09:25 REGENT PACIFIC<00575>-Announcement&Resumption of Trading (1) 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. REGENT PACIFIC GROUP LIMITED (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability) (Stock code: 0575) ANNOUNCEMENT AND RESUMPTION OF TRADING The Company has been participating in exclusive discussions with an independent third party in connection with a proposed acquisition of a significant interest in a company that seeks investment opportunities in businesses that are engaged in the exploration and production of mining minerals in the Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China. The discussions are still at a preliminary stage and no terms of such acquisition have been agreed. The Proposed Acquisition, if it proceeds, may constitute a notifiable transaction (as defined in the Listing Rules). At the request of the Company, trading of the shares in the Company on the Stock Exchange was suspended at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, 11 April 2005 pending the release of this announcement. Trading of the shares is expected to resume at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 13 April 2005. Shareholders and potential investors should note that, other than arrangements as to exclusivity, no binding agreement has been reached, and any discussions between the parties may or may not result in any binding agreement. Shareholders and potential investors are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when dealing in the shares of the Company. This announcement is made at the request of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the `Stock Exchange') pursuant to Rule 13.10 of The Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange (the `Listing Rules'). The Board of Directors (the `Board' or the `Directors') of Regent Pacific Group Limited (the `Company') have noted the increase in both the price and trading volume of the Company's shares on 11 April 2005 and wish to state that the Directors are not aware of any reasons for such increase save for the announcement issued by the Company on 1 April 2005 with respect to the execution of a merger agreement between Bridge Securities Co., Ltd (`Bridge', a 77.75% owned subsidiary of Bridge Investment Holding Limited, which is in turn a 40.2% owned associate of the Company) and Leading Investment and Securities Co., Ltd (`Leading'), which is one of the condition precedents of completion of the disposal of interests in Bridge to Leading. In addition, further to the announcement issued by the Company on 21 January 2005 with respect to the exclusive negotiations (which shall expire on 19 April 2005 unless extended by the parties to the agreement) by the Company with certain independent third parties in connection with a proposed acquisition of a significant interest in a company that seeks investment opportunities in businesses that are engaged in the exploration and production of mining minerals in the Shaanxi Province of the People's Republic of China, the Directors would like to announce that the Company further entered into two exclusivity agreements with an independent third party (affiliated with the Shaanxi project) on 31 March 2005 and 11 April 2005 to secure the right to conduct exclusive negotiations until 8 July 2005 with this independent third party in relation to the proposed acquisition (the `Proposed Acquisition') of a significant interest in a company that seeks investment opportunities in businesses that are engaged in the exploration and production of mining minerals in the Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China. In this regard, a refundable deposit of US$150,000 (approximately HK$1.17 million) and a non-refundable deposit of US$350,000 (approximately HK$2.73 million) were paid by the Company to the independent third party on 4 and 11 April 2005 respectively. The US$150,000 deposit is refundable should certain definitive transaction documents not be entered into on or before expiry of the exclusivity period, while the amount paid of US$350,000 is not. The discussions regarding the Proposed Acquisition are at a preliminary stage. No definitive agreement or letter of intent has yet been signed and there can be no assurance that any such agreement or letter of intent will be signed. The Proposed Acquisition, if it proceeds, may constitute a notifiable transaction (as defined in the Listing Rules) as the consideration for such Proposed Acquisition may include the issue of new shares by the Company to the independent third party. The Directors wish to emphasise that no terms of any acquisition have been agreed. The Company will comply with the relevant provisions of the Listing Rules when the terms of acquisition have been agreed and update the market for further development of the