17 November, 2022
Under the theme, Repurposing in Changing Times – the Company, Governance and the Governance Professional, the Institute’s latest Corporate Governance Conference (CGC) explored the way governance needs to be ‘repurposed’ to be part of the solution to the many...
17 November, 2022
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) was launched last year by the IFRS Foundation to develop a global baseline of sustainability-related disclosures. As a Vice-Chair of the IFRS Foundation, Senior Partner in the Hong Kong office of Freshfields...
17 November, 2022
Session three of the Institute’s CGC 2022 provided insights and practical suggestions on how to get beyond the current disconnect between messaging and action when it comes to diversity and inclusion. As discussed in the first cover story this month, the emerging...
17 November, 2022
Agnes Cheung, Director and Head of Tax, and Abigail Li, Director, BDO Tax Ltd, summarise recent proposals to refine Hong Kong’s foreign source income exemption (FSIE) regime for passive income and discuss what companies should now be considering in preparation. The...
17 November, 2022
CGC review 2022: Repurposing governance – Mind the credibility gap Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
22 November, 2021
Ellie Pang, Chief Executive, The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, reviews the Institute’s work in promoting the professional development of board secretaries in the Mainland for more than three decades. The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (the...
22 November, 2021
Kenneth Jiang FCG FCS(PE), Chief Representative, Beijing Representative Office of The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, reviews the work of the Institute in the Mainland in fiscal 2021, and looks at what the future will hold for governance professionals in...
22 November, 2021
The chairmen of two new committees set up by The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute update readers on the benefits of building an influential and expanded professional network in the Mainland. Governance professionals and directors working in Hong Kong and the...
22 November, 2021
Richard Sheng, Board Secretary and Brand Director, Ping An Insurance Group, gives advice on integrating environmental, social and governance factors into corporate risk management systems. In recent years, international capital markets have paid more attention to the...
22 November, 2021
Dr Jin Xiaobin FCG FCS, former Vice-President and Board Secretary, Haitong Securities, shares the dos and don’ts of market value management in listed companies. On 9 May 2021, news broke on the Internet that a listed company, ZOY Home Furnishing, manipulated stock...
22 November, 2021
Mainland edition Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
24 November, 2020
The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries’ 12th biennial Corporate Governance Conference, held in hybrid mode on 25 and 26 September 2020, addressed one of the toughest and most critically important concerns for governance professionals – how to build and...
24 November, 2020
This second part of our review of the 12th biennial Corporate Governance Conference of The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries highlights how boards can help organisations navigate the immediate and long-term challenges of a time of unprecedented change. The...
24 November, 2020
Chen Liping, Executive Director and General Manager of CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering (Group) Company Ltd, offers an interesting perspective on the role of the board secretary based on his own experience transitioning from financial management to governance....
24 November, 2020
Vivian Chow, Principal of Risk Advisory, BDO, examines the latest guidance on long suspension of listed companies, delisting framework and resumption conditions, and provides practical advice for issuers seeking a resumption of trading. Listing suspension serves to...
24 November, 2020
New additions to the guidance note series of The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries highlight the implications of the current COVID-19 pandemic for the work of governance professionals. It is hard to think of any areas of the work and personal lives of...
24 November, 2020
What is your role as a governance professional? ‘I am now working in the legal and compliance department of the Hong Kong branch of a Chinese bank which is listed in Shanghai and Hong Kong. I am a rules and regulations promoter and guardian to assist the bank’s senior...
24 November, 2020
What is your role as a governance professional? ‘I have been with ANTA Sports Products for almost six years. Since the company doesn’t have a company secretarial department, our investor relations (IR) department takes on some company secretarial duties. As Investor...
24 November, 2020
Board building – CGC 2020 review Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
22 November, 2019
At a time of great change for the profession and for wider society in Hong Kong and the Mainland, Kenneth Jiang FCIS FCS(PE), Chief Representative of the Institute’s Beijing Representative Office, reaffirms the Institute’s commitment to its core mission – the...
22 November, 2019
Angel Sze FCIS FCS, Company Secretary, Fosun International Ltd, offers some practical advice on how company/board secretaries can handle the complex issues involved in risk management and cross-border compliance. Risk management Managing the timely communication of...
