09:10     CHINA MER HOLD<00144> - Announcement                                

    The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited takes no responsibility for       
    the contents of this announcement, makes no representation as to its      
    accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaims any liability            
    whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon        
    the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.               
                                                                              
    CHINA MERCHANTS HOLDINGS (INTERNATIONAL)                                  
    COMPANY LIMITED                                                           
    (Incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance)                 
                                                                              
    (Stock Code: 144)                                                         
                                                                              
    ANNOUNCEMENT                                                              
    DELAY IN DESPATCH OF CIRCULAR                                             
                                                                              
    As the Company requires additional time for preparing and                 
    reviewing the financial information (including the accountants'           
    report on SIPG and pro forma financial information) required to be        
    included in the circular, the Company announces that it has applied       
    to the Stock Exchange for a waiver from strict compliance with Rule       
    14.38 of the Listing Rules such that the despatch of the circular in      
    relation to the Transactions can be postponed. The Company expects to     
    despatch the circular on or before 31 January 2005.                       
                                                                              
    Reference is made to the announcement issued by the Company dated 29      
    December 2004 (the `Announcement'). Capitalised terms used in this        
    announcement which are not defined in this announcement shall have        
    the same meanings as those defined in the Announcement, unless the        
    context requires otherwise.                                               
                                                                              
    Pursuant to Rule 14.38 of the Listing Rules, the Company is required      
    to despatch the major transaction circular in relation to the             
    Transactions to the shareholders of the Company within 21 days after      
    the publication of the Announcement, which shall be on or before 19       
    January 2005. As the Company requires additional time for preparing       
    and reviewing the financial information (including the accountants'       
    report on SIPG and pro forma financial information) required to be        
    included in the circular, the Company has applied to the Stock            
    Exchange for a waiver from strict compliance with Rule 14.38 of the       
    Listing Rules such that the despatch of the circular in relation to       
    the Transactions can be postponed. The Company expects to despatch        
    the circular on or before 31 January 2005.                                
                                                                              
    By Order of the Board                                                     
    Li Yi                                                                     
    Managing Director                                                         
                                                                              
                                                                              
    The Board as at the date of this announcement comprises Dr. Fu            
    Yuning, Mr. Zhao Huxiang, Mr. Li Yinquan, Mr. Hu Zheng, Mr. Meng Xi,      
    Mr. Li Yi, Mr. To Wing Sing and Mr. Yu Liming who are the executive       
    Directors, Mr. Tsang Kam Lan, Mr. Kut Ying Hay, Mr. Koo Kou Hwa, Mr.      
    Lee Yip Wah Peter and Mr. Li Kwok Heem John who are the independent       
    non-executive Directors.                                                  
                                                                              
    Hong Kong, 19 January 2005