09:24 <00017> & <00917> - Joint Ann & NEW WORLD CHINA Resumed (8) EXPECTED TIMETABLE The expected timetable for the Rights Issue set out below is indicative only and it has been prepared on the assumption that the Rights Issue will be approved by the Shareholders at the EGM. The expected timetable is subject to change, and any such changes will be announced in a separate announcement by the Company as and when appropriate. Despatch of Company's circular with notice of EGM Friday, 4 March 2005 Last day of dealings in Shares on a cum-rights basis 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, 9 March 2005 First day of dealings in Shares on an ex-rights basis Thursday, 10 March 2005 Latest time for lodging transfer of Shares in order to qualify for the Rights Issue 4:00 p.m., Friday, 11 March 2005 Register of members of the Company closed Monday, 14 March 2005 to Monday, 21 March 2005 (both dates inclusive) Latest time for lodging forms of proxy for the EGM 10:00 a.m., Saturday, 19 March 2005 EGM 10:00 a.m., Monday, 21 March 2005 Record Date Monday, 21 March 2005 Despatch of Rights Issue Documents Monday, 21 March 2005 Announcement of results of EGM Tuesday, 22 March 2005 Register of members re-opens Tuesday, 22 March 2005 First day of dealings in nil-paid Rights Shares Wednesday, 23 March 2005 Latest time for splitting of nil-paid Rights Shares 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, 30 March 2005 Last day of dealings in nil-paid Rights Shares Monday, 4 April 2005 Latest time for payment and acceptance of Rights Issue 4:00 p.m., Friday, 8 April 2005 Latest time for the Rights Shares to become unconditional 4:00 p.m., Friday, 8 April 2005 Announcement of results of acceptance of and excess applications for the Rights Issue appears on newspapers Wednesday, 13 April 2005 Despatch of refund cheques in respect of unsuccessful or partially unsuccessful excess applications for excess Rights Shares on or before Thursday, 14 April 2005 Despatch of certificates for fully-paid Rights Shares on or before Thursday, 14 April 2005 Commencement of dealings in fully-paid Rights Shares 9:30 a.m., Monday, 18 April 2005 GENERAL MANDATES TO ISSUE SHARES AND REPURCHASE SHARES The existing general mandates to issue 299,474,738 Shares and repurchase 149,737,369 Shares were granted to the Directors pursuant to a Shareholders' ordinary resolution at the annual general meeting of the Company held on 6 December 2004. As at the date of this announcement, the existing general mandates have not been utilised. The Directors propose to seek Shareholders' approval at the EGM for the granting of general mandates to issue Shares and repurchase Shares not exceeding 20% and 10% respectively of the issued share capital of the Company as at 6 December 2004 and as enlarged by the Rights Issue. No Shareholders are required to abstain from voting at the EGM on the proposed resolution approving the general mandates pursuant to Rule 13.36(4)(e) of the Listing Rules. The Company has not issued any equity securities in the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of this announcement save as the 15,629,800 Shares issued to the holders of Share Options pursuant to their exercise of the subscription rights attached to such Share Options. SUSPENSION AND RESUMPTION OF TRADING At the request of the Company, trading in the Shares on the Stock Exchange was suspended from 9:30 a.m. on Friday, 18 February 2005 pending the release of this announcement. The Company has applied to the Stock Exchange for the resumption of trading in the Shares with effect from 9:30 a.m. on Monday, 21 February 2005. GENERAL An independent board committee of the Company has been appointed to advise the Independent Shareholders on the terms of the Rights Issue. Commerzbank has been appointed as the independent financial advisor to advise the independent board committee of the Company and the Independent Shareholders on the terms of the Rights Issue. A circular containing, among other things, details of the Rights Issue, a letter from the independent board committee of the Company and a letter of advice from the independent financial advisor to the independent board committee of the Company together with a notice convening the EGM will be despatched to the Shareholders on or before Friday, 4 March 2005.