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China Mobile Limited

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FY2014 Annual Report · China Mobile Limited
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WE 
       CREATED A

MIRACLE

ANNUAL REPORT 2014
CHINA MOBILE LIMITED
Stock Code: 941

720,000

+

base stations

more than 

90 million

customers 

 
 
CONTENTS

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10

11

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24

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35

48

50

66

69

70

72

74

75

76

78

Milestones

Financial Highlights

Company Profile

Corporate Information

Biographies of Directors and Senior 
Management

Chairman’s Statement

Business Review

Financial Review

Corporate Governance Report

Human Resources Development

Report of Directors

Notice of the Annual General 
Meeting

Independent Auditor’s Report

Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Balance Sheet

Consolidated Statement of 
Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of
Cash Flow

Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements

130

Financial Summary

132

Glossary

MILESTONES

1997
3 SEPTEMBER

1999
2 NOVEMBER

China  Telecom  (Hong  Kong)  Limited 
was  incorporated  in  Hong  Kong  and 
later  changed  its  name  to  China  Mobile 
(Hong  Kong)  Limited  and  its  name  was 
subsequently  changed  to  China  Mobile 
Limited.

China Telecom (Hong Kong) 
Limited completed an equity 
offering  of  approximately 
US$2 billion and an offering 
of  global  notes  of  US$600 
million due 2004.

22 & 23 OCTOBER

12 NOVEMBER

China Telecom (Hong Kong) Limited raised 
US$4.2  billion  in  its  initial  public  offering, 
with  its  shares  listed  on  the  NYSE  and 
HKEx, respectively.

China Telecom (Hong Kong) 
L i m i t e d   c o m p l e t e d   t h e 
acquisition of Fujian Mobile, 
Henan  Mobile  and  Hainan 
Mobile.

1998
4 JUNE

China  Telecom  (Hong  Kong)  Limited 
completed  the  acquisition  of  Jiangsu 
Mobile.

2000
28 JUNE

China  Telecom  (Hong  Kong)  Limited  changed  its  name  to 
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited.

4 OCTOBER

China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited and Vodafone Group Plc. 
entered  into  a  strategic  investor  subscription  agreement, 
whereby Vodafone Group Plc. agreed to acquire new shares 
of China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited for US$2.5 billion.

3 NOVEMBER

China  Mobile  (Hong  Kong)  Limited  completed  an  equity 
offering of approximately US$6.865 billion and an offering of 
convertible notes of US$690 million due 2005. China Mobile 
(Hong  Kong)  Limited  also  raised  RMB12.5  billion  by  way  of 
syndicated loans.

13 NOVEMBER

China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited completed the acquisition 
of  Beijing  Mobile,  Shanghai  Mobile,  Tianjin  Mobile,  Hebei 
Mobile,  Liaoning  Mobile,  Shandong  Mobile  and  Guangxi 
Mobile.

2003
22 JANUARY

The  RMB8  billion  corporate  bonds,  issued  in  China  through 
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 
were  listed  and  commenced  trading  on  the  Shanghai  Stock 
Exchange  and  received  an  enthusiastic  response  from  the 
market.

2004
1 JULY

China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited completed the acquisition 
of  Neimenggu  Mobile,  Jilin  Mobile,  Heilongjiang  Mobile, 
Guizhou  Mobile,  Yunnan  Mobile,  Xizang  Mobile,  Gansu 
Mobile, Qinghai Mobile, Ningxia Mobile, Xinjiang Mobile, CMC 
and  Beijing  P&T  Consulting  &  Design  Institute  Company 
Limited. The Company became the first overseas-listed PRC 
telecommunications  company  operating  in  all  31  provinces, 
autonomous regions and directly-administered municipalities 
in Mainland China.

2002
1 JULY

China  Mobile  (Hong  Kong) 
L i m i t e d   c o m p l e t e d   t h e 
acquisition  of  Anhui  Mobile, 
Jiangxi  Mobile,  Chongqing 
Mobile,  Sichuan  Mobile, 
Hubei Mobile, Hunan Mobile, 
Shaanxi  Mobile  and  Shanxi 
Mobile.

28 OCTOBER

C h i n a   M o b i l e   ( H o n g 
Kong)  Limited,  through  its 
wholly-owned  subsidiary, 
Guangdong  Mobile,  issued 
a  further  RMB8  billion  in 
a g g r e g a t e   o f   c o r p o r a t e 
bonds in China.

2001
18 JUNE

C h i n a   M o b i l e   ( H o n g 
Kong)  Limited,  through  its 
wholly-owned  subsidiary, 
Guangdong  Mobile,  issued 
an aggregate of RMB5 billion 
of corporate bonds in China, 
which  were  successfully 
listed on the Shanghai Stock 
Exchange  on  23  October 
2001.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

002

003

MILESTONES

2007
22 & 23 OCTOBER

The  10th  anniversary  of  China 
Mobile  Limited’s  listings  on  the 
HKEx and NYSE.

2006
28 MARCH

China  Mobile  (Hong  Kong)  Limited  completed  the  acquisition  and 
privatization of former China Resources Peoples Telephone Company 
Limited  which  later  changed  its  name  to  China  Mobile  Peoples 
Telephone  Company  Limited.  China  Mobile  Peoples  Telephone 
Company Limited became a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile 
(Hong  Kong)  Limited.  China  Mobile  Peoples  Telephone  Company 
Limited changed its name later to China Mobile Hong Kong Company 
Limited.

29 MAY

China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited changed its name to China Mobile 
Limited.

8 JUNE

China Mobile Limited entered into a memorandum of understanding 
with News Corporation and STAR Group Limited to build a long-term 
wireless media strategic alliance.

2010
10 MARCH

T h e   C o m p a n y ’ s   w h o l l y -
owned  subsidiary,  Guangdong 
Mobile  and  Shanghai  Pudong 
Development  Bank  Co.,  Ltd. 
(“SPD  Bank”),  entered  into  a 
share  subscription  agreement 
to  acquire  20%  interest  in  SPD 
B a n k   a t   a   c o n s i d e r a t i o n   o f 
RMB39.5  billion.  Completion  of 
the  subscription  took  place  in 
October.

On 25 November, China Mobile 
Limited  and  SPD  Bank  entered 
into  a  strategic  cooperation 
agreement,  thereby  officially 
commenced  their  cooperation 
in  areas  of  mobile  finance  and 
mobile e-Commerce businesses.

2013
4 DECEMBER

2012
23 AUGUST

The  Company’s  wholly-owned 
s u b s i d i a r y ,   C M C ,   e n t e r e d 
i n t o   a   s h a r e   s u b s c r i p t i o n 
agreement  with  IFLYTEK  CO., 
LTD.  (“IFLYTEK”)  to  acquire 
70,273,935  ordinary  shares  of 
IFLYTEK, representing 15% of its 
enlarged issued share capital, in 
an effort to speed up our mobile 
Internet deployment.

China Mobile Communications Corporation (our parent) was granted a 
4G (TD-LTE) license. The Group has thus taken the lead in launching 
its  4G  commercial  services  in  16  cities  in  China,  which  has  been 
positively received by its customers.

18 DECEMBER

The  Company  launched  the  new  commercial  brand  “and!”  which 
represents  China  Mobile’s  belief  in  continuously  seeking  value 
innovation, promoting industry developments and accomplishing the 
strategic  vision  of  “Mobile  Changes  Life”.  This  also  represents  that 
China  Mobile  is  always  by  the  side  of  its  customers,  helps  them  to 
achieve their dreams and accomplish excellence.

2014
9 JUNE

T h e   C o m p a n y   a g r e e d   t o , 
t h r o u g h   i t s   w h o l l y - o w n e d 
s u b s i d i a r y ,   s u b s c r i b e   f o r 
shares  in  True  Corporation 
Public  Company  Limited  (“True 
Corporation”) in Thailand through 
a  private  placement  for  a  total 
consideration  of  approximately 
RMB5.5 billion. Upon completion 
of the transaction, the Company 
indirectly  holds  18%  equity 
interest in True Corporation.

11 JULY

China  Mobile  together  with 
C h i n a   T e l e c o m   a n d   C h i n a 
Unicom jointly established China 
C o m m u n i c a t i o n s   F a c i l i t i e s 
Services  Corporation  Limited 
( s u b s e q u e n t l y   r e n a m e d   a s 
C h i n a   T o w e r   C o r p o r a t i o n 
Limited).  The  Company  through 
its  wholly-owned  subsidiary 
subscribed  for  shares  in  this 
company  for  a  consideration  of 
RMB4  billion,  representing  40% 
of its registered share capital.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

004

005

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Operating revenue (RMB million)

641,448

630,177

581,835

Of which: Revenue from telecommunications services 

2014

2013

2012

(RMB million)

EBITDA1 (RMB million)

EBITDA margin2

Profit attributable to equity shareholders (RMB million)

Margin of profit attributable to equity shareholders3

Basic EPS (RMB)

Dividend per share  – Interim (HK$)

– Final (HK$)

– Full year (HK$)

581,817

235,259

36.7%

109,279

17.0%

5.38

1.540

1.380

2.920

590,811

240,426

38.2%

121,692

19.3%

6.05

1.696

1.615

3.311

560,413

253,646

43.6%

129,274

22.2%

6.43

1.633

1.778

3.411

1 

2 
3 

The Company defines EBITDA as profit for the year before taxation, share of profit of associates, finance costs, interest income, non-operating 
income (net), depreciation, amortization of other intangible assets and impairment loss of goodwill
EBITDA margin = EBITDA/Operating revenue
Margin of profit attributable to equity shareholders = Profit attributable to equity shareholders/Operating revenue

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

OPERATING REVENUE
(RMB million)

630,177

641,448

EBITDA
(RMB million)

  EBITDA margin

38.2%

36.7%

240,426

235,259

2013

2014

2013

2014

PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE 
TO EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS
(RMB million)

  Margin of profit attributable to equity shareholders

BASIC EPS
(RMB)

19.3%

17.0%

121,692

109,279

6.05

5.38

2013

2014

2013

2014

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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COMPANY PROFILE

China Mobile Limited (the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) was incorporated in Hong Kong on 3 September 1997. 
The  Company  was  listed  on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  (“NYSE”)  and  The  Stock  Exchange  of  Hong  Kong  Limited  (“HKEx”  or  the  “Stock 
Exchange”) on 22 October 1997 and 23 October 1997, respectively. The Company was admitted as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index 
in Hong Kong on 27 January 1998.

As the leading mobile services provider in Mainland China, the Group boasts the world’s largest mobile network and the world’s largest mobile 
customer base. In 2014, the Company was once again selected as one of the “FT Global 500” by Financial Times and “The World’s 2,000 Biggest 
Public Companies” by Forbes magazine, and recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index. The Company currently has 
a corporate credit rating of Aa3/Outlook Stable from Moody’s and AA-/Outlook Stable from Standard & Poor’s, equivalent to China’s sovereign 
credit rating, respectively.

The Company owns 100% interest in the following major subsidiaries:

•  China Mobile Communication Company Limited (“CMC”)
•  China Mobile Group Guangdong Company Limited (“Guangdong Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Zhejiang Company Limited (“Zhejiang Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Jiangsu Company Limited (“Jiangsu Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Fujian Company Limited (“Fujian Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Henan Company Limited (“Henan Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Hainan Company Limited (“Hainan Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Beijing Company Limited (“Beijing Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Shanghai Company Limited (“Shanghai Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Tianjin Company Limited (“Tianjin Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Hebei Company Limited (“Hebei Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Liaoning Company Limited (“Liaoning Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Shandong Company Limited (“Shandong Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Guangxi Company Limited (“Guangxi Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Anhui Company Limited (“Anhui Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Jiangxi Company Limited (“Jiangxi Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Chongqing Company Limited (“Chongqing Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Sichuan Company Limited (“Sichuan Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Hubei Company Limited (“Hubei Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Hunan Company Limited (“Hunan Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Shaanxi Company Limited (“Shaanxi Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Shanxi Company Limited (“Shanxi Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Neimenggu Company Limited (“Neimenggu Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Jilin Company Limited (“Jilin Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Heilongjiang Company Limited (“Heilongjiang Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Guizhou Company Limited (“Guizhou Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Yunnan Company Limited (“Yunnan Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Xizang Company Limited (“Xizang Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Gansu Company Limited (“Gansu Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Qinghai Company Limited (“Qinghai Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Ningxia Company Limited (“Ningxia Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Xinjiang Company Limited (“Xinjiang Mobile”)
•  China Mobile Group Design Institute Company Limited (“Design Institute”)
•  China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (“Hong Kong Mobile”), and
•  China Mobile International Limited (“International Company”),

and operates nationwide mobile telecommunications networks in all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and directly-administered municipalities in 
Mainland China and in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through these subsidiaries.

COMPANY PROFILE

In addition, the Company owns a 100% equity interest in China Mobile M2M Company Limited, China Mobile (Shenzhen) Limited, China Mobile 
Online  Services  Company  Limited,  China  Mobile  (Suzhou)  Software  Technology  Company  Limited,  China  Mobile  (Hangzhou)  Information 
Technology  Company  Limited  and  MIGU  Company  Limited,  a  99.97%  equity  interest  in  China  Mobile  Group  Device  Company  Limited 
(“China Mobile Device”), a 92% equity interest in China Mobile Group Finance Company Limited (“China Mobile Finance”) through Beijing Mobile, 
and a 66.41% equity interest in Aspire Holdings Limited (“Aspire”).

As of 31 December 2014, the Group had a total staff of 241,550, and maintained a leading position in Mainland China in terms of customer base 
which reached 807 million.

The Company’s majority shareholder is China Mobile (Hong Kong) Group Limited (“CMHK (Group)”), which, as of 31 December 2014, indirectly 
held approximately 72.85% of the total number of issued shares of the Company through a wholly-owned subsidiary, China Mobile Hong Kong (BVI) 
Limited (“CMHK (BVI)”). The remaining approximately 27.15% was held by public investors.

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CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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009

CORPORATE INFORMATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Directors
Mr. XI Guohua
(Executive Director & Chairman)
Mr. LI Yue
(Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer)
Mr. XUE Taohai
(Executive Director, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer)
Mr. SHA Yuejia
(Executive Director & Vice President)
Mr. LIU Aili
(Executive Director & Vice President)

Independent Non-Executive Directors
Dr. LO Ka Shui
Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing
Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi
Mr. Paul CHOW Man Yiu

PRINCIPAL BOARD COMMITTEES
Audit Committee
Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing (Chairman)
Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi
Mr. Paul CHOW Man Yiu

Remuneration Committee
Dr. LO Ka Shui (Chairman)
Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing
Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi

Nomination Committee
Dr. LO Ka Shui (Chairman)
Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing
Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi

COMPANY SECRETARY
Ms. WONG Wai Lan, Grace (FCS, FCIS)

AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP

LEGAL ADVISER
Sullivan & Cromwell

REGISTERED OFFICE
60/F, The Center
99 Queen’s Road Central
Hong Kong

PUBLIC AND INVESTOR RELATIONS
Tel: 852 3121 8888
Fax: 852 2511 9092
Website: www.chinamobileltd.com
Stock code: 

(HKEx) 941
(NYSE) CHL
CUSIP Reference Number: 16941M109

SHARE REGISTRAR
Hong Kong Registrars Limited
Shops 1712–1716, 17/F
Hopewell Centre
183 Queen’s Road East
Wanchai
Hong Kong

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS 
DEPOSITARY
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
USA

Overnight Correspondence:
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
211 Quality Circle, Suite 210
College Station, TX 77845
USA 
Tel: 1-888-BNY-ADRS (toll free in USA)
1 201 680 6825 (international call)

Email: shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com
Website: www.mybnymdr.com

PUBLICATIONS
As  required  by  the  United  States  securities  laws  and 
regulations,  the  Company  will  file  an  annual  report 
on  Form  20-F  with  the  United  States  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission before 30 April 2015. Copies of 
the annual report of the Company as well as the annual 
report on Form 20-F, once filed, will be available at:

Hong Kong:
China Mobile Limited
60/F, The Center
99 Queen’s Road Central
Hong Kong

The United States:
BNY Mellon
Depositary Receipts
101 Barclay Street, 22/F
New York, NY 10286
USA

 
 
BIOGRAPHIES OF DIRECTORS AND 
SENIOR MANAGEMENT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. XI Guohua

Age  63,  Executive  Director  and  Chairman  of  the  Company,  in  charge  of  the  overall  management  of  the 
Company,  joined  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  (the  “Board”)  in  July  2011.  Mr.  Xi  is  also  the 
Secretary of the CPC Committee and Chairman of China Mobile Communications Corporation (“CMCC”), 
and Chairman of CMC. Mr. Xi formerly served as Deputy Director General of the Telegraph Bureau, Deputy 
Director  of  the  Telecommunications  Division,  Director  General  of  the  Long-Distance  Telecommunications 
Bureau  and  Deputy  Chief  Engineer  and  Deputy  Director  General  of  the  Posts  and  Telecommunications 
Administration  of  Shanghai.  Mr.  Xi  also  served  as  Deputy  Director  General  of  the  Directorate  General  of 
Telecommunications of the former Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Chairman and Executive Vice 
President  of  Shanghai  Bell  Company  Limited,  Vice  Minister  of  the  Ministry  of  Information  Industry  (“MII”), 
President of China Network Communications Group Corporation, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and 
Information Technology, Vice Chairman of CMCC, CMC and the Company. Mr. Xi has not held any other 
directorships in any listed public companies in the last three years. Mr. Xi graduated from the Department 
of Electrical Engineering of Hefei University of Technology in 1977, and received a Master of Management 
degree in economics and management from Shanghai Jiaotong University and a Doctor of Management 
degree from the School of Economics and Management of Tongji University. Mr. Xi is a professor-level senior 
engineer and has extensive experience in telecommunications management, operations and technology.

Mr. LI Yue

Age  55,  Executive  Director  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  the  Company,  in  charge  of  the  operation  and 
management  of  the  Company,  joined  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  in  March  2003.  He  is  also 
the President and Director of CMCC and CMC. Mr. Li started his career in 1976 and previously served as 
Deputy Director General and Chief Engineer of Tianjin Long-Distance Telecommunications Bureau, Deputy 
Director  General  of  Tianjin  Posts  and  Telecommunications  Administration,  President  of  Tianjin  Mobile 
Communications Company, Deputy Head of the preparatory team and Vice President of CMCC, Chairman of 
Aspire, non-executive director of Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited and Chairman of Union Mobile 
Pay  Limited.  Mr.  Li  holds  a  Bachelor’s  Degree  in  telephone  exchange  from  the  Correspondence  College 
of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, a Master’s Degree in business administration from 
Tianjin University and a doctoral degree in business administration from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. 
He is a professor-level senior engineer and had won many national, provincial and ministerial level scientific 
and technological progress awards. Mr. Li has been engaging in telecommunication network operations and 
maintenance, planning and construction, operational management, development strategies and has many 
years of experience in the telecommunications industry.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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BIOGRAPHIES OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. XUE Taohai

Age  58,  Executive  Director,  Vice  President  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  of  the  Company,  principally  in 
charge of the corporate affairs, finance and internal audit of the Company, joined the Board of Directors 
of  the  Company  in  July  2002.  He  is  also  a  Vice  President  of  CMCC,  a  director  of  CMC,  and  director 
and Chairman of China Mobile Finance. Mr. Xue previously served as the Deputy Director General of the 
Finance  Department  of  the  former  Ministry  of  Posts  and  Telecommunications,  Deputy  Director  General 
of  the  Department  of  Financial  Adjustment  and  Clearance  of  the  MII  and  Deputy  Director  General  of  the 
former Directorate General of Telecommunications. He graduated from Henan University and received an 
EMBA degree from Peking University. Mr. Xue is a senior accountant with many years of experience in the 
telecommunications industry and financial management.

Mr. SHA Yuejia

Age  56,  Executive  Director  and  Vice  President  of  the  Company,  principally  in  charge  of  marketing, 
data  business  and  corporate  customer  management  of  the  Company,  joined  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
the  Company  in  March  2006.  He  is  also  a  Vice  President  of  CMCC,  a  director  of  CMC,  non-executive 
director  of  Phoenix  Satellite  Television  Holdings  Limited  and  Shanghai  Pudong  Development  Bank  Co., 
Ltd..  He  previously  served  as  Director  of  the  Engineering  Construction  Department  IV  Division  of  Beijing 
Telecommunications  Administration,  President  of  Beijing  Telecommunications  Planning  Design  Institute, 
Deputy  Director  General  of  Beijing  Telecommunications  Administration,  Vice  President  of  Beijing  Mobile 
Communications  Company,  and  Chairman  and  President  of  Beijing  Mobile.  Mr.  Sha  graduated  from 
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, and received a Master’s Degree from the Academy of 
Posts and Telecommunications of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and a doctoral degree in 
business administration from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is a professor-level senior engineer with 
many years of experience in the telecommunications industry.

BIOGRAPHIES OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. LIU Aili

Age  51,  Executive  Director  and  Vice  President  of  the  Company,  principally  in  charge  of  planning  and 
construction, network operation, business support, information management of the Company, joined the 
Board of Directors of the Company in March 2006. He is also a Vice President of CMCC and a director of 
CMC.  Mr  Liu  has  been  appointed  as  the  Chairman  of  China  Tower  Corporation  Limited  (formerly  known 
as  China  Communications  Facilities  Services  Corporation  Limited)  with  effect  from  July  2014.  Since 
November 2012, He ceased to be a non-executive director of China Communications Services Corporation 
Limited,  a  company  listed  in  Hong  Kong.  He  previously  served  as  Deputy  Director  General  of  Shandong 
Mobile  Telecommunications  Administration,  Director  General  of  Shandong  Mobile  Telecommunications 
Administration and General Manager of Shandong Mobile Communications Enterprises, Vice President of 
Shandong Mobile Communications Company, Director-General of Network Department of CMCC, Chairman 
and President of Shandong Mobile and Zhejiang Mobile, and Chairman of CMPak Limited. Mr. Liu graduated 
from Heilongjiang Posts and Telecommunications School with an associate degree. Mr. Liu also received 
a  Master  of  Management  degree  from  Norwegian  School  of  Management  BI  and  a  doctoral  degree  in 
business administration from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is a professor-level senior engineer with 
many years of experience in the telecommunications industry.

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Dr. LO Ka Shui

Age 68, Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company, joined the Board of Directors of the Company 
in April 2001. He was appointed as the Chairman of Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee 
of  the  Company.  Dr.  Lo  is  the  Chairman  and  Managing  Director  of  Great  Eagle  Holdings  Limited,  the 
Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Eagle Asset Management (CP) Limited (Manager of the publicly 
listed Champion Real Estate Investment Trust), LHIL Manager Limited (as Trustee-Manager of the publicly 
listed Langham Hospitality Investments) and Langham Hospitality Investments Limited. He is an Independent 
Non-Executive Director of Shanghai Industrial Holdings Limited, Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited 
and City e-Solutions Limited. Dr. Lo is a vice president of the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong 
Kong, a trustee of the Hong Kong Centre for Economic Research, the vice chairman of The Chamber of 
Hong Kong Listed Companies and a member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee of the Hong Kong 
Monetary Authority. Dr. Lo previously served as a Non-Executive Director of The Hongkong and Shanghai 
Banking  Corporation  Limited  and  an  independent  non-executive  director  of  Vanke  Property  (Overseas) 
Limited (formerly known as “Winsor Properties Holdings Limited”). Dr. Lo graduated from McGill University 
with a Bachelor of Science degree and from Cornell University with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. He 
was certified in internal medicine and cardiology. He has over three decades of experience in property and 
hotel development and investment both in Hong Kong and overseas.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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BIOGRAPHIES OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
BIOGRAPHIES OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing

Age 67, Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company, joined the Board of Directors of the Company 
in  August  2002.  He  was  appointed  as  the  Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  in  May  2013.  He  currently 
also serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited 
(China), Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director of Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust 
Management  Ltd,  Non-Executive  Director  of  PSA  International  Pte  Ltd  and  PSA  Corporation  Limited  in 
Singapore. He previously served as Vice Chairman of DBS Bank, Chairman of DBS Bank (Hong Kong) and 
DBS Bank (China) and was a member of the Boards of DBS Bank and DBS Group Holdings. Early on in 
his professional career, Mr Wong held a series of progressively senior positions at Citibank, JP Morgan and 
NatWest. More recently, Mr Wong was an Independent Non-Executive Director of Mapletree Investments Pte 
Ltd and National Healthcare Group Pte Ltd in Singapore. Committed to public service, he has held various 
positions  with  Hong  Kong  government  bodies  including  Chairman  of  the  Hong  Kong  Futures  Exchange 
between 1993 and 1998 and member of HKSAR’s Financial Services Development Council between 2013 
and 2015.

Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi, GBS, OBE, JP

Age 65, Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company, joined the Board of Directors of the Company 
in March 2003. Dr. Cheng is a practising solicitor and the senior partner of Messrs. P.C. Woo & Co. Dr. 
Cheng was a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. He is the founder chairman of the Hong 
Kong Institute of Directors of which he is now the Honorary President and Chairman Emeritus. Dr. Cheng 
currently holds directorships in Liu Chong Hing Investment Limited, China Resources Enterprise, Limited, 
Towngas  China  Company  Limited,  Kader  Holdings  Company  Limited,  K.  Wah  International  Holdings 
Limited,  Guangdong  Investment  Limited  and  Tian  An  China  Investments  Company  Limited,  all  of  which 
are public listed companies in Hong Kong. He is also an independent non-executive director of ARA Asset 
Management  Limited,  a  company  whose  shares  are  listed  on  Singapore  Exchange  Limited.  His  other 
directorships  in  public  listed  companies  in  the  last  3  years  include  Hong  Kong  Exchanges  and  Clearing 
Limited and Hong Kong Television Network Limited (formerly known as City Telecom (H.K.) Limited).

BIOGRAPHIES OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
BIOGRAPHIES OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Mr. Paul CHOW Man Yiu, GBS, SBS, JP

Age 68, Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company, joined the Board of Directors of the Company 
in  May  2013.  He  was  an  executive  director  and  Chief  Executive  of  Hong  Kong  Exchanges  and  Clearing 
Limited  from  April  2003  to  January  2010.  Hong  Kong  Exchanges  and  Clearing  Limited  is  listed  on  the 
Main Board of HKEx. Mr. Chow also served as the Chief Executive of the Asia Pacific Region (ex-Japan) 
of  HSBC  Asset  Management  (Hong  Kong)  Limited  from  1997  to  2003.  He  also  served  as  the  member 
and  the  Treasurer  of  the  Council  and  the  Court  of  the  University  of  Hong  Kong  and  the  Chairman  of  a 
charitable organization “Plan International Hong Kong”. Mr. Chow currently serves as the Chairman of Hong 
Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, a member of the Steering Committee on Innovation and 
Technology of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a member of the Asian 
Advisory Council of AustralianSuper and an independent non-executive director of Bank of China Limited (a 
company listed on the Main Board of HKEx).

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

014

015

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

Dear Shareholders,

2014 was an extraordinary year for China 

Mobile. Facing a complicated development 

landscape, the Group proactively aligned 

with the development trends of mobile 

Internet, focused on the strategic vision of 

“Mobile Changes Life”, accelerated strategic 

transformation and intensifi ed reform. We 

fi rmly seized the valuable opportunities arising 

in the fi rst year of full 4G commercialization, 

endeavored to promote transcending 4G 

developments with tremendous efforts and 

thereby, accomplished remarkable results 

and established new competitive advantages. 

Through promoting the transition from 

voice-centric to data-centric operations and 

facilitating the transformation and upgrade 

towards mobile Internet era, the Group 

maintained a favorable momentum of steady 

development in overall performance.

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

FINANCIAL RESULTS
In 2014, the transformation from business tax to value-
added  tax  and  the  adjustments  of  interconnection 
settlement  standards  had  significant  impact  on  our 
financial results, and the Group’s operating revenue was 
RMB641.4 billion, up by 1.8% compared to the previous 
year,  of  which,  revenue  from  telecommunications 
services  was  RMB581.8  billion,  down  by  1.5% 
compared to the previous year. Data business showed a 
positive growth momentum with revenue of RMB253.1 
billion, up by 22.3% compared to the previous year and 
as  a  percentage  of  revenue  from  telecommunications 
services  increased  to  43.5%,  of  which,  revenue  from 
wireless  data  traffic  reached  RMB153.9  billion,  up  by 
42.2%  compared  to  the  previous  year.  Data  traffic 
business became the primary driver of revenue growth, 
leading  to  a  further  optimized  revenue  structure.  The 
Group  proactively  optimized  its  resources  allocation, 
directing  resources  to  key  areas  affecting  its  core 
competitiveness including accelerating 4G development, 
enhancing network capabilities and improving customer 
services quality. Profit attributable to equity shareholders 
decreased by 10.2% compared to the previous year to 
RMB109.3 billion, and the margin of profit attributable to 
equity shareholders was 17.0%. EBITDA was RMB235.3 
billion,  down  by  2.1%  compared  to  the  previous  year, 
and EBITDA margin was 36.7%. EBITDA was 40.4% of 
revenue from telecommunications services. The Group 
continued to maintain favorable profitability.

RAPID 4G DEVELOPMENTS
By  firmly  seizing  the  arising  opportunities,  the  Group 
spared  no  effort  to  promote  4G  business  and 
accomplished transcending 4G developments.

Leveraging  on  our  first-mover  advantages  in  4G,  we 
swiftly  established  our  4G  network  capabilities.  We 
started  up  720,000  4G  base  stations  and  established 
the  world’s  largest  quality  4G  network  covering  a 
population  of  more  than  one  billion  people,  realizing 
nationwide continuous coverage in almost all cities and 
counties as well as data hotspot coverage in developed 
rural  towns  and  villages.  Through  expanding  coverage 
and  improving  reliability  of  our  network  quality,  we 
improved customer experience and laid the foundation 
for our first-mover advantages in 4G network capability. 
We  proactively  guided  the  development  of  the  device 
supply  chain  to  launch  4G  devices  of  more  diversified 
models  at  more  affordable  prices.  We  accelerated  our 
customer  migration  to  4G  network  by  offering  new 
integrated  tariff  plans  and  providing  more  convenient 
and  quicker  upgrade  services,  and  the  number  of  our 
4G  customers  demonstrated  an  accelerating  growth 
momentum. As at the end of December 2014, our 4G 
customer base exceeded 90 million and 4G customers’ 
DOU  reached  780MB.  Meanwhile,  we  have  launched 
4G  international  roaming  services  in  71  countries  and 
regions, and accelerated the global development of TD-
LTE through the efforts of GTI (Global TD-LTE Initiative).

The  transcending  4G  developments  established  our 
leading position in the market and laid a solid foundation 
for  the  sustainable  and  healthy  development  of  the 
Company.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

016

017

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Seizing  the  opportunities  arising  from  the  rapid  4G 
developments and popularization of smart devices, we 
actively  expanded  the  market  focusing  on  the  three 
major  drivers  of  our  operations  comprising  existing 
customers  and  business,  data  traffic  and  corporate 
customer  services,  and  maintained  stable  growth  in 
business development.

We maintained a stable customer base. As at the end 
of December 2014, we had over 800 million customers, 
representing  a  growth  of  39.43  million  customers 
compared  with  the  end  of  2013.  The  Group  furthered 
the  operation  of  existing  customers  and  business, 
optimized  customer  reward  programs,  established 
premier  customer  service  systems,  accelerated 
customer  migration  from  2G  and  3G  networks  to  4G 
network  and  achieved  stable  retention  of  middle-to-
high-end customers.

O u r   d a t a   t r a f f i c   o p e r a t i o n   e x p e r i e n c e d   r a p i d 
development.  Aligned  with  the  booming  increase  in 
data  traffic  demand,  we  optimized  our  data  traffic 
operation  system  and  explored  new  marketing 
modes  including  “data  traffic  sharing”  and  “corporate-
sponsored data traffic”. Mobile data traffic increased by 
115.1% compared to the previous year. Revenue from 
mobile  data  traffic  increased  by  42.9%,  increased  its 
contribution  to  25.9%  of  telecommunications  services 
revenue, becoming the primary driver of revenue growth.

We  made  remarkable  achievements  in  corporate 
customer operations. Revenue from informationalization 
services increased by 24.8% compared to the previous 
year,  leading  to  an  evident  increase  in  market  share. 
Revenue from dedicated lines for corporate customers 
and  IDC  also  increased  by  57.5%  and  71.1%, 
respectively.

The  Group  once  again  achieved  prominent  results 
in  device  sales.  In  2014,  we  achieved  a  record  sales 
volume,  which  significantly  accelerated  customer 
migration  from  2G  and  3G  networks  to  4G  network, 
provided strong support for operations of both existing 
customers and business and data traffic, and stimulated 
development of the 4G device supply chain.

STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION
Proactively  aligning  with  the  development  trends  of 
mobile  Internet  and  the  alternating  trends  of  the  three 
curves,  namely,  declining  voice  services,  vigorously 
growing  data  traffic  services  and  emerging  digital 
services  as  components  of  telecommunications 
revenue,  the  Group  leveraged  its  own  advantages 
and  capitalized  on  the  opportunities  arising  from  4G 
developments,  further  promoted  the  Four-Network 
Coordination, enhanced innovative full-service operation 
and actively explored mobile Internet, thereby attaining 
new achievements in strategic transformation.

The  Group  dynamically  responded  to  the  demand 
of  Four-Network  Coordination,  devoted  efforts  to 
the  exceptional  development  of  4G  business  and 
continuously  enhanced  its  overall  network  capability. 
The  Group  accelerated  the  data  traffic  migration  from 
2G and 3G networks to 4G network, leading to a more 
reasonable  data  carrying  structure  with  4G  network 
gradually  becoming  the  major  data  carrying  network 
and promoting the transition from voice-centric to data-
centric operations. The Group provided the foundation 
and  support  for  the  transition  from  mobile  services  to 
innovative  full-services  by  actively  implementing  the 
Broadband China strategy, focusing on accumulation of 
infrastructure resources including transmission networks 
and  public  Internet,  and  developing  broadband 
access  leveraging  on  its  4G  advantages.  Adhering  to 
the  “smart  pipes,  open  platform,  featured  services, 
friendly  interface”  policy,  the  Group  fully  leveraged 
its  advantages  in  resources,  scale  and  capabilities, 
actively deployed resources in mobile Internet, Internet 
of  Things  and  other  areas,  consolidated  the  product 
series  including  “and-Communication”,  “and-Life”,  and 
“and-Entertainment”,  thereby  steadily  promoting  the 
transformation  and  evolution  from  communications  to 
digital services.

