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Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

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FY2013 Annual Report · Hongkong Land Holdings Limited
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Annual Report 2013
Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marina Bay Financial Centre, a joint venture 
development in Singapore’s new Central 
Business District (front cover).

Contents

Corporate Overview 

Corporate Information 

Highlights 

Chairman’s Statement

Chief Executive’s Review

Financial Review 

Directors’ Profiles

Financial Statements

Independent Auditors’ Report 

Five Year Summary

Responsibility Statement

Corporate Governance 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Shareholder Information

Offices

Report of the Valuers

Major Property Portfolio

1

2

3

4

6

12

18

20

66

67

68

69

74

75

76

77

78

is one of Asia’s leading property investment, management 

and development groups.  Founded in 1889, Hongkong Land’s business is built on 
excellence, integrity and partnership.  

The Group owns and manages almost 800,000 sq. m. of prime office and luxury retail 
property in key Asian cities, principally in Hong Kong and Singapore.  Hongkong Land’s 
properties attract the world’s foremost companies and luxury brands.  

The Group’s prime Hong Kong portfolio of some 450,000 sq. m. is located in the heart  
of the Central district.  In Singapore, its 165,000 sq. m. portfolio consists largely of 
prestigious office space located at Marina Bay, much of which is held through joint 
ventures.  The Group also has a 50% interest in a prime office complex in Central Jakarta, 
and has a number of projects under development that include a luxury retail centre  
at Wangfujing in Beijing.  

Hongkong Land is developing a number of largely residential projects, in cities  
across Greater China and Southeast Asia.  In Singapore, its subsidiary, MCL Land,  
is a well-established residential developer.

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda.  It has a premium listing  
on the London Stock Exchange, and secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore.   
The Group’s assets and investments are managed from Hong Kong by Hongkong Land 
Limited.  Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

PB  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

1

Corporate Information

Directors

Hongkong Land Limited

Directors

Ben Keswick Chairman

Y.K. Pang Chief Executive

R.M.J. Chow

R.L. Garman

Mark Greenberg

Adam Keswick

D.P. Lamb

N. Leung

James Riley

J.A. Robinson

Giles White

John R. Witt Chief Financial Officer

R. Wong

Corporate Secretary

N.M. McNamara

Ben Keswick Chairman and  

  Managing Director

Y.K. Pang Chief Executive

Charles Allen-Jones

Mark Greenberg

Jenkin Hui

Adam Keswick

Sir Henry Keswick

Simon Keswick

Lord Leach of Fairford

Dr Richard Lee

Anthony Nightingale

Lord Powell of Bayswater, KCMG

Lord Sassoon, Kt

James Watkins

Percy Weatherall

John R. Witt

Michael Wei Kuo Wu

Company Secretary and 
Registered Office

John C. Lang

Jardine House

33-35 Reid Street

Hamilton

Bermuda

2  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

3

 
 
 
 
 
Highlights

•  Record underlying profit
•  Higher contribution from investment properties
•  Residential profit up 37% 
•  New residential projects in China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore

Results

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders*

Profit attributable to shareholders

Shareholders’ funds

Net debt

Underlying earnings per share*

Earnings per share

Dividends per share

Net asset value per share

2013
US$m

2012
US$m
restated†

Change
%

935 

776 

1,190 

1,438 

26,857 

26,148 

3,025 

3,273 

US¢

US¢

39.73 

33.11 

50.56 

61.32 

18.00 

17.00 

US$

US$

11.41 

11.11 

20 

(17)

3 

(8)

%

20 

(18)

 6 

%

3 

*  The Group uses ‘underlying profit attributable to shareholders’ in its internal financial reporting to distinguish between ongoing business performance 
and non-trading items, as more fully described in Note 1 to the financial statements.  Management considers this to be a key measure which provides 
additional information to enhance understanding of the Group’s underlying business performance.

†  The accounts have been restated due to a change in accounting policy upon adoption of IAS 19 (amended 2011) ‘Employee Benefits’, as set out in 

Note 1 to the financial statements.

2  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

3

 
Chairman’s Statement

Overview

Hongkong Land produced an excellent result in 2013 

with improved performances from both its commercial 

and its residential activities.  In Hong Kong, rent 

reversions remained positive for the office and retail 

portfolios, while Singapore benefited from a full-year’s 

contribution from Marina Bay Financial Centre and higher 

average rents.  The Group’s residential activities saw  

In Singapore, the contribution from the Group’s 

commercial portfolio also increased with the inclusion  

of a full year of results from the now complete Marina  

Bay Financial Centre (‘MBFC’) and higher average rents.  

Year-end vacancy in the Group’s Singapore portfolio was 

low at only 1.7%, compared with 3.1% at the end of June.  

The Group also benefited from higher average rents at 

Jakarta Land, in which it holds a 50% interest.

the completion of three projects in Singapore.

In mainland China, the Group’s commercial development 

Performance

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders was 

US$935 million, a record result and a 20% increase  

over the US$776 million recorded in the prior year.  

Including the net surplus of US$255 million recorded on 

property valuations, the profit attributable to shareholders 

for the year was US$1,190 million.  This compares to 

US$1,438 million in 2012, which included net valuation 

gains of US$662 million.

projects are progressing satisfactorily.  This includes  

the development of a luxury retail complex, which will 

incorporate a Mandarin Oriental hotel, on a prime site  

at Wangfujing, in Beijing.

Residential Developments

The contribution from Residential Developments  

rose strongly in 2013 following the completion of  

three projects in Singapore.  MCL Land completed  

two fully-sold projects, Este Villa and The Estuary, 

comprising 121 freehold townhouses and 608 

The net asset value per share at 31st December 2013 

apartments, respectively.  Profits were also recognised  

was US$11.41 compared with US$11.11 at the end  

at the one-third owned Marina Bay Suites, which was 

of 2012.

some 90% pre-sold.

The Directors are recommending a final dividend of 

In mainland China, the Group benefited from sales 

US¢12.00 per share for 2013, providing a total dividend 

completions at Maple Place in Beijing and at the Bamboo 

for the year of US¢18.00 per share, compared with 

Grove, Landmark Riverside and Yorkville South projects  

US¢17.00 per share for 2012.

Group Review

Commercial Property

In Hong Kong, demand for office space remained 

relatively subdued, but rental reversions continued to be 

largely positive.  The Group’s average office rent rose to 

in Chongqing.  Across all of its projects, Hongkong  

Land’s attributable interest in contracted sales was 

US$632 million in 2013, compared with US$429 million  

in 2012, reflecting robust market conditions and higher 

levels of development.  In November, a 50% interest was 

secured in a 40 hectare site adjacent to Chongqing’s 

Central Park for some US$330 million.