22 November, 2019
Meng Xiangyun, Board Secretary, Chongqing Iron & Steel Company Ltd, looks at the governance practices of an A+H share listed company to illustrate the importance of effective checks and balances and incentive systems in modern companies, especially companies with...
22 November, 2019
Three board secretaries share their first-hand experience of the challenges of working for Mainland enterprises listed in both Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as the benefits of being a member of The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries. Dr Guo Huawei Dr...
22 November, 2019
Special Mainland Edition Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
14 November, 2018
Against a backdrop of rising demand in the Mainland for high-quality governance professionals, Kenneth Jiang FCIS FCS(PE), Chief Representative, The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (the Institute) Beijing Representative Office, reviews the work of the...
14 November, 2018
內地市場對高素質公司治理人才需求迫切，香港特許秘書公會（公會）北京代表處首席代表姜國樑FCIS FCS(PE) 回顧公會在內地發展公司治理專業及倡導良好公司治理的工作。 2018年H股公司迎來了在香港上市25週年的重大歷程，25年來公會跟隨內地資本與證券市場的發展脈搏，始終秉承倡導良好的公司治理與董事會秘書專業化發展的理念。在過去一年，公會在國際、內地與香港公司治理環境都發生了重大變革的情況下，砥礪前行，內地專業發展踏上了新的征程，各項工作取得了新的進展。 聯席成員、學員及會員數量持續增長...
14 November, 2018
2017年4月，重慶鋼鐵股份有限公司面臨退市及破產，但在短短一年間扭轉局面。重慶鋼鐵董事會秘書虞紅分享這個國企成功重整的體會和心得。...
14 November, 2018
In April 2017, Chongqing Iron & Steel Company Ltd (CISC) was facing delisting and bankruptcy, but within a year the company had turned its fortunes around. Yu Hong, Board Secretary, CISC, looks at the lessons to be learned from this dramatic rescue of a Chinese...
14 November, 2018
今期，本刊訪問了兩位內地知名企業的董事會秘書(董秘)，了解他們出任公司董秘的收穫和挑戰以及成為公會會員的優勢。 新疆金風科技股份有限公司副總裁兼董事會秘書及公司秘書馬金儒女士，以及中國石油化工股份有限公司（中國石化）副總裁兼董事會秘書黃文生先生，是公會資深會士，他們的豐富經驗，有助於公會其他會員了解內地企業董秘的職責，特別是董秘在國有企業董事會所扮演的角色。...
14 November, 2018
CSj talks to two senior Chartered Secretaries working for Mainland-based enterprises about the rewards and challenges of their roles, and the benefits of membership of the Institute. Ma Jinru FCIS FCS, Deputy General Manager and Board Secretary, Xinjiang Goldwind...
14 November, 2018
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting is a long-term undertaking that brings significant benefits to companies. Dr Glenn Frommer and Theodora Thunder, Principals, The Sustainability Partnership, outline the groundwork necessary to put in place an...
14 November, 2018
Stefano Mariani, Counsel, Deacons, highlights the compliance implications of Hong Kong’s new transfer pricing regime for enterprises operating in, or through, Hong Kong. The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No 6) Ordinance 2018 came into force in July 2018. This is perhaps...
14 November, 2018
New technological tools, including machine learning, can increase the efficiency of cross-border investigations into malpractice, but Colum Bancroft, Managing Director, and Edward Boyle, Senior Vice-President, AlixPartners, highlight the need for appropriate data...
14 November, 2018
Mainland China update – Taking governance to the next level Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
14 November, 2017
CSj examines the key emerging technology issues relevant to Hong Kong businesses and looks at the role of company secretaries in ensuring the effective management of technology risks and opportunities. From hacking to digital payments, technology issues have become...
14 November, 2017
Alaya Consultings second annual survey of the ESG performance of Hong Kongs top 200 listed companies finds that 99% of the companies surveyed are in compliance with current ESG reporting requirements. The survey also indicates, however, that few companies are getting...
14 November, 2017
Company secretaries have a key role in addressing climate risk, argues Maya de Souza, Senior Manager – Policy Research, Business Environment Council Ltd, not only to ensure effective risk management and ESG reporting, but also to future proof the organisations...