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

REFORM AND INNOVATION
The  Group  strengthened  its  efforts  in  reform  and 
e n d e a v o r e d   t o   p r o m o t e   e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p   a n d 
innovation.  Adhering  to  the  principles  of  centralized 
management, operational specialization, market-oriented 
mechanisms, the building of a flat organization and the 
standardization  of  processes,  the  Group  constructed 
new infrastructure and developed products and services 
for  specialized  operations  and  further  enhanced  its 
capabilities to achieve sustainable growth in future.

We  made  notable  new  achievements  in  specialized 
operations.  With  respect  to  devices,  we  significantly 
reduced  the  costs  of  distribution  channels  and 
increasingly  diversified  device  models.  Smart  phones 
under  our  own  brand  priced  at  around  RMB1,000 
have  been  exported  to  and  sold  in  European  and 
Asian  markets.  With  respect  to  corporate  customer 
operations,  we  launched  Mobile  Cloud,  4G  multi-
function automobile devices and On-Board Diagnostics 
Box  devices  and  steadily  improved  our  network-
wide  service  capabilities.  With  respect  to  international 
business, we endeavored to lower international roaming 
settlement  costs,  launched  the  innovative  international 
fixed  data  packages  and  unlimited  daily  data  plans, 
and  vigorously  developed  4G  international  roaming 
services  to  persistently  improve  customer  perception. 
Further, we successfully acquired equity interests in True 
Corporation, a telecommunications operator in Thailand, 
and  commenced  operations  of  our  Global  Network 
Center  in  Hong  Kong,  significantly  enhancing  our 
capabilities  and  ability  to  provide  international  network 
services.  We  have  established  China  Mobile  Online 

Services  Company  Limited  focusing  on  centralized 
services and channel-based operations as well as MIGU 
Company  Limited  focusing  on  mobile  Internet  digital 
content  services.  We  are  now  under  way  to  jointly  set 
up  an  internet  of  vehicles  company,  namely,  Virtue 
Intelligent  Network  Company  Limited,  with  Deutsche 
Telekom AG.

We  strengthened  centralized  management.  With 
extensive promotion of our electronic procurement and 
tendering  system,  our  centralized  procurement  was 
continuously  improved.  We  established  the  centralized 
platform for data security to focus on handling indecent 
information.  We  also  further  strengthened  centralized 
management of sales outlets and promoted the reform 
of  centralized  network  operations  and  maintenance 
system.  Moreover,  there  was  steady  progress  in 
the  construction  of  modern  infrastructure  such  as 
centralized  data  centers  and  call  centers.  We  also 
commenced construction of research centers in Suzhou 
and Hangzhou.

The  Group  achieved  new  progress  in  its  innovative 
d e v e l o p m e n t .   W e   p u b l i s h e d   t h e   i n t e g r a t e d 
communications white paper on “New Communications, 
New Messages, New Contacts” and developed the initial 
capabilities  for  pre-commercial  operations.  Through 
optimizing  the  consolidation  and  operations  of  digital 
contents products, subscription increased continuously. 
In  addition,  we  promoted  the  transformation  of 
marketing  system,  optimizing  our  tariff  structure  and 
marketing  model,  invigorated  customer-oriented 
product  innovation  and  promoted  the  transformation 
of  operations  model  encompassing  various  aspects 
including  networks,  marketing,  services,  channels  and 
support.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

018

019

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Our  efforts  have  been  widely  recognized  and  praised. 
In 2014, the Company’s ranking in Forbes Magazine’s 
“Global  2000”  List  improved  to  28th  and  once  again, 
the  Company  was  listed  among  the  “FT  Global  500”, 
ranking 25th. The China Mobile brand was named one 
of  the  “BRANDZTM  Top  100  Most  Powerful  Brands” 
by  Millward  Brown  and  Financial  Times  for  the  ninth 
consecutive  year,  ranking  15th  globally.  In  2014, 
Moody’s  and  Standard  &  Poor’s  kept  our  corporate 
credit  ratings  equivalent  to  China’s  sovereign  credit 
ratings, which are Aa3/Outlook Stable and AA-/Outlook 
Stable, respectively.

DIVIDENDS
Based  on  the  Group’s  operating  performance  in  2014 
and  taking  into  consideration  its  long-term  future 
development,  in  accordance  with  the  dividend  payout 
ratio of 43% planned for the full financial year of 2014, 
the  Board  recommends  payment  of  a  final  dividend  of 
HK$1.380  per  share  for  the  financial  year  ended  31 
December 2014. This, together with the interim dividend 
of  HK$1.540  per  share  that  was  paid,  amounts  to  an 
aggregate dividend payment of HK$2.920 per share for 
the full financial year of 2014.

In  2015,  taking  into  consideration  various  relevant 
factors, including the Group’s overall financial condition, 
cash  flow  generating  capability  and  future  sustainable 
development  needs,  the  Company’s  planned  dividend 
payout ratio for the full year of 2015 will be 43%.

The  Board  believes  that  the  Company’s  favorable 
profitability and healthy cash flow generating capability 
will  be  able  to  provide  sufficient  support  to  its  future 
development,  while  providing  shareholders  with  a 
favorable return.

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Abiding  by  corporate  governance  principles  of 
integrity,  transparency,  openness  and  efficiency,  the 
Company  strived  to  better  corporate  governance 
practices  by  strictly  following  the  requirements  under 
the  Listing  Rules.  We  continued  to  improve  the  risk 
and  internal  control  management  system,  enhanced 
risk  predictions  and  the  effects  of  risk  management 
and  control,  and  promoted  the  integration  of  internal 
controls and business processes. In 2014, in response 
to internal and external operating environments as well 
as  regulatory  requirements,  we  continued  to  focus  on 
the  effectiveness  and  standards  of  our  development, 
strengthened  the  supervision  of  tariff  management, 
improved  the  efficiency  of  use  of  marketing  resources 
to  prevent  operation  risks  and  eliminate  management 
loopholes. We continuously improved our management 
systems  and  mechanism  optimization  to  ensure  our 
healthy business operations and development.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The  Group  has  always  attached  great  importance  to 
corporate  social  responsibility.  Over  the  past  year,  we 
continued to deepen the management of our corporate 
social  responsibility,  implemented  innovative  social 
responsibility  practices  and  played  an  important  role 
in  providing  emergency  communication  services, 
safeguarding  network  and  information  security, 
eliminating  digital  divide,  facilitating  energy  saving  and 
emissions  reduction  and  supporting  social  and  charity 
activities,  thus  earned  wide  recognition.  We  furthered 
our  “Green  Action  Plan”  and  realized  a  reduction  in 
overall  energy  consumption  per  unit  of  information 
flow  by  13.7%  in  2014  compared  with  the  previous 
year.  Through  our  China  Mobile  Charity  Foundation, 
we  continued  to  carry  out  philanthropic  activities  such 
as poverty alleviation and education support. We have 
cumulatively  sponsored  surgeries  for  2,260  children  in 
poverty  with  congenital  heart  disease,  and  training  for 
70,539  secondary  and  elementary  school  principals 
in  central  and  western  rural  China.  In  2014,  the 
Company was selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones 
Sustainability  Index  family  for  the  seventh  consecutive 
year.

RESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR
Madam  Huang  Wenlin  resigned  from  her  positions 
as  an  Executive  Director  and  Vice  President  of  the 
Company  by  reason  of  retirement  with  effect  from  19 
March  2015.  On  behalf  of  the  Board,  I  would  like  to 
take this opportunity to acknowledge Madam Huang’s 
contributions  to  the  Company  with  the  highest  regard 
and deepest gratitude.

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

FUTURE OUTLOOK
Looking  ahead,  as  China’s  economic  development 
enters  a  new  phase  with  new  norms,  the  Chinese 
government will endeavor to maintain stable economic 
growth,  implement  key  projects  including  information 
networks  and  integrated  circuits,  formulate  the 
“Internet+”  Plan  and  promote  the  combination  of 
mobile  Internet,  Internet  of  Things,  cloud  computing, 
mega data, etc. with modern manufacturing industries, 
thereby creating a favorable macro-environment for the 
development  of  the  information  and  communications 
industry.  In  the  meantime,  in  light  of  the  accelerated 
innovation  of  information  technology,  the  accelerated 
development  of  smart  devices  and  the  complete 
opening up of the 4G era, social dependence on digital 
lifestyles  has  become  more  entrenched.  The  demand 
for  digital  services  such  as  mobile  healthcare,  mobile 
education  and  mobile  finance  continues  to  increase, 
and will form a new round of consumer demand. All of 
these  will  open  up  a  broad  market  for  the  sustainable 
development of the industry.

Nonetheless,  we  are  facing  severe  challenges  from 
intensified  competition  from  two  aspects.  With 
respect  to  competition  in  Internet,  cross-generation 
innovation  and  cross-sector  competition  are  endlessly 
emerging while the substitution effect of OTT business 
has  become  more  intensified  and  is  branching  into 
competition  for  customers,  network  bypass  and  re-
shaping  of  the  industry  landscape.  With  respect  to 
competition within the industry, the competition among 
traditional operators focusing on existing customers and 
business and data traffic will be further intensified, with 
a more diverse range of competitors in a more complex 
competitive  landscape.  In  addition,  adjustments  of 
the  relevant  government  policies  will  also  lead  to 
considerable impacts on the Company’s development.

Looking  ahead,  the  Group  will  focus  on  the  strategic 
vision of “Mobile Changes Life”, firmly seize the favorable 
opportunities  arising  during  the  golden  period  of  data 
traffic  operation  and  for  developing  digital  services, 
accurately  embrace  the  development  trends  of  the 
three  growth  curves  in  voice,  data  traffic  and  digital 
services,  continue  to  adhere  to  quality  and  efficiency, 
promote  business  redeployment,  innovation  and 
strategic transformation to strive for breakthrough. We 
will  persistently  bolster  our  leading  advantages  in  4G 
business, foster digital services and further reform in our 
system and mechanism to cultivate new prospects for 
sustainable and healthy developments amid the mobile 
Internet era.

We  will  look  for  appropriate  external  investment 
opportunities  in  an  active  but  cautious  manner,  and 
strive to broaden our presence in the market to support 
our transformation and development.

We will preserve as always and strive to create value for 
investors.

Xi Guohua
Chairman

19 March 2015, Hong Kong

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

020

021

07:30

Shanghai
Early morning, mum and baby in Shanghai received 
greetings from dad who is on a business trip in Beijing

19:45

Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s dusk is New York’s morning. 
Mary started a video conversation with her 
boyfriend in Hong Kong

22:15

San Francisco
At night, a bride in San Francisco happily shared her 
wedding ceremony rehearsal video with her friends in 
Hong Kong

BEIJING

NEW YORK

HONG KONG

Baby, I'll come back soon ;) 

D AD |  BEIJING |  0 7:30

Hi, good morning! 

MARY |  N EW YOR K  | 07:45

Like your wedding bouquet :)

KE N  AN D  KAY | HO NG  KO NG |  13 :15

SHANGHAI

HON G KONG

SAN FRANCISCO

BUSINESS REVIEW

2014 was the first year of full 4G commercialization. Facing challenges including increasing penetration in the mobile 
communications  market,  intensifying  competition  within  the  industry  and  the  increased  impact  of  mobile  Internet 
businesses on the traditional telecommunications industry, the Group endeavored to seize the opportunities arising 
from 4G developments, proactively embraced mobile Internet and thereby established new competitive advantages. 
Focusing  on  promoting  entrepreneurship  and  innovation,  the  Group  maintained  its  market  leading  position  with 
further enhancement in operational management.

As at the end of 2014, the Group’s total customer base reached 807 million, representing a growth of 5.1% from the 
previous year, of which, 4G customers reached 90.06 million. Voice services revenue was RMB309.0 billion, down 
by 13.1% compared to the previous year. Data services revenue was RMB253.1 billion, up by 22.3% compared to 
the previous year, of which, revenue from mobile data traffic reached RMB150.6 billion, up by 42.9% compared to 
the previous year and accounting for 25.9% of revenue from telecommunications services, which represented an 
increase of 8.1 percentage points compared to the previous year.

KEY OPERATING DATA OF THE GROUP

Customer Base (million)

Net Additional Customers (million)

4G Customer Base (million)

Average Minutes of Usage per User per Month (MOU) (minutes/user/month)

Average Handset Data Traffic per User per Month (DOU) (MB/user/month)

Average Handset Data Traffic per 4G User per Month (MB/user/month)

Average Revenue per User per Month (ARPU) (RMB/user/month)

2014

806.6

39.4

90.1

453

155

780

61

2013

767.2

56.9

–

486

72

–

67

OPERATING RESULTS
In 2014, the Group continued to focus on the three key drivers of operations – existing business, data traffic and 
corporate  customers,  accelerated  transformation  and  actively  developed  4G  business  which  achieved  evident 
results. As at the end of 2014, the Group’s total customer base reached 807 million and net additional customers 
for the year accounted for 39.43 million. 4G business achieved transcending developments and the number of 4G 
customers reached 90.06 million. The Group solidly pushed forward the operation of existing business and middle-
to-high-end customer base remained stable. Data traffic operation experienced rapid developments and mobile data 
traffic increased by 115.1% compared to the previous year. The Group made remarkable achievements in corporate 
customer  operations  and  revenue  from  corporate  informationalization  services  increased  by  24.8%.  The  Group 
achieved scale development in device sales and the number of handsets sold hit a record high.

The substitution impact of Internet businesses continued to intensify. In 2014, voice services revenue was RMB309.0 
billion, down by 13.1% compared to the previous year. Total voice usage was 4.29 trillion minutes, down by 0.5% 
compared to the previous year. Average minutes of usage per user per month (MOU) was 453 minutes, down by 6.7% 
compared to the previous year. SMS and MMS revenue amounted to RMB34.8 billion, down by 15.8% compared to 
the previous year. The Group proactively adopted various measures with a view to deferring the decline in traditional 
businesses.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BUSINESS REVIEW

The  Group’s  data  services  revenue  reached  RMB253.1  billion,  up  by  22.3%  compared  to  the  previous  year,  of 
which, mobile data traffic continued to grow robustly and reached 1.13 trillion MB, up by 115.1% compared to the 
previous year. Average handset data traffic per user per month (DOU) reached 155 MB, up by 115.1% compared 
to the previous year. Revenue from mobile data traffic reached RMB150.6 billion, up by 42.9% compared to the 
previous year, and rose to 25.9% of revenue from telecommunications services.

The Group’s applications and information services maintained steady development with revenue reaching RMB64.4 
billion, up by 12.3% compared to the previous year. In addition to the continuing development of informationalization 
services provided to corporate customers, content businesses such as reading, video, games and animation also 
experienced rapid growth.

TRANSCENDING 4G DEVELOPMENTS
In  2014,  the  Group  proactively  promoted  the  transformation  from  voice-centric  to  data-centric  operations, 
endeavored to promote 4G developments with tremendous efforts, achieved remarkable growth pace and established 
new competitive advantages. The network diversion capability of 4G services was significantly improved. Average 
handset data traffic per 4G user per month reached 780 MB, and 4G network has gradually become the major data 
carrying network.

With respect to network, the Group cumulatively put in use 720,000 4G base stations which cover a population 
of  more  than  one  billion,  realizing  nationwide  continuous  coverage  in  almost  all  cities  and  counties  as  well  as 
data hotspot coverage in developed rural towns and villages. At the same time, the establishment of 4G network 
management  system  and  the  device-to-device  quality  optimization  system  significantly  improved  customer 
perception and laid a solid foundation for developing the 4G market.

With  respect  to  marketing,  the  Group  promoted  rapid  migration  of  customers  from  2G  and  3G  networks  to  4G 
network by implementing “no new number, no re-registration and speedy SIM swap” and actively promoting new 
integrated 4G tariff plans. The number of 4G customers reached 90.06 million, demonstrating an accelerating growth 
momentum.

With  respect  to  business,  the  Group  launched  a  series  of  4G  featured  services  including  lossless  music,  high 
definition  videos  and  high-speed  games,  and  explored  new  business  models  such  as  data  traffic  sharing  and 
corporate-sponsored data traffic. All these measures were well received by the market and strongly promoted the 
development of customer base and data traffic growth.

With respect to devices, the device supply chain matured rapidly with over 600 TD-LTE handset models. The line 
of models at around RMB1,000 became increasingly enriched. A market landscape with multiple brands, diversified 
device models, comprehensive modes and low average prices was established. In 2014, the number of 4G handsets 
sold achieved breakthrough.

With respect to global developments, the Group has initiated 4G international roaming services in 71 countries and 
regions. The global development of TD-LTE was continuously accelerated through the efforts of GTI (Global TD-LTE 
Initiative), with 52 networks for commercial use.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

024

025

BUSINESS REVIEW

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT
The Group proactively transformed its traditional operation mode, developed effective means for entrepreneurship 
and innovation and endeavored to explore room for future development.

The Group gradually built up its capabilities in specialized operations and the specialized companies accomplished 
significant  developments.  China  Mobile  Device  actively  promoted  market-oriented  device  sales,  realizing  rapid 
growth in both sales volume and revenue. Five-mode smartphones under the Group’s own brand priced at around 
RMB1,000 have been sold to markets including Hong Kong, France, Spain, Pakistan and Thailand. The Group’s 
Government and Enterprise Service Company strengthened its product research and development of self-owned 
brandings, introduced various Mobile Cloud products and launched Internet of Vehicles services. The connection 
coverage of dedicated lines for key corporate customers was close to 90%. The International Company launched 
the  innovative  “RMB3/6/9”  international  roaming  data  packages  and  “RMB30/60/90”  unlimited  daily  data  tariffs, 
which were well received by the market. The Global Network Center in Hong Kong officially commenced operations. 
The  Group  successfully  acquired  equity  interest  in  True  Corporation,  an  integrated  telecommunications  operator 
in  Thailand.  The  Group  also  established  operating  companies  specialized  in  digital  services  and  digital  content, 
including China Mobile Online Services Company Limited and MIGU Company Limited.

The Group focused on the system of new products and proactively developed digital services. The Group published 
the  unified  communications  white  paper  on  “New  Communications,  New  Messages,  New  Contacts”  and  had 
developed  the  initial  capabilities  for  pre-commercial  operations.  The  Group  enhanced  the  consolidation  and 
operations of digital-content products and launched “and-Entertainment” product packages covering the five major 
content-type businesses, namely, “Migu Music”, “and-Reading”, “and-Video”, “and-Game”, and “and-Animation”. 
Customers’  subscription  for  “and-Entertainment”  product  packages  exceeded  200  million  and  data  usage  per 
customer  increased  significantly.  Revenue  from  “and-Entertainment”  rose  rapidly.  The  Group  launched  the  self-
branded  set-top  box  to  tap  into  the  family  market  and  endeavored  to  establish  early  presence  in  family  homes. 
The Group also built up an open platform for Internet of Things, optimized dedicated networks and numbers and 
endeavored to promote growth in the scale of Internet of Things.

The  Group  further  promoted  the  transformation  of  its  marketing  system  and  optimized  the  tariff  structure  and 
marketing model while deepening products innovation, and accomplished initial results in separating the businesses 
of voice services, data traffic and data services as well as separating devices, contracts and plans. With various 
provincial  companies  and  China  Mobile  Device  all  entering  e-Commerce  marketplaces,  the  Group  enhanced  its 
capacities  in  electronic  channels  and  achieved  a  sales  amount  exceeded  RMB200  billion  in  online  transactions 
through self-operated electronic channels. The number of customers who activated through handset outlets reached 
40 million.

ENHANCED MANAGEMENT, REDUCED COSTS AND INCREASED EFFICIENCY
Facing  the  changing  industry  landscape,  the  Group  adhered  to  the  principles  of  “centralized  management, 
operational  specialization,  market-oriented  mechanism,  the  building  of  a  flat  organization,  the  standardization  of 
processes” and proactively promoted management enhancement.

The Group further strengthened its centralized management. The electronic procurement and tendering system has 
covered a few thousand projects and the electronic procurement amount exceeded RMB100 billion. The Group’s 
level of centralized procurement was continuously enhanced, and thereby further reduced procurement cost. There 
was steady progress in the construction of modern infrastructures such as centralized data centers and call centers, 
which  comprehensively  promoted  centralized  network  failure  management,  performance  management,  network 
optimization and maintenance management.

BUSINESS REVIEW

At the same time, the Group established market-oriented mechanisms for both human resources management and 
remuneration and incentives. A quantitative performance-based remuneration system encompassed all the front-line 
marketing and network staff, and thereby, effectively vitalizing the Group’s organization.

The Group endeavored to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The Group proactively promoted transformation of 
marketing models through adjusting and optimizing the allocation of selling expenses, significantly reducing device 
subsidies,  stopping  physical  products  marketing  across  the  board  and  closing  high-cost  services  including  VIP 
lounges at airports. The Group also optimized the social channel commissions structure by significantly lowering 
the commissions for mobile number subscription. By virtue of a series of measures, the Group’s selling expenses in 
2014 were reduced by 17.5%.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
The  Group  is  at  a  critical  phase  of  transformation  development  and  strives  to  promote  the  three  changes, 
namely,  from  voice-centric  to  data-centric  operations,  from  mobile  communications  services  to  innovative  full-
services  and  from  communications  services  to  digital  services.  The  Group  will  maintain  a  reasonable  investment 
scale to safeguard efficiency and return on investment. The focus of capital expenditure will be on facilitating 4G 
developments  and  responding  to  the  increasing  demand  for  data  traffic,  supporting  technology  innovations  and 
business developments in areas including mobile Internet, Internet of Things and cloud computing and enhancing 
accumulation of infrastructure resources to improve the Group’s competitive advantages in full-services.

The Group’s capital expenditure for 2014 was RMB213.5 billion, which was mainly expended on the construction 
of  mobile  communications  networks  (48%),  transmission  (34%),  business  networks  (4%),  support  systems 
(4%),  buildings  and  infrastructure  (8%)  and  others  (2%).  Capital  expenditure  of  the  Group  for  2015  is  budgeted 
at  RMB199.7  billion,  which  will  be  expended  on  the  construction  of  mobile  communications  networks  (39%), 
transmission (33%), business networks (8%), support systems (5%), buildings and infrastructure (13%) and others 
(2%).

FUTURE OUTLOOK
The complex and evolving landscape nurtures both new opportunities and new challenges. From a macroeconomic 
perspective, China’s economic development has entered a new phase with new norms. Nurturing new business 
models,  stimulating  information  consumption  and  developing  modern  servicing  industry  have  emerged  as  the 
direction for further economic growth. In terms of industry trends, the extremely rapid development of mobile Internet 
is  propagating  a  transcending  social  evolution  and  profoundly  changing  social  lifestyles.  In  terms  of  competition 
within the industry, 4G has become the main focus of competition. Various 4G networks will compete on the same 
platform,  customer  migration  to  4G  networks  will  accelerate  and  competition  in  4G  services  will  become  more 
intensified.

The Group will firmly seize the opportunities arising from 4G developments and strive to maintain its leading positions 
in 4G networks, market position and business operations with a view to building up an overall leading advantage 
in 4G services. At the same time, the Group will focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in order to create new 
miracles amid the mobile Internet era.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

026

027

11:40

Venice
Through a mobile APP, a chef in Venice started her 
cooking lesson with Xiao Zhang, her student in Beijing

13:15

Shenzhen
In the afternoon, following directions from his 
multi-function automobile device, Xiao Wang 
drove into downtown Shenzhen for a meeting

15:15

London
Bryan in London received a message from Miss Li in 
Hong Kong, confi rming the arrival of his goods. 
With Internet of Things, they can both be very sure
of that

BEIJING

SHENZHEN

HONG KONG

The ingredients are
ready, next step ... 

XIA O ZH AN G |  BE IJING |  18:40

I want to go downtown

XIA O WAN G |  SH ENZHEN  | 13: 15

It just arrived London!

M ISS LI | HON G  KON G | 23:15

VENICE

SHENZHEN

LONDON

FINANCIAL REVIEW

SUMMARY OF THE FINANCIAL RESULTS – ESTABLISHED 4G COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
In 2014,  the  Group firmly seized its first-mover opportunity in 4G services, concentrated  and  devoted  full efforts 
and  breakthrough  the  routines  in  order  to  realize  transcending  4G  developments  and  establish  the  competitive 
advantage  in  the  industry.  Focusing  on  the  three  major  drivers  and  based  on  the  three  growth  curves  of  voice 
services, data traffic services and digital services, the Group was committed to promoting data traffic operation, 
proactively  fostered  digital  services  and  endeavored  to  mitigate  the  significant  impacts  of  various  policy  factors 
including the transformation from business tax to value-added tax and the adjustments of interconnection settlement 
standards on its operating performance. The Group directed resources to areas affecting its core competitiveness, 
including accelerating 4G development, forging network capacity and optimizing customer services. The Group also 
proactively promoted the transformation of sales and marketing activities, endeavored to improve its management 
efficiency, significantly compressed its administrative expenses, comprehensively promoted operations with low cost 
and high efficiency in order to continuously create value for the shareholders.

• 

• 

• 

Operating revenue reached RMB641.4 billion, up by 1.8% compared to the previous year

Profit attributable to equity shareholders was RMB109.3 billion, down by 10.2% compared to the previous year 
and margin of profit attributable to equity shareholders reached 17.0%

EBITDA was RMB235.3 billion, down by 2.1% compared to the previous year and EBITDA margin reached 
36.7%. EBITDA was 40.4% of revenue from telecommunications services

• 

Basic EPS was RMB5.38, down by 11.1% compared to the previous year

OPERATING REVENUE – REVENUE FROM DATA TRAFFIC SHOWED ENCOURAGING INCREASE
In 2014, the Group actively leveraged on the trends of rapid development of mobile Internet, focused its efforts on 
implementing strategic transformation and accelerated 4G development. The operating revenue of the Group for 
the year reached RMB641.4 billion, representing an increase of 1.8% compared to the previous year, of which the 
revenue from telecommunications services was RMB581.8 billion, representing a decrease of 1.5% compared to 
the previous year. Revenue from data traffic services became the primary driver of revenue growth, and the revenue 
structure was optimized remarkably. The Group proactively deployed the development of new services. With the 
driving  force  of  digital  services  as  the  third  growth  curve  became  more  apparent,  the  sustainable  development 
capacity of the Group continued to become stronger as well.

Operating revenue

Revenue from telecommunications services

Voice services

Data services

Others

Revenue from sales of products and others

2014
RMB million

2013
RMB million

Change %

641,448

581,817

308,959

253,088

19,770

59,631

630,177

590,811

355,686

206,886

28,239

39,366

1.8

-1.5

-13.1

22.3

-30.0

51.5

 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL REVIEW

Voice Services Revenue
The  voice  services  revenue  was  RMB309.0  billion,  down  by  13.1%  compared  to  the  previous  year.  Due  to  the 
substitution  effect  of  OTT  mobile  Internet,  voice  usage  decreased  for  the  first  time  with  a  total  voice  usage  of 
4.29 trillion minutes, representing a decrease of 0.5% compared to the previous year. The voice services revenue 
accounted  for  53.1%  of  the  revenue  from  telecommunications  services,  which  represented  a  decrease  of  7.1 
percentage points compared to the previous year. The Group consolidated its operations in both traditional services 
and data traffic services, and maintained the stability of total customer ARPU through reasonable tariff packages and 
sales and marketing activities.

Data Services Revenue
The data services revenue was RMB253.1 billion, representing an increase of 22.3% compared to the previous year 
and accounting for 43.5% of the revenue from telecommunications services, which represented an increase of 8.5 
percentage points compared to the previous year. Through quickly building up 4G network capacity and proactively 
promoting  sales  of  4G  terminals,  the  Group  made  remarkable  achievements  in  its  data  traffic  operation  and  the 
development pace of its 4G services was phenomenal. The revenue from wireless data traffic reached RMB153.9 
billion, representing an increase of 42.2% compared to the previous year and accounting for up to 26.4% of the 
revenue from telecommunications services, and has become a strong driving force of revenue growth. The mobile 
data traffic reached 1.1329 trillion megabytes, up by a significant 115.1% from the previous year, the growth rate of 
which increased by 33 percentage points compared to the previous year. The rapid growth of data traffic services 
effectively mitigated the impact brought by the slowdown of SMS, MMS and other traditional data services. Due 
to the impacts of substitution by OTT businesses, SMS and MMS revenue was RMB34.8 billion, down by 15.8% 
compared to the previous year. The SMS usage decreased by 16.7% compared to the previous year. Applications 
and  information  services  experienced  a  faster  growth,  achieving  a  revenue  of  RMB64.4  billion,  up  by  12.3% 
compared to the previous year and accounting for up to 11.1% of the revenue from telecommunications services. 
The growth momentum of the revenue from digital services such as “and-Reading”, “and-Video”, “and-Game” and 
“and-Animation” was favorable and the Group’s informationalization services for corporate customers also achieved 
a relatively fast growth.

OPERATING EXPENSES – MARKETING AND SALES TRANSFORMATION ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT 
RESULTS
In 2014, the Group proactively optimized its allocation of resources, enforced a precise management of costs and 
directed its resources to areas that are favorable to improve its core competitiveness and to stimulate a long-term 
sustainable  development  by  strengthening  benchmarking  management  and  promoting  best  practices  according 
to  experience.  The  Group  focused  on  mobilizing  existing  assets  and  strictly  controlled  construction  costs  and 
thereby, increased its efficiency of asset costs. The Group continuously optimized its marketing and sales model by 
appropriately reducing its selling expenses and proactively promoting transformation in sales and marketing, and 
promoted operation with low costs and high efficiency by continuing to carry out the diligent and thrifty mantra in its 
business operations and significantly reducing administrative expenses. The operating expenses increased by 6.0% 
compared to the previous year to RMB524.1 billion, representing 81.7% of the operating revenue.

Operating Expenses

Leased lines

Interconnection

Depreciation

Personnel

Selling expenses

Costs of products sold

Other operating expenses

2014
RMB million

2013
RMB million

Change %

524,114

21,083

23,389

116,225

36,830

75,781

74,464

494,528

18,727

25,998

104,699

34,376

91,834

61,363

176,342

157,531

6.0

12.6

-10.0

11.0

7.1

-17.5

21.3

11.9

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

030

031

 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL REVIEW

Leased lines
The expenses for leased lines were RMB21.1 billion, up by 12.6% compared to the previous year and representing 
3.3% of the operating revenue. The expenses for leased lines mainly comprised the leasing fees for TD-SCDMA 
network  capacity,  Internet  ports  and  “Village  Connect”  assets.  The  TD-SCDMA  network  capacity  leasing  fees 
increased as a result of the increase in the TD-SCDMA network utilization rate and the growth of the relevant assets 
scale,  and  the  leasing  fees  for  Internet  ports  also  increased  as  a  result  of  the  rapid  development  of  data  traffic 
services.

Interconnection
Interconnection  expenses  decreased  by  10.0%  compared  to  the  previous  year  to  RMB23.4  billion,  representing 
3.7% of the operating revenue. This was mainly due to the decrease in SMS and MMS settlement expenses to other 
operators as a result of the adjustments of interconnection settlement standards.

Depreciation
Depreciation expenses increased by 11.0% compared to the previous year to RMB116.2 billion, representing 18.1% 
of the operating revenue. The Group is at a critical stage of building up its 4G network as well as transformation of 
its development. As the scale of capital expenditure is fairly large in recent years, depreciation expenses increased 
correspondingly  with  the  expansion  of  the  assets  scale.  The  Group  has  always  regarded  network  quality  as  its 
lifeline. Facing the 4G era and mobile Internet development, the Group is committed to providing customers with 
quality network services and favorable experience.

Personnel
Personnel expenses were RMB36.8 billion, increased by 7.1% compared to the previous year, representing 5.7% 
of the operating revenue. Due to the support of 4G network construction, transformation of its development, and 
adjustment of employment structure with the requirement of relevant laws and regulations, the total number of the 
Group’s personnel increased. As at 31 December 2014, the Group had a total of 241,550 employees. Personnel 
expenses  increased  accordingly  with  the  increase  in  the  number  of  personnel  and  the  rigid  increase  in  social 
insurance expenses.

Selling Expenses
Selling expenses decreased by 17.5% compared to the previous year to RMB75.8 billion, representing 11.8% of the 
operating revenue. The Group actively promoted the transformation of marketing and sales model and appropriately 
reduced  the  selling  expenses,  achieving  a  significant  improvement  in  marketing  and  sales  efficiency.  The  Group 
also adjusted and optimized the investment structure of selling expenses and strengthened the retention of existing 
customers and maintenance of the relationship with middle-to-high-end customers.

Costs of Products Sold
Costs  of  products  sold  were  RMB74.5  billion,  increased  by  21.3%  compared  to  the  previous  year.  The  Group 
devoted  itself  to  promote  the  long-term  development  of  the  TD-LTE  terminal  supply  chain  and  focused  on  the 
sales of 4G terminal, which strongly drove the data traffic growth and led to the increase in costs of products sold 
accordingly.

Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses (consisting primarily of network maintenance expenses, operating lease charges, labor 
service expenses, impairment loss of doubtful accounts and asset written-off) were RMB176.3 billion, up by 11.9% 
compared to the previous year and representing 27.5% of the operating revenue. Network maintenance and other 
related expenses increased due to the expanded assets scale. The network maintenance expenses were RMB52.5 
billion.  The  number  of  labor  sourced  by  third  parties  reached  237,808  by  the  end  of  2014  and  the  related  labor 
services expenses were RMB28.3 billion. Endeavoring to reduce cost and improve returns, the Group stringently 
controlled its administrative expenses, which led to a significant decrease in the conference and travelling expenses 
continuously.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

PROFITABILITY – CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN FAVORABLE PROFITABILITY
The  Group  was  devoted  to  maintain  profitability  at  a  sound  level.  The  EBITDA  and  profit  attributable  to  equity 
shareholders in 2014 were RMB235.3 billion and RMB109.3 billion, respectively. The EBITDA margin and the margin 
of profit attributable to equity shareholders reached 36.7% and 17.0%, respectively. Basic EPS was RMB5.38. The 
Group is committed to promoting the strategic transformation and sustainable healthy development and continuously 
consolidating and improving its core competitiveness in order to provide its customers with quality services and to 
continuously create value for its shareholders.

