267,450   

Less: provision for bad and doubtful debts

   (4,424   (7,038
            

Total

   88,466      260,412   
            

 

  (2) The ageing analysis of the Company’s accounts receivable is as follows:

 

     2008     2009  
     Amounts    Percentage
of total
accounts
receivable
    Bad debt
provision
    Amounts    Percentage
of total
accounts
receivable
    Bad debt
provision
 
     RMB’000          RMB’000     RMB’000          RMB’000  

Within 1 year (inclusive)

   92,890    100   (4,424   258,653    97   —     

Between 1 and 2 years (inclusive)

   —      —        —        8,797    3   (7,038
                                  

Total

   92,890    100   (4,424   267,450    100   (7,038
                                  

The ageing is counted starting from the date accounts receivable is recognized.

 

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9 PREPAYMENTS

Prepayments are made for purchases. The aging analysis of prepayments is as follows:

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

Within 1 year (inclusive)

   151,585    221,839

Between 1 and 2 years (inclusive)

   —      1,134
         

Total

   151,585    222,973
         

The ageing is counted starting from the date prepayments is recognized.

10 OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

  (1) Other receivables by customer type:

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

Amounts due from related parties

   —      —  

Amounts due from other parties

   13,043    14,443
         

Total

   13,043    14,443
         

 

  (2) The ageing analysis of the Company’s other receivables is as follows:

 

     2008    2009
     Amounts    Percentage
of total
other
receivables
    Bad debt
provision
   Amounts    Percentage
of total
other
receivables
    Bad debt
provision
     RMB’000          RMB’000    RMB’000          RMB’000

Within 1 year (inclusive)

   11,407    87   —      12,982    90   —  

Between 1 and 2 years (inclusive)

   470    4   —      117    1   —  

Between 2 and 3 years (inclusive)

   1,040    8   —      322    2   —  

Over 3 years

   126    1   —      1,022    7   —  
                               

Total

   13,043    100   —      14,443    100   —  
                               

The ageing is counted starting from the date of recognition of other receivables.

 

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11 INVENTORIES

 

     2008     2009  
     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Raw materials

   584,480      651,730   

Work in progress

   41,611      51,853   

Semi-finished goods

   126,576      381,839   

Finished goods

   288,948      378,448   
            

Subtotal

   1,041,615      1,463,870   

Less: Provision for diminution in value of inventories

   (38,286   (9,312
            

Total

   1,003,329      1,454,558   
            

An analysis of provision for diminution in value of inventories is as follows:

 

     2008     2009  
     Semi-finished
goods
    Finished
goods
    Total     Raw
materials
    Semi-finished
goods
    Finished
goods
    Total  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Opening balance as at January 1

   —        (5,553   (5,553   —        (6,761   (31,525   (38,286

Add: Provision made during the year

   (6,761   (31,525   (38,286   (7,066   (33   (2,213   (9,312

Less: Reversal during the year

   —        5,553      5,553      —        6,761      31,525      38,286   
                                          

Closing balance as at December 31

   (6,761   (31,525   (38,286   (7,066   (33   (2,213   (9,312
                                          

12 OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

Prepaid income tax

   28,192    —  

Consumption tax recoverable

   —      233,093
         

Total

   28,192    233,093
         

 

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13 FIXED ASSETS

 

     Plant and
buildings
    Machinery
and equipment
    Office
and other
equipment
    Motor vehicles     Total  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Cost:

          

As at January 1, 2008

   1,247,955      14,821,706      98,829      4,499      16,172,989   

Additions

   —        481      8,941      139      9,561   

Transfer from construction in progress

   —        11,919      —        —        11,919   

Disposals

   —        —        (2,809   —        (2,809
                              

As at December 31, 2008

   1,247,955      14,834,106      104,961      4,638      16,191,660   
                              

Accumulated depreciation:

          

As at January 1, 2008

   (209,846   (3,096,805   (51,625   (1,037   (3,359,313

Charge for the year

   (73,289   (1,109,900   (17,847   (552   (1,201,588

Written off on disposal

   —        —        2,624      —        2,624   
                              

As at December 31, 2008

   (283,135   (4,206,705   (66,848   (1,589   (4,558,277
                              

Carrying amounts:

          