HK$99 per sq. ft, compared with HK$90 in the previous 

In Hong Kong, seven units in the Serenade were handed 

year.  At 31st December 2013, vacancy was 5.0%, 

over to buyers while the sales of eight units were 

compared with 5.6% at 30th June 2013.  The Group’s 

completed at the Group’s 47%-owned joint venture  

retail portfolio was fully occupied with rent increases 

in Macau.

reflecting strong demand for the Group’s prime Central 

portfolio.  The average retail rent was HK$201 per sq. ft, 

an 18% increase from 2012.

4  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

5

Outlook

The Group’s key commercial markets of Hong Kong  

and Singapore are expected to remain broadly stable  

in the year ahead.  In our residential businesses, a higher 

contribution is anticipated from the Group’s mainland 

China operations, but this will be more than offset by  

a significant reduction in profits from our Singapore 

residential operations.

Ben Keswick
Chairman
6th March 2014

Construction has begun at Nava Park, the Group’s 

49%-owned residential joint venture southwest of  

Central Jakarta in Indonesia.  Planning is also underway  

for some 500 luxury apartments at a second residential 

project in Jakarta, which is a 40%-owned joint venture 

with affiliate, Astra International.  In the Philippines, 

construction has begun on the final phase of Roxas 

Triangle, a development of 182 luxury apartments  

in central Makati.

Financing

The Group’s financial position remained robust with net 

debt of US$3.0 billion at the end of 2013, compared with 

US$3.3 billion at the end of 2012.  Gearing at the end of 

the year was 11%, down from 13% the previous year.

Corporate Developments

The Company has announced its intention, subject to 

shareholder approval, to transfer the listing of its shares 

on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange to  

the standard listing category from the current premium 

listing category.

People

The professionalism of our committed staff is what 

distinguishes Hongkong Land’s service to our tenants 

and purchasers.  I would like to take this opportunity to 

thank them for their commitment, diligence and hard 

work throughout the year and to congratulate them  

on achieving this record result.

Simon Keswick stepped down as Chairman in May, and 

remains a non-executive Director.  We appreciate greatly 

his tremendous contribution as Chairman of the Group 

since his first appointment in 1983.

4  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

5

Chief Executive’s Review

Hongkong Land performed well in 2013, with higher 

Hong Kong’s Central Portfolio

earnings from its commercial property interests and  

The Group owns a prime portfolio of 12 buildings in 

a strong contribution from its residential activities leading 

Central providing over 450,000 sq. m. of Grade A office 

to a record underlying profit.  Notwithstanding the 

and luxury retail space.  This is managed as an integrated 

uncertain economic environment, the Group remains  

mixed-use development with the objective of maintaining 

well positioned in its key markets and continues to  

it as the pre-eminent destination for office and retail 

review new development opportunities.

tenants.  While the level of demand for this space 

Business Model and Strategy

The Group’s Central portfolio in Hong Kong and its 

interests in the Marina Bay area of Singapore remain  

its most significant investments.  The location, quality  

and scale of these assets provide the Group with  

an excellent competitive position and a source of stable, 

recurring revenue.  We continue to seek opportunities  

to grow the Group’s exceptional investment portfolio 

through greenfield development across our core markets 

of Greater China and Southeast Asia.  The Group 

currently has commercial developments underway  

in Beijing, Jakarta and Phnom Penh.

We also continue to expand our residential business 

throughout the region.  In China, our attributable  

interest in the developable area of all our projects now 

totals some 5.4 million sq. m., which includes a new 

development in Chongqing, in which the Group has 

acquired a 50% stake.  To date, some 650,000 sq. m.  

has been developed and sold and our business is well 

positioned to deliver a rising contribution as these 

long-term projects are developed.  In Singapore,  

our wholly-owned subsidiary, MCL Land continues to 

perform well, although market conditions were less 

favourable in 2013.  In Indonesia, planning has begun  

on a second residential development, a 40%-owned joint 

venture comprising over 500 residential units in Central 

Jakarta with our affiliate company, Astra International.  

The year also saw an increase in our activities in the 

Philippines, with the recommencement of a 182-unit 

luxury condominium project in Manila and the acquisition 

of a 40% stake in a 20 hectare site in Cebu which will be 

developed as a residential-led, mixed-use project.

naturally fluctuates depending on overall economic 

conditions, the location and iconic status of the portfolio 

ensure a relatively resilient level of demand even in 

uncertain markets.

2009

41% Banks and other financial services

26% Legal

4% Property

9% Accounting

3% Trading

5% Governments

12% Others

2013

38% Banks and other financial services

30% Legal

6% Property

8% Accounting

3% Trading

3% Governments

12% Others

Central portfolio tenant profile  
by area occupied

6  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

7

Central portfolio top five office tenants  
(in alphabetical order)

in 2013

BASF East Asia

BNP Paribas

JP Morgan

KPMG

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Central portfolio top five retail tenants  
(in alphabetical order)
in 2013

Dickson Concepts

Giorgio Armani

Kering Group

Louis Vuitton

Richemont Group

We seek to grow our rentals over the long term, and in 

In Jakarta, construction will commence on a fifth office 

order to achieve this we continually invest in our portfolio 

tower at Jakarta Land, where the Group holds a 50%  

to maintain it as the most prestigious office and retail 

stake in a prime office portfolio in the Central Business 

space within Hong Kong.  In late 2013, we completed  

District of 135,000 sq. m.  In Beijing, two new projects  

the redevelopment of The Forum, converting ancillary 

are underway and construction has commenced on  

retail premises into a premium office building, which has 

a mixed-use development in Phnom Penh.

been leased to Standard Chartered Bank as a ‘Wealth 

Management Centre’.  At the same time, significant 

enhancements are being made to the surrounding 

Exchange Square Plaza.

We continue to look for attractive high-quality 

commercial projects throughout Asia which will offer 

development profits as well as long-term investments  

to be held for rental yield and capital appreciation.   