Profit from operation

Profit attributable to equity shareholders

EBITDA

Basic EPS (RMB)

2014
RMB million

2013
RMB million

Change %

117,334

109,279

235,259

5.38

135,649

121,692

240,426

6.05

-13.5

-10.2

-2.1

-11.1

CAPITAL  STRUCTURE,  FUND  MANAGEMENT,  CASH  FLOW  AND  CREDIT  RATINGS  –  CAPITAL 
STRUCTURE CONTINUED TO REMAIN AT A SOUND LEVEL
Underpinned by its perennially stable capital structure, prominent financial strength and sustainable healthy cash 
flow generating capability, the Group has laid a sound foundation for withstanding risk and the achievement of a 
sustainable healthy development.

Capital Structure
As at the end of 2014, the aggregate sum of the Group’s long-term and short-term debt was RMB5.1 billion and 
its total debt to total book capitalization ratio (with total book capitalization representing the sum of total debt and 
total equity attributable to equity shareholders) was 0.6%. All the borrowings were denominated in RMB (consisting 
primarily of RMB bonds) and 98.7% of the Group’s borrowings were made at fixed interest rates. The Group firmly 
adhered to its prudent financial risk management policies and maintained sound repayment capabilities. The Group’s 
effective average interest rate of the borrowings was 4.51% and the effective interest coverage multiple was about 
556 times.

Current assets

Non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Non-controlling interests

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders

2014
RMB million

2013
RMB million

Change %

477,583

818,866

467,189

700,203

1,296,449

1,167,392

431,876

5,930

437,806

2,067

856,576

370,913

5,755

376,668

1,951

788,773

2.2

16.9

11.1

16.4

3.0

16.2

5.9

8.6

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

032

033

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL REVIEW

Fund Management and Cash Flow
The Group consistently upheld prudent financial principles and strict fund management policies and ensured the 
safety and integrity of its funds through its highly centralized management of investing and financing activities and 
strict control over its investments. Meanwhile, the Group continued to reinforce its centralized fund management 
function and make appropriate allocations of the overall funds through China Mobile Finance, thereby enhancing the 
Group’s ability to deploy internal funds effectively.

In 2014, the Group continued to have healthy cash generated from operating activities. However, as the Group was 
in a critical phase of 4G development, the scale of capital expenditure was relatively large and a negative free cash 
flow was observed. The Group’s net cash generated from operating activities was RMB211.0 billion and its free cash 
flow was RMB-2.5 billion. As at the end of 2014, the Group’s total cash and bank balances were RMB428.3 billion, 
of which 98.6%, 0.2% and 1.2% were denominated in RMB, U.S. dollars and Hong Kong dollars, respectively. The 
steady fund management and healthy cash flow provided a solid foundation for the long-term development of the 
Group.

Net cash generated from operating activities

Free cash flow1

2014
RMB million

2013
RMB million

211,022

(2,486)

224,985

40,097

Credit Ratings
The Company currently has a corporate credit rating of Aa3/Outlook Stable from Moody’s and AA–/Outlook Stable 
from Standard & Poor’s, which remain at the levels equivalent to China’s sovereign credit ratings respectively. These 
ratings demonstrated that the Group’s sound financial strength, favorable business opportunities and solid financial 
management are highly recognized by the market.

DIVIDENDS
Based  on  the  Group’s  operating  performance  in  2014  and  taking  into  consideration  its  long-term  future 
development, in accordance with the dividend payout ratio of 43% planned for the full financial year of 2014, the 
Board recommends payment of a final dividend of HK$1.380 per share for the financial year ended 31 December 
2014.  This,  together  with  the  interim  dividend  of  HK$1.540  per  share  that  was  paid,  amounts  to  an  aggregate 
dividend payment of HK$2.920 per share for the full financial year of 2014.

In 2015, taking into consideration various relevant factors, including the Group’s overall financial condition, cash flow 
generating capability and future sustainable development needs, the Company’s planned dividend payout ratio for 
the full year of 2015 will be 43%.

The Board believes that the Company’s favorable profitability and healthy cash flow generating capability will be able 
to provide sufficient support to its future development, while providing shareholders with a favorable return.

CONCLUSION
In this era of intensified mobile Internet competition, the Group will endeavor to balance short-term performance and 
long-term development, strengthen its refined management, uphold prudent financial principles, strictly monitor and 
control financial risks, rationally allocate resources, consolidate and enhance its core competitiveness in the network, 
services, management, personnel and others, endeavored to maintain its profitability at a sound level and a healthy 
cash flow in order to achieve a sustainable healthy development and continuously create value for its shareholders.

1 

The Company defines free cash flow as net cash generated from operating activities less capital expenditure incurred during the year.

 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Our goal has always been to enhance our corporate value, maintain our sustainable long-term development and 
generate greater returns for our shareholders. In order to better achieve the above objectives, we have established 
good corporate governance practices following the principles of integrity, transparency, openness and efficiency, 
and  have  implemented  sound  governance  structure  and  measures.  We  have  established  and  improved  various 
policies, internal control system and other management mechanisms and procedure for the key participants involved 
in good corporate governance, including  shareholders, board of directors and  its  committees, management  and 
staff, internal auditors, external auditors and other stakeholders (including our customers, local communities, industry 
peers, regulatory authorities, etc.).

In addition, as a company listed in both Hong Kong and New York, we also set forth in this report a summary of the 
significant differences between the corporate governance practices of the Company and the corporate governance 
practices required to be followed by U.S. companies under the NYSE’s listing standards.

COMPLIANCE  WITH  THE  CODE  PROVISIONS  OF  THE  CODE  ON  CORPORATE  GOVERNANCE 
PRACTICES
The Board is responsible for performing the corporate governance duties and setting out the terms of reference 
on corporate governance functions. At present, more than one-third of the Board are independent non-executive 
directors.

Throughout the financial year ended 31 December 2014, the Company has complied with all code provisions of the 
Corporate Governance Code (the “CP”), as revised, as set forth in Appendix 14 to the Rules Governing the Listing of 
Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Listing Rules”), except that the Company 
and its directors (including independent non-executive directors) have not entered into any service contract with a 
specified term. All directors are subject to retirement by rotation and re-election at our AGMs every three years.

SHAREHOLDERS
The Company has been established in Hong Kong and owned by all shareholders. Our controlling shareholder is 
CMHK (Group), which, as of 31 December 2014, indirectly held approximately 72.85% of the total number of issued 
shares of the Company through a wholly-owned subsidiary, CMHK (BVI). The remaining approximately 27.15% of 
the total number of issued shares were held by public investors.

The  new  Companies  Ordinance  (Cap  622  of  the  Laws  of  Hong  Kong)  (the  “New  Companies  Ordinance”)  came 
into effect on 3 March 2014. In light of the New Companies Ordinance, the Board put forward to shareholders for 
approval, and the shareholders approved in the annual general meeting of the Company held on 22 May 2014, a 
special resolution to adopt new Articles of Association of the Company in substitution for and to the exclusion to 
the then existing Articles of Association, in order to reflect certain changes and corporate governance measures 
under the New Companies Ordinance. The Articles of Association (the “Articles”) of the Company is available on our 
website and the HKEx website.

Shareholder Rights
According to the Articles and New Companies Ordinance, shareholders holding the requisite voting rights may: (i) 
requisition to move a resolution at the AGM; (ii) requisition to convene an EGM; and (iii) propose a person other than 
a retiring director for election as a director at a general meeting. Such details and procedures are available in our 
website. Shareholders may make inquiries in writing to the Board providing sufficient contact information so that 
such inquiries can be properly handled. In addition, shareholders may also raise their concerns and suggestions in 
the Q&A session at our AGMs.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

I. 

Requisition to move a resolution at an AGM
The Company holds a general meeting as its AGM every year, which is usually held in May. In accordance with 
section 615 of the Companies Ordinance, a requisition to move a resolution at the AGM may be submitted by:

(i) 

any number of shareholders representing not less than one-fortieth (1/40th) of the total voting rights of all 
shareholders having the right to vote on that resolution at the AGM; or

(ii) 

not less than 50 shareholders having the right to vote on that resolution at the AGM.

The requisition must identify the resolution and must be signed by all the requisitionists. The requisition must 
be deposited at 60/F, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, our registered office (the “Registered 
Office”), for the attention of the Company Secretary, not later than:

(i) 

6 weeks before the AGM to which the request relates; or

(ii) 

if later, when the Notice of AGM is dispatched.

II.  Requisition to convene an EGM

Shareholders holding not less than one-twentieth (1/20th) of the total voting rights of all the members having 
a right to vote at general meetings of the Company can deposit a requisition to convene an EGM pursuant to 
sections 566 to 568 of the Companies Ordinance. The requisition must state the general nature of the business 
to be dealt with at the meeting, and must be signed by the requisitionists. The requisition must be deposited at 
our Registered Office for the attention of the Company Secretary.

III.  Proposing a person other than a retiring director for election as a director at a general meeting

If  a  shareholder  wishes  to  propose  a  person  other  than  a  retiring  director  for  election  as  a  director  at  a 
general meeting, he/she must lodge a written notice to that effect at our Registered Office for the attention 
of the Company Secretary. The written notice must state the full name and biographical details of the person 
proposed for election as a director as required by Rule 13.51(2) of the Listing Rules. A written notice signed by 
the person proposed for election as a director indicating his/her willingness to be elected must also be lodged 
with the Company. The period for lodging the above will commence on the day after the despatch of the notice 
of the general meeting for which the above notices are given and end no later than seven days prior to the date 
of such general meeting.

For requesting the Company to circulate to shareholders a statement with respect to a matter mentioned in a 
proposed resolution or any other business to be dealt with at a general meeting, shareholders are requested to 
follow the requirements and procedures as set out in section 580 of the Companies Ordinance.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Shareholder Value and Communication
The Company’s established principle is to strive to create value and bring favorable returns for shareholders. Since 
our first dividend payment for the fiscal year 2002, we have made efforts to achieve a sustained and stable growth 
in dividend to create better returns for shareholders. In fact, although the company’s profitability in recent years has 
been fluctuating, we still maintain the planned 43% annual dividend payout ratio.

We use a number of formal channels to report to shareholders the performance and operations of the Company, 
particularly through our annual and interim reports. Generally, when announcing interim results, annual results or 
any major transactions in accordance with the relevant regulatory requirements, the Company arranges investment 
analyst conferences, press conferences and investor telephone conferences to explain the relevant results or major 
transactions to the shareholders, investors and the general public, listen to their opinions and address any questions 
that they may have. In addition, the Company adheres to the practice of voluntarily disclosing on a quarterly basis 
certain  key,  unaudited  operational  and  financial  data,  and  on  a  monthly  basis  the  net  increase  in  the  number  of 
customers on its website to further increase the Group’s transparency and to provide shareholders, investors and 
the general public with additional timely information so as to facilitate their understanding of the Group’s operations. 
The company maintains close communication with investors through investment conferences, one-on-one meetings, 
video-conferencing and other forms of exchange interaction to timely deliver our operating conditions to the capital 
markets. In 2014, our management attended 17 investor conferences and 246 routine investor meetings, met with 
675 investment institutions and 861 investors in total. We will continue our efforts to enhance our investor relations 
work.

The  Company  also  attaches  high  importance  to  the  annual  general  meetings  of  its  shareholders,  and  makes 
substantial  efforts  to  enhance  communications  between  the  Board  and  the  shareholders.  At  the  annual  general 
meetings of shareholders, the Board always makes efforts to fully address the questions raised by shareholders. In 
2014, we held our annual general meeting (the “AGM”) on one occasion on 22 May 2014 in the Conference Room, 
Conrad Hotel, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong. The major items discussed and the percentage of votes 
cast in favor of the resolutions are set out as follows:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The  approval  of  the  audited  financial  statements  and  the  reports  of  the  directors  and  auditors  for  the  year 
ended 31 December 2013 (99.9986%);

The declaration of a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2013 (99.9989%);

The re-election of Mr. XI Guohua, Mr. SHA Yuejia, Mr. LIU Aili, Dr. LO Ka Sui and Mr. Paul CHOW Man Yiu as 
directors (98.0388% to 99.8468%);

The  appointment  of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  and  PricewaterhouseCoopers  Zhong  Tian  LLP  (hereinafter 
collectively as “PwC”) as auditors of the Group for Hong Kong financial reporting and US financial reporting 
purposes, respectively, and authorizing the Board to fix their remuneration (99.9034%);

The approval of the adoption of the new Articles of Association of the Company in substitution for and to the 
exclusion to the existing Articles of Association of the Company.

All  resolutions  were  duly  passed  at  the  2014  AGM.  Hong  Kong  Registrars  Limited,  the  share  registrar  of  the 
Company, acted as scrutineer for vote-taking at the AGM. Poll results were announced at the meeting and on the 
websites of the Company and the HKEx on the day of the AGM.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Shareholders’ Calendar
The following table sets out the tentative key dates for our shareholders for the financial year ending 31 December 
2015. Such dates are subject to change pursuant to actual situations. Shareholders should note our announcements 
issued from time to time.

FY 2015 Shareholders’ Calendar

19 March

8 April

9 April

28 May

End of June

Mid-August

Announcement  of  final  results  and  final  dividend  for  the  financial  year  ended  31 
December 2014

Upload of 2014 annual report on the websites of the Company and the HKEx

Despatch of 2014 annual reports to shareholders

2015 Annual General Meeting

Payment of final dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2014

Announcement of interim results and interim dividend for the six months ending 30 
June 2015, if any

End of September

Payment of interim dividend for the six months ending 30 June 2015, if any

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors
The  key  responsibilities  of  the  Board  include,  among  others,  formulating  the  Group’s  overall  strategies,  setting 
management targets, monitoring internal controls and financial management, supervising the performance of our 
management,  developing  and  reviewing  the  policies  and  practices  of  corporate  governance,  while  day-to-day 
operations and management are delegated by the Board to the executives of the Company. The Board operates in 
accordance with established practices (including those relating to reporting and supervision). Terms of Reference of 
its corporate governance function are available on the websites of our Company and the HKEx.

The Board currently comprises nine directors, namely Mr. XI Guohua (Chairman), Mr. LI Yue (Chief Executive Officer), 
Mr.  XUE  Taohai,  Mr.  SHA  Yuejia  and  Mr.  LIU  Aili  as  executive  directors,  and  Dr.  LO  Ka  Shui,  Mr.  Frank  WONG 
Kwong Shing, Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi and Mr. Paul CHOW Man Yiu as independent non-executive directors 
(INEDs). With effect from 19 March 2015, Madam Huang Wenlin resigned from her positions as an Executive Director 
and Vice President of the Company by reason of retirement. List of directors and their role and function are available 
on the websites of our Company and HKEx. The biographies of our directors are presented on pages 11 to 15 of 
this annual report and on our website.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Board meetings are held at least once a quarter and as and when necessary. Directors are requested to declare their 
direct or indirect interests, if any, in any proposals or transactions to be considered by the Board at Board meetings 
and withdraw from the meetings as appropriate. During the financial year ended 31 December 2014, the Board met 
on six occasions and the directors’ attendances at the meetings are as follows:

INEDs

Dr. LO Ka Shui

Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing

Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi

Mr. Paul CHOW Man Yiu

EDs

Mr. XI Guohua (Chairman)

Mr. LI Yue (CEO)

Mr. XUE Taohai

Mdm. HUANG Wenlin1

Mr. SHA Yuejia

Mr. LIU Aili

Board of 
directors

Audit 
committee

Remuneration 
committee

Nomination 
committee

AGM

6/6

6/6

5/6

6/6

6/6

6/6

6/6

5/6

6/6

5/6

–

5/5

4/5

5/5

–

–

–

–

–

–

2/2

2/2

2/2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1/1

1/1

0/1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1/1

1/1

1/1

1/1

1/1

1/1

1/1

0/1

0/1

1/1

1 

resigned from her positions as an Executive Director and Vice President of the Company with effect from 19 March 2015.

All  board  meetings  and  committee  meetings  were  attended  by  the  directors  in  person  or  by  telephone/video 
conferencing. In 2014, the Board has met and discussed the matters relating to the annual results, interim results, 
adoption of the new Articles of Association, connected transactions, acquisitions etc.

The  Board  has  adopted  a  Board  Diversity  Policy.  In  considering  the  composition  of  the  Board,  diversity  can  be 
considered  from  a  number  of  perspectives,  including  professional  experience  and  qualifications,  regional  and 
industry experience, educational and cultural background, skills, industry knowledge and reputation, knowledge of 
the laws and regulations applicable to the Group, gender, ethnicity, language skills and length of service etc. Such 
perspectives shall be taken into account in determining the optimal composition of the Board and be considered on 
a case-by-case basis in light of the actual circumstances of the Company.

To  ensure  the  timely  disclosure  of  any  change  of  directors’  personal  information,  the  Company  has  set  up  a 
specific communication channel with each of our directors. There is no financial, business, family or other material 
relationships among members of the Board. The Company purchases directors and officers’ liabilities insurance on 
behalf of its directors and officers and reviews the terms of such insurance annually.

In 2015, the Company has received a confirmation of independence from each of our INEDs, namely Dr. LO Ka Shui, 
Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing, Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi and Mr. Paul CHOW Man Yiu, and considers them to be 
independent. The Board is of the view that they not only are able to completely fulfill their responsibilities as an INED, 
but will also continue to play a role and contribute to our Board Committees. They being our INEDs will benefit the 
Company and all shareholders as a whole.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

The  directors  have  disclosed  to  the  Company  the  positions  held  by  them  in  other  listed  public  companies  or 
organizations  or  associated  companies,  and  the  information  regarding  their  directorships  in  other  listed  public 
companies in the last three years is set out in the biographies of directors and senior management on pages 11 to 
15 of this annual report and on the Company’s website. The Company has also received acknowledgments from 
the directors of their responsibility for preparing the financial statements and the representation by the auditors of the 
Company about their reporting responsibilities.

All our directors confirm they have complied with New CP A.6.5 with respect to directors’ training. Throughout the 
financial year ended 31 December 2014, we have provided a training session with respect to investigations and 
regulation issues of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong to our directors and management.

The Company has adopted the “Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers” set out in 
Appendix 10 to the Hong Kong Listing Rules (the “Model Code”) to regulate the directors’ securities transactions. 
Save and except for the interests disclosed in the report of the directors on pages 53 to 56 of this annual report, 
none of the directors had any other interest in the shares of the Company as of 31 December 2014. All directors 
have confirmed, following enquiry by the Company, that they have complied with the Model Code during the period 
between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014.

THE BOARD COMMITTEES
The  Board  currently  has  three  principal  board  committees,  which  are  the  Audit  Committee,  the  Remuneration 
Committee  and  the  Nomination  Committee,  and  all  of  which  are  comprised  solely  of  independent  non-executive 
directors.  With  authorization  of  the  Board,  each  of  the  board  committees  operates  under  its  written  terms  of 
reference. The terms of reference of the Committees are available on the HKEx’s and the Company’s websites, and 
can be obtained from the Company Secretary upon written request.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Membership 
The  current  members  of  the  Company’s  Audit  Committee  are  Mr.  Frank  WONG  Kwong  Shing  (chairman),  Dr. 
Moses  CHENG  Mo  Chi  and  Mr.  Paul  CHOW  Man  Yiu,  who  are  all  independent  non-executive  directors.  All 
members of our Audit Committee have many years of finance and business management experience and expertise 
and appropriate professional qualifications.

Responsibilities 
The  duties  of  our  Audit  Committee  are  to  be  primarily  responsible  for,  among  other  things,  making 
recommendations to the Board on the appointment, re-appointment and removal of external auditors, approving 
the  remuneration  and  terms  of  engagement  of  external  auditors,  dealing  with  any  questions  of  resignation  or 
dismissal  of  such  auditors;  reviewing  and  monitoring  external  auditors’  independence  and  objectivity  and  the 
effectiveness  of  the  audit  process  in  accordance  with  applicable  standards;  developing  and  implementing 
policies on the engagement of external auditors to provide non-audit services; monitoring the integrity of financial 
statements of the Company and the annual reports and accounts, interim report and, if prepared for publication, 
quarterly reports, and reviewing significant financial reporting judgments contained in them; and overseeing the 
Company’s financial reporting system and internal control procedures.

Work Done in 2014 
In 2014, the Audit Committee met on five occasions and the attendance of each member is disclosed on page 39 
of this annual report. In addition, the Audit Committee met three times with the external auditors in 2014 and one of 
such meeting was held without any executive directors being present.

In 2014, the Audit Committee:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

reviewed  and  approved  the  financial  statements  and  results  announcement,  the  report  of  the  directors, 
financial review and final dividend for the financial year ended 31 December 2013;

reviewed and approved our 2013 Annual Report on Form 20-F, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and 
Exchange Commission (“US SEC”);

reviewed  and  approved  the  interim  report,  interim  results  announcement  and  interim  dividend  for  the  six 
months ended 30 June 2014;

reviewed and approved the budgets and remuneration of the external auditors;

reviewed and approved the assessment report on the disclosure controls and procedures;

reviewed and approved the 2013 assessment report in relation to effectiveness of compliance with section 
404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”);

reviewed  and  approved  the  2014  project  plan  of  internal  audit  department  and  budget  for  external 
engagement;

reviewed and approved the compliance with relevant laws and regulations in 2013;

reviewed and approved various internal audit reports.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

Membership 
The  current  members  of  the  Company’s  Remuneration  Committee  are  Dr.  LO  Ka  Shui  (chairman),  Mr.  Frank 
WONG Kwong Shing and Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi, who are all independent non-executive directors.

Responsibilities 
The duties of the Remuneration Committee are, among others, to make recommendations to the Board on the 
remuneration  packages  of  individual  executive  directors  and  senior  management,  including  benefits  in  kind, 
pension rights and compensation payments including any compensation payable for loss or termination of their 
office or appointment, and make recommendations to the Board on the remuneration of non-executive directors; 
to review and approve the management’s remuneration proposals with reference to corporate goals and objectives 
resolved  by  the  Board  from  time  to  time;  to  review  and  approve  compensation  payable  to  executive  directors 
and  senior  management  for  any  loss  or  termination  of  office  or  appointment,  and  compensation  arrangements 
relating  to  dismissal  or  removal  of  directors  for  misconduct  to  ensure  that  they  are  consistent  with  contractual 
terms; to ensure that no director or any of his associates is involved in deciding his own remuneration; to make 
recommendations to the Board on the policy and structure for remuneration of all directors, senior management 
and employees including salaries, incentive schemes and other share option schemes, and on the establishment 
of formal and transparent procedures for developing remuneration policy; to make recommendations to the Board 
on disclosure of directors’ remuneration in the annual report (if applicable) sent by the Board to the shareholders; 
to make recommendations to the Board annually on whether the shareholders shall be requested to approve the 
policies set out in the report on directors’ remuneration (if applicable) at the AGM.

Work Done in 2014 
In 2014, the Remuneration Committee met twice, during which the committee:

• 

• 

reviewed and approved the 2013 performance-linked annual bonus of the senior management; and

reviewed and approved the revised performance-linked annual bonus appraisal KPI for senior management.

NOMINATION COMMITTEE

Membership 
The current members of the Company’s Nomination Committee are Dr. LO Ka Shui (chairman), Mr. Frank WONG 
Kwong Shing and Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi, who are all independent non-executive directors.

Responsibilities 
The duties of the Nomination Committee, among other things, are to review the structure, size and composition 
(including  the  skills,  knowledge  and  experience)  of  the  Board  at  least  annually  and  make  recommendations  on 
any proposed changes to the Board to complement the corporate strategy; to identify individuals suitably qualified 
to become board members and select or make recommendations to the Board on the selection of, individuals 
nominated  for  directorships;  to  assess  the  independence  of  independent  non-executive  directors;  to  make 
recommendations  to  the  Board  on  the  appointment  or  reappointment  of  directors  and  succession  planning  for 
directors, in particular the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer.

Work Done in 2014 
In 2014, the Nomination Committee met once, during which the committee reviewed the composition of the Board.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

REMUNERATION, APPOINTMENT AND ROTATION OF DIRECTORS
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for determining the remuneration packages of all executive directors 
and senior management. At present, the cash portion of our senior management’s remuneration consists of a fixed 
monthly  salary  and  a  performance-linked  annual  bonus.  The  award  of  the  performance-linked  annual  bonus  is 
correlated to the attainment of key performance indicators or targets.

In terms of long-term incentives, the Company has adopted a share option scheme. Depending on their ranking, 
members of the management are awarded different numbers of share options. The remuneration of non-executive 
directors is determined in part by reference to the prevailing market conditions and their workload as non-executive 
directors and members of the board committees of the Company. Please refer to note 9 to the consolidated financial 
statements on page 93 of this annual report for directors’ and senior management’s remuneration in 2014.

Currently, executive directors are mainly selected internally within the Group from executives who have considerable 
years of management experience and expertise in the telecommunications industry, whereas for the identification 
of non-executive directors, importance is attached to the individual’s independence as well as his or her experience 
and  expertise  in  finance  and  business  management.  The  Nomination  Committee,  taking  into  consideration  the 
requirements  of  the  jurisdictions  where  the  Company  is  listed  and  the  structure  and  composition  of  the  Board, 
identifies, reviews and nominates, with diligence and care, individuals suitably qualified as board members of the 
Company before making recommendations to the Board for their final appointment.

All newly-appointed directors receive a comprehensive induction of directors’ duties to make sure that they have 
a  proper  understanding  of  the  operations  and  business  of  the  Company,  and  that  they  are  fully  aware  of  their 
responsibilities as a director, the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which the Company is listed, applicable 
laws and regulations, and the operation and governance policies of the Company. All newly-appointed directors are 
subject to re-election by shareholders at the first annual general meeting after their appointment. Every director is 
subject to retirement by rotation and needs to stand for re-election at least once every three years.

MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
The task of the Company’s management is to implement the strategy and direction as determined by the Board, and 
to take care of day-to-day operations and functions of the Company. The division of responsibilities among our Chief 
Executive Officer and other members of the senior management (including the Chairman, who has a separate role 
from that of the Chief Executive Officer) is set out in the biographies of directors and senior management on pages 
11 to 15 of this annual report and on the Company’s website.

Our  management  is  required  to  adhere  to  certain  business  principles  and  ethics  while  performing  management 
duties.  For  the  purpose  of  promoting  honest  and  ethical  conducts  and  deterring  wrongdoings,  the  Company,  in 
2004, adopted a code of ethics, which is applicable to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, deputy chief 
financial officer, assistant chief financial officer and other designated senior officers of the Group, in accordance with 
the requirements of the SOX Act. In the event of a breach of the code of ethics, the Company may take appropriate 
preventive or disciplinary actions after consultation with the Board. The code of ethics has been filed with the U.S. 
SEC as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended 31 December 2003, which may 
also be viewed and downloaded from our website.

The Company established an on-going disclosure control procedure to formulate potential insider dealings. Our CEO 
and CFO have a personal obligation to maintain the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and internal controls 
over  financial  reporting,  and  to  report  to  the  Audit  Committee  and  the  external  auditor  any  significant  changes, 
deficiencies and material weaknesses in, and fraud related to, such controls. Besides, our management provides 
monthly updates to board members giving the latest development of the Company to enable them to discharge their 
duties.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

To  prevent  and  discipline  corruption,  we  further  refined  our  management  system  and  business  processes  to 
improve internal control and prevent risks, enhancing anti-corruption education. We further revised and improved 
our decision-making policies and implementation method, refined our major issue catalogue and criteria to prevent 
risks in decision-making. We strengthened the inspection mechanism, especially on key areas such as procurement 
biddings to look for loopholes in our management system and resolve them and urge for honest operation, healthy 
development, good performance and shareholders’ interests protection. The Company has set a post office box, an 
e-mail account (jubao@chinamobile.com), a telephone hotline (010-52616186), fax and other channels for whistle-
blowing. The Company will keep the whistleblowers’ personal information strictly confidential to protect his/her rights, 
and carefully verify and investigate issues reported.

INTERNAL AUDIT
The internal audit department of the Company conducts independent and objective supervision and assessment 
and provides consulting services in respect of the appropriateness, compliance and effectiveness of the Company’s 
operational  activities  and  internal  controls  by  applying  systematic  and  standardized  auditing  procedures  and 
methods.  The  internal  audit  department  also  assists  the  Company  in  improving  the  effectiveness  of  corporate 
governance,  risk  management  and  control  process,  with  an  aim  to  increasing  its  corporate  value,  improving  its 
operations,  promoting  its  sustainable  and  healthy  development  as  well  as  contributing  to  the  achievement  of  its 
strategic objectives.

The  Company  and  its  operating  subsidiaries  have  set  up  internal  audit  departments,  which  independently  audit 
the business units of the Company and its operating subsidiaries. The head of the internal audit department of the 
Company directly reports to the Audit Committee which, in turn, reports to the Board regularly. The internal audit 
departments have unrestricted access to all areas of the Group’s business units, assets, records and personnel in 
the course of performing their duties.

The internal audit department of the Company establishes an internal audit scope and framework and carries out risk 
investigations on an annual basis. According to the results of the risk investigations, the internal audit department 
formulates an internal audit project rolling plan and an annual audit plan and, together with the Audit Committee, 
reviews and approves the annual audit plan and resources allocation. The annual audit plan of the internal audit 
department covers various areas, namely financial audit, internal control audit, risk assessment, audit investigation 
and consultancy services. For financial audit, the internal audit department audits and assesses the truthfulness, 
accuracy, compliance and efficiency of the Company’s financial activities and financial information as well as the 
management  and  utilization  of  the  Company’s  capital  and  assets.  For  internal  control  audit,  the  internal  audit 
department  audits  and  assesses  the  effectiveness  in  the  design  and  implementation  of  the  Company’s  internal 
control  system.  According  to  the  requirements  under  section  404  of  the  SOX  Act,  the  internal  audit  department 
of the Company organizes and performs internal audit assessment on the internal control over financial reporting 
of the Company on an annual basis, providing assurance for the Company’s management in its issuance of the 
internal control assessment report. At the same time, the internal audit department carries on special projects and 
investigations in response to requests from the Company’s management or the Audit Committee or if otherwise 
required. In addition, without prejudice to its independence, if requested by the Company’s management and as 
required by business needs, the internal audit department provides management advice or consultancy services by 
making use of audit resources and audit information to facilitate the Company’s decision-making and operational 
management.

The internal audit department makes improvement recommendations in respect of its findings in the course of the 
audits and requests the management to undertake and to confirm the implementation plan, the methods and the 
timing. It regularly monitors the status of the implementation of the recommendations to ensure their completion.

In 2014, the internal audit department made more efforts on the supervision on terminal marketing expenses and 
tariffs to avoid material operational risks and weakness in key management, and on audit informatization, kicking-off 
the on-going computer-assisted audit to enhance the depth and breadth of audit. The Company and its subsidiaries 
further promoted the audit rectification and accountability to hold the accountable with penalties. Our closed-loop 
audit management and results have been improved.

In  2015,  we  will  continue  to  strengthen  auditing  and  supervision  in  light  of  our  strategy,  focusing  on  high-risk 
operational and key management loopholes and promoting on-going process control and mechanism optimization 
to further enhance the effectiveness of internal audit.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

EXTERNAL AUDITORS
In 2014, the Group engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP as statutory 
auditors  of  the  Group  for  Hong  Kong  financial  reporting  and  U.S.  financial  reporting  purposes,  respectively.  The 
principal services provided by PwC included:

• 

• 

review of interim consolidated financial information of the Group;

audit  of  annual  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Group  and  annual  financial  statements  of  its 
subsidiaries; and

• 

audit of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2014.

Apart from providing the above-mentioned audit services to the Group, PwC also provided other non-audit services 
to the Group, which were permitted under section 404 of the SOX Act and pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

The following table sets forth the types of, and fees for, the principal audit services and non-audit services provided 
by PwC (please refer to note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for details):

Audit fees2

Non-audit services fees3

2014
RMB million

2013
RMB million

91

6

85

7

2 
3 

Including the fees rendered for the audit of internal control over financial reporting as required by section 404 of the SOX Act.
Including the fees for tax services, section 404 of the SOX Act advisory services, risk assessment and other IT related advisory services.

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
Good  corporate  governance  practices  require  due  attention  to  the  impact  of  our  business  decisions  on  our 
shareholders  as  well  as  other  relevant  stakeholders  such  as  customers,  local  communities,  industry  peers  and 
regulatory  authorities.  Our  sustainability  report  for  the  year  of  2014  (the  “Sustainability  Report”),  which  is  issued 
together with this annual report, highlights our philosophy of corporate social responsibility and our performance in 
the areas of social and environmental management in 2014. This annual report and the Sustainability Report illustrate 
our  efforts  and  development  in  the  areas  of  industry  development,  community  advancement  and  environmental 
protection and also explain how we have fulfilled our obligations to our employees, customers, environment, local 
communities and other stakeholders.

In 2014, we were recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index, and had been on the DJSI 
family for the seventh consecutive year.

INTERNAL CONTROLS
The Board is responsible for conducting and conducts regular reviews of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
controls to reasonably ensure that the Company is operating legally and the assets are safeguarded and to ensure 
the accuracy and reliability of the financial information that the Company employs in its business or releases to the 
public.

According to the provisions under section 404 of the SOX Act, our management is responsible for establishing and 
maintaining internal control over financial reporting. We adopted the control criteria framework set out in the Internal 
Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(COSO) (2013) and in compliance with requirements under the CP issued by HKEx, in establishing a stringent internal 
control system over financial reporting, and refined the routine management mechanism of internal controls.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

044

045

 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

We established a sound corporate governance structure and a top-down organizational structure from the Board 
to the specific positions with respective internal control duties. Our Audit Committee under the Board is responsible 
for,  among  other  things,  monitoring  the  Company’s  financial  reporting  procedures,  internal  controls  and  risk 
management. The Company reports the design and implementation of internal controls to Audit Committee annually 
and receives guidance and supervision from Audit Committee.

We established a three-tier internal controls of “the top level internal control system, the internal control professional 
system and the internal control practices guidelines”, which brought the control requirements to the whole process 
of  marketing,  production  and  management.  Base  on  our  business  operation,  we  focus  on  high  risk  and  key 
management areas and perform risk assessment, so as to enforce our internal control requirement into our daily 
operation. Meanwhile, we assigned specific responsibilities to individuals and input the control requirements in our IT 
systems to strengthen the internal controls. And through multiple internal and external supervision and inspections, 
including  self-assessment,  management  evaluation,  external  audit,  etc.,  we  effectively  improved  the  execution 
efficiency and effectiveness of our internal controls.