As at December 31, 2008

   964,820      10,627,401      38,113      3,049      11,633,383   
                              

As at December 31, 2007

   1,038,109      11,724,901      47,204      3,462      12,813,676   
                              
     Plant and
buildings
    Machinery
and equipment
    Office
and other
equipment
    Motor vehicles     Total  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Cost:

          

As at January 1, 2009

   1,247,955      14,834,106      104,961      4,638      16,191,660   

Additions

   —        1,037      8,044      —        9,081   

Transfer from construction in progress

   9,634      1,800,567      23      —        1,810,224   

Disposals

   —        (3,422   (3,414   (108   (6,944

Reclassification

   (114,372   114,372      —        —        —     
                              

As at December 31, 2009

   1,143,217      16,746,660      109,614      4,530      18,004,021   
                              

Accumulated depreciation:

          

As at January 1, 2009

   (283,135   (4,206,705   (66,848   (1,589   (4,558,277

Charge for the year

   (70,707   (1,160,372   (16,554   (560   (1,248,193

Written off on disposal

   —        1,337      3,106      —        4,443   

Reclassification

   24,473      (24,473   —        —        —     
                              

As at December 31, 2009

   (329,369   (5,390,213   (80,296   (2,149   (5,802,027
                              

Carrying amounts:

          

As at December 31, 2009

   813,848      11,356,447      29,318      2,381      12,201,994   
                              

As at December 31, 2008

   964,820      10,627,401      38,113      3,049      11,633,383   
                              

The Company is still in the progress of application of the property certificate for all the plant and buildings.

 

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14 CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

 

     2008     2009  
     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Cost

    

Balance at the beginning of the year

   148,821      693,033   

Additions during the year

   556,131      1,381,590   

Transferred to fixed assets

   (11,919   (1,810,224

Transferred to intangible assets

   —        (36,790
            

Balance at the end of the year

   693,033      227,609   
            

15 INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

     Land use right     Patent     Computer
software
    Total  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Cost

        

As at January 1, 2008

   770,967      880,076      31,520      1,682,563   

Additions during the year

   —        208      8,474      8,682   
                        

As at December 31, 2008

   770,967      880,284      39,994      1,691,245   
                        

Accumulated amortization

        

As at January 1, 2008

   (48,054   (250,468   (15,919   (314,441

Charge for the year

   (16,430   (88,022   (7,178   (111,630
                        

As at December 31, 2008

   (64,484   (338,490   (23,097   (426,071
                        

Carrying amounts

        

As at December 31, 2008

   706,483      541,794      16,897      1,265,174   
                        

As at December 31, 2007

   722,913      629,608      15,601      1,368,122   
                        

 

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     Land use right     Patent     Computer
software
    Total  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Cost

        

As at January 1, 2009

   770,967      880,284      39,994      1,691,245   

Additions during the year

   —        —        1,967      1,967   

Transfer from construction in progress

   —        36,790      —        36,790   
                        

As at December 31, 2009

   770,967      917,074      41,961      1,730,002   
                        

Accumulated amortization

        

As at January 1, 2009

   (64,484   (338,490   (23,097   (426,071

Charge for the year

   (16,430   (89,657   (6,743   (112,830
                        

As at December 31, 2009

   (80,914   (428,147   (29,840   (538,901
                        

Carrying amounts

        

As at December 31, 2009

   690,053      488,927      12,121      1,191,101   
                        

As at December 31, 2008

   706,483      541,794      16,897      1,265,174   
                        

16 LONG-TERM DEFERRED EXPENSES

 

     2008     2009  
     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Balance at the beginning of the year

   12,053      12,005   

Additions for the year

   22,800      133,099   

Amortization for the year

   (22,848   (31,412
            

Balance at the end of the year

   12,005      113,692   
            

17 DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

 

     2008    2009
     Deductible
temporary
difference
   Deferred
tax assets
   Deductible
temporary
difference
   Deferred
tax assets
     RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000

Income tax credit for purchases of domestically-produced equipment

   —      —      229,900    25,289

Deductible losses

   134,342    32,242    —      —  
                   

Total

   134,342    32,242    229,900    25,289
                   

 

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18 PROVISIONS FOR IMPAIRMENT

At December 31, 2008 and 2009, the provisions for impairment of the Company are set out as follows:

 

     2008      
Item    Balance at
the beginning
of the year
   Charge for
the year
   Reversal
during
the year
    Balance
at the end
of the year
     RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000     RMB’000