Retail space in the Central portfolio now totals  

In general, our performance in these markets depends  

54,000 sq. m. and our objective is to ensure that this 

on the levels of demand for and supply of commercial 

continues to be viewed as the most exclusive shopping 

space, both of which are influenced by the overall 

and dining destination in Hong Kong.  There are a wide 

economic environment.

variety of the world’s leading retail brands and a range  

of outstanding restaurants which have collectively been 

Residential Developments

awarded a total of nine Michelin stars.  These support  

Based on the Group’s experience and strong brand 

the premium positioning and convenience of the office 

throughout East Asia, we have established a strong and 

space, which helps attract and retain the best tenants.

profitable residential trading business focusing primarily 

Commercial Property Investments in Asia

this activity is significantly lower than our commercial 

The Group has an extensive and growing commercial 

business, the residential projects enhance the Group’s 

property portfolio outside Hong Kong, where it has built 

overall profits and returns on capital.

on the premium market.  While the capital invested in  

on its tenant relationships, reputation for quality and 

strong financial position to expand profitably across the 

region.  The principal focus to date has been in Singapore 

where the Group now has an attributable interest in 

166,000 sq. m. of commercial space (including its  

share of properties held through joint ventures).   

This is principally premium Grade A office space  

in the Marina Bay area of the Central Business District.

Annual returns from residential developments fluctuate 

due to the nature of the projects and the accounting 

policy of only recognising profits on sold units at 

completion.  Demand is also dependent on overall 

economic conditions, which can be significantly affected 

by government policies.  Ongoing land acquisitions  

are necessary to continue to build this income stream 

over the longer term.

6  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

7

Review of Commercial Property

Hong Kong

Leasing activity in the office market remained relatively 

soft in 2013 as demand from the key financial services 

sector was subdued.  Market rents for Grade A office 

space were broadly stable, although the Group’s rental 

reversions were on the whole positive.  While demand  

is hard to forecast in the current uncertain environment,  

the very limited new supply of office space should 

continue to provide support to the market.  Financial 

institutions, law firms and accounting firms account  

for some 75% of total leasable area.  The average rent in 

2013 was HK$99 per sq. ft, the highest Hongkong Land 

has achieved, compared with HK$90 per sq. ft in 2012.  

Vacancy at the end of 2013 was 5.0% compared  

with 3.4% at the end of 2012.  The vacancy across  

the entire Grade A Central market was 4.6% as  

at 31st December 2013.

Demand for retail space in Hong Kong remains robust 

and, as with the office market, there is very limited new 

supply of high quality developments.  Consequently,  

the average retail rent increased by some 18% to  

HK$201 per sq. ft from the 2012 average of HK$171  

per sq. ft.  The portfolio at the end of 2013 remained  

The value of the combined Hong Kong portfolio at  

31st December 2013, based on independent valuations, 

was US$22.1 billion, in line with a year earlier.

Singapore

Leasing activity in Singapore was also relatively subdued 

as demand from financial institutions remained low,  

but our portfolio continued to perform well.  Financial 

institutions, law firms and accounting firms account  

for some 85% of total leasable area, although there is 

increasing demand from other sectors including natural 

resource companies.  The office portfolio was fully leased 

with the exception of Tower 3 of Marina Bay Financial 

Centre, which was 94% let compared with 78% at  

the end of 2012.  The average rent across the office 

portfolio in 2013 was S$9.1 per sq. ft compared with 

S$8.7 per sq. ft in the previous year.

Vacancy across the Group’s Singapore portfolio at the 

end of 2013 was 1.7% compared with 5.6% at the end of 

2012.  The vacancy across the entire Grade A CBD 

market was 6.5% as at 31st December 2013.

Other Commercial Property Investments

A luxury retail centre of some 50,000 sq. m. at 

Wangfujing, a pedestrianised area in close proximity  

to the Forbidden City, is being developed into the city’s 

most prestigious shopping and dining destination.   

In addition, it will include an exclusive 75-room Mandarin 

Oriental hotel.  The Group also has a 30% interest in  

fully occupied.

Central portfolio
at 31st December 2013

Capital value (US$m)

Gross revenue (US$m)

Equivalent yield (%)

– One and Two Exchange Square

4.00

– The Landmark Atrium

Average unexpired term  

  of leases (years)

Area subject to renewal/review  

in 2014 (%)

* including hotel

Office

Retail

a site in the CBD Core Area of Beijing’s Chaoyang District, 

17,343

4,784*

650

232*

which will be developed as a prime Grade A office 

building of some 120,000 sq. m.

The Group’s 47%-owned joint venture project in Macau, 

One Central, continued to benefit from fast growing  

4.50

retail sales, which increased its contribution to the Group.  

With its 20,000 sq. m. of luxury retail space, One Central 

3.6

2.4

28

21

is regarded as the leading destination for luxury retail 

shopping in Macau.  Occupancy at the end of 2013  

was stable at 95%.  In 2013, revenues increased by 

approximately 35%.  Mandarin Oriental, Macau, the 

213-room hotel which is seamlessly connected to the 

retail areas of One Central, continues to consolidate its 

position as one of the market’s most exclusive hotels.

8  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

9

Chief Executive’s Review 
In Jakarta, construction is soon to commence on  

In mainland China, the Group’s attributable interest  

a fifth tower at the Group’s 50%-owned joint venture, 

in contracted sales across our six development  

Jakarta Land.  While market rents remain relatively low by 

projects was US$632 million in 2013, compared with 

international standards, they have increased significantly 

US$429 million in the prior year.  This satisfactory 

over the past three years.  At 31st December 2013, 

performance reflects the increasing scale of our 

occupancy across the portfolio was 94%, consistent  

residential business on the mainland.

with the previous year.  The average rent in 2013 was 

US$21.6 per sq. m., compared with US$20.6 per sq. m.  

Hong Kong

in 2012.

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, construction has commenced 

on a prime retail and office development in the heart of 

the city.  This is scheduled for completion in 2017.

Seven units were handed over to buyers at the Group’s 

97-unit Serenade project, compared with 20 units in 

2012.  At the end of the year, there were 14 units 

remaining for sale of which eight were recently sold.

The Group’s other commercial investment properties  

Macau

in Hanoi, Bangkok and Bermuda continued to  

In Macau, eight units were handed over to buyers at  

perform satisfactorily.

Review of Residential Property

Results from the Group’s residential property activities 

were strong, principally due to three project completions 

in Singapore which had largely been pre-sold.

the Group’s One Central joint venture development 

compared to 12 units in 2012.  There were just two units 

remaining for sale at the end of the year, which have 

since been sold, giving a total of five units scheduled  

for handover in 2014.