Based on the evaluation conducted by the management of the Company, the management believes that, as of 31 
December  2014,  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  was  effective  and  provided  reasonable 
assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  reporting 
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

All  disclosure  of  material  information  relating  to  the  Company  is  made  through  the  unified  leadership  and 
management  of  the  Board,  with  the  Company’s  management  performing  its  relevant  duties.  The  Company  has 
performed  an  annual  review  of  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  and 
concluded  that,  as  of  31  December  2014,  the  Company’s  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  were  effectively 
executed at a reasonable assurance level.

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
According to the HKEx Listing Rules and United States Securities Act, since 2003, the Company has implemented 
the information disclosure internal control and procedures. We have established the Disclosure Committee, including 
our Chairman, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and heads of main functional departments. Empowered 
by the Board, the Disclosure Committee is responsible for organizing and coordinating the routine reporting and 
disclosure  job  to  prompt  timely,  fair,  truthful  and  complete  disclosure  of  information,  ensure  good  corporate 
governance and transparency, properly get back to the investors, analysts and media inquiries, to prevent our share 
price volatility caused by error messages.

Under the circumstances where any department or officer are in breach of disclosure procedures and internal control 
resulting  in  reporting  or  disclosure  errors,  or  in  breach  of  disclosure  related  laws  and  regulations,  the  Company 
shall hold the relevant personnel accountable. Members of the Disclosure Committee, heads of our Internal Audit 
Department and other relevant departments and each of our subsidiaries shall make certifications annually and take 
personal responsibilities with respect to their disclosure duties.

Our Internal Audit Department conducts annual evaluation with respect to the effectiveness of disclosure internal 
control  and  procedures,  and  issues  audit  reports.  Depend  on  which,  our  CEO  and  CFO  shall  make  written 
statements with respect to our annual report on Form 20-F and take personal responsibilities in accordance with 
the requirements of the US Securities Act. The Disclosure Committee can revise the disclosure internal control and 
procedure in accordance with its performance and the development of relevant laws with approval of the senior 
management. The revised internal control procedure and articles shall be circulated within the Group.

In compliance with the provisions of Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance, the Company also set up rules 
and lock-up periods on directors, management and employees in dealing in the shares of the Company or exercising 
our share options while they are in possession of inside information. In about every six months, they are required 
to sign a duty of confidentiality and prohibition against insider dealing. Unauthorized use of confidential or inside 
information for profits is strictly prohibited to prevent violation of laws and regulations.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES 
OF THE COMPANY AND THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES REQUIRED TO BE FOLLOWED 
BY U.S. COMPANIES UNDER THE NYSE’S LISTING STANDARDS
As a foreign private issuer (as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), 
we are permitted to follow home country practices in lieu of some of the corporate governance practices required to 
be followed by U.S. companies listed on the NYSE. As a result, our corporate governance practices differ in some 
respects from those required to be followed by U.S. companies listed on the NYSE.

In accordance with the requirements of section 303A.11 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, the following is a 
summary of the significant differences between the Company’s corporate governance practices and those required 
to be followed by U.S. companies under the NYSE’s listing standards.

Section  303A.01  of  the  NYSE  Listed  Company  Manual  provides  that  listed  companies  must  have  a  majority  of 
independent directors. As a listed company in Hong Kong, the Company is subject to the requirement under the 
Hong Kong Listing Rules that at least one-third of its board be independent non-executive directors as determined 
under the Hong Kong Listing Rules. The Company has 4 independent non-executive directors out of a total of 9 
directors. The Hong Kong Listing Rules set forth standards for establishing independence, which differ from those 
set forth in the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

Section  303A.03  of  the  NYSE  Listed  Company  Manual  provides  that  listed  companies  must  schedule  regular 
executive  sessions  in  which  non-management  directors  meet  without  management  participation.  As  a  listed 
company in Hong Kong, we are subject to the requirement under the Hong Kong Listing Rules that our Chairman 
should hold meetings at least annually with the non-executive directors (including INEDs) without the presence of 
executive directors.

Section  303A.04  of  the  NYSE  Listed  Company  Manual  provides  that  the  nominating/corporate  governance 
committee  of  a  listed  company  must  have  a  written  charter  that  addresses  the  committee’s  purpose  and 
responsibilities,  which  include,  among  others,  the  development  and  recommendation  of  corporate  governance 
guidelines  to  the  listed  company’s  board  of  directors.  Our  Board  is  responsible  for  performing  the  corporate 
governance duties, including developing and reviewing our policies and practices of corporate governance.

Section 303A.07 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual provides that if an audit committee member simultaneously 
serves  on  the  audit  committee  of  more  than  three  public  companies,  and  the  listed  company  does  not  limit  the 
number of audit committees on which its audit committee members serve to three or less, then in each case, the 
board of directors must determine that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such member to 
effectively serve on the listed company’s audit committee and disclose such determination. The Company is not 
required, under the applicable Hong Kong law, to make such determination.

Section  303A.10  of  the  NYSE  Listed  Company  Manual  provides  that  listed  companies  must  adopt  and  disclose 
a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees. While the Company is not required, 
under the Hong Kong Listing Rules, to adopt such similar code, as required under the SOX Act, the Company has 
adopted a code of ethics that is applicable to the Company’s principal executive officers, principal financial officers, 
principal accounting officers or persons performing similar functions.

Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual provides that each listed company’s chief executive officer 
must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate 
governance listing standards. The Company’s chief executive officer is not required, under the applicable Hong Kong 
law, to make similar certifications.

CONTINUOUS EVOLVEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We will closely study the development of corporate governance practices among the world’s leading corporations, 
future evolution of the relevant regulatory environment and the requirements of the investors on an ongoing basis. 
We will also review and enhance our corporate governance procedures and practices from time to time so as to 
ensure the long-term sustainable development of the Company.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

046

047

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

In  2014,  in  view  of  the  need  for  the  corporate  strategic  transformation  and  business  development,  our  human 
resources work adhered to the corporate strategic deployment and we endeavored to further liberate creativity and 
promote innovation. Our human resources work was guided by the human resources strategic plans and the 2014 
key tasks with “stimulating vitality and improving efficiency” as the focus, “transformation and structural adjustment” as 
the theme and “management personnel cultivation, labor management reform, incentive mechanism enhancement 
and talent management” as the emphasis, endeavoring to accomplish progress and deliver results.

In  2014,  the  Group  continued  to  promote  the  cultivation  of  its  management  personnel  and  reserve  team  and 
enhanced the work on management adjustment and supplement. Tailoring to the different characteristics of various 
positions, different measures including selection within the organization and competitive selection were used in the 
selection  and  appointment  of  cadres.  Within  the  year,  the  Group  completed  120  person-times  in  the  evaluation 
and job re-designation of cadres from 55 units, continuously optimizing the structure of the management team and 
further enhancing its overall functionality and capabilities.

In order to actively respond to the needs for organizational reform, various specialized companies were established 
including China Mobile (Suzhou) Software Technology Co., Ltd., China Mobile (Hangzhou) Information Technology 
Co., Ltd., China Mobile Online Services Co., Ltd. and MIGU Co., Ltd. The Group conducted research on professional 
corporate  human  resources  management  models  and  promoted  initiatives  relating  to  professional  corporate 
governance and optimization of human resources. The Group performed dynamic optimization of its standard job 
system, enhanced the delineation of responsibilities between headquarters and departments and recalibrated 67 
cross-department organizations, realizing a streamlining rate of 32.8% and further improving organizational efficiency.

The Group endeavored to comply with applicable labor laws and regulations, adjusted position classification and 
labor  structure,  implemented  the  standardized  quarterly  reporting  system  on  labor  management,  dynamically 
supervised  and  directed  the  standardized  labor  management  work  of  various  units  and  successfully  established 
the  labor  deployment  model  based  upon  employment  contracts.  The  human  resources  allocation  system  was 
optimized. The human resources allocation for various subordinated units and professional lines has been adjusted 
and optimized, resulting in effective control of the total staff number and continuous improvement of the allocation 
efficiency and providing support to the corporate business development.

In respect of remuneration incentives, the Group improved its diversified incentive mechanism and enhanced the 
effectiveness of its remuneration incentives, with the implementation of the remuneration incentive system of different 
levels and categories. Taking into consideration and linking between the market-oriented level of the business and 
the  stage  of  development,  for  units  with  businesses  of  a  higher  market-oriented  level,  external  competitiveness 
was further reflected in the remuneration system and calculations, and a higher degree of flexibility was provided in 
order to support the corporate strategic transformation. The Group continued to promote reform on the quantitative 
performance-based  remuneration  system  and  facilitated  ancillary  quantitative  performance-based  remuneration 
budgeting  in  order  to  ensure  that  outstanding  staff  would  be  effectively  incentivized.  Performance-oriented 
remuneration was further enhanced and personnel costs were linked to the performance assessment results of each 
business unit in order to reflect the management principle of “remuneration increases if performance improves while 
remuneration decreases if performance declines”. Enterprise annuity was also implemented in order to enrich the 
Group’s benefits system.

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

The  Group  devoted  significant  efforts  to  recruitment  work  and  organized  campus  presentations  and  recruitment 
activities which included 12 presentation sessions and 16 on-site recruitment sessions at 16 well-known integrated 
universities in 12 provinces and cities and 4 specialized posts and telecommunications universities including Beijing 
University of Posts and Telecommunications, covering a total of nearly 60,000 people with a plan to recruit 8,000 
people  within  the  year.  The  Group  explored  the  establishment  of  a  unified  written  test  for  recruiting  university 
graduates, optimized the recruitment process, enhanced recruitment efficiency in order to ensure the staff quality 
and promote their simultaneous growth with us.

In 2014, the number of people who studied at the online university of China Mobile reached 321,000 with a total of 
8.2 million study hours, both of which were highly ranked among online study programs run by domestic enterprises. 
A total of 140,000 people accessed online studies through mobile phones and studying through the Internet had 
become an important channel of staff development. Online training and discussions were provided in live classes 
through  the  live  broadcasting  platform  with  participation  of  over  2  million  person-times,  which  had  become  the 
platform for a fast and large-scale promotion of the corporate key business developments. Various forms of training 
were provided to the staff in order to enhance their professional and execution abilities and promote implementation 
of the Group’s strategies.

China  Mobile  University  was  awarded  the  “2014  ATD  –  Excellence  in  Practice  Award”,  the  highest  honor  which 
is  regarded  as  the  equivalent  of  Oscar  awards  in  global  training  and  education,  which  demonstrated  that  China 
Mobile University had become a model for the world’s premier enterprise universities. Based in the United States, 
the  Association  for  Talent  Development  (ATD)  is  one  of  the  world’s  largest  and  most  authoritative  association 
dedicated to talent development and is the leader in the area of talent development. China Mobile University was 
also presented with many major awards in China, including the title of “2014 China Best Enterprise University” and 
“2014 Engine Award – China Benchmarked Enterprise University”, and received high recognition and praise for its 
achievements in enterprise training and development.

In 2015, the human resources work will firmly embrace the corporate development strategies and key tasks, adapt 
to  the  new  development  requirements  for  human  resources  work,  align  with  the  development  trends  and  take 
initiatives to create changes with “innovating mechanism, stimulating vitality and improving efficiency” as the theme, 
“optimizing staff selection and allocation system, enhancing labor resources reform, enriching diversified incentive 
mechanism and perfecting human resources system management” as the key tasks. The Group will focus on the 
key issues, identify areas requiring major efforts, further change the work style, strive to accomplish more proactive, 
forward-looking, systematic and efficient work, strengthen service awareness, continue to enhance organizational 
forward-looking, systematic and efficient work, strengthen service awareness, continue to enhance organizational 
capabilities  and  operational  efficiency  and  actively  provide  support  for  its  strategic  transformation  and  business 
capabilities  and  operational  efficiency  and  actively  provide  support  for  its  strategic  transformation  and  business 
upgrading.
upgrading.

2014 Engine Award – 
China Benchmarked 
Enterprise University

2014 China Best Enterprise University

2014 ATD – 
Excellence in Practice Award

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  • ANNUAL REPORT 2014
CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

048
048

049
049

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

The directors take pleasure in submitting their annual report together with the audited financial statements for the 
year ended 31 December 2014.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
The  Group’s  principal  activity  is  providing  mobile  telecommunications  and  related  services  in  31  provinces, 
autonomous  regions  and  directly-administered  municipalities  in  Mainland  China  and  Hong  Kong.  The  principal 
activity of the Company is investment holding.

The turnover of the Group during the financial year consisted primarily of income generated from the provision of 
mobile telecommunications services.

MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS
The Group’s aggregate turnover with its five largest customers did not exceed 30% of the Group’s total turnover in 
2014.

Purchases from the largest supplier for the year represented 13% of the Group’s total purchases. The five largest 
suppliers  accounted  for  an  aggregate  of  29%  of  the  Group’s  purchases  in  2014.  Purchases  for  the  Group 
include  network  equipment  purchases,  leasing  of  transmission  lines  and  payments  in  relation  to  interconnection 
arrangements.  Purchases  from  suppliers,  other  than  suppliers  of  leased  lines  and  network  equipment  and 
interconnection arrangements, were not material to the Group’s total purchases.

At  no  time  during  the  year  ended  31  December  2014  have  the  directors,  their  associates  or  any  shareholder  of 
the Company (which to the knowledge of the directors owns more than 5% of the number of issued shares of the 
Company) had any interest in these five largest suppliers.

SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATES
Particulars of the Company’s subsidiaries and the Group’s associates as at 31 December 2014 are set out in notes 
18 and 19, respectively, to the consolidated financial statements.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The profit of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2014 and the financial conditions of the Company and the 
Group as at that date are set out in the consolidated financial statements on pages 70 to 129.

DIVIDENDS
The Board believes that the Company’s favorable profitability and healthy cash flow generating capability will be able 
to provide sufficient support to its future development, while providing shareholders with a favorable return. Based 
on the Group’s operating performance in 2014 and taking into consideration its long-term future development,  in 
accordance with the dividend payout ratio of 43% planned for the full financial year of 2014, the Board recommends 
payment of a final dividend of HK$1.380 per share for the financial year ended 31 December 2014. This, together 
with  the  interim  dividend  of  HK$1.540  per  share  that  was  paid,  amounts  to  an  aggregate  dividend  payment  of 
HK$2.920 per share for the full financial year of 2014. In 2015, taking into consideration various relevant factors, 
including the Group’s overall financial condition, cash flow generating capability and future sustainable development 
needs, the Company’s planned dividend payout ratio for the full year of 2015 will be 43%.

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

DONATIONS
Donations made by the Group during the year amounted to RMB55,987,029 (2013: RMB67,661,542).

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Changes to the property, plant and equipment of the Group and the Company during the year ended 31 December 
2014 are set out in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.

SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE OPTION SCHEMES
Details of the Company’s share capital and share option scheme are set out in note 35 to the consolidated financial 
statements and the paragraph “Share Option Schemes” below, respectively.

BONDS
Details of the bonds of the Group are set out in note 33 to the consolidated financial statements.

RESERVES
Changes  to  the  reserves  of  the  Group  during  the  year  are  set  out  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  changes  in 
equity. Changes to the reserves of the Company during the year are set out in note 35 to the consolidated financial 
statements.

DIRECTORS
The directors during the financial year were:

Executive Directors:
XI Guohua (Chairman)
LI Yue
XUE Taohai
HUANG Wenlin (resigned on 19 March 2015)
SHA Yuejia
LIU Aili

Independent Non-Executive Directors:
LO Ka Shui
Frank WONG Kwong Shing
Moses CHENG Mo Chi
Paul CHOW Man Yiu

In accordance with Article 95 of the Company’s Articles of Association, Mr. XUE Taohai, Mr. Frank WONG Kwong 
Shing  and  Dr.  Moses  CHENG  Mo  Chi  will  retire  by  rotation  at  the  forthcoming  annual  general  meeting  of  the 
Company and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

The biographies of the directors proposed for re-election at the forthcoming annual general meeting (“Directors for 
Re-election”) are set out on pages 12 and 14. Except as disclosed in such biographies, the Directors for Re-election 
have not held any other directorships in any listed public companies in the last three years. Further, except as noted 
in  the  biographies,  none  of  the  Directors  for  Re-election  is  connected  with  any  directors,  senior  management  or 
substantial or controlling shareholders of the Company and, except as disclosed in the paragraphs headed “Directors’ 
and Chief Executive’s Interest and Short Positions in Shares, Underlying Shares and Debentures” and “Share Option 
Schemes” below, none of them has any interests in the shares of the Company within the meaning of Part XV of the 
Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”).

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

050

051

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing was appointed as an independent non-executive director of the Company since 
August  2002.  He  has  many  years  of  finance  and  commercial  experience  and  is  a  highly  valued  and  respected 
member of the Board. He is also a chairman of the Audit Committee, a member of the Remuneration Committee 
and Nomination Committee. Each year, Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing provided the Company with a confirmation 
of his independence in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Hong Kong Listing Rules and the Board 
believes that Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing is independent. The Board also believes that he is able to discharge his 
duties as an independent non-executive director of the Company and will also continue to contribute to the various 
committees of the Board. Accordingly, the Board is of the view that the re-election of Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing 
as an independent non-executive director of the Company is in the interests of the Company and its shareholders as 
a whole.

Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi was appointed as an independent non-executive director of the Company since March 
2003. He has extensive legal expertise and is a highly valued and respected member of the Board. He is also a 
member  of  each  of  the  Audit  Committee,  Remuneration  Committee  and  Nomination  Committee.  Each  year,  Dr. 
Moses  CHENG  Mo  Chi  provided  the  Company  with  a  confirmation  of  his  independence  in  accordance  with  the 
relevant requirements of the Hong Kong Listing Rules and the Board believes that Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi is 
independent.  The  Board  also  believes  that  he  is  able  to  discharge  his  duties  as  an  independent  non-executive 
director of the Company and will also continue to contribute to the various committees of the Board. Accordingly, 
the Board is of the view that the re-election of Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi as an independent non-executive director 
of the Company is in the interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole.

The service contracts of all the Directors for Re-election do not provide for a specified length of service and each of 
such directors will be subject to retirement by rotation and re-election at annual general meetings of the Company 
every  three  years.  Each  of  the  Directors  for  Re-election  is  entitled  to  an  annual  director’s  fee  of  HK$180,000  as 
proposed by the Board and approved by the shareholders of the Company. Director’s fees are payable on a time 
pro-rata basis for any non full year’s service. Mr. Frank WONG Kwong Shing is entitled to an additional annual fee 
of  HK$290,000  as  a  chairman  of  Audit  Committee,  a  member  of  the  Remuneration  Committee  and  Nomination 
Committee. Dr. Moses CHENG Mo Chi is entitled to an additional annual fee of HK$260,000 as a member of each of 
the Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee. In addition, for the financial year ended 
31  December  2014,  Mr.  XUE  Taohai  received  annual  remuneration  including  retirement  scheme  contributions  of 
HK$1,170,000, plus a discretionary bonus as determined by the Board with respect to the director’s performance. 
The remuneration of the director has been determined with reference to the individual’s duties, responsibilities and 
experience, and to prevailing market conditions.

None of the Directors for Re-election has an unexpired service contract which is not determinable by the Company 
or  any  of  its  subsidiaries  within  one  year  without  payment  of  compensation,  other  than  under  normal  statutory 
obligations.

Save as disclosed herein, there are no other matters relating to the re-election of the Directors for Re-election that 
need to be brought to the attention of the shareholders of the Company nor is there any information to be disclosed 
pursuant to any of the requirements of Rule 13.51(2) of the Hong Kong Listing Rules.

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN CONTRACTS
No contract of significance to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was a party and in which a director of the 
Company had a material interest, whether directly or indirectly, subsisted at the end of the year or at any time during 
the year.

DIRECTORS’  AND  CHIEF  EXECUTIVE’S  INTEREST  AND  SHORT  POSITIONS  IN  SHARES, 
UNDERLYING SHARES AND DEBENTURES
As at 31 December 2014, the interests and short positions of the directors in the shares and underlying shares of the 
Company (within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO) as recorded in the register required to be kept under Section 
352 of the SFO, or as otherwise notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to the Model Code for 
Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers are set out below.

Certain directors of the Company personally held ordinary shares of the Company. Details of the directors’ holding of 
ordinary shares of the Company as at 31 December 2014 are as follows.

Director

LO Ka Shui

Capacity

Beneficial owner

Ordinary 
shares held

400,000

Interest of controlled corporation

300,000

Frank WONG Kwong Shing

Beneficial owner

150,000

Note:

Percentage of 
the number of 
issued shares1

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Based on 20,438,426,514 ordinary shares of the Company in issue as at 31 December 2014, and rounded off to two decimal places.

Certain directors of the Company personally hold options to subscribe for ordinary shares of the Company. Please 
refer to the paragraph headed “Share Option Schemes” below for details of the interests of the directors in such 
share options. The share options were granted to the directors pursuant to the terms of the share option schemes 
adopted by the Company.

Apart from those disclosed herein, as at 31 December 2014, none of the directors nor the chief executive of the 
Company had any interests or short positions in any of the shares, underlying shares or debentures of the Company 
or any of its associated corporations (within the meaning of the SFO) that is required to be recorded and kept in the 
register in accordance with section 352 of the SFO or any interests required to be notified to the Company and the 
Stock Exchange pursuant to the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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053

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

SHARE OPTION SCHEMES
Share Option Schemes of the Company
Pursuant to a resolution passed at the annual general meeting held on 24 June 2002, a share option scheme (the 
“Scheme”) was adopted to replace an old share option scheme adopted on 8 October 1997 (the “Old Scheme”) 
and the Old Scheme was terminated. The Scheme shall be valid and effective for a period of 10 years commencing 
on its adoption date after which period no further options to subscribe for shares of the Company will be granted. 
The Scheme ceased to be valid and effective on 24 June 2012 and accordingly, no further share options will be 
granted under the Scheme. However, the provisions of the Scheme shall remain in full force and effect to the extent 
necessary to give effect to the exercise of any share options granted under the Scheme prior to the expiry of the 10-
year period and which may become thereafter capable of being exercised under the rules of the Scheme.

As set out in the Company’s circular to shareholders dated 8 April 2002, the purpose of the Scheme is to provide the 
Company with a flexible and effective means of remunerating and providing benefits to the executive directors, non-
executive directors and employees of the Company, any of its holding companies and their respective subsidiaries 
and any entity in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds any equity interest (the “Participants”), thereby 
incentivizing the Participants. Under the Scheme, the Board may, at their discretion, invite the Participants to take up 
options to subscribe for shares in the Company.

The maximum aggregate number of shares which can be subscribed pursuant to options that are or may be granted 
under the Schemes equals to 10% of the total issued share capital of the Company as at the date of adoption of the 
Scheme. Options lapsed or cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Old Scheme or the Scheme will not be 
counted for the purpose of calculating this 10% limit.

The  total  number  of  shares  in  the  Company  issued  and  to  be  issued  upon  exercise  of  the  options  granted  to  a 
Participant (including both exercised and outstanding options) in any 12-month period must not exceed 1% of the 
issued share capital of the Company. The consideration payable for the grant of each option under the Scheme is 
HK$1.00.

Under the Scheme, the term of the option is determined by the Board at their discretion, provided that all options 
must be exercised within 10 years after the date on which the option is granted. The exercise price of the options 
granted under the Scheme is determined by the Board at its discretion provided that such price may not be set 
below a minimum price which is the highest of:

(i) 

the nominal value of a share in the Company;

(ii) 

(iii) 

the closing price of the shares in the Company on the Stock Exchange on the date on which the option was 
granted; and

the  average  closing  price  of  the  shares  in  the  Company  on  the  Stock  Exchange  for  the  five  trading  days 
immediately preceding the date on which the option was granted.

No share options were granted or cancelled under the Scheme during the year ended 31 December 2014.

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

As at 31 December 2014, the directors and chief executive of the Company and the employees of the Group had 
the following personal interests in options to subscribe for shares of the Company granted under the Scheme.

No. of shares 
involved in 
the options 
outstanding at 
the beginning 
of the year

No. of shares 
involved in 
the options 
outstanding 
at year end

Date on which 
options were 
granted

No. of shares 
involved in the 
options lapsed 
during the year

Directors

LI Yue

XUE Taohai

SHA Yuejia

LIU Aili

154,000

780,000

154,000

780,000

82,575

780,000

82,600

141,500

–

28 October 2004

780,000

8 November 2005

–

28 October 2004

780,000

8 November 2005

–

28 October 2004

780,000

8 November 2005

119,000

–

154,000

–

82,575

–

–

28 October 2004

82,600

141,500

8 November 2005

–

–

Moses CHENG Mo Chi

400,000

400,000

8 November 2005

Employees

113,418,420

475,000

–

–

28 October 2004

2,259,113 

111,159,307

21 December 2004

456,000

19,000

268,025,464

43,351,922

8 November 2005

–

224,673,542

46,233,422 (Note (a))

No. of shares 
acquired on 
exercise of 
options during 
the year

35,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Exercise 
price
HK$

22.75

34.87

22.75

34.87

22.75

34.87

22.75

34.87

34.87

22.75

26.75

34.87

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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055

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF DIRECTORS

Notes:

(a) 

The total number of shares involved in the options outstanding at the end of the year represents 0.23% of the number of issued shares of the 
Company as at the date of this annual report.

(b) 

No options to subscribe for shares in the Company were granted to the directors of the Company in 2014.

(c) 

Particulars of share options:

Date of grant

Exercise period

28 October 2004

28 October 2005 to 27 October 2014 (in respect of 40% of the options granted)

28 October 2006 to 27 October 2014 (in respect of 30% of the options granted)

28 October 2007 to 27 October 2014 (in respect of the remaining 30% of the options granted)

21 December 2004

21 December 2005 to 20 December 2014 (in respect of 40% of the options granted)

21 December 2006 to 20 December 2014 (in respect of 30% of the options granted)

21 December 2007 to 20 December 2014 (in respect of the remaining 30% of the options granted)

8 November 2005

8 November 2006 to 7 November 2015 (in respect of 40% of the options granted)

8 November 2007 to 7 November 2015 (in respect of 30% of the options granted)

8 November 2008 to 7 November 2015 (in respect of the remaining 30% of the options granted)

Details of share options exercised during the year:

Period during which 
share options were exercised

2 January 2014 to 27 October 2014

18 June 2014

3 January 2014 to 31 December 2014

Exercise 
price
HK$

22.75

26.75

34.87

Weighted 
average closing 
price per share 
immediately 
before dates 
of exercise 
of options
HK$

Number of 
shares 
involved in
 the options

Proceeds 
received
HK$

76.54

75.50

80.14

2,529,670,484

111,194,307

508,250

19,000

7,834,366,410

224,673,542

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

SHARE OPTION SCHEME OF ASPIRE HOLDINGS LIMITED (“ASPIRE”)
Pursuant to a resolution passed at the annual general meeting of the Company held on 24 June 2002, the share 
option scheme of Aspire (the “Aspire Scheme”) was adopted by the Company.

The  Aspire  Scheme  is  valid  and  effective  for  a  period  of  10  years  commencing  on  its  adoption  date  after  which 
period no further options to subscribe for shares of Aspire will be granted. The Aspire Scheme ceased to be valid 
and  effective  on  24  June  2012  and  accordingly,  no  further  options  will  be  granted  under  the  Aspire  Scheme. 
However, the provisions of the Aspire Scheme shall remain in full force and effect to the extent necessary to give 
effect to the exercise of any options granted under the Aspire Scheme prior to the expiry of the 10-year period and 
which may become thereafter capable of being exercised under the rules of the Aspire Scheme.

As set out in the Company’s circular to shareholders dated 8 April 2002, the purpose of the Aspire Scheme is to 
provide  Aspire  with  a  flexible  and  effective  means  of  remunerating  and  providing  benefits  to  the  employees,  the 
executive directors and the non-executive directors of Aspire or any of its subsidiaries (the “Aspire Participants”), 
thereby incentivizing the Aspire Participants. Under the Aspire Scheme, the board of directors of Aspire may, at their 
discretion, invite Aspire Participants to take up options to subscribe for shares of Aspire (the “Aspire Shares”).

The maximum aggregate number of Aspire Shares which can be subscribed pursuant to options that are or may be 
granted under the Aspire Scheme equals to 10% of the total issued share capital of Aspire as at the date of adoption 
of the Aspire Scheme. Options lapsed or cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Aspire Scheme will not be 
counted for the purpose of calculating this 10% limit. The total number of Aspire Shares issued and to be issued 
upon exercise of the options granted to an Aspire Participant (including both exercised and outstanding options) in 
any 12-month period must not exceed 1% of the issued share capital of Aspire. As at 31 December 2014 and the 
date of this annual report, there was no outstanding option under the Aspire Scheme.

The consideration payable by an Aspire Participant for the grant of each option is HK$1.00.

For  options  granted  under  the  Aspire  Scheme,  the  exercise  price  of  the  options  is  determined  by  the  board  of 
directors of Aspire at its discretion provided that such price may not be set below a minimum price which is the 
higher of:

(i) 

US$0.298; and

(ii) 

the price determined by applying a maximum discount of 20% to the price per Aspire Share calculated by 
dividing the valuation of Aspire as a whole by the aggregate number of issued Aspire Shares at the time of 
employment/appointment of the Aspire Participant or the grant of the options to the Aspire Participant (as the 
case may be),

provided, however, that 10% of the options to be granted under the Aspire Scheme may have an exercise price less 
than (i) or (ii) above but not less than US$0.182.

Under the Aspire Scheme, the term of the option is determined by the board of directors of Aspire at their discretion, 
provided that all options must be exercised within 10 years after the date on which the option is granted.

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REPORT OF DIRECTORS

Under the vesting conditions on the options under the Aspire Scheme:

(i) 

50% of any options granted are exercisable: (a) 2 years after the time of commencement of employment (or the 
appointment as director) of the relevant Aspire Participant (in the case of options specified in the employment 
contract with the relevant Aspire Participant) or (in other cases) the date on which the Aspire Participant is 
offered with the option or (b) after listing of Aspire, whichever is later; and

(ii) 

the  remaining  50%  of  such  options  are  exercisable  3  years  after  the  initial  50%  of  the  options  become 
exercisable.

As at 31 December 2014, the employees of Aspire had the following personal interests in options to subscribe for 
shares of Aspire granted under the Aspire Scheme.

No. of shares 
involved in 
the options 
outstanding at 
the beginning 
of the year

No. of shares 
involved in 
the options 
outstanding 
at year end

Date on which 
options were 
granted

Normal period 
during which
 options are 
exercisable

No. of shares 
involved in 
the options 
lapsed during 
the year

Employees of Aspire*

725,000

45,000

–

–

18 March 2004

28 May 2004

(Note)

(Note)

725,000

45,000

Exercise 
price 
US$

0.298

0.298

* 

During the year ended 31 December 2014, no share options have been granted under the Aspire Scheme to any of the directors or chief 
executive of the Company.

Note:

(1) 

No share option under the Aspire Scheme was outstanding as at the date of this annual report.

(2) 

(a) 

The initial 50% of the options granted to a particular employee are exercisable between the period:

– 

commencing on the later of:

(i) 

2 years after the commencement of employment of that employee or the option offer date (as the case may be); or

(ii) 

the listing of the shares of Aspire; and

– 

ending on the date falling 10 years from the option grant date; and

(b) 

the remaining 50% of such options shall be exercisable between the period commencing 3 years after the initial 50% of the options 
become exercisable and ending on the date falling 10 years from the option grant date.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF DIRECTORS

None of the directors of Aspire had any personal interests in options to subscribe for shares of Aspire granted under 
the Aspire Scheme at the beginning and at the end of the year ended 31 December 2014.

No options were granted or exercised under the Aspire Scheme during the year ended 31 December 2014. Share 
options involving 770,000 Aspire Shares (representing all the previously outstanding share options granted under the 
Aspire Scheme) have lapsed during the year ended 31 December 2014. The options granted are not recognized in 
the financial statements until they are exercised.

Since the options granted pursuant to the Aspire Scheme are for the subscription of shares in Aspire which are not 
listed, the value of the options granted is not required to be disclosed under the Hong Kong Listing Rules.

In any event, since (i) the shares in Aspire are not listed; (ii) the options granted under the Aspire Scheme are not 
freely transferable (and hence there is no open market for transacting these options); and (iii) the grantee of an option 
will also not be able to charge, mortgage, encumber or create any interest in favour of any other person over or in 
relation to any option, any valuation of the options will necessarily be based on subjective assumptions, and may not 
provide a reliable measure of the fair value of the options and would potentially be misleading to the shareholders of 
the Company.

Apart from the foregoing, at no time during the year was the Company, any of its holding companies or subsidiaries, 
a  party  for  any  arrangement  to  enable  the  directors  or  chief  executive  of  the  Company  or  any  of  their  spouses 
or children under eighteen years of age to acquire benefits by means of acquiring shares in or debentures of the 
Company or any other body corporate.

PRE-IPO SHARE OPTION SCHEME OF CHINA MOBILE HONG KONG COMPANY LIMITED
Pursuant to a resolution passed by the shareholders of China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (formerly known as 
China Mobile Peoples Telephone Company Limited) (“CMHK”) on 4 March 2004, the pre-IPO share option scheme 
(the “CMHK Pre-IPO Scheme”) was adopted to incentivize the then employees of CMHK.

No share options were granted under the CMHK Pre-IPO Scheme after the listing of CMHK on 31 March 2004 and 
no  further  share  options  will  be  granted  under  the  CMHK  Pre-IPO  Scheme.  There  were  70,000  shares  covered 
by the share options granted under the CMHK Pre-IPO Scheme which were outstanding at the beginning of the 
financial year ended 31 December 2014. All the share options outstanding at the beginning of the year ended 31 
December 2014 were granted to employees of CMHK on 11 March 2004, and the exercise price was HK$4.55 
per share, being the offer price of the shares of CMHK at the time of its initial public offering. All outstanding share 
options granted under the CMHK Pre-IPO Scheme have been vested. Grantees of the outstanding share options 
are entitled to exercise the share options from 11 March 2005 to 10 March 2014. No share options granted under 
the CMHK Pre-IPO Scheme have been exercised during the year ended 31 December 2014. All outstanding share 
options lapsed during the year ended 31 December 2014.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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059

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS’ AND OTHER PERSONS’ INTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS IN 
SHARES AND UNDERLYING SHARES
The Company has been notified of the following interests in the Company’s issued shares as at 31 December 2014 
amounting to 5% or more of the ordinary shares in issue:

(i) 

China Mobile Communications Corporation 
(“CMCC”)

(ii)  China Mobile (Hong Kong) Group Limited 

(“CMHK (Group)”)

(iii)  China Mobile Hong Kong (BVI) Limited 

Ordinary shares held

directly

indirectly

Percentage of 
total number of 
issued shares

–

–

14,890,116,842

72.85%

14,890,116,842

72.85%

(“CMHK (BVI)”)

14,890,116,842

–

72.85%

Note: 

In light  of  the  fact  that  CMCC  and  CMHK  (Group)  directly  or  indirectly  control  one-third  or  more  of  the  voting  rights  in  the  shareholders’ 
meetings of CMHK (BVI), in accordance with the SFO, the interests of CMHK (BVI) are deemed to be, and have therefore been included in, the 
interests of CMCC and CMHK (Group).