Receivables

   —      4,424    —        4,424

Inventories

   5,553    38,286    (5,553   38,286
                    

Total

   5,553    42,710    (5,553   42,710
                    
     2009      
Item    Balance at
the beginning
of the year
   Charge for
the year
   Reversal
during
the year
    Balance
at the end
of the year
     RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000     RMB’000

Receivables

   4,424    2,614    —        7,038

Inventories

   38,286    9,312    (38,286   9,312
                    

Total

   42,710    11,926    (38,286   16,350
                    

19 SHORT-TERM LOANS

 

     2008    2009
     Annual
Interest rate
    Principal    Exchange
rate
   RMB
equivalent
   Credit/
guaranteed
   Principal    Exchange
rate
   RMB
equivalent
   Credit/
guaranteed
           ’000         RMB’000         ’000         RMB’000     

Bank loans

                         

- USD

   LIBOR+0.2   15,000    6.8346    102,519    Credit    21,000    6.8282    143,392    Credit
                             

20 BILLS PAYABLE

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

Commercial acceptance bills

   —      270,000

Bank acceptance bills

   3,258    —  
         

Total

   3,258    270,000
         

The above bills are due within one month.

 

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21 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PAYABLE

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

Staff welfare fees

   42,690    42,690

Social insurance

     

Housing fund

   6    —  

Medical insurance premium

   1,127    1,264

Pension insurance premium

   2,500    2,799

Unemployment insurance premium

   242    270

Supplementary pension insurance premium

   166    264

Labor union fee

   371    370

Others

   46,829    41,290
         

Total

   93,931    88,947
         

22 LONG-TERM LOANS DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

 

     2008    2009
     Principal    RMB
equivalent
   interest
rate
(p.a.)
   Credit/
guaranteed
   Principal    RMB
equivalent
   interest
rate
(p.a.)
   Credit/
guaranteed
     ’000    RMB’000              ’000    RMB’000          

Bank loans:

                       

- RMB

      153,600    10% lower
than RMB
benchmark
interest rate
   Credit       158,400    10% lower
than RMB
benchmark
interest rate
   Credit

- USD

   55,800    381,371    LIBOR+
0.2%
   Credit    71,300    486,851    LIBOR+
0.2%
   Credit
                           

Total

      534,971             645,251      
                           

23 LONG-TERM LOANS

 

     2008    2009
     Principal    RMB
equivalent
   interest
rate
(p.a.)
   Credit/
guaranteed
   Principal    RMB
equivalent
   interest
rate
(p.a.)
   Credit/
guaranteed
     ’000    RMB’000              ’000    RMB’000          

Bank loans:

                       

- RMB

      4,497,600    10% lower
than RMB
benchmark
interest rate
   Credit       4,339,200    10% lower
than RMB
benchmark
interest rate
   Credit

- USD

   508,400    3,474,711    LIBOR+
0.2%
   Credit    484,100    3,305,532    LIBOR+
0.2%
   Credit
                           

Total

      7,972,311             7,644,732      
                           

According to the loan contract, the Renminbi loans are repayable in 28 instalments during the period from June 20, 2008 to December 20, 2021.

 

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The US dollar loans are repayable in 12 instalments during the period from June 20, 2008 to December 20, 2013.

The maturity analysis of the Company’s long-term loan is set out below:

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

Due after 1 year but within 2 years (inclusive)

   645,707    671,218

Due after 2 years but within 3 years (inclusive)

   671,694    1,483,794

Due after 3 years

   6,654,910    5,489,720
         

Total

   7,972,311    7,644,732
         

24 PAID-IN CAPITAL

Registered capital

 

     2008 and 2009  
     Amount in
USD’000
   %  

BPCECIL

   450,720    50

Sinopec

   270,433    30

SPCL

   180,288    20
           
   901,441    100
           

Paid-in capital

 

     2008 and 2009  
     Amount in
USD’000
   Amount in
RMB’000
   %  

BPCECIL

   450,720    3,721,792    50

Sinopec

      2,233,076    30

SPCL

      1,488,717    20
              
      7,443,585    100
              

25 CAPITAL RESERVE

 

     2008 and 2009  
     RMB’000  

Foreign currency capital translation difference

   (509
      

 

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26 SURPLUS RESERVE

 

     2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000

General reserve fund

   49,290    49,290

Enterprise expansion fund

   49,290    49,290
         

Total

   98,580    98,580
         

27 APPROPRIATION OF PROFITS

 

  (1) Appropriation to surplus reserve

The Company did not make appropriation to surplus reserve in 2007 and 2009.