14 November, 2017
Compliance professionals need to keep a close eye on the case law relating to labour disputes in Hong Kong. Zoe Chan So Yuen FCS FCIS, solicitor, looks at how the courts in the HKSAR have played an important role in upholding basic employee rights. Hong Kong is often...
14 November, 2017
In July 2016, the Institute set up seven Interest Groups under the Technical Consultation Panel to produce guidance notes on key topics in governance and company secretarial practice. This article reviews the latest additions to the guidance note series. The...
14 November, 2017
Making sense of technology – the company secretary role Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full edition....
15 November, 2016
CSj takes a look at a new HKICS research report which promotes five imperatives listed companies should consider to improve their shareholder communications practices in Hong Kong. The theory is relatively simple – the owners of a business appoint directors to manage...
15 November, 2016
There is typically an investor relations function dedicated to shareholder communications in listed companies – so where does the company secretary fit in? Do company secretaries have a role to play in shareholder communications and, if so, how can they add most value...
15 November, 2016
Companies face heightened risks, as well as increased opportunities, as a result of the rapid advance of technological innovation, but what is the role of the company secretary in assisting companies to navigate these risks and exploit these opportunities? A new HKICS...
15 November, 2016
Xie Jilong, Board Secretary, CRRC Corporation Ltd, discusses the role of the board secretary. He stresses that board secretaries must fulfil their roles, be accountable and be able to communicate well to protect the interests of various parties. It is said that the...
15 November, 2016
Ken Lo, CEO, ANX International, gives an introduction to blockchain technology, its implications for the business environment and how organisations can harness its advantages. Financial technology (FinTech), which emerged in the mid-2000s, is the industry that merges...
15 November, 2016
Zoe Chan So Yuen FCIS FCS, discusses the impact of export controls and sanctions laws on international contracts. International sanctions law has emerged as an important compliance topic for corporations or individuals engaged in international trade and supply chain...
15 November, 2016
Shareholder Communications – Connecting issuers and owners Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
18 November, 2015
Lucy Newcombe, Director, Global Corporate Communications, Computershare, looks at the trends and transformations emerging from this year’s AGM season. Globally, the 2015 AGM season saw an increase in shareholder activism, including in Asia. There were two...
18 November, 2015
CSj talks to Michael Chan Yun Kwong, Chairman of fast-food group Café de Coral, and co-founder of the Legacy Academy which coaches families to pass on their businesses to the next generation in a sustainable way. The easiest way to lose a friend, an old saying goes,...
18 November, 2015
The Hong Kong government has launched a reform of the insurance sector which will lead to the creation of an independent Insurance Authority. Caroline Thomas, Senior Associate, Holman Fenwick Willan, offers her thoughts on what this might mean for Hong Kong. Professor...
18 November, 2015
How should Chinese companies with listings inside and outside Mainland China address the different regulatory requirements and governance expectations of their various listing jurisdictions? The latest in the Institute’s Affiliated Persons ECPD seminar series...
18 November, 2015
Imelda Kwong, Senior Manager, Risk Assurance, PricewaterhouseCoopers, highlights the challenges involved in environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting and provides a practical way forward for companies to get ready for the raised compliance expectations...
18 November, 2015
2015 AGM season review. Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
5 November, 2014
Regulators and senior company secretaries give their views on how the company secretary can support the effectiveness of independent nonexecutive directors. Within a unitary board system, corporate governance relies on independent non-executive directors to provide...
5 November, 2014
CK Low FCIS FCS, Associate Professor in Corporate Law, Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School, argues it is time for a shift of focus away from complex definitions of the independence of independent directors and towards the importance of ensuring appropriate...
5 November, 2014
The board secretary role has gone from being virtually unknown in Mainland China 20 years ago to commanding increasing importance and respect today. This fourth article in our ‘Know your Institute’ series looks at the role that the Hong Kong Institute of...
5 November, 2014
Lucy Newcombe, Corporate Communications Director at Computershare, takes us through the 2014 AGM season around the globe. It has been another packed AGM season around the world in 2014, with remuneration remaining the prime focus of attention in many countries;...