Apart  from  the  foregoing,  as  at  31  December  2014,  no  persons,  other  than  a  director  or  chief  executive  of  the 
Company, had any interests or short positions in the shares and underlying shares of the Company as recorded in 
the register required to be kept under section 336 of the SFO.

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

CONNECTED TRANSACTIONS
Continuing Connected Transactions
Details of the continuing connected transactions are set out in note 36 to the consolidated financial statements.

For the financial year ended 31 December 2014, the following continuing connected transactions (the “Continuing 
Connected Transactions”) have not exceeded their respective annual caps:

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

rental  and  property  management  service  charges  paid  by  the  Group  to  CMCC  did  not  exceed  RMB2,000 
million. The charges payable by the Group in respect of properties owned by CMCC and its subsidiaries are 
determined with reference to market rates whilst the charges payable in respect of properties which CMCC or 
its subsidiaries lease from third parties and sub-let to the Group are determined according to the actual rent 
payable by CMCC or its subsidiaries to such third parties together with the amount of any tax payable;

telecommunications service charges, prices of transmission towers and spare parts and the charges payable 
for installation and maintenance services in respect of transmission towers paid by the Group to CMCC did not 
exceed RMB7,000 million. The telecommunications service charges, prices of transmission towers and spare 
parts  and  the  charges  payable  for  installation  and  maintenance  services  in  respect  of  transmission  towers 
are determined with reference to and cannot exceed relevant standards laid down and revised from time to 
time by the government of the PRC. Where there are no government standards, the prices and charges are 
determined according to market rates; the charges in respect of telecommunications services provided by the 
Group payable by CMCC and its subsidiaries to the Group did not exceed RMB2,300 million;

settlement charges paid by the Company to China TieTong Telecommunications Corporation (“TieTong”), a 
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  CMCC,  in  respect  of  calls  made  or  received  by  their  respective  customers  did 
not exceed RMB800 million and the settlement charges received by the Company from TieTong in respect of 
calls made or received by their respective customers were below 0.1% of each of the applicable percentage 
ratios  set  out  in  Rule  14.07  of  the  Hong  Kong  Listing  Rules.  The  rates  for  the  settlement  charges  payable 
and receivable by the Company to and from TieTong are based on the previous interconnection settlement 
agreements entered into between TieTong and CMCC;

(4) 

leasing  fees  paid  by  the  Company  to  CMCC  for  the  leasing  of  the  TD-SCDMA  network  capacity  by  the 
Company  from  CMCC  did  not  exceed  RMB8,500  million.  The  leasing  fees  are  determined  on  a  basis  that 
reflects the Group’s actual usage of CMCC’s TD-SCDMA network capacity and to compensate CMCC for the 
costs of such network capacity;

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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REPORT OF DIRECTORS

(5) 

service  charges  paid  by  the  Company  to  CMCC  for  the  agency  services  regarding  sales  channel 
utilization  and  for  the  cooperation  in  the  provision  of  basic  telecommunications  services  (such  as  fixed-
line phone services, fixed-line IDD phone services, IP phone-to-phone calls services, 2G GSM and 3G TD-
SCDMA  mobile  telecommunications  services)  (“Basic  Telecommunications  Services”)  and  value-added 
telecommunications services (such as paging services, data transmission services, voice mailbox services and 
network  connection  services)  (“Value-Added  Telecommunications  Services”)  to  customers  of  the  Company 
under  the  Telecommunications  Services  Cooperation  Agreement  did  not  exceed  RMB5,000  million.  The 
aggregate  amount  of  the  charges  received  by  the  Company  for  the  services  provided  to  CMCC  under 
the  Telecommunications  Services  Cooperation  Agreement  did  not  exceed  RMB1,200  million.  The  service 
charges  for  agency  services  are  determined  with  reference  to  market  prices  after  taking  into  consideration 
the  actual  volume  of  agency  services  provided  by  CMCC  and  performance  indicators  such  as  total  sales 
being  recognized  and  additional  number  of  subscribers  acquired  as  a  result  of  the  provision  of  agency 
services  by  CMCC.  In  determining  the  market  prices  for  the  agency  services,  the  Company  has  taken 
into account the service fees payable by the Company and CMCC to other industry players as well as the 
services fees receivable by the Company and CMCC from other industry players. The service fees payable 
by the Company and CMCC were, from the Company’s perspective, no less favorable than the service fees 
charged to other industry players, being independent third parties, for the same agency services provided to 
such independent third parties. The service charges in respect of business cooperation are determined with 
reference to, after taking into account the actual volume of Basic Telecommunications Services and Value-
Added Telecommunications Services provided and the resources and investment contributed, the government 
fixed price or the government guidance price if there is no government fixed price and where there is neither 
a government fixed price nor a government guidance price, the market price. Where none of the foregoing 
prices is applicable, the price is to be agreed between the parties and determined on a cost-plus basis. As 
there are no government fixed price or government guidance price for the Basic Telecommunications Services 
or the Value-Added Telecommunications Services, the charges payable by the Company and CMCC under 
the Telecommunications Services Cooperation Agreement for these services are determined with reference 
to  the  market  price.  In  determining  the  market  prices  for  the  Basic  Telecommunications  Services  and  the 
Value-Added  Telecommunications  Services,  the  Company  has  taken  into  account  the  charges  payable  by 
the Company and CMCC to other industry players and the charges receivable by the Company and CMCC 
from other industry players. Such charges payable by the Company and CMCC were, from the Company’s 
perspective, no less favorable than the charges charged to other industry players, being independent third 
parties, for the same Basic Telecommunications Services or Value-Added Telecommunications Services; and

(6) 

leasing fees paid by the Company to CMCC for the leasing of telecommunications network operation assets 
by  the  Company  from  CMCC  did  not  exceed  RMB14,600  million.  The  leasing  fees  are  determined  with 
reference to the prevailing market rates. In determining the market rates for the leasing fees, the Company has 
taken into account the charges payable by the Company and CMCC to other industry players as well as the 
charges receivable by the Company and CMCC from other industry players. The leasing fees payable by the 
Company to CMCC were not more than the leasing fees charged to other industry players, being independent 
third parties, for same kinds of network operation assets. The aggregate amount of leasing fees received by 
the  Company  from  CMCC  under  the  Network  Assets  Leasing  Agreement  was  below  0.1%  of  each  of  the 
applicable percentage ratios set out in Rule 14.07 of the Hong Kong Listing Rules.

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

The transactions referred to in paragraph (1) above were entered into pursuant to the 2014–2016 property leasing 
and management services agreement dated 15 August 2013 between the Company and CMCC (the “2014–2016 
Property Leasing Agreement”). The Company announced the entering into and the terms of the 2014–2016 Property 
Leasing Agreement on 15 August 2013. The 2014–2016 Property Leasing Agreement has a term of three years 
commencing on 1 January 2014 and will expire on 31 December 2016.

The  transactions  referred  to  in  paragraph  (2)  above  were  entered  into  pursuant  to  the  2014–2016 
telecommunications services agreement dated 15 August 2013 between the Company and CMCC (the “2014–2016 
Telecommunications Services Agreement”). The Company announced the entering into and the terms of the 2014–
2016 Telecommunications Services Agreement on 15 August 2013. The 2014–2016 Telecommunications Services 
Agreement has a term of three years commencing on 1 January 2014 and will expire on 31 December 2016.

The transactions referred to in paragraph (3) above were entered into pursuant to the tripartite agreement among 
the Company, CMCC and TieTong dated 13 November 2008 (the “Tripartite Agreement”). The entering into of the 
Tripartite Agreement was announced by the Company on 13 November 2008. The Tripartite Agreement has been 
renewed and announced by the Company (i) on 6 November 2009 for a period of one year from 1 January 2010; (ii) 
on 21 December 2010 for a period of one year from 1 January 2011; (iii) on 6 December 2011 for a period of one 
year from 1 January 2012; (iv) on 12 December 2012 for a period of one year from 1 January 2013; (v) on 15 August 
2013 for a period of one year from 1 January 2014; and (vi) on 14 August 2014 for a period of one year from 1 
January 2015.

The  transactions  referred  to  in  paragraph  (4)  above  were  entered  into  pursuant  to  the  network  capacity  leasing 
agreement  between  the  Company  and  CMCC  dated  29  December  2008  (the  “Network  Capacity  Leasing 
Agreement”). The entering into of the Network Capacity Leasing Agreement was announced by the Company on 29 
December 2008. The Network Capacity Leasing Agreement has been renewed and announced by the Company 
(i) on 6 November 2009 for a period of one year from 1 January 2010; (ii) on 21 December 2010 for a period of 
one year from 1 January 2011; (iii) on 6 December 2011 for a period of one year from 1 January 2012; (iv) on 12 
December 2012 for a period of one year from 1 January 2013; (v) on 15 August 2013 for a period of one year from 1 
January 2014; and (vi) on 14 August 2014 for a period of one year from 1 January 2015.

The transactions referred to in paragraph (5) above were entered into pursuant to the telecommunications services 
cooperation  agreement  between  the  Company  and  CMCC  dated  6  November  2009  (the  “Telecommunications 
Services Cooperation Agreement”). The entering into of the Telecommunications Services Cooperation Agreement 
was announced by the Company on 6 November 2009. The Telecommunications Services Cooperation Agreement 
has  been  renewed  and  announced  by  the  Company  (i)  on  21  December  2010  for  a  period  of  one  year  from  1 
January 2011; (ii) on 6 December 2011 for a period of one year from 1 January 2012; (iii) on 12 December 2012 for 
a period of one year from 1 January 2013; (iv) on 15 August 2013 for a period of one year from 1 January 2014; and (v) 
on 14 August 2014 for a period of one year from 1 January 2015.

The transactions referred to in paragraph (6) above were entered into pursuant to the telecommunications network 
operation assets leasing agreement between the Company and CMCC dated 18 August 2011 (the “Network Assets 
Leasing Agreement”). The entering into of the Network Assets Leasing Agreement was announced by the Company 
on 18 August 2011. The Network Assets Leasing Agreement has been renewed and announced by the Company 
(i) on 6 December 2011 for a period of one year from 1 January 2012; (ii) on 12 December 2012 for a period of 
one year from 1 January 2013; (iii) on 15 August 2013 for a period of one year from 1 January 2014; and (iv) on 14 
August 2014 for a period of one year from 1 January 2015.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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REPORT OF DIRECTORS

CMCC is the ultimate controlling shareholder of the Company and therefore, a connected person of the Company. 
TieTong is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMCC and therefore, a connected person of the Company. Accordingly, all 
the transactions referred to in paragraphs (1) to (6) above constitute connected transactions for the Company under 
the Hong Kong Listing Rules.

In the opinion of the independent non-executive directors, the Continuing Connected Transactions were entered into 
by the Group:

(i) 

in the ordinary and usual course of its business;

(ii) 

on normal commercial terms or better; and

(iii) 

according to the agreements governing such transactions on terms that are fair and reasonable and in the 
interests of the shareholders of the Company as a whole.

The  auditors  of  the  Company  were  engaged  to  report  on  the  Group’s  Continuing  Connected  Transactions  in 
accordance  with  Hong  Kong  Standard  on  Assurance  Engagements  3000  “Assurance  Engagements  Other  Than 
Audits  or  Reviews  of  Historical  Financial  Information”  and  with  reference  to  Practice  Note  740  “Auditor’s  Letter 
on  Continuing  Connected  Transactions  under  the  Hong  Kong  Listing  Rules”  issued  by  the  Hong  Kong  Institute 
of  Certified  Public  Accountants.  The  auditors  have  issued  their  unqualified  letter  containing  their  findings  and 
conclusions in respect of the Continuing Connected Transactions in accordance with Rule 14A.56 of the Hong Kong 
Listing Rules. The auditors’ letter has confirmed that nothing has come to their attention that cause them to believe 
that the Continuing Connected Transactions:

(A) 

have not been approved by the Board;

(B)  were not, in all materal respects, in accordance with the pricing policies of the Group as stated in this annual 

report;

(C)  were  not  entered  into,  in  all  material  respects,  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  agreements  governing  the 

Continuing Connected Transactions; and

(D) 

have exceeded their respective annual caps for the financial year ended 31 December 2014 set out in the 
previous announcements of the Company.

A  copy  of  the  auditors’  letter  in  relation  to  the  Continuing  Connected  Transactions  has  been  provided  by  the 
Company to the Stock Exchange.

In respect of the Continuing Connected Transactions, the Company has complied with the disclosure requirements 
under the Hong Kong Listing Rules in force from time to time, and has followed the policies and guidelines as laid 
down in the guidance letter HKEx-GL73-14 issued by the Stock Exchange when determining the price and terms of 
the transactions conducted during the year ended 31 December 2014.

REPORT OF DIRECTORS

PURCHASE, SALE OR REDEMPTION OF THE COMPANY’S LISTED SECURITIES
The  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  did  not  purchase,  sell  or  redeem  any  of  the  listed  securities  of  the  Company 
during the year ended 31 December 2014.

BANK AND OTHER LOANS
Particulars of bank and other loans of the Group as at 31 December 2014 are set out in note 33 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY
A summary of the audited results and of the audited statements of the assets and liabilities of the Group for the last 
five financial years is set out on pages 130 to 131 of this annual report.

EMOLUMENT POLICY
In  order  to  continue  to  maintain  the  sustainable  development  of  the  Group’s  competitiveness,  the  Group  has 
always emphasized the importance of recruiting, incentivizing, developing and retaining its employees, paid close 
attention to the external competitiveness, internal fairness of its remuneration structure and the cost-effectiveness 
of  remuneration  and  emphasized  the  importance  of  the  correlation  between  remuneration  management  and 
performance management. Employees’ remuneration comprises a basic salary, a performance-based bonus and a 
long-term incentive scheme in the form of share option schemes for eligible employees, details of which are set out 
under the paragraph headed “Share option schemes” above.

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Particulars  of  the  employee  retirement  benefits  of  the  Group  are  set  out  in  note  2  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.

PUBLIC FLOAT
As at the date of this annual report and based on the information that is publicly available to the Company and to 
the knowledge of the directors of the Company, the Company has maintained the public float prescribed under the 
Hong Kong Listing Rules and agreed with the Stock Exchange.

AUDITORS
A  resolution  will  be  proposed  at  the  forthcoming  annual  general  meeting  for  the  re-appointment  of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP as the auditors of the Group for Hong Kong 
financial reporting and U.S. financial reporting purposes, respectively.

By order of the Board

Xi Guohua
Chairman

Hong Kong, 19 March 2015

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

064

065

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of China Mobile Limited (the “Company”) will be held on 
Thursday, 28 May 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room, JW Marriott Hotel, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, 
Hong Kong for the following purposes:

1. 

To receive and consider the audited financial statements and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors of the 
Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended 31 December 2014.

2. 

To declare a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2014.

3. 

To re-elect executive Director.

4. 

To re-elect independent non-executive Directors.

5. 

To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP as the auditors of the 
Group for Hong Kong financial reporting and U.S. financial reporting purposes, respectively, and to authorize 
the Directors to fix their remuneration.

And to consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following as ordinary resolutions:

Ordinary Resolutions

6. 

“THAT:

(a) 

(b) 

subject to paragraph (b) below, the exercise by the directors of the Company during the Relevant Period 
(as defined below) of all the powers of the Company to purchase shares in the capital of the Company 
including any form of depositary receipt representing the right to receive such shares (“Shares”) be and is 
hereby generally and unconditionally approved;

the  aggregate  number  of  Shares  which  may  be  purchased  on  The  Stock  Exchange  of  Hong  Kong 
Limited (the “Stock Exchange”) or any other stock exchange on which securities of the Company may 
be listed and which is recognized for this purpose by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong 
Kong  and  the  Stock  Exchange  pursuant  to  the  approval  in  paragraph  (a)  above  shall  not  exceed  or 
represent more than 10 per cent. of the number of issued shares of the Company at the date of passing 
this resolution, and the said approval shall be limited accordingly;

(c) 

for the purpose of this resolution “Relevant Period” means the period from the passing of this resolution 
until whichever is the earlier of:

(1) 

the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company; or

(2) 

(3) 

the  expiration  of  the  period  within  which  the  next  annual  general  meeting  of  the  Company  is 
required by law to be held; or

the revocation or variation of the authority given under this resolution by ordinary resolution of the 
shareholders of the Company in general meeting.”

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

7. 

“THAT a general mandate be and is hereby unconditionally given to the directors of the Company to exercise 
full  powers  of  the  Company  to  allot,  issue  and  deal  with  additional  shares  in  the  Company  (including  the 
making and granting of offers, agreements and options which might require shares to be allotted, whether 
during the continuance of such mandate or thereafter) provided that, otherwise than pursuant to (i) a rights issue 
where shares are offered to shareholders on a fixed record date in proportion to their then holdings of shares; 
(ii) the exercise of options granted under any share option scheme adopted by the Company; or (iii) any scrip 
dividend or similar arrangement providing for the allotment of shares in lieu of the whole or part of a dividend in 
accordance with the articles of association of the Company, the aggregate number of the shares allotted shall 
not exceed the aggregate of:

(a) 

20 per cent. of the number of issued shares of the Company at the date of passing this resolution, plus

(b) 

(if the directors of the Company are so authorized by a separate ordinary resolution of the shareholders 
of the Company) the number of Shares repurchased by the Company subsequent to the passing of this 
resolution (up to a maximum equivalent to 10 per cent. of the number of issued shares of the Company 
at the date of passing this resolution).

Such mandate shall expire at the earlier of:

(1) 

the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company; or

(2) 

(3) 

the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting of the Company is required by 
law to be held; or

the date of any revocation or variation of the mandate given under this resolution by ordinary resolution of 
the shareholders of the Company at a general meeting.”

8. 

“THAT the directors of the Company be and are hereby authorized to exercise the powers of the Company 
referred to in the resolution set out in item 7 in the notice of the annual general meeting in respect of the shares 
of the Company referred to in paragraph (b) of such resolution.”

By Order of the Board
China Mobile Limited
Wong Wai Lan, Grace 
Company Secretary

8 April 2015

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

066

067

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notes:

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Any member entitled to attend and vote at the annual general meeting is entitled to appoint one or, if he is the holder of two or more shares, 
more proxies to attend and, on a poll, vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.

In order to be valid, a form of proxy together with the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a notarially 
certified copy thereof, must be deposited at the Company’s registered office at 60/F, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong at 
least 24 hours before the time for holding the annual general meeting. Completion and return of a form of proxy will not preclude a member 
from attending and voting in person if he is subsequently able to be present.

The  Board  of  Directors  has  recommended  a  final  dividend  of  HK$1.380  per  share  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014  and,  if  such 
dividend is declared by the members passing resolution number 2, it is expected to be paid on or about 30 June 2015 to those shareholders 
whose names appear on the Company’s register of members on 10 June 2015. Shareholders should read the announcement issued by the 
Company on 19 March 2015 regarding the closure of register of members and the withholding and payment of enterprise income tax for non-
resident enterprises in respect of the proposed 2014 final dividend.

To ascertain shareholders’ eligibility to attend and vote at the annual general meeting, the register of members of the Company will be closed 
from 22 May 2015 to 28 May 2015 (both days inclusive), during which period no transfer of shares in the Company will be effected. In order to 
be entitled to attend and vote at the annual general meeting, all transfers, accompanied by the relevant share certificates, must be lodged with 
the Company’s share registrar, Hong Kong Registrars Limited, Shops 1712–1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wan 
Chai, Hong Kong, not later than 4:30 p.m. on 21 May 2015.

To  ascertain  shareholders’  entitlement  to  the  proposed  final  dividend  upon  passing  resolution  number  2,  the  register  of  members  of  the 
Company will be closed from 8 June 2015 to 10 June 2015 (both days inclusive), during which period no transfer of shares in the Company 
will be effected. In order to qualify for the proposed final dividend, all transfers, accompanied by the relevant share certificates, must be lodged 
with the Company’s share registrar, Hong Kong Registrars Limited, Shops 1712–1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, 
Wan Chai, Hong Kong, not later than 4:30 p.m. on 5 June 2015.

Concerning  resolution  number  6  above,  the  directors  of  the  Company  wish  to  state  that  they  will  exercise  the  powers  conferred  thereby 
to repurchase shares of the Company in circumstances which they deem appropriate for the benefit of the shareholders. The explanatory 
statement containing the information necessary to enable the shareholders to make an informed decision on whether to vote for or against the 
resolution to approve the repurchase by the Company of its own shares, as required by the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the 
Stock Exchange will be set out in a separate circular from the Company to be enclosed with the 2014 Annual Report.

 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Independent Auditor’s Report
To the shareholders of China Mobile Limited
(incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability)

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of China Mobile Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) set out 
on pages 70 to 129, which comprise the consolidated and company balance sheets as at 31 December 2014, and the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flow for the year then ended, and 
a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance 
with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  issued  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board,  Hong  Kong  Financial  Reporting 
Standards issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, and for such internal 
control  as  the  directors  determine  is  necessary  to  enable  the  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  that  are  free  from  material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit and to report our opinion solely to you, 
as a body, in accordance with section 80 of Schedule 11 to the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and for no other purpose. We do not assume 
responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for the contents of this report.

We conducted our audit in accordance with Hong Kong Standards on Auditing issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. 
Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. 
The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 
financial  statements,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error.  In  making  those  risk  assessments,  the  auditor  considers  internal  control  relevant  to  the 
entity’s preparation of consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in 
the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes 
evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as 
evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

OPINION

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the Group as at 31 
December 2014, and of the Group’s profit and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
and Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance.

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong, 19 March 2015

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014 068

069

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 December 2014
(Expressed in Renminbi (“RMB”))

Operating revenue (Turnover)

Revenue from telecommunications services

Revenue from sales of products and others

Operating expenses

Leased lines

Interconnection

Depreciation

Personnel

Selling expenses

Cost of products sold

Other operating expenses

Profit from operations

Non-operating income, net

Interest income

Finance costs

Note

4

5

6

7

8

2014
Million

2013
Million

581,817

59,631

590,811

39,366

641,448

630,177

21,083

23,389

116,225

36,830

75,781

74,464

18,727

25,998

104,699

34,376

91,834

61,363

176,342

157,531

524,114

494,528

117,334

135,649

1,089

910

16,149

15,289

(228)

(331)

Share of profit of associates

19

8,248

7,062

Profit before taxation

Taxation

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

142,592

158,579

11(a)

(33,187)

(36,776)

109,405

121,803

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year that may be subsequently 

reclassified to profit or loss:

Exchange differences on translation of financial statements of overseas entities

Share of other comprehensive income/(loss) of associates

(169)

1,224

(172)

(767)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

110,460

120,864

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)
for the year ended 31 December 2014
(Expressed in RMB)

Profit attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Note

2014
Million

2013
Million

109,279

126

121,692

111

109,405

121,803

110,334

126

120,754

110

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

110,460

120,864

Earnings per share – Basic

13(a)

RMB5.38

RMB6.05

Earnings per share – Diluted

13(b)

RMB5.35

RMB5.98

The notes on pages 78 to 129 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. Details of dividends to equity shareholders of the 
Company are set out in note 35(b).

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

070

071

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December 2014
(Expressed in RMB)

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Construction in progress

Land lease prepayments and other prepayments

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Interest in associates

Deferred tax assets

Restricted bank deposits

Other financial assets

Current assets

Inventories

Accounts receivable

Other receivables

Prepayments and other current assets

Amount due from ultimate holding company

Tax recoverable

Available-for-sale financial assets

Restricted bank deposits

Bank deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

Bills payable

Deferred revenue

Accrued expenses and other payables

Amount due to ultimate holding company

Obligations under finance leases

Current taxation

Net current assets

As at
31 December
 2014
Million

As at
31 December 
2013
Million

Note

14(a)

564,795

479,227

15

16

17

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

25

26

27

21

28

29

30

31

32

26

93,341

24,855

35,300

766

70,444

20,507

8,731

127

85,000

19,735

36,894

1,063

53,940

17,401

6,816

127

818,866

700,203

9,130

16,340

14,398

15,344

112

702

2,000

695

352,118

66,744

9,152

13,907

11,649

11,832

94

647

–

–

374,977

44,931

477,583

467,189

223,503

674

62,615

134,725

4,271

68

6,020

173,157

1,360

61,789

125,811

22

68

8,706

431,876

370,913

45,707

96,276

Total assets less current liabilities carried forward

864,573

796,479

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)
as at 31 December 2014
(Expressed in RMB)

Total assets less current liabilities brought forward

Non-current liabilities

Interest-bearing borrowings

Deferred revenue, excluding current portion

Deferred tax liabilities

NET ASSETS

CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Share capital

Reserves

Note

33

31

20

As at
31 December
 2014
Million

As at
31 December 
2013
Million

864,573

796,479

(4,992)

(840)

(98)

(4,989)

(662)

(104)

(5,930)

(5,755)

858,643

790,724

35(c)

400,737

455,839

2,142

786,631

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

856,576

788,773

Non-controlling interests

TOTAL EQUITY

Approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on 19 March 2015.

2,067

1,951

858,643

790,724

Li Yue
Director

Xue Taohai
Director

The notes on pages 78 to 129 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

072

073

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December 2014
(Expressed in RMB)

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment
Investments in subsidiaries

Current assets

Amounts due from subsidiaries
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities

Accrued expenses and other payables

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Amount due to a subsidiary

NET ASSETS

CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Share capital
Reserves

TOTAL EQUITY

Approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on 19 March 2015.

Li Yue
Director

Xue Taohai
Director

The notes on pages 78 to 129 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Note

14(b)
18

18

29

As at
31 December 
2014
Million

As at
31 December 
2013
Million

1
485,109

1
479,148

485,110

479,149

1,743
91
3,030

1,912
5
1,295

4,864

3,212

12

12

21

21

4,852

3,191

489,962

482,340

18

(4,992)

(4,989)

(4,992)

(4,989)

484,970

477,351

35(c)
35(a)

400,737
84,233

2,142
475,209

484,970

477,351

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the year ended 31 December 2014
(Expressed in RMB)

Attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

Share 
capital
Million

Share 
premium
Million

Capital 
reserve
Million

General 
reserve
Million

Exchange
 reserve
Million

PRC 
statutory 
reserves
Million

Retained 
profits
Million

Non-
controlling 
interests
Million

Total
Million

Total equity
Million

As at 1 January 2013

2,142

387,183

(292,268)

72

(1,489)

211,610

416,197

723,447

1,862

725,309

Changes in equity for 2013:

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive loss

Total comprehensive (loss)/income 

for the year

Dividends approved in respect of 
previous year (note 35(b)(ii))
Dividends declared in respect of 
current year (note 35(b)(i))
Shares issued under share option 

scheme

Transfer to PRC statutory reserves 

(note 35(d)(iii))

Others

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

60

–
–

–
(767)

(767)

–

–

(17)

–
–

As at 31 December 2013

2,142

387,243

(293,052)

As at 1 January 2014

2,142

387,243

(293,052)

Changes in equity for 2014:

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income/(loss)

Total comprehensive income/(loss)

 for the year

Dividends approved in respect of 
previous year (note 35(b)(ii))
Dividends declared in respect of
current year (note 35(b)(i))
Shares issued under share option 

scheme (note 35(c)(iii))

Transfer to PRC statutory reserves

(note 35(d)(iii))

Transfer between reserves upon expiry 

of options (note 34(b))

Transition to no-par value regime 

(note 35(c)(ii))

Others

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
1,224

1,224

–

–

9,279

2,073

(3,137)

–

–

–

–

389,316
–

(389,316)
–

–

(27)

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

72

72

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–
(171)

(171)

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
1,060

24,139
–

121,692
–

121,692
(938)

111
(1)

121,803
(939)

121,692

120,754

110

120,864

(28,460)

(28,460)

(21)

(28,481)

(27,031)

(27,031)

–

(24,119)
(1,060)

43

20
–

–

–

–
–

(27,031)

43

20
–

(600)

235,749

457,219

788,773

1,951

790,724

(600)

235,749

457,219

788,773

1,951

790,724

–
(169)

(169)

–

–

–

–

–

–
8

–
–

–

–

–

–

109,279
–

109,279
1,055

126
–

109,405
1,055

109,279

110,334

126

110,460

(26,044)

(26,044)

(10)

(26,054)

(24,880)

(24,880)

–

23,169

(22,991)

–

–
–

27

–
(8)

8,215

178

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

(24,880)

8,215

178

–

–
–

As at 31 December 2014

400,737

–

(294,992)

72

(761)

258,918

492,602

856,576

2,067

858,643

The notes on pages 78 to 129 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014 074

075

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW
for the year ended 31 December 2014
(Expressed in RMB)

Operating activities 

Profit before taxation

Adjustments for:

– Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

– Amortization of other intangible assets

– Amortization of land lease prepayments

– Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

– Write-off of property, plant and equipment

– Impairment loss of doubtful accounts

– Write-down of inventories

– Interest income

– Finance costs

– Dividend income from unlisted securities

– Share of profit of associates

– Unrealized exchange loss/(gain), net

– Loss on disposal of a subsidiary

– Impairment loss of goodwill

Note

2014
Million

2013
Million

142,592

158,579

116,225

104,699

106

406

–

2,093

5,494

293

78

385

(3)

2,074

5,084

202

(16,149)

(15,289)

228

–

(8,248)

81

–

1,594

331

(34)

(7,062)

(59)

18

–

6

16

6

6

6

6

8

7

6

Operating cashflow before changes in working capital

244,715

249,003

Increase in inventories

Increase in accounts receivable

Increase in other receivables

Increase in prepayments and other current assets

(Increase)/decrease in amount due from ultimate holding company

Increase in accounts payable

Decrease in bills payable

Increase in deferred revenue

Increase in accrued expenses and other payables

Increase/(decrease) in amount due to ultimate holding company

Cash generated from operations

Tax paid

– Hong Kong profits tax paid

– PRC enterprise income tax paid

(271)

(7,927)

(992)

(8,008)

(18)

8,384

(144)

1,160

8,914

4,249

(2,156)

(7,273)

(148)

(2,189)

8

5,372

(563)

4,129

22,041

(17)

250,062

268,207

(269)

(38,771)

(26)

(43,196)

Net cash generated from operating activities carried forward

211,022

224,985

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW (CONTINUED)
for the year ended 31 December 2014
(Expressed in RMB)

Net cash generated from operating  activities brought forward

Investing activities

Capital expenditure

Land lease prepayments

Acquisition of other intangible assets

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Decrease/(increase) in bank deposits

Increase in restricted bank deposits

Interest received

Proceeds from disposal of a joint venture

Proceeds from disposal of a subsidiary

Acquisition of interest in associates

Dividends received from associates

Dividends received from unlisted securities

Purchase of available-for-sale financial assets

Note

2014
Million

2013
Million

211,022

224,985

(170,776)

(1,030)

(138,997)

(1,044)

(23)

1

22,859

(2,610)

14,392

–

–

(9,508)

2,476

–

(2,000)

(355)

44

(42,980)

(1,398)

12,392

6

124

(1,363)

2,062

34

–

19

19

Net cash used in investing activities

(146,219)

(171,475)

Financing activities

Proceeds from issuance of shares under share option scheme

Interest paid

Dividends paid to the Company’s equity shareholders

Dividend paid to non-controlling shareholders of a subsidiary

Repayment of deferred considerations

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rate

35(c)(iii)

35(b)

8,215

(225)

(50,924)

(10)

–

43

(329)

(55,491)

(21)

(23,633)

(42,944)

(79,431)

21,859

(25,921)

44,931

70,906

(46)

(54)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

29

66,744

44,931

Significant non-cash transactions
The  Group  recorded  payables  of  RMB119,172,000,000  (2013:  RMB98,992,000,000)  to  equipment  suppliers  as  at  31  December  2014  for 
additions of construction in progress during the year then ended.

The notes on pages 78 to 129 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

076

077

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated) 

1 

GENERAL INFORMATION

China Mobile Limited (the “Company”) was incorporated in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“Hong Kong”) of the People’s 
Republic of China (the “PRC”) on 3 September 1997. The principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as 
the “Group”) are the provision of mobile telecommunications and related services in Mainland China and in Hong Kong (For the purpose of 
preparing these consolidated financial statements, Mainland China refers to the PRC excluding Hong Kong, Macau Special Administrative 
Region of the PRC and Taiwan). The Company’s ultimate holding company is China Mobile Communications Corporation (“CMCC”). The 
address of the Company’s registered office is 60th Floor, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong.

The shares of the Company were listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “HKEx”) on 23 October 1997 and the American 
Depositary Shares of the Company were listed on the New York Stock Exchange on 22 October 1997.

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)  Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with all applicable International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), which collective term includes all applicable individual International 
Financial  Reporting  Standards,  International  Accounting  Standards  (“IASs”)  and  Interpretations  issued  by  the  IASB.  Hong  Kong 
Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“HKFRSs”),  which  collective  term  includes  all  applicable  individual  Hong  Kong  Financial  Reporting 
Standards,  Hong  Kong  Accounting  Standards  (“HKASs”)  and  Interpretations  issued  by  the  Hong  Kong  Institute  of  Certified  Public 
Accountants  (“HKICPA”),  are  consistent  with  IFRSs  as  it  relates  to  the  Group’s  financial  statements.  These  financial  statements 
also  comply  with  HKFRSs  and  the  applicable  disclosure  provisions  of  the  Rules  Governing  the  Listing  of  Securities  on  The  Stock 
Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“Listing Rules”). In accordance with the transitional and saving arrangements for Part 9 of the new 
Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), “Accounts and Audit” as set out in sections 76 to 87 of Schedule 11 to the new Hong 
Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), these financial statements are prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of 
the predecessor Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) for this financial year and the comparative period. A summary of the 
significant accounting policies adopted by the Group is set out below.