In accordance with the Board of Director’s Meeting resolution on April 1, 2008, the Company made appropriations to the following surplus reserve for 2007:

 

(i)  

Surplus reserve - Enterprise expansion fund

   1
(ii)  

Surplus reserve - General reserve fund

   1
(iii)  

Staff and workers’ bonus and welfare fund

   1

 

  (2) Cash dividends attributable to owners

Cash dividends declared during the year

The Company did not declare cash dividends to owners during the year ended December 31, 2009 (2008: RMB 2,870,000,000; 2007: RMB 1,910,567,000).

28 OPERATING INCOME

 

     2007    2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000

Operating income from principal activities

        

-Sale of goods

   24,056,676    22,711,463    16,280,310

-Rendering of services

   150,562    128,147    142,094
              

Sub-total

   24,207,238    22,839,610    16,422,404

Other operating income

   11,358    11,776    15,690
              

Total

   24,218,596    22,851,386    16,438,094
              

 

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29 OPERATING COSTS

 

     2007    2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000

Operating cost from principal activities

        

-Sale of goods

   20,286,631    22,235,805    14,429,963

-Rendering of services

   64,652    72,300    108,397
              

Sub-total

   20,351,283    22,308,105    14,538,360

Other operating costs

   6,488    6,648    6,826
              

Total

   20,357,771    22,314,753    14,545,186
              

30 FINANCIAL EXPENSES

 

     2007     2008     2009  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Interest expense from loans

   624,453      516,375      337,168   

Less: Interest income from deposits

   (61,040   (62,622   (20,864

Net exchange gains

   (325,948   (296,926   (2,003

Other financial expenses

   567      696      513   
                  

Total

   238,032      157,523      314,814   
                  

31 IMPAIRMENT (LOSSES)/REVERSAL

 

     2007     2008     2009  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Provision made for accounts receivable

   —        (4,424   (2,614

(Provision) made/reversal for inventories

   (127   (32,733   28,974   
                  

Total

   (127   (37,157   26,360   
                  

32 INVESTMENT INCOME

 

     2007    2008    2009
     RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000

Interest income from entrusted loans

   39,238    24,043    —  
              

 

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33 INCOME TAX BENEFIT / (EXPENSE)

 

  (1) Income tax benefit / (expense) for the year represent

 

     2007    2008     2009  
     RMB’000    RMB’000     RMB’000  

Current tax expense for the year

   —      —        —     

Deferred taxation

   52,967    (38,361   (6,953
                 

Total

   52,967    (38,361   (6,953
                 

The analysis of deferred tax benefit / (expense) are set out below:

 

     2007    2008     2009  
     RMB’000    RMB’000     RMB’000  

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

   47,993    (38,361   (6,953

Change in tax rate

   4,974    —        —     
                 

Total

   52,967    (38,361   (6,953
                 

 

  (2) Reconciliation between income tax expenses and accounting profits is as follows:

 

     2007     2008     2009  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Profit / (loss) before income tax

   2,906,387      (455,300   701,859   
                  

Expected income tax expenses / (benefit) at a tax rate of 20% (2008:18%; 2007: 15%)

   435,958      (81,954   140,372   

Tax effect of non-taxable income

   (435,958   —        (70,186

Reversal of deferred tax assets recognized in previous years

   —        70,603      —     

Tax effect of unused tax losses not recognized

   —        57,772      —     

Effect of change in tax rate on deferred tax

   (4,974   —        —     

Effect on tax deduction from purchase of domestically-produced equipment

   —        —        (51,783

Others

   (47,993   (8,060   (11,450
                  

Income tax (benefit)/ expense

   (52,967   38,361      6,953   
                  

 

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34 SUPPLEMENT TO CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 

  (1) Reconciliation of net profit / (loss) to cash flows from operating activities:

 

     2007     2008     2009  
     RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000  

Net profit/(loss)

