Stock Exchange Of Hong Kong Amendments To The Main Board Listing Rules In Relation To Directors' Dealings And To The GEM Listing Rules In Relation To Directors' Dealings And Year 2000 Compliance

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (the Exchange) has amended the restriction period for directors' dealings in their companies' securities under the Exchange Listing Rules.

The amended restriction period commences one month prior to the earlier of: (i) the date of the board meeting for the approval of the issuers' financial results; and (ii) the deadline for publishing their results under the Main Board Listing Agreement or the GEM Listing Rules. It ends on the date of publication of the respective results announcement.

The Exchange has also repealed Practice Note 1 to the GEM Listing Rules. GEM listing applicants no longer have to confirm that their computer systems are Year 2000 compliant in the listing documents.

The rule change on Year 2000 compliance will come into effect on 20 June 2001.

The rule change on directors' dealings will be effective in respective of accounting periods ending on or after 30 June 2001.