(b)  Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014 comprise the Group and the Group’s interest in associates.

The measurement basis used in the preparation of the financial statements is the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of 
available-for-sale financial assets which are carried at fair value.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs and HKFRSs requires management to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates 
and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the 
circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not 
readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the 
period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the 
revision affects both current and future periods.

Judgements made by management in the application of IFRSs and HKFRSs that have significant effect on the financial statements and 
major sources of estimation uncertainty are discussed in note 40.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(c)  Subsidiaries and non-controlling interests

Subsidiaries are all entities (including structured entities) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the 
Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns 
through its power over the entity.

An investment in a subsidiary is consolidated into the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until 
the date that control ceases. Intra-group balances and transactions and any unrealized gains arising from intra-group transactions 
are eliminated in full in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealized losses resulting from intra-group transactions are 
eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment. Accounting policies 
of subsidiaries would be changed where necessary in the consolidated financial statements to ensure consistency with the policies 
adopted by the Company.

Non-controlling  interests  represent  the  equity  in  a  subsidiary  not  attributable  directly  or  indirectly  to  the  Company,  and  in  respect 
of  which  the  Group  has  not  agreed  any  additional  terms  with  the  holders  of  those  interests  which  would  result  in  the  Group  as  a 
whole having a contractual obligation in respect of those interests that meets the definition of a financial liability. For each business 
combination, the Group can elect to measure any non-controlling interests either at fair value or at their proportionate share of the 
subsidiary’s net identifiable assets.

Non-controlling interests are presented in the consolidated balance sheet within equity, separately from equity attributable to the equity 
shareholders  of  the  Company.  Non-controlling  interests  in  the  results  of  the  Group  are  presented  on  the  face  of  the  consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income as an allocation of the total profit or loss and total comprehensive income for the year between 
non-controlling interests and the equity shareholders of the Company.

Changes in the Group’s interests in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions, whereby 
adjustments are made to the amounts of controlling and non-controlling interests within consolidated equity to reflect the change in 
relative interests, but no adjustments are made to goodwill and no gain or loss is recognized.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, it is accounted for as a disposal of the entire interest in that subsidiary, with a resulting 
gain  or  loss  being  recognized  in  profit  or  loss.  Any  interest  retained  in  that  former  subsidiary  at  the  date  when  control  is  lost  is 
recognized at fair value and this amount is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition of a financial asset or, when appropriate, the 
cost on initial recognition of an investment in an associate or a joint venture.

In the Company’s balance sheet, an investment in a subsidiary is stated at cost less impairment losses (see note 2(j)). The results of 
subsidiaries are accounted for by the Company on the basis of dividends received and receivable.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

078

079

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(d)  Associates

An associate is an entity in which the Group has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over its management, including 
participation in the financial and operating policy decisions.

An investment in an associate is accounted for using the equity method.

Under the equity method, the investment is initially recorded at cost. Thereafter, the investment is adjusted for the post-acquisition 
change in the Group’s share of the investee’s net assets and any impairment loss relating to the investment (see note 2(j)). The Group’s 
share of the post-acquisition post-tax results of the investee for the year is recognized as share of profit or loss of associates in the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income, whereas the Group’s share of the post-acquisition post-tax items of the investee’s 
other comprehensive income is recognized as other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in the associate, the Group’s interest is reduced to nil and recognition of further 
losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf 
of the investee. For this purpose, the Group’s interest in the investee is the carrying amount of the investment under the equity method 
together with the Group’s long-term interests that in substance form part of the Group’s net investment in the associate.

Unrealized profits and losses resulting from transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of  the 
Group’s interest in the investee, except where unrealized losses provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred, in which 
case they are recognized immediately in profit or loss. Accounting policies of associates would be changed where necessary in the 
consolidated financial statements to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

(e)  Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of

(i) 

the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the 
fair value of the Group’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree; over

(ii) 

the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets and liabilities measured as at the acquisition date.

When (ii) is greater than (i), then this excess is recognized immediately in profit or loss as a gain on a bargain purchase.

Goodwill is stated at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill arising on a business combination is allocated to each cash-
generating unit, or groups of cash-generating units, that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination and is tested 
annually for impairment (see note 2(j)). Each unit or groups of units to which the goodwill is allocated represents the lowest level within 
the Group at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purpose. Goodwill is monitored at the operating segment level.

On disposal of a cash-generating unit during the year, any attributable amount of purchased goodwill is included in the calculation of 
the gain or loss on disposal.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(f)  Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets that are acquired by the Group are stated in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated amortization (where 
the  estimated  useful  life  is  finite)  and  impairment  losses  (see  note  2(j)).  Amortization  of  intangible  assets  with  finite  useful  lives  is 
recorded in other operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives, from the date they are available for 
use. Both the period and method of amortization are reviewed annually.

Intangible assets are not amortized where their useful lives are assessed to be indefinite. The useful life of an intangible asset that is 
not being amortized is reviewed annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support the indefinite useful life 
assessment for that asset. Otherwise, the change in useful life assessment from indefinite to finite is accounted for prospectively from 
the date of change and in accordance with the policy for amortization of intangible assets with finite lives as set out above.

(g)  Other financial assets

Other  financial  assets  represent  investments  in  unquoted  equity  securities  (other  than  investments  in  subsidiaries  and  interest  in 
associates), which are recognized in the balance sheet at cost less impairment losses (see note 2(j)) when those investments in equity 
securities do not have a quoted market price in an active market and their fair value cannot be reliably measured.

(h)  Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (see note 
2(j)).

The cost of property, plant and equipment comprises the purchase price and any directly attributable costs of bringing the asset to its 
working location and condition for its intended use. Subsequent expenditure relating to an item of property, plant and equipment that 
has already been recognized is added to the carrying amount of the asset when it is probable that future economic benefits, in excess 
of the originally assessed standard of performance of the existing asset, will flow to the entity. All other subsequent expenditure is 
recognized as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

Gains or losses arising from the retirement or disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment are determined as the difference 
between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the item and are recognized in profit or loss on the date of retirement or 
disposal.

Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment, less their estimated residual value, if any, using 
the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Buildings
Telecommunications transceivers, switching centers, 

transmission and other network equipment
Office equipment, furniture, fixtures and others

Both the assets’ useful lives and residual values, if any, are reviewed annually.

8–30 years
5–10 years

3–10 years

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

080

081

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(i)  Leased assets

An  arrangement,  comprising  a  transaction  or  a  series  of  transactions,  is  or  contains  a  lease  if  the  Group  determines  that  the 
arrangement  conveys  a  right  to  use  a  specific  asset  or  assets  for  an  agreed  period  of  time  in  return  for  a  payment  or  a  series  of 
payments. Such a determination is made based on an evaluation of the substance of the arrangement and is regardless of whether the 
arrangement takes the legal form of a lease.

(i)  Classification of assets leased to the Group

Assets that are held by the Group under leases which transfer to the Group substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership 
are  classified  as  being  held  under  finance  leases.  Leases  which  do  not  transfer  substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards  of 
ownership to the Group are classified as operating leases.

(ii)  Assets acquired under finance leases

Where the Group acquires the use of assets under finance leases, the amounts representing the fair value of the leased asset, 
or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments of such assets is included in property, plant and equipment and 
the corresponding liabilities, net of finance charges, are recorded as obligations under finance leases. Depreciation is provided 
for at rates, which write off the cost of the assets over the term of the relevant lease or, where it is likely the Group will obtain 
ownership of the asset, the useful life of the asset as set out in note 2(h). Impairment losses are accounted for in accordance 
with the accounting policy as set out in note 2(j). Finance charges implicit in the lease payments are charged to profit or loss over 
the period of the leases so as to produce an approximately constant periodic rate of charge on the remaining balance of the 
obligations for each accounting period. Contingent rentals are charged to profit or loss in the accounting period in which they are 
incurred. There were no contingent rentals recognized by the Group during the years presented.

(iii)  Operating lease charges

Where the Group has the use of assets held under operating leases, payments made under the leases are charged to profit 
or loss in equal instalments over the accounting periods covered by the lease term, except where an alternative basis is more 
representative of the pattern of benefits to be derived from the leased asset. Lease incentives received are recognized in profit 
or loss as an integral part of the aggregate net lease payments made. Contingent rentals are charged to profit or loss in the 
accounting  period  in  which  they  are  incurred.  There  were  no  contingent  rentals  recognized  by  the  Group  during  the  years 
presented.

The cost of acquiring land held under an operating lease is amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease term.

(j) 

Impairment of assets
(i) 

Impairment of investments in equity securities, available-for-sale financial assets and receivables
Investments in equity securities (other than investments in subsidiaries), available-for-sale financial assets and receivables are 
reviewed at the end of each reporting date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. Objective evidence of 
impairment includes observable data that comes to the attention of the Group about one or more of the following loss events:

– 

– 

– 

– 

significant financial difficulty of the entity;

a breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in interest or principal payments;

it becoming probable that the entity will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization;

significant changes in the technological, market, economic or legal environment that have an adverse effect on the entity; 
and

– 

a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of an investment in an equity instrument below its cost.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(j) 

Impairment of assets (Continued)
(i) 

Impairment of investments in equity securities, available-for-sale financial assets and receivables (Continued)
If any such evidence exists, any impairment loss is determined and recognized as follows:

– 

– 

– 

– 

For  interest  in  associates  recognized  using  the  equity  method  (see  note  2(d)),  the  impairment  loss  is  measured  by 
comparing  the  recoverable  amount  of  the  investment  with  its  carrying  amount  in  accordance  with  note  2(j)(ii).  The 
impairment  loss  is  reversed  if  there  has  been  a  favourable  change  in  the  estimates  used  to  determine  the  recoverable 
amount in accordance with note 2(j)(ii).

For unquoted equity securities carried at cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying 
amount  of  the  financial  asset  and  the  estimated  future  cash  flows,  discounted  at  the  current  market  rate  of  return  for 
a similar financial asset where the effect of discounting is material. Impairment losses for such equity securities are not 
reversed.

For debt instruments classified as available-for-sale financial assets, if any impairment evidence exists, the cumulative loss 
(measured as the difference between the acquisition cost (net of any principal repayment and amortization) and the current 
fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognized in profit or loss) is removed from equity 
and recognized in profit or loss. If, in a subsequent period, the fair value of a debt instrument classified as available-for-
sale increases and the increase can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized 
in profit or loss, the impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss. For equity instruments classified as available-for-sale 
financial assets, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is also evidence that the assets 
are impaired. If any impairment evidence exists, the cumulative loss (measured as the difference between the acquisition 
cost and the current fair value, less any impairment loss on that financial asset previously recognized in profit or loss) is 
removed from equity and recognized in profit or loss. Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss on equity instruments 
are not reversed through profit or loss.

For  trade  and  other  current  receivables  and  other  financial  assets  carried  at  amortized  cost,  the  impairment  loss  is 
measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, 
discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate (i.e. the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition 
of these assets), where the effect of discounting is material. This assessment is made collectively where these financial 
assets  share  similar  risk  characteristics,  such  as  similar  past  due  status,  and  have  not  been  individually  assessed  as 
impaired. Future cash flows for financial assets which are assessed for impairment collectively are based on historical loss 
experience for assets with credit risk characteristics similar to the collective group. If in a subsequent period the amount of 
an impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be linked objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss 
was recognized, the impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss. A reversal of an impairment loss shall not result in 
the asset’s carrying amount exceeding that which would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in 
prior years.

Impairment losses are written off against the corresponding assets directly, except for impairment losses recognized in respect 
of debtors included within trade and other receivables, whose recovery is considered doubtful but not remote. In this case, the 
impairment losses for doubtful debts are recorded using an allowance account. When the Group is satisfied that recovery is 
remote, the amount considered irrecoverable is written off against trade debtors directly and any amounts held in the allowance 
account  relating  to  that  debt  are  reversed.  Subsequent  recoveries  of  amounts  previously  charged  to  the  allowance  account 
are reversed against the allowance account. Other changes in the allowance account and subsequent recoveries of amounts 
previously written off directly are recognized in profit or loss.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

082

083

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(j) 

Impairment of assets (Continued)
Impairment of other assets
(ii) 
Internal  and  external  sources  of  information  are  reviewed  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period  to  identify  indications  that 
the  following  assets  may  be  impaired  or,  except  in  the  case  of  goodwill  and  intangible  assets  with  indefinite  useful  lives,  an 
impairment loss previously recognized no longer exists or may have decreased:

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

property, plant and equipment;

construction in progress;

prepaid interests in leasehold land classified as being held under an operating lease;

investments in subsidiaries;

goodwill; and

other intangible assets.

If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. For goodwill and other intangible assets that have 
indefinite useful lives, the recoverable amount is estimated annually whether or not there is any indication of impairment.

– 

Calculation of recoverable amount

The recoverable amount of an asset is the greater of its fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing 
value  in  use,  the  estimated  future  cash  flows  are  discounted  to  their  present  value  using  a  pre-tax  discount  rate  that 
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Where an asset does 
not generate cash inflows largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the 
smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows independently (i.e. a cash-generating unit).

– 

Recognition of impairment losses

An impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss if the carrying amount of an asset, or the cash-generating unit to which it 
belongs, exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units are allocated 
first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit (or group of units) and then, to 
reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit (or group of units) on a pro rata basis, except that the carrying 
value of an asset will not be reduced below its individual fair value less costs of disposal, or value in use, if determinable.

– 

Reversals of impairment losses

In respect of assets other than goodwill, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favourable change in the estimates 
used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.

A  reversal  of  an  impairment  loss  is  limited  to  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  that  would  have  been  determined  had  no 
impairment loss been recognized in prior years. Reversals of impairment losses are credited to profit or loss in the year in 
which the reversals are recognized.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(k)  Construction in progress

Construction in progress is stated at cost less impairment losses (see note 2(j)). Cost comprises direct costs of construction as well as 
interest expense and exchange differences capitalized during the periods of construction and installation. Capitalization of these costs 
ceases and the construction in progress is transferred to property, plant and equipment when substantially all the activities necessary 
to prepare the assets for their intended use are completed. No depreciation is provided for in respect of construction in progress until it 
is completed and ready for its intended use.

(l) 

Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost represents purchase cost of goods calculated using  the 
weighted average cost method. Net realizable value is determined by reference to the sales proceeds of items sold in the ordinary 
course of business or to management’s estimates based on prevailing market conditions.

When inventories are sold, the carrying amount of those inventories is recognized as cost of products sold. The amount of any write-
down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period the write-down or 
loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories, arising from an increase in net realizable value, is recognized as 
a reduction in the amount of inventories recognized as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs. No reversal of any write-
down of inventories occurred during the years presented.

(m)  Accounts receivable and other receivables

Accounts receivable and other receivables are initially recognized at fair value and thereafter stated at amortized cost using the effective 
interest method less allowance for impairment loss (see note 2(j)), except where the effect of discounting would be immaterial.

(n)  Available-for-sale financial assets

Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other 
categories. They are included in non-current assets unless the investment matures or management intends to dispose of it within 12 
months of the end of the reporting period.

Regular way purchases and sales of available-for-sale financial assets are recognized on the trade-date (the date on which the Group 
commits to purchase or sell the asset). The investments are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs and are subsequently 
carried at fair value. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale financial assets are recognized in other comprehensive income.

Available-for-sale financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have 
been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

When  available-for-sale  financial  assets  are  sold,  the  accumulated  fair  value  adjustments  recognized  in  equity  is  removed  and 
recognized in profit or loss.

Interest on available-for-sale debt instruments calculated using the effective interest method is recognized in profit or loss. Dividends on 
available-for-sale equity instruments are recognized in profit or loss when the Group’s right to receive payments is established.

(o)  Deferred revenue

Deferred revenue consists primarily of prepaid service fees received from customers which are generally not refundable and revenue 
deferred for unredeemed point rewards under Customer Point Reward Program (“Reward Program”, see note 2(s)(iv)).

The prepaid service fees are stated at the amount of proceeds received less the amount already recognized as revenue.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

084

085

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(p) 

Interest-bearing borrowings
Interest-bearing borrowings are recognized initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, 
interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortized cost with any difference between the amount initially recognized and redemption 
value  being  recognized  in  profit  or  loss  over  the  period  of  the  borrowings,  together  with  any  interest  and  fees  payable,  using  the 
effective interest method.

(q)  Accounts payable and other payables

Accounts payable and other payables are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently stated at amortized cost unless the effect 
of discounting would be immaterial.

(r)  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  at  banks  and  in  hand,  demand  deposits  with  banks,  and  short-term,  highly  liquid 
investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, 
having been within three months of maturity at acquisition.

(s)  Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Provided it is probable that the economic benefits will 
flow to the Group and the revenue and costs, if applicable, can be measured reliably, revenue is recognized in profit or loss as follows:

(i) 

revenue derived from voice and data services are recognized when the service is rendered;

(ii) 

sales of products are recognized when the title is passed to the buyer;

(iii) 

(iv) 

for offerings which include the provision of services and discounted sale of mobile handset, the Group determines the revenue 
from the sale of the mobile handset by deducting the fair value of the service element from the total contract consideration; and

for transactions which offer customer points reward when services are provided, the consideration allocated to the customer 
points reward is based on its fair value which is recorded as deferred revenue when the rewards are granted and recognized as 
revenue when the points are redeemed or expired.

(t) 

Interest income
Interest income is recognized as it accrues using the effective interest method.

(u) 

Income tax
Income tax for the year comprises current tax and movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Current tax and movements in 
deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized in profit or loss except items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in 
equity, in which case the relevant amounts of tax are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from deductible and taxable temporary differences respectively, being the differences between 
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets also arise from 
unused tax losses and unused tax credits.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(u) 

Income tax (Continued)
Apart from certain limited exceptions, all deferred tax liabilities, and all deferred tax assets to the extent that it is probable that future 
taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized, are recognized. Future taxable profits that may support the 
recognition of deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences include those that will arise from the reversal of existing 
taxable temporary differences, provided those differences relate to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity, and are 
expected to reverse either in the same period as the expected reversal of the deductible temporary difference or in periods into which 
a tax loss arising from the deferred tax asset can be carried back or forward. The same criteria are adopted when determining whether 
existing taxable temporary differences support the recognition of deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and credits, that is, 
those differences are taken into account if they relate to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity, and are expected to 
reverse in a period, or periods, in which the tax loss or credit can be utilized.

The limited exceptions to recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities are those temporary differences arising from initial recognition 
of goodwill, the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit (provided they are not part of a 
business combination), and temporary differences relating to investments in subsidiaries and associates to the extent that, in the case 
of taxable temporary differences, the Group controls the timing of the reversal and it is probable that the differences will not reverse in 
the foreseeable future, or in the case of deductible differences, unless it is probable that they will reverse in the future.

The amount of deferred tax recognized is measured based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount 
of  the  assets  and  liabilities,  using  tax  rates  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  at  the  balance  sheet  date.  Deferred  tax  assets  and 
liabilities are not discounted.

The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is reduced to the extent that it is 
no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow the related tax benefit to be utilized. Any such reduction is 
reversed to the extent that it becomes probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available.

Current tax balances and deferred tax balances, and movements therein, are presented separately from each other and are not offset. 
Current tax assets are offset against current tax liabilities, and deferred tax assets against deferred tax liabilities, if the Group has the 
legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the following additional conditions are met:

– 

in the case of current tax assets and liabilities, the Group intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle 
the liability simultaneously; or

– 

in the case of deferred tax assets and liabilities, if they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either:

– 

– 

the same taxable entity; or

different taxable entities, which, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are 
expected to be settled or recovered, intend to realize the current tax assets and settle the current tax liabilities on a net 
basis or realize and settle simultaneously.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

086

087

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(v)  Provisions and contingent liabilities

Provisions are recognized for liabilities of uncertain timing or amount when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation arising as a 
result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be 
estimated reliably. Where the time value of money is material, provisions are stated at the present value of the expenditures expected 
to settle the obligation.

Where it is not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated reliably, the obligation is 
disclosed  as  a  contingent  liability,  unless  the  probability  of  outflow  of  economic  benefits  is  remote.  Possible  obligations,  whose 
existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future events, are also disclosed as contingent 
liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote.

(w)  Employee benefits

(i) 

Short-term employee benefits and contributions to defined contribution retirement plans
Salaries, annual bonuses, paid annual leave, leave passage, contributions to defined contribution retirement plans and the cost of 
non-monetary benefits are accrued in the year in which the associated services are rendered by employees. Where payment or 
settlement is deferred and the effect would be material, these amounts are stated at their present values.

The Company and subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong are required to make contributions to Mandatory Provident Funds 
under the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund (“MPF”) Schemes Ordinance. Under the MPF scheme, the employer and its 
employees are each required to make contributions to the scheme at 5% of the employees’ relevant income, subject to a cap 
of monthly relevant income of HK$30,000 (HK$25,000 prior to June 2014). Such contributions are recognized as an expense in 
profit or loss as incurred.

The employees of the subsidiaries in Mainland China participate in the defined contribution retirement plans managed by the local 
government authorities whereby the subsidiaries are required to contribute to the schemes at fixed rates of the employees’ salary 
costs. In addition to the local governmental defined contribution retirement plans, the subsidiaries also participate in a pension 
scheme launched by the Group managed by an independent insurance company whereby the subsidiaries are required to make 
contributions to the retirement plans at fixed rates of the employees’ salary costs or in accordance with the terms of the plans. 
The Group’s contributions to these plans are charged to profit or loss when incurred.

The Company and subsidiaries have no obligations for the payment of retirement and other post-retirement benefits of staff other 
than the contributions described above.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(w)  Employee benefits (Continued)
(ii)  Share-based payments

The fair value of share options granted to employees is recognized as an employee cost with a corresponding increase in a 
capital reserve within equity. The fair value is measured at grant date using the binomial lattice model, taking into account the 
terms  and  conditions  upon  which  the  options  were  granted.  Where  the  employees  have  to  meet  vesting  conditions  before 
becoming unconditionally entitled to the options, the total estimated fair value of the options is spread over the vesting period, 
taking into account the probability that the options will vest.

During the vesting period, the number of share options that is expected to vest is reviewed at each balance sheet date. Any 
resulting adjustment to the cumulative fair value recognized in prior years is credited/charged to the profit or loss for the year of 
the review, unless the original employee expenses qualify for recognition as an asset, with a corresponding adjustment to the 
capital reserve. On vesting date, the amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options 
that vest (with a corresponding adjustment to the capital reserve). The equity amount is recognized in the capital reserve until 
either the option is exercised (when it is transferred to the share capital account (share premium account before 3 March 2014, 
see note 35(c)(ii))) or the option expires (when it is released directly to retained profits). In the Company’s balance sheet, share-
based payment transactions in which the Company grants share options to subsidiaries’ employees are accounted for as an 
increase in value of investments in subsidiaries, which is eliminated on consolidation.

(iii)  Termination benefits

Termination  benefits  are  recognized  when,  and  only  when,  the  Group  demonstrably  commits  itself  to  terminate  employment 
which is without realistic possibility of withdrawal or to provide benefits as a result of voluntary redundancy by having a detailed 
formal plan which is without realistic possibility of withdrawal.

(x)  Borrowing costs

Borrowing  costs  that  are  directly  attributable  to  the  acquisition,  construction  or  production  of  an  asset  which  necessarily  takes  a 
substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale are capitalized as part of the cost of that asset. Other borrowing 
costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

The capitalization of borrowing costs as part of the cost of a qualifying asset commences when expenditure for the asset is being 
incurred, borrowing costs are being incurred and activities that are necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use or sale are 
in progress. Capitalization of borrowing costs is suspended or ceased when substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the 
qualifying asset for its intended use or sale are interrupted or completed.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

088

089

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(y)  Translation of foreign currencies

The functional currency of major entities within the Group is Renminbi (“RMB”). The Group adopted RMB as its presentation currency 
in the preparation of the financial statements, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which most of the Group’s 
entities operate.

Foreign currency transactions during the year are translated at the foreign exchange rates ruling at the transaction dates. Monetary assets 
and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are retranslated at the foreign exchange rates ruling at the 
balance sheet date. Exchange gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the foreign 
exchange rates ruling at the transaction dates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at 
fair value are translated using the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

The results of overseas entities are translated into RMB at the exchange rates approximating the foreign exchange rate ruling at the 
dates of transactions. Balance sheet items are translated into RMB at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. The resulting 
exchange differences are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in the exchange reserve. 
On disposal of an overseas entity, the cumulative amount of the exchange differences relating to that particular foreign operation is 
reclassified from equity to profit or loss.

For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flow, the cash flows of overseas entities within the Group are translated into 
RMB by using the exchange rates approximating the foreign exchange rate ruling at the dates of the cash flows.

(z)  Related parties

(a)  A person, or a close member of that person’s family, is related to the Group if that person:

(i) 

has control or joint control of the Group;

(ii) 

has significant influence over the Group; or

(iii) 

is a member of the key management personnel of the Group or the Group’s parent.

(b)  An entity is related to the Group if any of the following conditions applies:

(i) 

The entity and the Group are members of the same group (which means that each parent, subsidiary and fellow subsidiary is 
related to the others);

(ii)  One entity is an associate or joint venture of the other entity (or an associate or joint venture of a member of a group of 

which the other entity is a member);

(iii)  Both entities are joint ventures of the same third party;

(iv)  One entity is a joint venture of a third entity and the other entity is an associate of the third entity;

(v) 

The entity is a post-employment benefit plan for the benefit of employees of either the Group or an entity related to the 
Group;

(vi) 

The entity is controlled or jointly controlled by a person identified in note 2(z)(a); or

(vii)  A person identified in note 2(z)(a)(i) has significant influence over the entity or is a member of the key management personnel 

of the entity (or of a parent of the entity).

Close members of the family of a person are those family members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that person 
in their dealings with the entity.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

2 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(aa)  Segment reporting

An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which the Group may earn revenue and 
incur expenses, and is identified on the basis of the internal financial reports that are provided to and regularly reviewed by the Group’s 
Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in order to allocate resources and assess performance of the segment. The CODM has been 
identified as the Executive Directors of the Company. For the years presented, the Group as a whole is an operating segment since 
the Group is only engaged in mobile telecommunications and related businesses. No geographical information has been disclosed as 
the majority of the Group’s operating activities are carried out in Mainland China. The Group’s assets located and operating revenue 
derived from activities outside Mainland China are less than 5% of the Group’s assets and operating revenue, respectively.

3 

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Group has adopted certain new and amended IFRS/HKFRS effective for accounting period beginning on 1 January 2014. Details of the 
adoption are as follows:

Amendment to IAS/HKAS 32, “Financial Instruments: Presentation”
IFRIC/HK(IFRIC) – Int 21, “Levies”

The adoption of the above new and amended standards did not have any material impact on the Group’s financial statements. The Group 
did not apply any other amendments, new standards or interpretation that is not yet effective for the current accounting year (see note 41).

4 

OPERATING REVENUE (TURNOVER)

Revenue from telecommunications services

Voice services

Data services

Others

Revenue from sales of products and others

2014
Million

308,959

253,088

19,770

581,817

59,631

2013
Million

355,686

206,886

28,239

590,811

39,366

641,448

630,177

On 29 April 2014, a notification (the “Cai Shui [2014] No. 43”) was jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration 
of  Taxation  of  the  People’s  Republic  of  China  (“SAT”),  and  as  approved  by  the  State  Council  of  the  People’s  Republic  of  China,  the 
telecommunications industry would be included in the scope of the pilot program for the transformation from business tax to value-added 
tax (the “VAT Program”) from 1 June 2014. According to the Cai Shui [2014] No. 43, the value-added tax rates for the provision of basic 
telecommunications services and value-added telecommunications services are 11% and 6%, respectively. With the implementation of the 
VAT Program from 1 June 2014, the Group is not required to pay the business tax of 3% on the telecommunications services.

5 

PERSONNEL

Salaries, wages and other benefits

Retirement costs: contributions to defined contribution retirement plans

2014
Million

31,740

5,090

2013
Million

30,066

4,310

36,830

34,376

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

090

091

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

6 

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Maintenance

Impairment loss of doubtful accounts

Impairment loss of goodwill (note 17)

Write-down of inventories

Amortization of other intangible assets

Operating lease charges

– land and buildings

– others

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Write-off of property, plant and equipment

Auditors’ remuneration

– audit services

– tax services

– other services

Others

Note

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

2014
Million

52,450

5,494

1,594

293

106

12,471

4,755

–

2,093

91

–

6

2013
Million

46,059

5,084

–

202

78

10,784

3,808

(3)

2,074

85

1

6

96,989

89,353

176,342

157,531

Note:

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

Other operating lease charges represent the operating lease charges for motor vehicles, computer and other office equipment.

Audit services include reporting on the Group’s internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of the United States of America of 
RMB20,000,000 (2013: RMB18,000,000).

Others consist of office expenses, utilities charges, travelling expenses, entertainment expenses, spectrum charges, consultancy and professional fees, consumables and 
supplies, labour service expenses and other miscellaneous expenses.

7 

NON-OPERATING INCOME, NET

Penalty income

Dividend income from unlisted securities

Others

8 

FINANCE COSTS

Interest on bank loans and other borrowings repayable within five years

Interest on bonds

2014
Million

507

–

582

1,089

2014
Million

–

228

228

2013
Million

405

34

471

910

2013
Million

104

227

331

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

9 

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

Directors’ remuneration during the year is as follows:

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollar)

Executive directors

XI Guohua

LI Yue (Chief Executive Officer)

XUE Taohai

HUANG Wenlin*

SHA Yuejia

LIU Aili

Independent non-executive directors

LO Ka Shui

WONG Kwong Shing, Frank

CHENG Mo Chi, Moses

CHOW Man Yiu, Paul

(Expressed in Hong Kong dollar)

Executive directors

XI Guohua

LI Yue (Chief Executive Officer)

XUE Taohai

HUANG Wenlin

SHA Yuejia

LIU Aili

Independent non-executive directors

LO Ka Shui

WONG Kwong Shing, Frank

CHENG Mo Chi, Moses

CHOW Man Yiu, Paul**

Salaries,
allowances
and benefits
in kind
’000

Directors’
fees
’000

Performance
related
bonuses
’000

Retirement
scheme
contributions
’000

180

180

180

180

180

180

325

470

440

330

1,174

1,067

960

960

960

960

–

–

–

–

565

513

462

462

462

462

–

–

–

–

256

234

210

210

210

210

–

–

–

–

2014
Total
’000

2,175

1,994

1,812

1,812

1,812

1,812

325

470

440

330

2,645

6,081

2,926

1,330

12,982

Salaries,
allowances
and benefits
in kind
’000

Directors’
fees
’000

Performance
related
bonuses
’000

Retirement
scheme
contributions
’000

180

180

180

180

180

180

399

458

440

194

1,174

1,067

960

960

960

960

–

–

–

–

634

577

520

520

520

520

–

–

–

–

287

263

237

237

236

236

–

–

–

–

2013
Total
’000

2,275

2,087

1,897

1,897

1,896

1,896

399

458

440

194

2,571

6,081

3,291

1,496

13,439

* 

** 

Madam HUANG Wenlin resigned from the position as executive director of the Company with effect from 19 March 2015.

Mr. Paul CHOW Man Yiu has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of the Company with effect from 30 May 2013.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

092

093

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

10 

INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGHEST EMOLUMENTS

For the years ended 31 December 2014 and 2013, all of the five individuals with the highest emoluments are directors whose emoluments 
are disclosed in note 9.

11  TAXATION

(a)  Taxation in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income represents:

Current tax
Provision for Hong Kong profits tax 

on the estimated assessable profits for the year

Provision for the PRC enterprise income tax 

on the estimated taxable profits for the year

Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences (note 20)

Note

2014
Million

2013
Million

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

106

167

36,193

40,412

36,299

40,579

(3,112)

(3,803)

33,187

36,776

Note:

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

The provision for Hong Kong profits tax is calculated at 16.5% (2013: 16.5%) of the estimated assessable profits for the year ended 31 December 2014.

The provision for the PRC enterprise income tax is based on the statutory tax rate of 25% (2013: 25%) on the estimated taxable profits determined in accordance with 
the relevant income tax rules and regulations of the PRC for the year ended 31 December 2014. Certain subsidiaries of the Company enjoy the preferential tax rate of 
15% (2013: 15%).

Deferred taxes of the Group are recognized based on tax rates that are expected to apply to the periods when the temporary differences are realized or settled.

On 22 April 2009, SAT issued the “Notice regarding Matters on Determination of Tax Residence Status of Chinese-controlled  Offshore Incorporated Enterprises 
under Rules of Effective Management” (“2009 Notice”). The Company is qualified as a PRC offshore-registered resident enterprise for purposes of the 2009 Notice. 
In accordance with the 2009 Notice and the PRC enterprise income tax law, the dividend income of the Company from its subsidiaries in the PRC is exempted from 
PRC enterprise income tax.

(b)  Reconciliation between income tax expense and accounting profit at applicable tax rates:

Profit before taxation

Notional tax on profit before tax, calculated 

at the PRC’s statutory tax rate of 25% (Note)

Tax effect of non-taxable items

– Share of profit of associates
– Interest income

Tax effect of non-deductible expenses on the PRC operations
Tax effect of non-deductible expenses on Hong Kong operations
Rate differential of certain PRC operations (note 11(a)(ii))
Rate differential on Hong Kong operations
Tax credit on purchase of domestic telecommunications equipment
Tax effect of goodwill impairment loss
Others

2014
Million

2013
Million

142,592

158,579

35,648

39,645

(2,062)
(26)
693
46
(1,329)
(107)
–
398
(74)

(1,766)
(31)
548
54
(1,243)
(95)
(9)
–
(327)

Taxation

33,187

36,776

Note:  The PRC’s statutory tax rate is adopted as the majority of the Group’s operations are subject to this rate.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

12  PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

For the year ended 31 December 2014, profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company included a profit of RMB50,328,000,000 
(2013: RMB67,682,000,000), which has been dealt with in the financial statements of the Company. As at 31 December 2014 and 2013, the 
amounts of distributable reserves of the Company are set out in note 35(a).