   2,959,354      (493,661   694,906   

Add: Provision for / (reversal of) impairment of receivables and inventories

   127      37,157      (26,360

Depreciation of fixed assets

   1,207,042      1,201,588      1,248,193   

Amortization of intangible assets

   110,079      111,630      112,830   

Amortization of long-term deferred expenses

   32,995      22,848      31,412   

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

   764      141      2,381   

Financial expenses

   299,072      226,493      333,078   

Gains arising from investment

   (39,238   (24,043   —     

(Increase)/decrease in deferred tax assets

   (52,967   38,361      6,953   

(Increase)/decrease in gross inventories

   (212,276   966,438      (422,255

(Increase)/decrease in operating receivables

   (524,884   1,264,309      (510,106

(Decrease)/increase in operating payables

   (340,249   (558,249   597,664   
                  

Net cash inflow from operating activities

   3,439,819      2,793,012      2,068,696   
                  

35 SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company does not engage in multiple businesses or operate in multiple locations, therefore no segment analysis is provided.

36 RISK ANALYSIS, SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS, AND DETERMINATION OF FAIR VALUES FOR FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

 

   

Credit risk

 

   

Liquidity risk

 

   

Interest rate risk

 

   

Foreign currency risk

This note presents information about the Company’s exposure to each of the above risks and their sources, the Company’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risks, etc.

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

The Company’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Company, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Company’s activities. The internal audit of the Company undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures.

 

  (1) Credit risk

The Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to receivables. Exposure to these credit risks are monitored by management on an ongoing basis.

In respect of receivables, the Company has established a credit policy under which individual credit evaluations are performed on all customers requiring credit over a certain amount. These evaluations focus on the external ratings of the customers and their bank credit records where available. Receivables are due within 15 to 60 days from the date of billing. Debtors are requested to settle all outstanding balances before any further credit is granted. Normally, the Company does not obtain collateral from customers.

In monitoring customer credit risk, customers are grouped according to some factors, such as ageing.

Majority of sales transactions are settled by upfront payments prior to goods deliveries or bank acceptance notes issued by customers. The Company has granted credit term to certain customers with good credit ratings and certain related parties. At balance sheet date, the ageing of most accounts receivable is within three months and ageing of most other receivables is within one year, so the credit risk of the Company is relatively low.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset, in the balance sheet. The Company does not provide any other guarantees which would expose the Company to credit risk.

 

  (2) Liquidity risk

The Company is responsible for their own cash management, including short term investment of cash surpluses and the raising of loans to cover expected cash demands, subject to approval by the Company’s board when the borrowings exceed certain predetermined levels of authority. The Company’s policy is to regularly monitor its liquidity requirements and its compliance with lending covenants, to ensure that it maintains sufficient reserves of cash and adequate committed lines of funding from major financial institutions to meet its liquidity requirements in the short and longer term.

The maturity analysis of the long term debts are disclosed in Note 23.

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (3) Interest rate risk

Interest-bearing financial instruments at variable rates and at fixed rates expose the Company to cash flow interest rate risk and fair value interest risk, respectively. The Company adopts an interest rate policy of ensuring that interest rate risk lies under control.

 

  (4) Foreign currency risk

In respect of accounts receivable and payable denominated in foreign currencies other than the functional currency, the Company ensures that its net exposure is kept to an acceptable level by buying or selling foreign currencies at spot rates when necessary to address short-term imbalances.

 

  (5) Fair values

All financial instruments are carried at amounts not materially different from their fair values as at December 31, 2008 and 2009.

 

  (6) Estimation of fair values

The company used the following major methods and assumptions in estimating the fair values.

 

  (a) Receivables

The fair value is estimated as the present value of the future cash flows, discounted at the market interest rates at the balance sheet date.

 

  (b) Loans

The fair value is estimated as the present value of future cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the balance sheet date.

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

37 RELATED PARTY RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS

 

  (1) Information on the investors of the Company is listed as follows:

 

    

Registered
place

  

Business nature

   Shareholding
percentage
    Proportion
of voting
rights
 
Sinopec    Beijng, the PRC   

Oil and gas exploration, development, production and marketing, crude oil processing, oil products trading and distribution

   30   25
SPCL    Shanghai, the PRC   

Crude oil processing, petroleum products, synthetic resins and plastics products, synthetic fibre raw materials and synthetic fibres

   20   25
BPCECILWales, the UK   

Investment

   50   50

 

  (2) The amounts of the Company’s related party transactions during the year and its balances with related parties at the year end are summarized as follows:

 

  (i) The material transactions with related parties are summarized as follows:

Receiving construction services

 