Singapore

While 2013 was also a relatively quieter year for sales 

In 2013, there were three project completions.  These 

activity in Singapore, MCL Land launched its 738-unit  

developments included MCL Land’s The Estuary with  

J Gateway development in the first half of the year,  

608 units and Este Villa with 121 freehold townhouses, 

which was 100% sold within a few days.  Sales were 

both of which were 100% pre-sold.  In addition, the 

slower, however, at two other projects targeted at  

221-unit Marina Bay Suites development, which was  

the premium sector.

90% pre-sold, was completed in the first half of the year.  

This is one-third owned by Hongkong Land and is the 

final residential component of the MBFC complex.

10.84

10.85

11.18

11.64

12.70

8.52

6.33

4.83

4.04

3.78

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Central portfolio average office effective rent (US$/sq. ft per month)

8  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013

9

In 2014, two projects that are substantially pre-sold  

share of the land cost was US$330 million.  This 

are scheduled for completion, Uber 388 with 95 units  

residential-led project, which also includes office  

and Terrasse with 414 units.  At the end of 2013, these 

and retail components, will yield over one million sq. m.  

projects had been 94% and 100% pre-sold, respectively.  

of developable area on a 100% basis.

Also scheduled for completion in 2014 are Palms@Sixth 

Avenue and Hallmark Residences.  Palms@Sixth Avenue, 

an exclusive 32-unit landed housing development,  

has now been 19% pre-sold.  At Hallmark Residences,  

a 75-unit luxury condominium development, a full market 

launch is planned for the first half of 2014.  To date,  

some 41% of units have been pre-sold.  Sales are 

expected to remain slow as the premium sector of  

the market has been the most affected by government 

cooling measures.

Bamboo Grove, the Group’s 50%-owned joint venture 

with Longfor Properties, is a 79 hectare site in Chongqing.  

A total of 1,581 units were completed and handed  

over to buyers in 2013 compared to recognised sales  

of 1,289 units in 2012.  In 2014, 1,123 units are expected 

to be completed.  Of the 675 units launched for sale so 

far, 83% have been pre-sold.  When completed, Bamboo 

Grove will comprise some 1.5 million sq. m. of mainly 

residential space, of which roughly 930,000 sq. m. has 

already been developed and sold while 230,000 sq. m.  

In 2015, the 100% pre-sold Ripple Bay project comprising 

is under construction.

679 units will be completed.  J Gateway, a 738-unit 

condominium project in Jurong, which is 100% pre-sold, 

will complete in 2016.  Meanwhile, construction has 

commenced on our second project in Jurong, which  

will be launched for sale in 2014 and is scheduled for 

completion in 2017.

Landmark Riverside is a 50%-owned joint venture with 

China Merchants Property Development which owns  

a 34 hectare site at Dan Zishi in Chongqing.  325 units 

were handed over to buyers in 2013 and a further  

940 units are expected to be completed in 2014.   

All have been pre-launched and 81% were pre-sold  

In February 2014, MCL Land recently bid successfully for 

at year end.  Upon full completion, the project will  

two sites at Choa Chu Kang Grove, with a combined land 

consist of approximately 1.5 million sq. m. of residential 

cost of approximately US$350 million.

development and some prime retail space, of which 

Mainland China

The Group’s residential business was active in four cities 

across mainland China.  These are long-term projects  

of different product types that are being developed  

in phases over time.  Notwithstanding the various 

government measures to dampen the residential 

property market introduced over the past few years,  

sales at our various projects have been resilient as they 

are principally targeted at end users.  In the longer term, 

we believe that these projects are well positioned to  

meet market demand and should produce strong and 

stable earnings for the Group.

approximately 60,000 sq. m. has been developed and 

sold and 120,000 sq. m. is under construction.

Yorkville South is a wholly-owned 39 hectare 

development at Zhaomushan, near the core of the 

Two-River New Area of Chongqing.  In 2013, the Group 

handed over 292 of the 324 townhouses in Phase 1.  

Phase 2, consisting of 1,658 units is expected to be 

completed in 2014.  Of the 788 units launched for  

sale, 93% have been pre-sold.  The site, almost entirely  

for residential development with a small portion  

of retail, will consist of a total developable area of 

approximately 880,000 sq. m., of which 70,000 sq. m. 

has been completed and sold and 210,000 sq. m.  

Chongqing, the largest city in western China, is where  

is under construction.

the Group’s most significant residential developments  

are located.  These consist of four existing projects, 

Bamboo Grove, Landmark Riverside, Yorkville South  

and the adjacent Yorkville North.  In addition, the Group 

recently acquired a 40 hectare site, adjacent to 

Chongqing’s Central Park, in joint venture with China 

Merchants Property Development.  Hongkong Land’s 

Yorkville North, a wholly-owned 52 hectare site, acquired 

in late 2011, was the Group’s fourth project in the city.   

In 2014, 1,154 units are expected to be completed.   

344 units have been launched in pre-sales, of which  

92% has been sold.  The project is a premium residential 

development with some commercial components.   

10  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 11

Chief Executive’s ReviewOf the total gross floor area of one million sq. m., 

In the Philippines, the Group began construction of  

approximately 210,000 sq. m. is currently under 

a luxury 182-unit condominium tower in Manila’s central 

construction with the remainder yet to be developed.

Makati area.  Hongkong Land has a 40% interest in  

In Chengdu, construction and pre-sales are well 

underway at the 19 hectare site owned in a 50% joint 

venture with KWG Property Holding Group.  Phase 1  

is comprised of 1,400 high-rise apartments.  Of these, 

some 400 units are scheduled for completion in 2014, 

97% of which have been pre-sold.  The completion of  

the remaining units of Phase 1 is scheduled for 2015.   

the project, having developed the first residential tower 

on the site over ten years ago.  In addition, the Group 

took a 40% interest in a 20 hectare site in a prime position 

in Cebu.  This is being planned principally as a residential 

project but will also include a commercial component.

Outlook

The project is a mixed-use residential and commercial 

The performance from our commercial properties is 

development with a developable area of approximately 

expected to remain steady in the current year.  In the 

900,000 sq. m., of which some 230,000 sq. m. is 

residential sector however, our Singapore residential 

currently under construction.

business will make a significantly lower contribution, 

In Shenyang, construction continues at two of our 

50%-owned residential projects in the city, which are 

located to the north and south of the Central Business 

District.  In 2014, 750 units are expected to be 

completed, of which 224 units have been launched to 

date with some 77% already pre-sold.  The projects have 

although this will be partly offset by our mainland China 

residential business which is well positioned to deliver 

higher profits.  While the scale of these profits will be 

affected by selling conditions, our mainland China 

business is well placed to provide higher recurring 

revenue over the coming years.

a combined developable area of two million sq. m., of 

The Group remains well positioned with a strong financial 

which some 160,000 sq. m. has been developed and a 

standing and a deep presence in key markets across both 

further 100,000 sq. m. is under construction.

the commercial and residential sectors.