13  EARNINGS PER SHARE

(a)  Basic earnings per share

The  calculation  of  basic  earnings  per  share  for  the  year  is  based  on  the  profit  attributable  to  equity  shareholders  of  the  Company 
of  RMB109,279,000,000  (2013:  RMB121,692,000,000)  and  the  weighted  average  number  of  20,293,253,516  shares  (2013: 
20,101,232,387 shares) in issue during the year, calculated as follows:

Weighted average number of shares

Issued shares as at 1 January

Effect of share options exercised

2014
Number 
of shares

2013
Number 
of shares

20,102,539,665

20,100,340,600

190,713,851

891,787

Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year

20,293,253,516

20,101,232,387

(b)  Diluted earnings per share

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year is based on the profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company 
of  RMB109,279,000,000  (2013:  RMB121,692,000,000)  and  the  weighted  average  number  of  20,408,441,343  shares  (2013: 
20,343,120,320 shares), calculated as follows:

Weighted average number of shares (diluted)

Weighted average number of shares in issue during the year

Dilutive equivalent shares arising from share options

2014
Number 
of shares

2013
Number 
of shares

20,293,253,516

20,101,232,387

115,187,827

241,887,933

Weighted average number of shares (diluted) during the year

20,408,441,343

20,343,120,320

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

094

095

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

14  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

(a)  The Group

Telecommunications 
transceivers, 
switching centers, 
transmission and 
other network 
equipment
Million

Office equipment, 
furniture, 
fixtures 
and others
Million

831,329
1,300
133,168
(125)
(37,962)
(76)

18,683
805
2,976
(80)
(3,033)
(17)

Buildings
Million

109,208
1,371
15,977
–
(344)
(7)

Total
Million

959,220
3,476
152,121
(205)
(41,339)
(100)

Cost:
As at 1 January 2013
Additions
Transferred from construction in progress
Disposals
Assets written-off
Exchange differences

As at 31 December 2013

126,205

927,634

19,334

1,073,173

As at 1 January 2014
Additions
Transferred from construction in progress
Disposals
Assets written-off
Exchange differences

126,205
176
13,881
–
(417)
6

927,634
792
186,401
(7)
(40,237)
10

19,334
822
1,841
(10)
(1,376)
–

1,073,173
1,790
202,123
(17)
(42,030)
16

As at 31 December 2014

139,851

1,074,593

20,611

1,235,055

Accumulated depreciation:
As at 1 January 2013
Charge for the year
Written back on disposals
Assets written-off
Exchange differences

As at 31 December 2013

As at 1 January 2014
Charge for the year
Written back on disposals
Assets written-off
Exchange differences

As at 31 December 2014

Net book value:
As at 31 December 2014

As at 31 December 2013

27,456
6,166
–
(291)
(6)

33,325

33,325
5,849
–
(381)
3

38,796

101,055

92,880

489,574
95,567
(120)
(36,272)
(59)

11,681
3,003
(44)
(2,702)
(7)

528,711
104,736
(164)
(39,265)
(72)

548,690

11,931

593,946

548,690
107,878
(7)
(38,291)
5

11,931
2,532
(9)
(1,265)
–

593,946
116,259
(16)
(39,937)
8

618,275

13,189

670,260

456,318

378,944

7,422

7,403

564,795

479,227

Write-off  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  mainly  represents  the  retirement  of  individual  network  asset  due  to  obsolescence  or 
damages. Such assets have been disconnected from existing network, abandoned or demolished. Total net book value of such assets 
written off was RMB2,093,000,000 in 2014 (2013: RMB2,074,000,000). These assets were disposed at scrap value.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

14  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

(b)  The Company

Cost:

As at 1 January 2013 and 2014, 31 December 2013 and 2014

Accumulated depreciation:

As at 1 January 2013

Charge for the year

As at 31 December 2013

As at 1 January 2014

Charge for the year

As at 31 December 2014

Net book value:

As at 31 December 2013 and 2014

15  CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

As at 1 January

Additions

Transferred to property, plant and equipment

As at 31 December

Office 
equipment, 
furniture, 
fixtures and 
others
Million

17

15

1

16

16

–

16

1

The Group
2014
Million

85,000

210,464

2013
Million

55,507

181,614

(202,123)

(152,121)

93,341

85,000

Construction in progress primarily comprises expenditure incurred on the network expansion projects not yet completed as at 31 December 
2014.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

096

097

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

16  LAND LEASE PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER PREPAYMENTS

The Group's land lease prepayments represent prepaid operating lease payments for land use rights in Mainland China and majority of the 
land lease prepayments are medium-term lease with remaining lease term less than 50 years but not less than 10 years as at balance sheet 
dates.

For  the  year  ended  31  December  2014,  the  land  lease  prepayments  expensed  in  the  profit  or  loss  amounted  to  approximately 
RMB406,000,000 (2013: approximately RMB385,000,000).

17  GOODWILL

Cost and carrying amount:

As at 1 January

Impairment

As at 31 December

The Group
2014
Million

36,894

(1,594)

2013
Million

36,894

–

35,300

36,894

Impairment tests for goodwill
As set out in IAS/HKAS 36 “Impairment of Assets”, a cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generate cash 
inflows  from  continuing  use  that  are  largely  independent  of  the  cash  flows  from  other  assets  or  groups  of  assets.  For  the  purpose  of 
impairment tests of goodwill, goodwill is allocated to groups of cash-generating units (being subsidiaries acquired in each acquisition). Such 
groups of cash-generating units represent the lowest level within the Group for which the goodwill is monitored for internal management 
purposes.

Among the goodwill as at 31 December 2014, RMB35,300,000,000 (2013: RMB35,300,000,000) and RMB nil (2013: RMB1,594,000,000) 
are attributable to the groups of cash-generating units in relation to the operations in Mainland China and Hong Kong respectively, which 
management currently monitors. The recoverable amounts of these groups of cash-generating units are determined based on the greater 
of its fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. Value-in-use is calculated by using the discounted cash flow method. This method 
considers the pre-tax cash flows of the subsidiaries (cash-generating units) for the five years ending 31 December 2019 with subsequent 
transition  to  perpetuity.  For  the  five  years  ending  31  December  2019,  the  average  growth  rates  are  assumed  1.5%  and  2.4%  for  the 
operations in Mainland China and Hong Kong, respectively. For the years beyond 31 December 2019, the assumed continual growth rates 
to perpetuity of 1% and 0.5% are used for the operations in Mainland China and Hong Kong, respectively. The present value of cash flows 
are calculated by discounting the cash flow using pre-tax interest rates of approximately 12% and 13% for the operations in Mainland China 
and Hong Kong, respectively. The management performed impairment test for the goodwill in relation to the operation in Mainland China 
and determined such goodwill was not impaired. Reasonably possible changes in key assumptions will not lead to the goodwill impairment 
loss. For the operations in Hong Kong, with the development of the 4th generation mobile communication technology (“4G”) business in 
Hong Kong during the year ended 31 December 2014, the competition in Hong Kong telecommunication market has become increasingly 
fierce.  The  management  anticipates  more  pressure  on  the  operating  performance  in  future  considering  the  necessity  of  investment  in 
capital expenditure and increased marketing expenses to sustain the development of business. Based on the impairment test result, the 
management has made a provision for impairment loss of goodwill amounting to RMB1,594,000,000 in relation to the operation in Hong 
Kong as at 31 December 2014.

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

18 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM/TO SUBSIDIARIES

Unlisted equity, at cost

Equity share-based payment in subsidiaries

The Company
As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

480,137

4,972

474,176

4,972

485,109

479,148

In  accordance  with  IFRS/HKFRS  2  “Share-based  Payment”,  share-based  payment  transactions  in  which  an  entity  receives  services 
from  its  employees  as  consideration  for  equity  instruments  of  the  entity  are  accounted  for  as  equity-settled  transactions  (see  note  2(w)
(ii)). The Company has recognized the grant of equity instruments to its subsidiaries’ employees amounting to RMB4,972,000,000 (2013: 
RMB4,972,000,000) as capital contributions to its subsidiaries.

Amounts due from subsidiaries under current assets are unsecured, interest free, repayable on demand and arise in the ordinary course of 
business. As at 31 December 2014, amount due to a subsidiary under non-current liabilities represented an amount due to China Mobile 
Group Guangdong Co., Ltd. (“Guangdong Mobile”) in relation to the guaranteed bonds. The amount is unsecured and will be settled on 28 
October 2017 (see note 33).

The following list contains only the particulars of subsidiaries which principally affected the results, assets or liabilities of the Group. The class 
of shares held is ordinary unless otherwise stated.

Name of company*

Place of incorporation/ 
establishment 
and operation

Particulars of 
issued and 
paid up capital

Proportion of ownership interest

Held by 
the Company

Held by 
a subsidiary

Principal activity

China Mobile Communication 

British Virgin Islands

HK$1

100%

–

Investment holding company

(BVI) Limited

(“BVI”)

China Mobile Communication 

PRC

RMB1,641,848,326

Co., Ltd. (“CMC”) **

Guangdong Mobile

PRC

RMB5,594,840,700

China Mobile Group Zhejiang 

PRC

RMB2,117,790,000

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Jiangsu 

PRC

RMB2,800,000,000

Co., Ltd

China Mobile Group Fujian 

PRC

RMB5,247,480,000

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Henan 

PRC

RMB4,367,733,641

Co., Ltd.

–

–

–

–

–

–

100% Network and business 
coordination center

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

098

099

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

18 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM/TO SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)

Name of company*

Place of incorporation/ 
establishment 
and operation

Particulars of 
issued and 
paid up capital

Proportion of ownership interest

Held by 
the Company

Held by 
a subsidiary

Principal activity

China Mobile Group Hainan 

PRC

RMB643,000,000

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Beijing 
Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Mobile”)

PRC

RMB6,124,696,053

China Mobile Group Shanghai 

PRC

RMB6,038,667,706

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Tianjin 

PRC

RMB2,151,035,483

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Hebei 

PRC

RMB4,314,668,600

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Liaoning 

PRC

RMB5,140,126,680

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Shandong 

PRC

RMB6,341,851,146

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Guangxi 

PRC

RMB2,340,750,100

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Anhui 

PRC

RMB4,099,495,494

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Jiangxi 

PRC

RMB2,932,824,234

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Chongqing 

PRC

RMB3,029,645,401

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Sichuan 

PRC

RMB7,483,625,572

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Hubei 

PRC

RMB3,961,279,556

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Hunan 

PRC

RMB4,015,668,593

Co., Ltd.

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

18 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM/TO SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)

Name of company*

Place of incorporation/ 
establishment 
and operation

Particulars of 
issued and 
paid up capital

Proportion of ownership interest

Held by 
the Company

Held by 
a subsidiary

Principal activity

China Mobile Group Shaanxi 

PRC

RMB3,171,267,431

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Shanxi 

PRC

RMB2,773,448,313

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Neimenggu 

PRC

RMB2,862,621,870

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Jilin

PRC

RMB3,277,579,314

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Heilongjiang 

PRC

RMB4,500,508,035

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Guizhou 

PRC

RMB2,541,981,749

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Yunnan 

PRC

RMB4,137,130,733

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Xizang 

PRC

RMB848,643,686

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Gansu 

PRC

RMB1,702,599,589

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Qinghai 

PRC

RMB902,564,911

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Ningxia 

PRC

RMB740,447,232

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Xinjiang 

PRC

RMB2,581,599,600

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Design Institute 

PRC

RMB160,232,500

Co., Ltd.

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Mobile telecommunications 

operator

100% Provision of 

telecommunications 
network planning design 
and consulting services

China Mobile Holding Company 

PRC

US$30,000,000

100%

–

Investment holding company

Limited **

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

100

101

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

18 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM/TO SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)

Name of company*

Place of incorporation/ 
establishment 
and operation

Particulars of 
issued and 
paid up capital

Proportion of ownership interest

Held by 
the Company

Held by 
a subsidiary

Principal activity

China Mobile (Shenzhen) Limited **

PRC

US$7,633,000

–

100% Provision of roaming clearance 

services

Aspire Holdings Limited

Cayman Islands

HK$93,964,583

66.41%

–

Investment holding company

Aspire (BVI) Limited #

BVI

US$1,000

Aspire Technologies (Shenzhen) 

PRC

US$10,000,000

Limited **#

Aspire Information Network 
(Shenzhen) Limited **#

PRC 

US$5,000,000

Aspire Information Technologies 

PRC 

US$5,000,000

(Beijing) Limited **#

Fujian FUNO Mobile Communication 
Technology Company Limited ***

PRC

US$3,800,000

–

–

–

–

–

100% Investment holding company

100% Technology platform 
development and 
maintenance

100% Provision of mobile data 

solutions, system integration 
and development

100% Technology platform 
development and 
maintenance

51% Network planning and 

optimizing construction 
testing and supervising, 
technology support, 
development and 
training of Nokia 
GSM900/1800 Mobile 
Communication System

Advanced Roaming & Clearing 

BVI

House Limited

US$2

100%

–

Provision of roaming clearance 

services

Fit Best Limited

BVI

US$1

100%

–

Investment holding company

China Mobile Hong Kong Company 

Hong Kong

HK$951,046,930

–

100% Provision of mobile 

Limited (“CMHK”)

telecommunications and 
related services

China Mobile International Holdings 

Hong Kong

HK$10,500,000,000

100%

–

Investment holding company

Limited (“CMI Holdings”)

China Mobile International Limited

Hong Kong

HK$3,000,000,000

–

100% Provision of voice and roaming 
clearance services, internet 
services and value-added 
services

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

18 

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM/TO SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)

Name of company*

Place of incorporation/ 
establishment 
and operation

Particulars of 
issued and 
paid up capital

Proportion of ownership interest

Held by 
the Company

Held by 
a subsidiary

Principal activity

China Mobile Group Device

PRC

RMB6,200,000,000

Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Group Finance

PRC

Co., Ltd. (“China Mobile Finance”) ##

RMB5,000,000,000

China Mobile M2M Company Limited

PRC

RMB500,000,000

China Mobile (Suzhou) Software 

PRC

RMB600,000,000

Technology Co., Ltd.

China Mobile (Hangzhou) Information 

PRC

RMB600,000,000

Technology Co., Ltd.

China Mobile Online Service

PRC

RMB50,000,000

Co., Ltd.

* 

** 

The nature of all the legal entities established in the PRC is limited liability company.

Companies registered as wholly-foreign owned enterprises in the PRC.

*** 

Company registered as a sino-foreign equity joint venture in the PRC.

–

–

–

–

–

–

99.97% Provision of electronic 

communication products 
design and sale of related 
products

92% Provision of non-banking 

financial services

100% Provision of network services

100% Provision of computer hardware 

and software research and 
development services

100% Provision of computer hardware 

and software research and 
development services

100% Provision of call center service

# 

## 

Effective interest held by the Group is 66.41%.

China Mobile Finance was established by CMCC and Beijing Mobile, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, with equity interest of 8% and 92%, respectively.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

102

103

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

19 

INTEREST IN ASSOCIATES

Share of net assets of associates

– Unlisted company

– Listed company

Details of the associates are as follows:

Name of associate

Unlisted company

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

3,954

66,490

–

53,940

70,444

53,940

Principal activity

Provision of 
telecommunications 
services

Place of incorporation/ 
establishment 
and operation

Proportion of ownership 
interest held by 
a subsidiary

China Motion United Telecom Limited

Hong Kong

30%

Shenzhen China Motion Telecom United Limited

China Tower Corporation Limited (“Tower Company”)

Listed company

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd. (“SPD Bank”)

IFLYTEK Co., Ltd. (“IFLYTEK”, renamed on 16 April 2014, 
formerly known as “Anhui USTC iFLYTEK Co., Ltd.”)

True Corporation Public Company Limited

(“True Corporation”)

PRC

PRC

PRC

PRC

30%

Provision of 
telecommunications services

40%

20%

Constructions, 
maintenance and 
operation of 
communications towers

Provision of 
banking services

15% Provision of Chinese speech 
and language technology 
products and services

Thailand

18%

Provision of 
telecommunications 
services

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

19 

INTEREST IN ASSOCIATES (CONTINUED)

Except that IFLYTEK and Tower Company are owned by CMC and True Corporation is owned by CMI Holdings, all the other interest in 
associates are owned by Guangdong Mobile.

During 2014, CMI Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company subscribed for 4,429,427,068 ordinary shares of True Corporation (a 
fully-integrated, nationwide telecommunications service provider in Thailand) at the price of Baht6.45 per share with a total consideration of 
Baht28.57 billion (equivalent approximately RMB5.51 billion). Upon the completion of the subscription, CMI Holdings owns 18% of the share 
capital and has become the second largest shareholder of True Corporation and two designees nominated by CMI Holdings have been 
appointed as directors of True Corporation. Accordingly, the Group recognized the investment as interest in an associate considering the 
Group can exercise significant influence over financial and operating policy decisions of True Corporation.

Also in 2014, CMC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an agreement with China United Network Communications 
Corporation Limited and China Telecom Corporation Limited to establish Tower Company. Pursuant to the agreement, CMC contributed 
RMB4 billion in cash, which represents 40.0% of the registered capital of Tower Company. Upon the completion of the subscription, the 
Group has appointed three directors for Tower Company. Accordingly, the Group recognized the investment as interest in an associate 
considering the Group can exercise significant influence over financial and operating policy decisions of Tower Company. For the year ended 
31 December 2014, Tower Company has not carried out substantial operation, and the total assets and equity were approximately equal to 
the registered capital as at 31 December 2014.

The carrying amounts of Group’s share of net assets of China Motion United Telecom Limited and Shenzhen China Motion Telecom United 
Limited were nil. These two entities were in a net liability position based on their latest management accounts as at 31 December 2014 and 
2013.

Summary financial information on principal associates:

Total assets

Total liabilities

Total equity

Total equity attributable to ordinary shareholders

Percentage of ownership of the Group

Total equity attributable to the Group

The impact of fair value adjustments at the time of acquisition and goodwill

Interest in associates

SPD Bank

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

4,195,924

3,932,639

263,285

3,680,125

3,472,898

207,227

245,209

20%

204,375

20%

49,042

10,512

40,875

11,673

59,554

52,548

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

104

105

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

19 

INTEREST IN ASSOCIATES (CONTINUED)

Summary financial information on principal associates (Continued):

Total current assets

Total non-current assets

Total current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total equity

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders

Percentage of ownership of the Group

Total equity attributable to the Group

The impact of fair value adjustments at the time of acquisition and goodwill

IFLYTEK

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

True 
Corporation

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

2,565

2,605

1,076

193

3,901

3,707

15%

556

876

2,682

1,646

714

152

3,462

3,311

15%

497

895

16,487

27,428

22,026

8,608

13,281

13,170

18%

2,371

3,133

Interest in associates

1,432

1,392

5,504

Revenue

Profit before taxation

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

Total comprehensive income

Dividends received from associates

SPD Bank
2014
Million

2013
Million

123,181

100,015

62,030

47,026

6,119

53,145

2,462

53,849

40,922

(3,835)

37,087

2,052

IFLYTEK

2014
Million

1,775

434

379

–

379

14

True 
Corporation
2014
Million

20,447

(129)

267

–

267

–

2013
Million

1,254

321

279

–

279

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

19 

INTEREST IN ASSOCIATES (CONTINUED)

The fair values of the interests in SPD Bank, IFLYTEK and True Corporation are disclosed as follows:

SPD Bank

IFLYTEK

True Corporation

As at 31 December 2014

As at 31 December 2013

Carrying 
amount
Million

59,554

1,432

5,504

Fair value
Million

58,535

3,184

9,205

Carrying 
amount
Million

52,548

1,392

–

Fair value
Million

35,180

3,363

–

Interest in listed associates

66,490

70,924

53,940

38,543

The fair values of interest in SPD Bank, IFLYTEK and True Corporation are based on quoted market prices (level 1: quoted price (unadjusted) 
in active markets) at the balance sheet date without any deduction for transaction costs. As at 31 December 2014, the Group's interest 
in associates is principally the equity investment in SPD Bank and the fair value of investment in SPD Bank was RMB58.54 billion (2013: 
RMB35.18 billion), below its carrying amount by approximately 1.7% (2013: approximately 33.1%).

The Group assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that interest in associates are impaired and 
particularly, whether there was impairment indication existed on interest in SPD Bank. The recoverable amount of the interest in SPD Bank is 
determined by value-in-use. The calculation used pre-tax cash flow projections for the five years ending 31 December 2019 with subsequent 
extrapolation  to  perpetuity.  The  discount  rate  used  was  based  on  a  cost  of  capital  used  to  evaluate  investments  in  mainland  China. 
Management judgement is required in estimating the future cash flows of SPD Bank which are sensitive to the cash flows projected. The key 
assumptions are determined with reference to external sources of information. Based on management's assessment results, there was no 
impairment as at 31 December 2014 and 2013. Changes in the key assumptions could have a significant impact of the recoverable amount 
of the interest in SPD Bank and could result in impairment charge in future periods.

The management has determined that there was no impairment indicator of the Group’s interests in other associates as at 31 December 
2014 and 2013.

20  DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The analysis of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

Deferred tax assets:

– Deferred tax asset to be recovered after 12 months

– Deferred tax asset to be recovered within 12 months

Deferred tax liabilities:

– Deferred tax liabilities to be settled after 12 months

– Deferred tax liabilities to be settled within 12 months

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

4,639

15,868

4,453

12,948

20,507

17,401

(80)

(18)

(98)

(90)

(14)

(104)

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

106

107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

20  DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (CONTINUED)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized and the movements during 2014

Deferred tax assets arising from:

Write-down for obsolete inventories

Write-off of certain network equipment and related assets

Provision for certain operating expenses

Deferred revenue from Reward Program

Impairment loss for doubtful accounts

As at 
1 January 
2014
Million

Credited to 
profit or loss
Million

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

132

2,138

9,182

4,500

1,449

56

342

1,457

1,121

130

188

2,480

10,639

5,621

1,579

17,401

3,106

20,507

Deferred tax liabilities arising from:

Depreciation allowance in excess of related depreciation

(104)

6

(98)

Total

17,297

3,112

20,409

Deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized and the movements during 2013

As at 
1 January 
2013
Million

Credited/ 
(charged) to 
profit or loss
Million

Exchange 
differences
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

Deferred tax assets arising from:

Write-down for obsolete inventories

Write-off of certain network equipment and related assets

Provision for certain operating expenses

Deferred revenue from Reward Program

Impairment loss for doubtful accounts

97

1,635

7,084

3,420

1,308

35

503

2,098

1,080

141

13,544

3,857

Deferred tax liabilities arising from:

Depreciation allowance in excess of related depreciation

(51)

(54)

Total

13,493

3,803

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

1

132

2,138

9,182

4,500

1,449

17,401

(104)

17,297

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

21  RESTRICTED BANK DEPOSITS

Restricted bank deposits

– Statutory deposit reserves

– Pledged bank deposits

As at 31 December 2014

The Group

Non-current 
assets
Million

Current 
assets
Million

8,666

65

–

695

Note

(i)

(ii)

Total
Million

8,666

760

As at 31 December 2013
Non-current 
assets
Million

Total
Million

6,659

157

6,659

157

8,731

695

9,426

6,816

6,816

Note:

(i) 

(ii) 

The statutory deposit reserves are deposited by China Mobile Finance with the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) as required, which are not available for use in the Group’s 
daily operations.

Non-current pledged bank deposits are primarily related to the performance bonds issued by banks in favor of the Office of the Communications Authority (formerly “the 
Office of the Telecommunications Authority”) of Hong Kong, in order to secure CMHK’s due performance of network and service rollout requirement in or before 2017 and 
2018, respectively.

Current  pledged  bank  deposits  represent  standby  letters  of  credit  in  favor  of  the  Office  of  the  Communications  Authority  of  Hong  Kong  for  CMHK  fulfilling  the  deposit 
requirement for the public auction of spectrum with original maturity within one year.

22  OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

Investment in unlisted equity securities in the PRC

23 

INVENTORIES

SIM cards and handsets

Other consumables

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

127

127

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

8,194

936

6,632

2,520

9,130

9,152

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

108

109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

24  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

(a)  Aging analysis

Aging analysis of accounts receivable, net of allowance for impairment loss of doubtful accounts is as follows:

Within 30 days

31–60 days

61–90 days

Over 90 days

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

9,963

2,184

1,161

3,032

8,316

2,137

1,149

2,305

16,340

13,907

Accounts  receivable  primarily  comprise  receivables  from  customers  and  telecommunications  operators.  Accounts  receivable 
from the provision of telecommunications services to customers are mainly due for payment within one month from date of billing. 
Customers with balances that are overdue or exceed credit limits are required to settle all outstanding balances before any further 
telecommunications services can be provided. The increase of accounts receivable over 90 days is mainly due to receivables arising 
from other telecommunications operators and certain corporate customers that are within credit term.

Accounts receivable are expected to be recovered within one year.

(b) 

Impairment of accounts receivable
Impairment loss in respect of accounts receivable is recorded using an allowance account unless the Group is satisfied that recovery of 
the amount is remote, in which case the impairment loss is written off against accounts receivable directly.

The following table summarizes the changes in impairment loss of doubtful accounts:

As at 1 January

Impairment loss recognized

Accounts receivable written off

As at 31 December

The Group
2014
Million

5,984

5,630

(5,134)

2013
Million

5,274

5,174

(4,464)

6,480

5,984

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

24  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (CONTINUED)

(c)  Accounts receivable that are not impaired

Accounts receivable that are neither individually nor collectively considered to be impaired are as follows:

Neither past due nor impaired

Less than 1 month past due

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

15,668

672

13,202

705

16,340

13,907

Receivables that were neither past due nor impaired relate to a wide range of customers for which there was no recent history of 
default.

Receivables that were past due but not impaired relate to a number of independent customers that have a good track record with the 
Group. Based on past experience, management believes that no impairment allowance is necessary in respect of these balances as 
there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the balances are still considered fully recoverable. The Group does not 
hold any collateral over these balances.

25  OTHER RECEIVABLES, PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Other receivables primarily comprise interest receivable from banks, utilities deposits and rental deposits, which are expected to be recovered 
within one year.

Prepayments and other current assets primarily consist of rental prepayments.

As at 31 December 2014 and 2013, there were no significant overdue amounts for other receivables.

26  AMOUNTS DUE FROM/TO ULTIMATE HOLDING COMPANY

Amount due from ultimate holding company is unsecured, interest free, repayable on demand and arising in the ordinary course of business.

As at 31 December 2014, amount due to ultimate holding company primarily comprises the short-term deposits of CMCC in China Mobile 
Finance and the interest payable arising from the deposits. The deposits are unsecured and carry interest at prevailing market rate.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

110

111

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

27  AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS

Wealth management products issued by banks

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

2,000

–

Note

(i)

Note:

(i) 

The available-for-sale financial assets represent wealth management products issued by banks which retain the possible loss of the principal amount invested. These wealth 
management products will mature within one year with variable return rates indexed to the performance of underlying assets. As at 31 December 2014, the carrying amount 
approximated the fair value (level 3: inputs for the assets or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs)). The fair values are based on 
cash flow discounted using the judgement that expected return will be obtained upon maturity.

28  BANK DEPOSITS

Bank deposits represent term deposits with banks with original maturity exceeding three months. The applicable interest rate is determined 
in accordance with the benchmark interest rate published by PBOC.

29  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

The Company
As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

Bank deposits with original maturity within three months

Cash at banks and in hand

27,421

39,323

7,798

37,133

2,585

445

1,228

67

30  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Accounts payable primarily include payables for network expansion projects expenditure, maintenance and interconnection expenses.

The aging analysis of accounts payable is as follows:

66,744

44,931

3,030

1,295

Due within 1 month or on demand

Due after 1 month but within 3 months

Due after 3 months but within 6 months

Due after 6 months but within 9 months

Due after 9 months but within 12 months

All of the accounts payable are expected to be settled within one year or are repayable on demand.

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

193,595

13,465

6,095

3,363

6,985

140,397

13,449

6,492

5,294

7,525

223,503

173,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

31  DEFERRED REVENUE

Deferred revenue primarily includes prepaid service fees received from customers and unredeemed point rewards.

As at 1 January

– Current portion

– Non-current portion

Additions during the year

Recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

As at 31 December

Less: Current portion

Non-current portion

32  ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYABLES

Receipts-in-advance

Other payables

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits

Accrued expense

The Group
2014
Million

62,451

61,789

662

233,944

(232,940)

2013
Million

58,322

57,988

334

256,882

(252,753)

63,455

(62,615)

62,451

(61,789)

840

662

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

65,000

16,998

5,372

47,355

68,411

14,285

5,649

37,466

134,725

125,811

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

112

113

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

33 

INTEREST-BEARING BORROWINGS

Bonds

The Group

As at 
31 December 
2014
Million

As at 
31 December 
2013
Million

4,992

4,989

As at 31 December 2014, the bonds represent the balance of fifteen-year guaranteed bonds issued by Guangdong Mobile, a subsidiary 
of the Company, with a principal amount of RMB5,000,000,000, at an issue price equal to the face value of the bonds. The bonds are 
unsecured and bear interest at the rate of 4.5% per annum which is payable annually. The bonds, redeemable at 100% of the principal 
amount, will mature on 28 October 2017.

The Company has issued a joint and irrevocable guarantee (the “Guarantee”) for the performance of the bonds. CMCC, the ultimate holding 
company, has also issued a further guarantee in relation to the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Guarantee.

34  EQUITY SETTLED SHARE-BASED TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant  to  a  resolution  passed  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  held  on  24  June  2002,  the  current  share  option  scheme  (the  “Current 
Scheme”) was adopted.

Under  the  Current  Scheme,  the  directors  of  the  Company  may,  at  their  discretion,  invite  employees,  including  executive  directors  and 
non-executive directors of the Company, any of its holding companies and any of their respective subsidiaries and any entity in which the 
Company or any of its subsidiaries holds an equity interest, to receive options to subscribe for shares of the Company. The consideration 
payable for the grant of option under the Current Scheme is HK$1.00.

The maximum aggregate number of shares which can be subscribed for pursuant to options that are or may be granted under the above 
scheme equals to 10% of the total issued share capital of the Company as at the date of adoption of the Current Scheme. Options lapsed or 
cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Current Scheme will not be counted for the purpose of calculating this 10% limit.

The HKEx requires the exercise price of options to be at least the higher of the nominal value of a share (no longer existed after 3 March 
2014, see note 35(c)(ii)), the closing price of the shares on the HKEx on the date on which the option was granted and the average closing 
price of the shares on the HKEx for the five trading days immediately preceding the date on which the option was granted.

For options granted under the Current Scheme, the exercise price of options shall be determined by the directors of the Company at their 
discretion provided that such price may not be set below a minimum price which is the highest of:

(i) 

the nominal value of a share (no longer exists after 3 March 2014, see note 35(c)(ii));

(ii) 

the closing price of the shares on the HKEx on the date on which the option was granted; and

(iii) 

the average closing price of the shares on the HKEx for the five trading days immediately preceding the date on which the option was 
granted.

Under  the  Current  Scheme,  the  term  of  the  option  is  determined  by  the  directors  at  their  discretion,  provided  that  all  options  shall  be 
exercised within 10 years after the date on which the option is granted.

 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

34  EQUITY SETTLED SHARE-BASED TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

(a)  The terms and conditions of the grants that existed as at the end of the years are as follows, whereby all 

options are settled by physical delivery of shares:

Options granted to directors 

– on 28 October 2004

Number of instruments

2014

2013

Vesting conditions

Contractual life 
of options

–

473,175

40% one year from the date of grant, 
30% two years from the date of grant, 
30% three years from the date of grant

10 years

– on 8 November 2005

2,881,500

2,881,500

40% one year from the date of grant, 
30% two years from the date of grant, 
30% three years from the date of grant

10 years

Options granted to other employees

– on 28 October 2004

– on 21 December 2004

–

–

113,418,420

40% one year from the date of grant, 
30% two years from the date of grant, 
30% three years from the date of grant

10 years

475,000

40% one year from the date of grant, 
30% two years from the date of grant, 
30% three years from the date of grant

10 years

– on 8 November 2005

43,351,922

268,025,464

40% one year from the date of grant, 
30% two years from the date of grant, 
30% three years from the date of grant

10 years

Total share options

46,233,422

385,273,559

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

114

115

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

34  EQUITY SETTLED SHARE-BASED TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

(b)  The number and weighted average exercise prices of share options are as follows:

The Group

2014

2013

Weighted 
average 
exercise price
HK$

Number of 
shares 
involved 
in the options

Weighted 
average 
exercise price
HK$

Number of 
shares involved 
in the options

31.28

30.86

23.33

–

385,273,559

(335,886,849)

(3,153,288)

–

31.24

24.55

–

30.39

387,811,349

(2,199,065)

–

(338,725)

As at 1 January

Exercised

Expired

Forfeited

As at 31 December

34.87

46,233,422

31.28

385,273,559

Option vested as at 31 December

34.87

46,233,422

31.28

385,273,559

The  weighted  average  share  price  at  the  date  of  exercise  for  shares  options  exercised  during  the  year  was  HK$79.40  (2013: 
HK$84.73).

The  options  outstanding  as  at  31  December  2014  had  exercise  price  HK$34.87  (2013:  HK$22.75  to  HK$34.87)  and  a  weighted 
average remaining contractual life of 0.9 year (2013: 1.5 years).