     2007
RMB’000
   2008
RMB’000
   2009
RMB’000

Sinopec International Co., Ltd. (“Sinopec International”)

   896    —      —  

SPCL

   —      3,051    3,820

BPCECIL

   —      182    180

BP Singapore Pte Limited (“BP Singapore”)

   —      558    844

Other fellow subsidiariesof Sinopec, SPCL

   943    75,559    110,273
              
   1,839    79,350    115,117
              

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

Purchase of goods

 

     2007
RMB’000
   2008
RMB’000
   2009
RMB’000

Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Branch (“Sinopec Gaoqiao Branch”)

   4,624,063    5,218,164    3,350,643

Sinopec Guangzhou Branch

   202,539    140,902    29,522

Sinopec Zhenhai Branch

   8,474,446    7,286,226    3,913,650

SPCL

   1,031,613    885,581    541,797

Sinopec Jinling Branch

   172,248    —      —  

China Jinshan Associated Trading Corporation (“JAT”)

   9,702    125,196    168,024

Shanghai Golden Conti Petrochemcial Co., Ltd

   94,517    —      98,331

Hangzhou Refinery China Petrochemical Corporation (“Hangzhou Refinery”)

   79,142    47,335    26,551

BP Singapore Pte Limited (“BP Singapore”)

   46,935    27,088    —  

Other fellow subsidiaries of Sinopec, SPCL

   34,205    118,330    531,021
              
   14,769,410    13,848,822    8,659,539
              

Sale of goods

 

     2007
RMB’000
   2008
RMB’000
   2009
RMB’000

Sinopec Assets Management Corporation Baling Petrochemical Branch

   —      110,754    117,963

Sinopec International Co., Ltd. (“Sinopec International”)

   82,151    77,078    21,452

Sinopec Gaoqiao Branch

   2,327,563    2,584,691    1,370,819

SPCL

   1,624,352    719,913    904,073

JAT

   243,699    611,509    518,192

Zhejiang Jingyong Acrylic Co., Ltd. (“Jinyong Acrylic”)

   729,079    351,136    —  

Sinopec Sales Company Jiangsu Branch

   —      —      14,779
              
   5,006,844    4,455,081    2,947,278
              

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

Lease

 

     2007
RMB’000
   2008
RMB’000
   2009
RMB’000

SPCL

   2,153    1,077    4,127
              

Entrusted loans

 

     2007
RMB’000
   2008
RMB’000
   2009
RMB’000

Sinopec

   —      —      —  

SPCL

   727,000    —      —  

BP Holdings

   391,000    —      —  

BP Zhuhai

   336,000    —      —  
              

Total

   1,454,000    —      —  
              

The above transactions with related parties were conducted under normal commercial terms or relevant agreements.

 

  (ii) The balances of transactions with related parties at December 31, are set out as follows:

 

          2008
          Accounts
receivable
   Prepayments    Accounts
payable
   Advances
from customers
   Other
payables
          RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000

Sinopec International

   —      —      —      352    4

Sinopec Zhenhai Branch

   —      —      102,637    —      —  

Sinopec Gaoqiao Branch

   22,665    7,251    —      —      —  

SPCL

   2,639    —      —      —      —  

Jingyong Acrylic

   8,847    —      —      —      —  

JAT

   30,848    11,781    120    —      —  

BP Singapore

   —      —      137    —      —  

Other fellow subsidiaries of Sinopec, SPCL

   —      29,520    39,743    4,134    1,966
                           
      64,999    48,552    142,637    4,486    1,970
                           
     2009     
     Accounts
receivable
   Prepayments    Accounts
payable
   Advances
from customers
   Other
payables
   Bills
payable
     RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000    RMB’000

Sinopec Zhenhai Branch

   —      —      1,934    —      —      270,000

Sinopec Gaoqiao Branch

   63,695    —      6,441    —      —      —  

SPCL

   129,540    —      —      —      —      —  

Jingyong Acrylic

   8,797    —      —      —      —      —  

Hangzhou Refinery

   —      —      2,917    —      —      —  

BP Singapore

   —      12    —      —      —      —  

Other fellow subsidiaries of Sinopec, SPCL

   48,892    12,718    21,994    860    1,809    —  
                             
   250,924    12,730    33,286    860    1,809    270,000
                             

 

  (iii) Relationships with the related parties under transactions stated in (2)(i)&(ii) above

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

Name of related parties

  

Relationship with the Company

     

Sinopec International Co., Ltd.