5 November, 2014
The Securities and Futures Commission answers questions relating to corporate announcements, profit warnings and the SFC’s review and investigation process raised by attendees at this year’s Annual Corporate and Regulatory Update seminar. 1. Announcements...
5 November, 2014
Patrick Wong, Partner, and Loretta Chan, Consultant, Mayer Brown JSM, look into the compliance obligations relating to the disclosure of bilingual names. On 3 March 2014, the Companies Ordinance (Cap 622), together with 12 items of subsidiary legislation, commenced...
5 November, 2014
Q: The ‘against’ votes for some of our resolutions at our AGM have increased in the past few years. How can we mitigate this? A: Try to identify your shareholder base, understand their concerns and communicate with them effectively. Consider using...
5 November, 2014
A special relationship? – Independent directors and the company secretary. Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
6 November, 2013
The Essential Company Secretary is, just as the title suggests, a one-stop guide to the essential responsibilities and duties of company secretaries in Hong Kong. Last month the HKICS published a revised edition of the guide which, in addition to giving readers useful...
6 November, 2013
This month CSj hears from the team behind the MTR corporation’s award-winning sustainability reports – Theodora Thunder, Managing Director, Streeter Strategic Ltd, and Dr Glenn Frommer, Head of Corporate Sustainability, MTR Corporation – about what it takes to...
6 November, 2013
As a former regulator, HKICS Fellow and an academic, Anthony Neoh FCIS FCS, Senior Counsel, Hong Kong Bar, brings to the corporate secretarial profession a depth of historical knowledge as well as an intimate understanding of the practical challenges faced by...
6 November, 2013
Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) argues that the new regime for the regulation of IPO sponsors in Hong Kong is part of a new drive by regulators, both in Hong Kong and globally, to hold IPO gatekeepers accountable. It would not be...
6 November, 2013
Erin Lyon, Executive Director, CSR Asia, argues that it is time for an honest and open dialogue about why the sustainability profession is failing to effect real change in business practices. The sustainability profession is arguably nascent. In the relatively short...
6 November, 2013
Security is the number one reason why an organisation switches from physical board meeting packs to using a digital board portal solution. However, security is also often cited as the major concern for organisations which decide not to make that switch. Phillip...
6 November, 2013
Q: We are planning to launch an employee share incentive scheme – what are the trends in Hong Kong and China? A: Over the past 10 years in Hong Kong and China, there has been a dramatic increase in the types of share plans being implemented as compensation tools to...
6 November, 2013
Essential reading – New guidance on professional standards Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
7 November, 2012
Over their 16-year history, the Institute’s corporate governance conferences have earned a reputation for generating unusually lively debates and this year’s forum was no exception. CSj looks at the conclusions of the Corporate Governance Conference (CGC)...
7 November, 2012
Gordon Jones FCIS FCS, author and Hong Kong’s former Registrar of Companies, looks at the corporate governance reforms implemented in the UK in response to the global financial crisis of 2007–2008, with particular reference to director selection and performance,...
7 November, 2012
The Institute’s latest research report on the roles and responsibilities of company secretaries in Hong Kong’s listed companies, published last month, highlights the growing demands on, and opportunities for, company secretaries in Hong Kong and mainland...
7 November, 2012
Increasingly company secretaries in Hong Kong need to keep an eye on international developments in anti-corruption compliance. International initiatives in combating corruption, together with overseas anti-corruption legislation with an extraterritorial reach, have...
7 November, 2012
Preparing for the Financial Conduct Authority’s new style of supervision in the UK As a parent, I know the challenge of supervising teenagers, it can be a little intimidating, particularly when you are outnumbered. In the case of the newly emerging Financial...
7 November, 2012
The winning paper in this year’s Corporate Governance Paper Competition examines some of the common weaknesses that undermine board effectiveness, particularly those highlighted by the Enron case. In part two, to be published in next month’s CSj, the...
7 November, 2012
Q: How can proxy solicitation help support corporate actions? A: The current ‘shareholder spring’ has caused issuers to sharpen their focus on the AGM/ EGM and ensure they have information on how their shareholders will vote and why. A proxy solicitor can...
7 November, 2012
CGC 2012 review – The rise of the company secretary. Click here or on the cover image below to view or download a pdf of the full...