In Beijing, at the Group’s 90%-owned Maple Place project, 

We will remain focused on providing outstanding service 

17 additional units were handed over to buyers in 2013.   

to our office and retail tenants and on ensuring a premium 

A further 76 units consisting of villas, townhouses and 

product for our residential buyers.  These are the values 

apartments are available for future sale and are mostly 

on which the Group is built, and they ensure that our 

leased at present.  At Central Park, our 40%-owned  

long-term competitive position remains strong throughout 

joint venture with the Vantone Group continues  

market cycles and changing economic conditions.

Y.K. Pang
Chief Executive
6th March 2014

to hold 72 apartments which are being operated  

as serviced apartments.

Other Residential Developments

In Indonesia, progress is well underway at our two 

residential projects acquired in 2013.  Construction  

has commenced at the 49%-owned ‘Nava Park’ 

residential joint venture with PT Bumi Serpong Damai 

southwest of Central Jakarta.  This project will consist  

of a mix of residential towers and individual terraces  

and villas, in a well-designed neighbourhood setting.   

The 40%-owned Anandamaya Residences, a residential 

development in Central Jakarta with affiliate, Astra 

International, will consist of some 500 luxury apartments.  

Pre-sales are targeted to begin in the second half  

of the year.

10  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 11

Financial Review

Accounting Policies

The Directors continue to review the appropriateness  

of the accounting policies adopted by the Group with 

regard to developments in International Financial 

Reporting Standards.  The accounting policies are 

consistent with those of the previous year, except for  

the adoption of IAS19 (amended 2011) ‘Employee 

The contribution from the Group’s commercial property 

investments in Singapore increased by 25% compared  

to the prior year.  This was because the Group benefited 

from higher average rents and a full year of income  

from its one-third interest in the third tower of Marina Bay 

Financial Centre, which was completed in the first half  

of 2012.

Benefits’.  The Group has applied the amended standard 

The contribution from Residential Property was  

retrospectively and the comparative financial statements 

US$413 million, a 37% increase from 2012.   

have been restated.  Full details are set out in the ‘basis  

In Singapore, three projects were completed  

of preparation’ note in the financial statements.

during the year.  The Group’s wholly-owned residential 

Results

Underlying Profit

The Group’s underlying profit attributable to shareholders 

in 2013 was US$935 million (or US¢39.73 on an earnings 

per share basis).  This result can be analysed between the 

contribution from Commercial Property, the contribution 

from Residential Property and unallocated expenses, 

which include corporate costs, net financing charges  

and tax.  Each of these items includes the Group’s share 

of results from its joint ventures.

2013
US$m

2012
US$m
restated

914

413

(387)

(5)

820

301

(340)

(5)

Commercial Property

Residential Property

Corporate costs, net financing  

  charges and tax

Non-controlling interests

Underlying profit attributable  

developer, MCL Land, completed two projects,  

Este Villa (121 freehold townhouses) and The Estuary  

(608 apartments), both of which were fully pre-sold  

prior to completion.  Profits were also recognised  

at the Group’s one-third owned Marina Bay Suites,  

the final residential component of Marina Bay  

Financial Centre.  In addition, the Group benefited  

from a US$13 million reversal of writedowns previously  

made in respect of the carrying value of sites acquired  

by MCL Land prior to 2013.  In 2012, there was  

a US$8 million reversal of writedowns.  The Group 

continues to carry writedowns of approximately  

US$84 million which were originally made in 2008.

In Hong Kong, profits were also derived from the sale  

of seven apartments which were handed over to buyers 

at the 97-unit Serenade development.  In Macau,  

the Group benefited from its share of the profit from 

eight units which were handed over to buyers at  

the residential component of One Central, Macau.   

In mainland China, profits were principally generated 

from sales at 90%-owned Maple Place in Beijing  

to shareholders

935

776

(17 units); and at 100%-owned Yorkville South (292 units), 

at 50%-owned Bamboo Grove (1,581 units) and  

at 50%-owned Landmark Riverside (325 units)  

US¢

US¢

in Chongqing.

Underlying earnings per share

39.73

33.11

In 2012, the contribution from Residential Property of 

In 2013, the contribution from Commercial Property 

increased by 11% to US$914 million.  Rental revenues 

from the Group’s Hong Kong portfolio increased by 8% 

as the average rent per square foot for both the office 

and retail space rose due to positive rental reversions.

US$301 million arose from the completion of MCL Land’s 

D’Mira (65 units) and the 50%-owned joint venture Parvis 

(248 units) developments in Singapore which had been 

100% pre-sold, the sale of 20 apartments at the Serenade 

in Hong Kong and 12 units at One Central in Macau  

as well as ongoing sales at Bamboo Grove (1,289 units) 

and Maple Place (13 units) in mainland China.

12  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 13

 
Net financing charges in 2013, including the Group’s 

Non-Trading Gains

share of net financing charges within joint ventures, 

In 2013, the Group had non-trading gains of  

increased to US$103 million from US$96 million in 2012.  

US$255 million compared with US$662 million in 2012.  

The average interest rate on Group borrowings remained 

These arose on revaluations of the Group’s investment 

flat at 2.7%.  The average interest rate on Group deposits 

properties, including its share of joint ventures,  

increased to 1.0% in 2013 from 0.8% in 2012.

which were performed at 31st December 2013  

The Group’s underlying tax charge, including the Group’s 

by independent valuers.

share of joint ventures, increased to US$224 million from 

The increase in valuations was principally due to 

US$183 million in 2012 giving an effective tax rate of 

revaluation gains in Singapore, Macau and Jakarta.   

18.3% including the impact of Land Appreciation Tax  

The value of the Group’s Central portfolio in Hong Kong 

at the Group’s residential projects in mainland China.   

remained at US$22.1 billion with capitalisation rates 

The effective tax rate in 2012 was also 18.3%.

unchanged from those used as at 31st December 2012.