The fair value of services received in return for share options granted are measured by reference to the fair value of share options 
granted. The estimate of the fair value of the share options granted is measured based on a binomial lattice model. The contractual 
life of the option is used as an input into this model. Expectations of early exercise are incorporated into the binomial lattice model. No 
share options were granted during 2014 and 2013.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

35  CAPITAL, RESERVES AND DIVIDENDS

(a)  Movements in components of equity

The reconciliation between the opening and closing balances of each component of the Group’s consolidated equity is set out in the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity. Details of the changes in the Company’s individual components of equity between the 
beginning and the end of the year are set out below:

Share
capital
Million

Share
premium
Million

Capital
reserve
Million

General
reserve
Million

Exchange
reserve
Million

Retained
profits
Million

Total
Million

2,142

387,183

3,642

72

(1,060)

73,138

465,117

As at 1 January 2013
Changes in equity for 2013:

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive income 

for the year

Dividends approved in 

respect of previous year 
(note 35(b)(ii))

Dividends declared in 

respect of current year 
(note 35(b)(i))

Shares issued under share 

option scheme

Others

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

60
–

–

–

–

–

(17)
–

As at 31 December 2013

2,142

387,243

3,625

As at 1 January 2014
Changes in equity for 2014:

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive income 

for the year

Dividends approved in 

respect of previous year 
(note 35(b)(ii))

Dividends declared in 

respect of current year 
(note 35(b)(i))

Shares issued under share 

option scheme 
(note 35(c)(iii))

Transfer between reserves 
upon expiry of options 
(note 34(b))

Transition to no-par value 
regime (note 35(c)(ii))

2,142

387,243

3,625

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

9,279

2,073

(3,137)

–

–

389,316

(389,316)

(27)

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

72

72

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

67,682

67,682

67,682

67,682

(28,460)

(28,460)

(27,031)

(27,031)

–
1,060

–
(1,060)

43
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

84,269

477,351

84,269

477,351

50,328

50,328

50,328

50,328

(26,044)

(26,044)

(24,880)

(24,880)

–

27

–

8,215

–

–

83,700

484,970

As at 31 December 2014

400,737

–

461

72

As  at  31  December  2014,  the  amount  of  distributable  reserves  of  the  Company  amounted  to  RMB83,772,000,000  (2013: 
RMB84,341,000,000).

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014 116

117

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

35  CAPITAL, RESERVES AND DIVIDENDS (CONTINUED)

(b)  Dividends

(i)  Dividends attributable to the year:

Ordinary interim dividend declared and paid of HK$1.540 

(equivalent to approximately RMB1.222) 
(2013: HK$1.696 (equivalent to approximately RMB1.351)) per share

Ordinary final dividend proposed after the balance sheet date of HK$1.380 

(equivalent to approximately RMB1.089) 
(2013: HK$1.615 (equivalent to approximately RMB1.270)) per share

2014
Million

2013
Million

24,880

27,031

22,290

25,644

47,170

52,675

The  proposed  ordinary  final  dividend  which  is  declared  in  Hong  Kong  dollar  is  translated  into  RMB  at  the  rate  HK$1  = 
RMB0.78887, being the rate announced by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in the PRC on 31 December 2014. As 
the ordinary final dividend is declared after the balance sheet date, such dividend is not recognized as liability as at 31 December 
2014.

In accordance with the 2009 Notice and the PRC enterprise income tax law, the Company is required to withhold enterprise 
income tax equal to 10% of any dividend when it is distributed to non-resident enterprise shareholders whose names appeared 
on the Company's register of members, as of the record date for such dividend, and who were not individuals.

(ii)  Dividends attributable to the previous financial year, approved and paid during the year:

Ordinary final dividend in respect of the previous financial year, approved and 
paid during the year, of HK$1.615 (equivalent to approximately RMB1.270) 
(2013: HK$1.778 (equivalent to approximately RMB1.442)) per share

2014
Million

2013
Million

26,044

28,460

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

35  CAPITAL, RESERVES AND DIVIDENDS (CONTINUED)

(c)  Share capital

(i) 

Authorized and issued share capital

2014
HK$ Million

2013
HK$ Million

Authorized:

30,000,000,000 ordinary shares of HK$0.10 each (note 35(c)(ii))

–

3,000

Number
of shares

2014

HK$ Million

Equivalent
RMB Million

Number
of shares

2013

HK$ Million

Equivalent
RMB  Million

20,102,539,665

2,010

2,142

20,100,340,600

2,010

2,142

Issued and fully paid:

As at 1 January

Shares issued under share 

option scheme (note 35(c)(iii))

335,886,849

11,004

9,279

2,199,065

Transition to no-par value regime 

(note 35(c)(ii))

–

367,576

389,316

–

–

–

–

–

As at 31 December

20,438,426,514

380,590

400,737

20,102,539,665

2,010

2,142

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per 
share at meetings of the Company. All ordinary shares rank equally with regard to the Company’s residual assets.

(ii)  Transition to no-par value regime

Under the new Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) which commenced operation on 3 March 2014, the concept of 
authorized share capital no longer exists and the Company’s shares no longer have a par or nominal value. There is no impact on 
the number of shares in issue or the relative entitlement of any of the members as a result of this transition.

In addition, in accordance with the transitional provisions set out in section 37 of Schedule 11 to the new Hong Kong Companies 
Ordinance (Cap. 622), on 3 March 2014, any amount standing to the credit of the share premium account has become part of 
the Company’s share capital.

(iii)  Shares issued under share option scheme

During  2014,  options  were  exercised  to  subscribe  for  335,886,849  ordinary  shares  in  the  Company  at  a  consideration  of 
HK$10,365,000,000  (equivalent  to  RMB8,215,000,000)  of  which  HK$6,000,000  (equivalent  to  RMB5,000,000)  was  credited 
to share capital and HK$1,887,000,000 (equivalent to RMB1,488,000,000) was credited to the share premium account before 
3 March 2014 and HK$8,472,000,000 (equivalent to RMB6,722,000,000) was credited to share capital after 3 March 2014. 
RMB585,000,000  has  been  transferred  from  the  capital  reserve  to  the  share  premium  account  before  3  March  2014  and 
RMB2,552,000,000 has been transferred from the capital reserve to the share capital account after 3 March 2014 in accordance 
with policy set out in note 2(w)(ii).

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

118

119

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

35  CAPITAL, RESERVES AND DIVIDENDS (CONTINUED)

(d)  Nature and purpose of reserves

(i) 

Share premium
Under  the  new  Hong  Kong  Companies  Ordinance  (Cap.  622)  which  commenced  operation  on  3  March  2014,  any  amount 
standing to the credit of the share premium account has become part of the Company’s share capital (see note 35(c)(ii)).

(ii)  Capital reserve

The capital reserve mainly comprises the following:

– 

– 

The  fair  value  of  unexercised  share  options  granted  to  employees  of  the  Group  recognized  in  accordance  with  the 
accounting policy adopted for share-based payments in note 2(w)(ii); and

RMB295,665,000,000 debit balance brought forward as a result of the elimination of goodwill arising on the acquisition of 
subsidiaries before 1 January 2001 against the capital reserve in previous years.

(iii)  PRC statutory reserves

PRC statutory reserves mainly include statutory surplus reserve and discretionary surplus reserve.

In accordance with the Company Law of the PRC, domestic enterprises in Mainland China are required to transfer 10% of their 
profit after taxation, as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the PRC (“PRC GAAP”), to the statutory 
surplus  reserve  until  such  reserve  balance  reaches  50%  of  the  registered  capital  of  relevant  subsidiaries.  Moreover,  upon  a 
resolution made by the shareholders, a certain percentage of domestic enterprises’ profit after taxation, as determined under 
PRC GAAP, is transferred to the discretionary surplus reserve. During the year, appropriations were made by such subsidiaries to 
the statutory surplus reserves and discretionary surplus reserves accordingly.

The statutory and discretionary surplus reserves can be used to reduce previous years’ losses, if any, and may be converted into 
paid-up capital, provided that the statutory reserve after such conversion is not less than 25% of the registered capital of relevant 
subsidiaries.

In accordance with relevant regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, a subsidiary of the Company, China Mobile 
Finance, is required to set aside a reserve through appropriations of profit after tax according to a certain ratio of the ending 
balance of its gross risk-bearing assets to cover potential losses against such assets. 

(iv)  Exchange reserve

The  exchange  reserve  comprises  all  foreign  exchange  differences  arising  from  the  translation  of  the  financial  statements  of 
overseas entities. The reserve is dealt with in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 2(y).

(e)  Capital management

The Group’s primary objectives of capital management are to maintain a reasonable capital structure and to safeguard the Group’s 
ability  to  continue  as  a  going  concern  in  order  to  provide  returns  for  shareholders.  The  Group  actively  and  regularly  reviews  and 
manages  its  capital  structure  to  stabilize  the  capital  position  and  prevent  operation  risk.  Meanwhile,  the  Group  will  maximize  the 
shareholders’ return when having high level of borrowings and will make adjustment on the capital structure in accordance with the 
changes in economic conditions.

The  Group  monitors  capital  on  the  basis  of  total  debt-to-book  capitalization  ratio.  This  ratio  is  calculated  as  total  debts  (including 
obligations  under  finance  leases  and  interest-bearing  borrowings  as  shown  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheet)  divided  by  book 
capitalization (equal to the total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company as shown in the consolidated balance sheet 
and total debts).

As at 31 December 2014, the Group’s total debt-to-book capitalization ratio was 0.6% (2013: 0.8%).

Except China Mobile Finance, the Company and its subsidiaries are not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

36  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

(a)  Transactions with CMCC Group

The following is a summary of principal related party transactions entered into by the Group with CMCC and its subsidiaries (“CMCC 
Group”),  other  than  transactions  disclosed  in  note  26,  for  the  years  ended  31  December  2014  and  2013.  The  majority  of  these 
transactions also constitute continuing connected transactions as defined under Chapter 14A of Listing Rules. Further details of these 
continuing connected transactions are disclosed under the paragraph “Connected Transactions” in the Report of Directors.

Telecommunications services revenue

Telecommunications services charges

Property leasing and management services charges

Interest expenses

Interconnection revenue

Interconnection charges

Network assets leasing revenue

Network assets leasing charges

Network capacity leasing charges

Revenue derived from cooperation of telecommunications services

Charges for cooperation of telecommunications services

Note

(i)

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(iv)

(v)

(v)

(v)

(vi)

(vi)

2014
Million

885

4,602

803

–

216

425

95

11,062

5,012

481

2,567

2013
Million

1,590

2,843

808

103

241

500

109

9,837

3,876

494

2,232

Note:

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

The  amounts  represent  telecommunications  services  settlement  received/receivable  from  or  paid/payable  to  CMCC  Group  for  the  telecommunications  project 
planning, design and construction services, telecommunications line and pipeline construction services, telecommunications line maintenance services, and installation 
and maintenance services in respect of transmission towers.

The  amount  represents  the  rental  and  property  management  fees  paid/payable  to  CMCC  Group  in  respect  of  business  premises  and  offices,  retail  outlets  and 
warehouses.

The amount represents the interest expenses paid to China Mobile Hong Kong (BVI) Limited, the Company’s immediate holding company, in respect of the balance of 
purchase consideration for acquisitions of subsidiaries.

(iv) 

The amounts represent settlement received/receivable from or paid/payable to CMCC Group, in respect of interconnection settlement revenue and charges.

(v) 

The  amounts  represent  the  network  assets  leasing  settlement  received/receivable  from  or  paid/payable  to  CMCC  Group  and  the  TD-SCDMA  network  capacity 
charges paid/payable to CMCC Group. On 29 December 2008, the Company entered into a network capacity leasing agreement (the “Network Capacity Leasing 
Agreement”)  with  CMCC  Group  for  the  provision  of  TD-SCDMA  related  services.  The  lease  was  effective  from  1  January  2009  to  31  December  2009  and  is 
automatically renewed for successive one-year periods unless otherwise notified by one party to the other party. The Group is permitted to terminate the lease by 
giving 60 days advance written notice to CMCC Group. No penalty will be imposed in the event of a lease termination. Pursuant to the Network Capacity Leasing 
Agreement, the Group leases TD-SCDMA network capacity from CMCC Group and pays leasing fees to CMCC Group. The leasing fees are determined on a basis 
that reflects the actual usage of CMCC Group’s TD-SCDMA network capacity and compensates CMCC Group for the costs of such network capacity. At the end of 
the lease terms, there is no purchase option granted to the Group to purchase the leased network assets. The Group also does not bear any gains or losses in the 
fluctuation in the fair value of the leased network assets at the end of the lease terms. As a result, the Group does not bear the risks associated with the ownership of 
the leased network assets, and accordingly the Group accounts for the network assets leasing and the network capacity leasing as operating leases.

(vi) 

The amounts represent the services fee received/receivable from or paid/payable to CMCC Group for providing customer development services and cooperation in 
the provision of basic and value added telecommunications services.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

120

121

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

36  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

(b)  Amounts due from/to CMCC Group

Amounts due from/to CMCC Group, other than amount due from/to ultimate holding company, are included in the following accounts 
captions summarized as follows:

Accounts receivable

Other receivables

Prepayments and other current assets

Accounts payable

Accrued expenses and other payables

The Group

As at
 31 December
 2014
Million

As at
 31 December
 2013
Million

1,037

5

146

5,693

309

1,162

6

109

4,036

145

The amounts are unsecured, interest-free, repayable on demand/on contract terms and arise in the ordinary course of business.

(c)  Significant transactions with associates of the Group and of CMCC Group

The Group has entered into transactions with associates over which the Group or CMCC Group can exercise significant influence. The 
major transactions entered into by the Group and the associates and amount due from/to the associates are follows:

Bank deposits

Available-for-sale financial assets

Interest receivable

Accounts payable

Interest income

Mobile telecommunications services revenue

Mobile telecommunications services charges

Dividend income

 As at 
31 December
2014
Million

As at
 31 December
2013
Million

42,660

1,000

934

513

2014
Million

1,653

127

1,837

2,476

42,752

–

664

208

2013
Million

1,355

84

2,261

2,062

Note

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

Note:

(i) 

Interest income represents interest earned from deposits placed with SPD Bank. The applicable interest rate is determined in accordance with the benchmark interest 
rate published by PBOC.

(ii) 

The amount represents the mobile telecommunications services revenue received/receivable from SPD Bank.

(iii) 

The amount represents the mobile telecommunications services charges paid/payable to Union Mobile Pay Co., Ltd., an associate of CMCC Group.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

36  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

(d)  Transactions with other government-related entities in the PRC

The Group is a government-related enterprise and operates in an economic regime currently dominated by entities directly or indirectly 
controlled by the PRC government through government authorities, agencies, affiliations and other organisation (collectively referred to as 
“government-related entities”).

Apart from transactions with CMCC Group (notes 26 and 36(a)) and an associate (note 36(c)) and the transaction to establish Tower 
Company (note 19), the Group has collectively, but not individually, significant transactions with other government-related entities which 
include but not limited to the following:

– 

– 

– 

rendering and receiving telecommunications services, including interconnection revenue/charges

purchasing of goods, including use of public utilities

placing of bank deposits

These transactions are conducted in the ordinary course of the Group’s business on terms comparable to the terms of transactions 
with other entities that are not government-related. The Group prices its telecommunications services and products in accordance with 
rules and regulations stipulated by related authorities of the PRC Government, where applicable, or based on commercial negotiations. 
The Group has also established its procurement policies and approval processes for purchases of products and services, which do not 
depend on whether the counterparties are government-related entities or not. 

(e)  For key management personnel compensation, please refer to note 9.

37  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES

Exposure  to  credit,  liquidity,  interest  rate  and  foreign  currency  risks  arises  in  the  normal  course  of  the  Group’s  business.  The  Group’s 
exposure to these risks and the financial risk management policies and practices used by the Group to manage these risks are described 
below:

(a)  Credit risk and concentration risk

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to the financial assets in the balance sheet, which mainly include deposits with banks, 
accounts receivable and other receivables. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of the financial 
assets.

Substantially all the Group’s cash at banks and bank deposits are deposited in financial institutions in Mainland China and Hong Kong. 
The credit risk on liquid funds is limited as the majority of counterparties are financial institutions with high credit ratings assigned by 
international credit-rating agencies and large state-controlled financial institutions.

The accounts receivable of the Group is primarily comprised of receivables due from customers and telecommunications operators. 
Accounts receivable from customers are spread among an extensive number of customers and the majority of the receivables from 
customers  are  due  for  payment  within  one  month  from  the  date  of  billing.  Other  receivables  primarily  comprise  interest  receivable 
from banks, utilities deposits and rental deposits. Management has a credit policy in place and the exposures to these credit risks 
are monitored on an ongoing basis, taking into account the counter parties’ financial position, the Group’s past experience and other 
factors. As such, management considers the aggregate risks arising from the possibility of credit losses is limited and to be acceptable.

Concentrations  of  credit  risk  with  respect  to  accounts  receivable  are  limited  due  to  the  Group’s  customer  base  being  large  and 
unrelated. As such, management does not expect any significant losses of accounts receivable that have not been provided for by way 
of allowances as shown in note 24(c).

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

122

123

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

37  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (CONTINUED)

(b)  Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk refers to the risk that funds will not be available to meet liabilities as they fall due, and results from timing and amount 
mismatches of cash inflow and outflow. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash balances and bank deposits 
(which are readily convertible to known amounts of cash) to meet its funding needs, including working capital, principal and interest 
payments on debts, dividend payments and capital expenditures.

The following table sets out the remaining contractual maturities at the balance sheet date of the Group’s and the Company’s financial 
liabilities, which are based on the undiscounted cash flows (including interest payments computed using contractual rates or, if floating, 
based on prevailing rates at the balance sheet date) and the earliest date the Group and the Company would be required to repay:

The Group

As at 31 December 2014

Total
contractual
undiscounted
cash flow
Million

223,503

674

134,725

4,340

5,635

71

Carrying
amount
Million

223,503

674

134,725

4,271

4,992

68

Accounts payable

Bills payable

Accrued expenses and other payables

Amount due to ultimate holding company

Interest-bearing borrowings

Obligations under finance leases

Within 1 year
or on demand
Million

More than 1
year but less
than 3 years
Million

More than 3
years but less
than 5 years
Million

223,503

674

134,725

4,340

225

71

–

–

–

–

5,410

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

368,233

368,948

363,538

5,410

As at 31 December 2013

Total
contractual
undiscounted
cash flow
Million

173,157

1,360

125,811

22

5,860

71

Carrying
amount
Million

173,157

1,360

125,811

22

4,989

68

Accounts payable

Bills payable

Accrued expenses and other payables

Amount due to ultimate holding company

Interest-bearing borrowings

Obligations under finance leases

Within 1 year
or on demand
Million

More than 1
year but less
than 3 years
Million

More than 3
years but less
than 5 years
Million

173,157

1,360

125,811

22

225

71

–

–

–

–

450

–

450

–

–

–

–

5,185

–

5,185

305,407

306,281

300,646

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

37  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (CONTINUED)

(b)  Liquidity risk (Continued)

The Company

Accrued expenses and other payables

Amount due to a subsidiary

Accrued expenses and other payables

Amount due to a subsidiary

As at 31 December 2014

Total
contractual
undiscounted
cash flow
Million

12

5,635

Carrying
amount
Million

12

4,992

5,004

5,647

Within 1 year
or on demand
Million

More than 1
year but less
than 3 years
Million

More than 3
years but less
than 5 years
Million

12

225

237

–

5,410

5,410

–

–

–

As at 31 December 2013

Total
contractual
undiscounted
cash flow
Million

21

5,860

Carrying
amount
Million

21

4,989

5,010

5,881

Within 1 year
or on demand
Million

More than 1
year but less
than 3 years
Million

More than 3
years but less
than 5 years
Million

21

225

246

–

450

450

–

5,185

5,185

Regarding the Company’s financial guarantee issued, please refer to note 33 for details.

(c) 

Interest rate risk
The Group consistently monitors the current and potential fluctuation of interest rates to monitor the interest rate risk on a reasonable 
level. As at 31 December 2014, the Group did not have any interest-bearing borrowings at variable rates, but had RMB5 billion of 
bonds, which were issued at fixed rate and exposes the Group to fair value interest rate risk. The Group determines the amount of 
its fixed rate depending on the prevailing market condition. Management does not expect fair value interest rate risk to be high as the 
interest involved will not be significant.

As  at  31  December  2014,  total  cash  and  bank  balances  of  the  Group  amounted  to  RMB428,288,000,000  (2013: 
RMB426,724,000,000). The interest income for 2014 was RMB16,149,000,000 (2013: RMB15,289,000,000) and the average interest 
rate was 3.78% (2013: 3.66%). Assuming the total cash and bank balances are stable in the coming year and interest rate increases/
decreases by 100 basis points, the profit for the year and total equity would approximately increase/decrease by RMB3,229,000,000 
(2013: RMB3,213,000,000).

(d)  Foreign currency risk

The Group has foreign currency risk as certain cash and deposits with banks are denominated in foreign currencies, principally US 
dollars and Hong Kong dollars. As the amount of the Group’s foreign currency cash and deposits with banks represented 1.4% (2013: 
0.8%) of the total cash and deposits with banks and predominantly all of the business operations of the Group are transacted in RMB, 
the Group does not expect the appreciation or depreciation of the RMB against foreign currency will materially affect the Group’s 
financial position and result of operations.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

124

125

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

37  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES (CONTINUED)

(e)  Fair values

All financial instruments are carried at amounts not materially different from their fair values as at 31 December except as follows:

The Group

As at 31 December 2014

As at 31 December 2013

Carrying
amount
Million

Fair value
Million

Carrying 
amount
Million

Fair value
Million

Interest-bearing borrowings – bonds

4,992

4,951

4,989

4,675

The fair value of bonds is based on quoted market prices (level 1: quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets) at the balance sheet 
date without any deduction for transaction costs.

38  COMMITMENTS

(a)  Capital commitments

The Group’s capital commitments outstanding as at 31 December not provided for in the consolidated financial statements were as 
follows:

Commitments in respect of land and buildings

– authorized and contracted for

– authorized but not contracted for

Commitments in respect of telecommunications equipment 

– authorized and contracted for

– authorized but not contracted for

Total commitments

– authorized and contracted for

– authorized but not contracted for

The Company had no significant capital commitments outstanding as at 31 December 2014 and 2013.

The Group
2014
Million

7,547

32,498

2013
Million

7,212

43,709

40,045

50,921

24,607

112,114

25,022

167,901

136,721

192,923

32,154

144,612

32,234

211,610

176,766

243,844

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

38  COMMITMENTS (CONTINUED)

(b)  Operating lease commitments

The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as at 31 December are as follows:

As at 31 December 2014

Within one year

After one year but within five years

After five years

Land and
buildings
Million

9,733

18,882

5,853

The Group

Leased
lines
Million

9,291

3,822

953

Others
Million

1,043

1,361

69

Total
Million

20,067

24,065

6,875

34,468

14,066

2,473

51,007

As at 31 December 2013

Within one year

After one year but within five years

After five years

8,008

15,966

4,476

5,627

2,706

669

984

1,355

34

14,619

20,027

5,179

The Company
Land and
buildings,
and others
Million

8

–

–

8

9

5

–

The Group leases certain land and buildings, leased lines, motor vehicles, computer and other office equipment under operating leases. 
None of the leases include contingent rentals.

28,450

9,002

2,373

39,825

14

39  POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT

After the balance sheet date, the Board of Directors proposed a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2014. Further details are 
disclosed in note 35(b)(i).

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

126

127

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

40  ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

Key sources of estimation uncertainty
Note 17 contains information about the assumptions relating to goodwill impairment, and note 36 contains information about the judgements 
on the lease classification of leasing of TD-SCDMA network capacity. Other key sources of estimation uncertainty are as follows:

Impairment loss for doubtful accounts
The Group assesses impairment loss for doubtful accounts based upon evaluation of the recoverability of the accounts receivable and other 
receivables at each balance sheet date. The estimates are based on the aging of the accounts receivable and other receivables balances 
and the historical write-off experience, net of recoveries. If the financial conditions of the customers were to deteriorate, additional impairment 
may be required.

Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment, less their estimated residual value, if any, using the 
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The Group reviews the estimated useful lives and residual values of the assets annually 
in order to determine the amount of depreciation expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The useful lives and residual values 
are determined based on the Group’s historical experience with similar assets and take into account anticipated technological changes. The 
depreciation expense for future periods is adjusted if there are significant changes from previous estimates.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment, interest in associates, goodwill and other intangible assets
The Group’s property, plant and equipment comprise a significant portion of the Group’s total assets. Changes in technology or industry 
conditions may cause the estimated period of use or the value of these assets to change. Property, plant and equipment, interest in associates 
and other intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed at least annually to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. 
The recoverable amount is estimated whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that their carrying amounts may not be 
recoverable. In addition, for goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, the recoverable amount is estimated annually 
whether or not there is any indication of impairment.

The recoverable amount of an asset is the greater of its fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. In assessing value-in-use, the 
estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of 
the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset, which requires significant judgement relating to level of revenue and amount of 
operating costs. The Group uses all readily available information in determining an amount that is a reasonable estimation of the recoverable 
amount, including estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections of revenue and operating costs. Changes in 
these estimates could have a significant impact on the carrying value of the assets and could result in further impairment charge or reversal 
of impairment in future periods. Additional information for the goodwill impairment and the impairment assessment of interest in associates is 
disclosed in notes 17 and 19, respectively.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB unless otherwise indicated)

41  POSSIBLE IMPACT OF AMENDMENTS, NEW STANDARDS, INTERPRETATIONS AND DISCLOSURES ISSUED BUT NOT 

YET EFFECTIVE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014

Up  to  the  date  of  issue  of  these  financial  statements,  the  IASB/HKICPA  has  issued  a  number  of  amendments  and  new  standards  and 
interpretations  which  are  not  yet  effective  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2014  and  which  have  not  been  adopted  in  these  financial 
statements.

Of these developments, the following relate to matters that may be relevant to the Group’s operations and financial statements:

Amendment to IAS/HKAS 19, “Employee Benefits”

Annual Improvement to IFRSs/HKFRSs 2010-2012 cycle

Annual Improvement to IFRSs/HKFRSs 2011-2013 cycle

Amendment to IFRS/HKFRS 11, “Joint Arrangements”

Amendment to IAS/HKAS 16, “Property, Plant and Equipment”

Amendment to IAS/HKAS 38, “Intangible Assets”

Amendment to IFRS/HKFRS 10, “Consolidated Financial Statements”

Amendment to IAS/HKAS 28, “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”

Amendment to IAS/HKAS 27, “Separate Financial Statements”

Annual Improvement to IFRSs/HKFRSs 2012-2014 cycle

IFRS/HKFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”

IFRS/HKFRS 9 “Financial Instrument”

Effective for
accounting periods
beginning on or after

1 July 2014

1 July 2014

1 July 2014

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2016

1 January 2017

1 January 2018

Management is assessing the impact of such new standards, amendments to standards and will adopt the relevant standards, amendments 
to standards in the subsequent periods as required.

In addition, the requirements of Part 9 “Accounts and Audit” of the new Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) come into operation 
as from the Company's first financial year commencing on or after 3 March 2014 in accordance with section 358 of the new Hong Kong 
Companies  Ordinance.  The  Group  is  in  the  process  of  making  an  assessment  of  expected  impact  of  the  changes  in  the  Hong  Kong 
Companies Ordinance on the consolidated financial statements in the period of initial application of Part 9 of the new Hong Kong Companies 
Ordinance (Cap. 622). So far it has concluded that the impact is unlikely to be significant and only the presentation and the disclosure of 
information in the consolidated financial statements will be affected.

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

128

129

FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(Expressed in RMB)

RESULTS

Operating revenue (Turnover)

Revenue from telecommunications services
Revenue from sales of products and others

Operating expenses

Leased lines
Interconnection
Depreciation
Personnel
Selling expenses
Cost of products sold
Other operating expenses

Profit from operations
Non-operating income, net
Interest income
Finance costs
Share of profit of associates
Share of loss of a joint venture

2014
Million

581,817
59,631

2013
Million

2012
Million

2011
Million

2010
Million

590,811
39,366

560,413
21,422

527,999
9,807

485,231
7,512

641,448

630,177

581,835

537,806

492,743

21,083
23,389
116,225
36,830
75,781
74,464
176,342

18,727
25,998
104,699
34,376
91,834
61,363
157,531

9,909
25,140
100,848
31,256
80,232
41,448
140,272

5,188
23,533
97,113
28,672
78,636
23,120
127,686

3,897
21,886
86,230
24,524
74,361
20,506
108,249

524,114

494,528

429,105

383,948

339,653

117,334
1,089
16,149
(228)
8,248
–

135,649
910
15,289
(331)
7,062
–

152,730
615
12,661
(390)
5,685
(1)

153,858
571
8,413
(565)
4,306
(1)

153,090
685
5,658
(902)
558
(18)

Profit before taxation

142,592

158,579

171,300

166,582

159,071

Taxation 

(33,187)

(36,776)

(41,919)

(40,603)

(39,047)

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

109,405

121,803

129,381

125,979

120,024

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 

that may be subsequently reclassified to 
profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translation of financial 

statements of overseas entities

Share of other comprehensive income/(loss) of 

associates

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR 

THE YEAR 

Profit attributable to:

(169)

1,224

(172)

(767)

(6)

(16)

(311)

(229)

(135)

–

110,460

120,864

129,359

125,439

119,889

Equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests 

109,279
126

121,692
111

129,274
107

125,870
109

119,640
384

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR 

109,405

121,803

129,381

125,979

120,024

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR 

THE YEAR

110,334
126

120,754
110

129,252
107

125,332
107

119,505
384

110,460

120,864

129,359

125,439

119,889

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (CONTINUED)
(Expressed in RMB)

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Property, plant and equipment

Construction in progress

Land lease prepayments and other prepayments

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Interest in associates

Interest in a joint venture

Deferred tax assets

Restricted bank deposits

Other financial assets

Net current assets

As at
31 December
2014
Million

As at
31 December
2013
Million

As at
31 December
2012
Million

As at
31 December
2011
Million

As at
31 December
2010
Million

564,795

479,227

430,509

408,165

385,296

93,341

24,855

35,300

766

70,444

–

20,507

8,731

127

45,707

85,000

19,735

36,894

1,063

53,940

–

17,401

6,816

127

96,276

55,507

14,244

36,894

924

48,343

6

13,544

5,418

127

56,235

12,798

36,894

818

43,794

7

10,913

122

127

54,868

12,040

36,894

813

40,175

8

9,720

162

127

148,797

109,441

66,202

Total assets less current liabilities

864,573

796,479

754,313

679,314

606,305

Interest-bearing borrowings

Deferred revenue, excluding current portion

Deferred tax liabilities

(4,992)

(840)

(98)

(4,989)

(662)

(104)

(28,619)

(28,617)

(28,615)

(334)

(51)

(261)

(17)

(248)

(39)

NET ASSETS

858,643

790,724

725,309

650,419

577,403

CHINA MOBILE LIMITED  •  ANNUAL REPORT 2014

130

131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GLOSSARY

This glossary contains certain definitions and other terms as they relate to the Company and the Group and as they are used in the Annual Report.
These definitions may, or may not, correspond to standard industry definitions.

“and – Reading”
“and  –  Reading”  is  the  mobile  reading  business  under  the  Group’s 
commercial brand “and!”. The Group provides customers with content 
services including abundant number of quality books, magazines and 
comics  through  handsets  and  mobile  e-book  devices,  etc.  which 
enable customers to enjoy the pleasure of mobile reading.

Mobile Internet
Mobile  Internet  is  an  emerging  market  created  by  the  cross 
convergence  of  Internet  and  mobile  communications  after  their 
respective development. Mobile customers can gain wireless access to 
the Internet anytime and anywhere by using wireless terminals such as 
handsets and mobile Internet terminals to meet their needs.

“and – Video”
“and  –  Video”  is  the  mobile  video  business  under  the  Group’s 
commercial  brand  “and!”.  The  Group  co-operates  with  the  media 
to  provide  customers  with  mobile  network-based  audio  and  visual 
services, which enable customers to download or watch various kinds 
of  video  content  such  as  news,  movies,  sports  programs  and  other 
entertainment through their handsets.

IDC
Internet  Data  Center,  facilities  and  related  service  systems  facilitating 
the  operation  and  maintenance  of  equipment  for  the  centralized 
collection, storage, processing and transmission of data based on the 
Internet. The principal services offered by IDC include server hosting, 
resources  leasing,  system  maintenance,  management  services  and 
other support and operational services.

Internet of Things
Equipping SIM cards, sensors, two-dimensional codes etc to different 
objects  and  connecting  them  to  a  wireless  network  can  capacitate 
intelligence  to  inanimate  objects  and  enables  forms  of  conversation 
and communication between people and things, and between things 
themselves.  This  network  of  interconnected  objects  is  called  the 
“Internet of Things”. “Internet of Things” possesses three distinguishing 
features, namely: scalability, mobility and security.

LTE
Long  Term  Evolution,  a  mainstream  standard  for  the  evolution  of  3G 
technology. It is wireless broadband data business oriented, and has 
the characteristics of high speed, less time delay and high quality. LTE 
has two models, namely FDD and TDD, of which TDD (also known as 
TD-LTE) is a standard for the evolution of TD-SCDMA technology. The 
two models of LTE can be developed in a coordinated manner to utilize 
symmetrical and asymmetrical bandwidths flexibly and efficiently. LTE 
can be integrated and coexist with the existing 2G and 3G networks.

Migu Music
A  business  which  provides  music  services  to  customers  through 
the  mobile  telecommunications  network.  Currently  it  mainly  includes 
Wireless Music Club, Color Ring and music download, etc.

Mobile Market
Mobile  Market  is  an  integrated  market  assembling  different  kinds  of 
developers  and  their  outstanding  applications,  and  different  kinds  of 
businesses of the Group enabling customers using different terminals 
to  satisfy  their  demand  for  real  time  experience,  downloads  and 
subscription.

TD-SCDMA
Time  Division-Synchronous  Code  Division  Multiple  Access,  China’s 
home-grown 3G mobile technology standard, is one of the international 
mainstream  3G  standards.  The  Group’s  3G  network  adopts  TD-
SCDMA standard.

Unified Communications
Unified Communications combine device communications capabilities 
with quality Internet experience featuring New Communications, New 
Messages and New Contacts, and enable transmission of text, images, 
videos,  locations  and  other  enriched  functions  through  the  three 
channels on mobile devices including voice, messages and contacts.

VoLTE
Voice-over-LTE, a voice solution for LTE networks. It transmits voice via 
the IP network. Compared with other voice solutions, VoLTE provides 
higher  definition  quality  with  shorter  connection  time,  hence  lower 
costs.  VoLTE  provides  customers  with  a  better  and  enriched  unified 
communications experience.

Wireless Data Traffic
Includes mobile data traffic and WLAN data traffic. A service provided 
by the Group to its customers enabling wireless access to the Internet 
using handsets or dongles.

WLAN
Wireless  Local  Area  Network  (also  known  as  WiFi  Network),  which 
connects  computers  using  wireless  communication  technology. 
Customers can use mobile terminals such as notebooks and handsets 
to gain high-speed wireless access to the Internet or corporate Intranet 
for information, entertainment or work.

China Mobile Limited

60/F., The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Tel  : (852) 3121 8888
Fax : (852) 3121 8809

Website : www.chinamobileltd.com
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