   A fellow subsidiary of Sinopec   

Sinopec International Industry Co., Ltd.

   A fellow subsidiary of Sinopec   

China International United Petroleum & Chemicals Co., Ltd.

   A fellow subsidiary of Sinopec   

Hangzhou Refinery China Petrochemical Corporation

   A fellow subsidiary of Sinopec   

Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Branch

   A branch of Sinopec   

Sinopec Zhenhai Branch

   A branch of Sinopec   

Sinopec Guangzhou Branch

   A branch of Sinopec   

Sinopec Jinling Branch

   A branch of Sinopec   

Sinopec Asset Management Corporation Baling Petrochemical Branch

   A branch of Sinopec   

Sinopec Sales Company Jiangsu Branch

   A branch of Sinopec   

China Jinshan Associated Trading Corporation

   A fellow subsidiary of SPCL   

Shanghai Golden Conti Petrochemical Co., Ltd.

   A fellow subsidiary of SPCL   

Zhejiang Jingyong Acrylic Co., Ltd.

   A fellow subsidiary of SPCL   

BP Singapore Pte Limited

   A fellow subsidiary of BPCECIL   

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

38 COMMITMENTS

 

  (a) Capital commitments

As at December 31, the capital commitments of the Company are summarized as follows:

 

     2008
RMB’000
   2009
RMB’000

Contracted for

   836,037    217,846

Authorized but not contracted for

   1,010,853    40,123
         

Total

   1,846,890    257,969
         

 

  (b) Operating lease commitments

As at December 31, the total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows:

 

     2008
RMB’000
   2009
RMB’000

Within 1 year (inclusive)

   11,292    4,736

Between 1 and 2 years (inclusive)

   4,736    395

Between 2 and 3 years (inclusive)

   395    —  
         

Total

   16,423    5,131
         

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

39 SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PREPARED UNDER THE CHINA ACCOUNTING STANDARDS FOR BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES GENERALLY ACCEPTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Unaudited)

The Company’s accounting policies conform with China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, which differ in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Information relating to the nature of such differences is presented below.

 

  (a) Staff and workers’ bonus and welfare fund

Under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, staff and workers’ bonus and welfare fund should be treated as profit appropriation.

Under U.S. GAAP, staff and workers’ bonus and welfare fund is recognized as an expense in the income statement.

 

  (b) Foreign currency transaction exchange gains and losses

Under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, foreign currency exchange differences on funds borrowed specifically for construction are capitalized as property, plant and equipment to the extent that they are regarded as an adjustment to interest costs during the construction period.

Under U.S. GAAP, such foreign currency transaction exchange gains and losses are included in current earnings.

 

  (c) Reversal of inventory provision

Under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, when the net realizable value of inventory that has been written down increases subsequently, the write-down is reversed.

Under U.S. GAAP, a write-down of inventory to market is not reversed for subsequent recoveries in value.

 

  (d) Deferred income taxes

Under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, a deferred tax asset resulting from timing differences should be recognized and presented as a deferred tax asset only if there will be sufficient taxable income during the period of their reversal.

Under U.S. GAAP, deferred income taxes are generally recognized for all temporary differences that exist between the carrying amounts of all assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases amounts. A valuation allowance is recognized to the extent it is more likely than not a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

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SHANGHAI SECCO PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Notes to the financial statements—(Continued)

(Expressed in Renminbi)

 

  (e) Presentation of land use rights

Under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, land use rights are classified under “Intangible Assets”.

Under U.S. GAAP, the costs of such land use rights are considered to be prepaid expenses and are generally classified under “Lease Prepayments” in the balance sheet.

 

  (f) Presentation of income statement

Under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, financial expenses and investment income are included in the calculation of “Operating profit”.

Under U.S. GAAP, such financial expenses and investment income generally are excluded from “Operating Profit”.

 

  (g) Presentation of cash flow statement

Under China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises, investment income received is classified as investing activities and interest expenses paid are classified as financing activities.

Under U.S. GAAP, such investment income received and interest expenses paid are classified as operating activities.

 

F-114


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

No.

  

Exhibit

12.1    Certification of Chairman Required by Rule 13a-14(a).
12.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a).
13.1    Certification of Chairman Required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
13.2   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United

States Code.