Cash Flows

The Group’s consolidated cash flows are summarised as follows:

2013
US$m

2012
US$m 
restated

Operating activities

Operating profit, excluding non-trading items

Net interest and tax paid

Payments for residential sites

Development expenditure on residential projects

Proceeds from residential sales

Dividends received from joint ventures

Other

Investing activities

Major renovations capex

Funding of joint ventures

Loan repayments from joint ventures 

Development expenditure

Other

Financing activities

Dividends paid by the Company

Net drawdown of borrowings

Other

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1st January

917

(216)

(367)

(303)

918

151

(192)

908

(40)

(422)

104

(134)

114

(378)

(397)

287

1

(109)

421

981

Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December

1,402

799

(182)

(791)

(205)

584

140

(46)

299

(48)

(237)

58

(515)

(104)

(846)

(374)

914

21

561

14

967

981

12  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 13

Cash flows from operating activities in 2013 were 

in the 49%-owned Nava Park residential project in 

US$908 million, compared with US$299 million in 2012.  

Indonesia.  Also, under investing activities in 2013,  

The Group’s operating profit from its subsidiaries 

the Group received US$104 million of loan repayments 

(excluding non-trading items) was US$917 million, 

from joint ventures.  This compared to total repayments 

US$118 million higher than in 2012.  This was largely  

of US$58 million in 2012.  Development expenditure  

due to higher residential profits in the Group’s 

in both years was principally for the Wangfujing project  

subsidiaries.  In 2012, one of MCL Land’s two completed 

in Beijing, which is being developed as a prestigious  

projects was undertaken through a 50% joint venture.  

retail centre with a small luxury hotel.  This was 

Net interest paid of US$77 million was US$43 million 

significantly higher in 2012 due to site acquisition  

higher than in 2012 while tax paid of US$139 million  

costs of US$498 million.

was US$9 million lower than in the prior year principally 

as a result of timing differences.  In 2013, there were 

US$367 million in payments for the Jurong West 

residential site in Singapore.  In 2012, US$791 million  

was paid for two residential sites, J Gateway in Singapore 

and Yorkville North in Chongqing.  In 2013, development 

expenditure on residential projects increased to  

Under financing activities, the Company paid  

dividends of US$397 million, being the 2012 final 

dividend of US¢11.00 per share and the 2013 interim 

dividend of US¢6.00 per share.  Also, the Group had  

a net drawdown of borrowings of US$287 million to 

finance its capital expenditure.

US$303 million from US$205 million in 2012, but this  

The Group’s year end cash and cash equivalents totalled 

was more than offset by higher residential sales proceeds 

US$1.4 billion, compared with US$1.0 billion in 2012.   

of US$918 million in 2013 compared to US$584 million  

At 31st December 2013, the Group’s net debt was 

in 2012.  Dividends received from joint ventures in 2013 

US$3.0 billion, down from US$3.3 billion at the beginning 

of US$151 million were US$11 million higher than 2012.

of the year.

Under investing activities in 2013, the Group had  

outlays of US$378 million, down from US$846 million  

Dividends

in 2012.  Capital expenditure of US$40 million related  

The Board is recommending an increased final dividend 

to major renovations, principally in respect of the Central 

of US¢12.00 per share for 2013 that will increase  

Hong Kong portfolio.  Funding of the Group’s joint 

the total annual dividend to US¢18.00 per share,  

venture projects totalled US$422 million.  This included 

an increase of 6% over 2012.  The final dividend will be 

investments of approximately US$150 million in  

payable on 14th May 2014, subject to approval at the 

the 50%-owned Central Park residential project in 

Annual General Meeting to be held on 7th May 2014,  

Chongqing, US$149 million in the 30%-owned CBD 

to shareholders on the register of members at the close 

commercial project in Beijing and US$90 million  

of business on 21st March 2014.  No scrip alternative  

is being offered in respect of the dividend.

14  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 15

Financial ReviewTreasury Policy

Year-end debt summary*

The Group manages its treasury activities within 

established risk management objectives and policies 

using a variety of techniques and instruments.  The main 

objectives are to manage exchange, interest rate and 

liquidity risks and to provide a degree of certainty in 

respect of costs.  The investment of the Group’s cash 

balances is managed so as to minimise risk while seeking 

to enhance yield.

The Group’s Treasury operations are managed as cost 

centres and are not permitted to undertake speculative 

transactions unrelated to underlying financial exposures. 

Appropriate credit guidelines are in place to manage 

counterparty credit risk.

When economically sensible to do so, borrowings are 

taken in local currencies to hedge foreign currency 

exposures on investments.  A portion of borrowings  

is denominated in fixed rates.  Adequate headroom in 

committed facilities is maintained to facilitate the Group’s 

capacity to pursue new investment opportunities and to 

provide some protection against market uncertainties.

Funding

The Group is well financed with strong liquidity.   

2013
US$m

2012
US$m

1,586

1,186

574

457

628

4,431

1,406

1,643

929

543

475

665

4,255

982

3,025

3,273

US$ bonds/notes

HK$ bonds/notes

HK$ bank loans

S$ bonds/notes

S$ bank loans

Gross debt

Cash

Net debt

* Before currency swaps

16%

12%

10%

13%

11%

Net gearing was 11% at 31st December 2013, down from 

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

13% at 31st December 2012.  Interest cover, calculated 

Net debt

Equity

as the underlying operating profits, including the Group’s 

share of joint ventures’ operating profits, divided by net 

financing charges including the Group’s share of joint 

ventures’ net financing charges, was strong at 12.3 times, 

compared with 11.0 times in 2012.

Net debt as a percentage of equity

14  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 15

Both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s have maintained 

their credit ratings of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited  

at A3 and A- respectively.

During the year, the Group raised bilateral facilities  

of US$1.1 billion with a number of banks.  This was 

principally used to refinance both the outstanding 

balance of facilities expiring in 2013 and a portion of 

facilities due in 2014.  A project loan of US$285 million 

was also raised for MCL Land’s Jurong West project 

during the year.  Under its Medium Term Note 

Programme, the Group raised US$261 million during 

2013.  In January 2014, an additional US$449 million  

was raised.

The average tenor of the Group’s debt was 6.7 years  

at 31st December 2013, compared with 6.9 years at  

Interest
rate

Currency

Maturity

53% Fixed

47% Floating

72% HK$

28% S$

54% >5 years
23% 2-5 years

7% 1-2 years

16% <1 year

the end of 2012.  Approximately 47% of the Group’s 

Debt profile at 31st December 2013

borrowings were at floating rates and the remaining 53% 

were either fixed rate borrowings or covered by interest 

rate hedges with major credit worthy financial institutions.

At 31st December 2013, the Group had total committed 

lines of approximately US$7.1 billion.  Of these lines,  

54% were sourced from banks with the remaining  

46% from the capital markets.  At the end of 2013,  

the Group had drawn US$4.4 billion of these lines  

leaving US$2.7 billion of committed, but unused, 

facilities.  Adding the Group’s year-end cash balances,  

the Group had overall liquidity at 31st December 2013  

of US$4.1 billion, an increase from US$3.4 billion at  

the end of 2012.  The increase in liquidity was largely  

due to higher operating cash flows, principally from  

the Group’s residential activities, and increased 

committed lines, which were raised in anticipation  

of facilities expiring in 2014.

3,815

1,251

865

814

379

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018
& beyond

Committed facility maturity  
at 31st December 2013 (US$m)

16  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 17

Financial ReviewGross Assets

The Group’s gross assets, including its share of joint 

ventures, (excluding cash balances) is analysed below,  

89% Commercial

11% Residential

by activity and by location.

89% Commercial

11% Residential

73% Hong Kong

16% Southeast Asia

11% Mainland China and Macau

By activity

By location

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

A review of the principal risks and uncertainties facing  

the Group is set out on page 74.

John R. Witt
73% Hong Kong
Chief Financial Officer
16% Southeast Asia
6th March 2014

11% Mainland China and Macau

16  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 17

Directors’ Profiles

Ben Keswick* Chairman and Managing Director
Mr Ben Keswick joined the Board as Managing Director  

Mark Greenberg
Mr Greenberg joined the Board in 2006.  He is group 

in 2012 and became Chairman in May 2013.  He has held 

strategy director of Jardine Matheson.  He had previously 

a number of executive positions since joining the Jardine 

spent 16 years in investment banking with Dresdner 

Matheson group in 1998, including finance director and 

Kleinwort Wasserstein in London.  He is also a director of 

then chief executive officer of Jardine Pacific between 

Jardine Matheson Limited, Dairy Farm, Jardine Cycle & 

2003 and 2007 and, thereafter, group managing director 

Carriage and Mandarin Oriental, and a commissioner of 

of Jardine Cycle & Carriage until 2012.  He has an MBA 

Astra and Bank Permata.

from INSEAD.  Mr Keswick is chairman of Jardine 

Matheson Limited and Jardine Cycle & Carriage and  

a commissioner of Astra.  He is also chairman and 

managing director of Dairy Farm and Mandarin Oriental, 

managing director of Jardine Matheson and Jardine 

Strategic, and a director of Jardine Pacific and  

Jardine Motors.

Y.K. Pang* Chief Executive
Mr Pang joined the Board and was appointed Chief 

Executive of the Group in 2007.  He previously held  

a number of senior executive positions in the Jardine 

Matheson group, which he joined in 1984.  He is a 

director of Jardine Matheson Limited, Jardine Matheson 

and Jardine Matheson (China) Limited.  He is also 

chairman of the Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong  

and deputy chairman of the Hong Kong General 

Chamber of Commerce.

John R. Witt* Chief Financial Officer
Mr Witt joined the Board as Chief Financial Officer in 

2010.  He is a Chartered Accountant and has an MBA 

from INSEAD.  He has been with the Jardine Matheson 

group since 1993 during which time he has held  

a number of senior finance positions.  Most recently,  
he was the chief financial officer of Mandarin Oriental.

Charles Allen-Jones
Mr Allen-Jones joined the Board in 2001.  He was formerly 

senior partner of Linklaters, where he had been a partner 

for 33 years until 2001.  Mr Allen-Jones is a non-executive 

director of Jardine Strategic and Caledonia Investments 

and vice chairman of the Council of the Royal College  

of Art.

Jenkin Hui
Mr Hui joined the Board in 1994 and is a director of 

Jardine Matheson, Jardine Strategic, Central Development 

and a number of property and investment companies.

Adam Keswick
Mr Adam Keswick joined the Board in 2012.  He is deputy 

managing director of Jardine Matheson, chairman of 

Jardine Pacific, and chairman and chief executive of 

Jardine Motors.  He has held a number of executive 

positions since joining the Jardine Matheson group from 

N M Rothschild & Sons in 2001, including group strategy 

director and, thereafter, group managing director of 

Jardine Cycle & Carriage between 2003 and 2007.   

Mr Keswick is also deputy chairman of Jardine Matheson 

Limited, and a director of Dairy Farm, Jardine Strategic, 

Mandarin Oriental and Zhongsheng Group Holdings.

Sir Henry Keswick
Sir Henry first served on the Board of the Group’s holding 

company between 1970 and 1975 and was re-appointed 

a Director in 1988.  He is chairman of Jardine Matheson, 

having first joined the group in 1961, and is also chairman 

of Jardine Strategic.  He is a director of Dairy Farm and 

Mandarin Oriental.  He is also vice chairman of the Hong 

Kong Association.

Simon Keswick
Mr Simon Keswick has been a Director of the Group’s 

holding company since 1983.  He was Chairman of  

the Company from 1983 to 1988 and from 1989 to  

May 2013.  He joined the Jardine Matheson group in 

1962 and is a director of Dairy Farm, Jardine Matheson, 
Jardine Strategic and Mandarin Oriental.

* Executive Director

18  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 19

Lord Leach of Fairford
Lord Leach has been a Director of the Group’s holding 

Lord Sassoon, Kt
Lord Sassoon joined the Board in January 2013.  He 

company since 1985.  He is deputy chairman of Jardine 

began his career at KPMG, before joining SG Warburg 

Lloyd Thompson, and a director of Dairy Farm, Jardine 

(later UBS Warburg) in 1985.  From 2002 to 2006 he was 

Matheson, Jardine Strategic and Mandarin Oriental.   

in the United Kingdom Treasury as a civil servant, where  

He is also a member of the supervisory board of Paris 

he had responsibility for financial services and enterprise 

Orléans.  He joined the Jardine Matheson group in 1983 

policy.  Following this, he chaired the Financial Action 

after a career in banking and merchant banking.

Task Force; and conducted a review of the UK’s system  

Dr Richard Lee
Dr Lee joined the Board in 2003.  Dr Lee’s principal 

business interests are in the manufacturing of textiles  

and apparel in Southeast Asia, and he is the honorary 

chairman of TAL Apparel.  He is also a director of Jardine 

Matheson and Mandarin Oriental.

Anthony Nightingale
Mr Nightingale joined the Board in 2006 and was 

Managing Director of the Company from 2006 to 2012.  

He is also a director of Dairy Farm, Jardine Cycle & 

Carriage, Jardine Matheson, Jardine Strategic, Mandarin 

Oriental, China Xintiandi, Prudential and Schindler, and  

a commissioner of Astra.  Mr Nightingale also acts as  

an adviser for certain companies outside the Group and 

holds a number of senior public appointments, including 

acting as a non-official member of the Commission on 

Strategic Development, a Hong Kong representative to 

of financial regulation.  From 2010 to 2013 Lord Sassoon 

was the first Commercial Secretary to the Treasury  

and acted as the Government’s Front Bench Treasury 

spokesman in the House of Lords.  He is a director of 

Dairy Farm, Jardine Matheson and Mandarin Oriental.   

He is also chairman of the China-Britain Business Council.

James Watkins
Mr Watkins joined the Board in 2009.  He was a director 

and group general counsel of Jardine Matheson from 

1997 to 2003.  Mr Watkins qualified as a solicitor in 1969 

and was formerly a partner of Linklaters.  He is also  

a director of Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing 

Corporation, Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings, 

Global Sources, IL&FS India Realty Fund II, Jardine Cycle 

& Carriage and Mandarin Oriental.

Percy Weatherall
Mr Weatherall joined the Board in 1994 and was 

the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business 

Managing Director from 2000 to 2006.  He first joined  

Advisory Council and a member of the UK ASEAN 

the Jardine Matheson group in 1976 and retired from 

Business Council Advisory Panel.  He is an Honorary 

executive office in 2006.  He is also a director of Dairy 

Professor of the School of Business of the Hong Kong 

Farm, Jardine Matheson, Jardine Strategic and Mandarin 

Baptist University.

Oriental.  He is chairman of Corney & Barrow and  

the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board.

Lord Powell of Bayswater, KCMG
Lord Powell rejoined the Board in 2008, having first 

served as a Director between 1992 and 2000.  He was 

Michael Wei Kuo Wu
Mr Wu joined the Board in 2012.  He is chairman and 

previously Private Secretary and adviser on foreign affairs 

managing director of Maxim’s Caterers in Hong Kong.   

and defence to British Prime Ministers, Baroness Thatcher 

He is also a non-executive director of Hang Seng Bank,  

and Rt Hon John Major.  He is a director of LVMH Moët 

a council member of the Hong Kong University of 

Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Matheson & Co, Mandarin 

Science and Technology and a member of the court  

Oriental and Textron Corporation.  He is co-chairman  

of the University of Hong Kong.

of the UK Government’s Asia Task Force and a British 

Business Ambassador.  He was previously president of 

the China-Britain Business Council and chairman of the 

Singapore-British Business Council. He is an independent 

member of the House of Lords.

18  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 19

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

for the year ended 31st December 2013

Underlying 
business 
performance

Note

US$m

2013

Non-
trading 
items

US$m

Total

US$m

Underlying 
business 
performance

US$m
restated

2012

Non-
trading 
items

US$m

–

–

–

306.4

1.6

Total

US$m
restated

1,114.8

(315.4)

799.4

306.4

1.6

1,857.1

(940.5)

916.6

–

–

–

–

–

(81.9)

–

1,857.1

(940.5)

1,114.8

(315.4)

916.6

(81.9)

–

799.4

–

–

916.6

(81.9)

834.7

799.4

308.0

1,107.4

(106.2)

42.2

(64.0)

–

–

–

(106.2)

42.2

(64.0)

(98.8)

37.9

(60.9)

–

–

–

(98.8)

37.9

(60.9)

Revenue

Net operating costs

Change in fair value of investment properties

Asset disposals

Operating profit

Net financing charges

  – financing charges

  – financing income

Share of results of associates and joint ventures

  – before change in fair value of  

investment properties

5

6

11

11

7

8

  – change in fair value of investment properties

11

–

351.4

235.2

(0.1)

235.1

351.4

165.8

(0.1)

–

360.8

165.7

360.8

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit after tax

Attributable to:

235.2

351.3

586.5

165.8

360.7

526.5

1,087.8

269.4

1,357.2

9

(149.0)

(8.1)

(157.1)

904.3

(124.3)

668.7

1,573.0

0.6

(123.7)

938.8

261.3

1,200.1

780.0

669.3

1,449.3

Shareholders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

934.8

4.0

254.8

1,189.6

6.5

10.5

776.2

3.8

661.5

1,437.7

7.8

11.6

938.8

261.3

1,200.1

780.0

669.3

1,449.3

Earnings per share

10

39.73

50.56

33.11

US¢

US¢

US¢

US¢

61.32

20  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 21

 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the year ended 31st December 2013

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive (expense)/income

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans

Tax on items that will not be reclassified

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Net exchange translation differences

Revaluation of other investments

Cash flow hedges

  – net gain arising during the year

  – transfer to profit and loss

Tax relating to items that may be reclassified

Share of other comprehensive (expense)/income of associates  

  and joint ventures

Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year, net of tax

Note

2013

US$m

2012

US$m
restated

1,200.1

1,449.3

9

9

3.4

(0.6)

2.8

(10.9)

(23.0)

3.9

1.4

5.3

(0.6)

(51.9)

(81.1)

(78.3)

(0.2)

0.1

(0.1)

146.1

33.9

7.6

4.0

11.6

(2.2)

97.1

286.5

286.4

Total comprehensive income for the year

1,121.8

1,735.7

Attributable to:

Shareholders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

1,109.3

12.5

1,723.7

12.0

1,121.8

1,735.7

20  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 21

Note

12

13

14

17

15

16

17

18

19

20

20

15

19

21

At 31st December 

At 1st January 

2013

US$m

7.4

11.8

23,583.0

4,930.4

57.5

25.2

5.5

8.0

2012

US$m
restated

–

5.6

23,493.7

4,270.4

82.6

68.4

5.2

5.5

2012

US$m
restated

–

5.3

22,529.9

3,551.8

48.6

72.0

5.5

6.4

28,628.8

27,931.4

26,219.5

2,670.2

273.7

16.9

1,406.3

2,513.4

1,521.2

351.0

7.1

982.1

313.5

1.5

967.9

4,367.1

3,853.6

2,804.1

(1,408.9)

(712.1)

(71.3)

(1,142.6)

(364.5)

(59.8)

(746.3)

(58.0)

(82.5)

(2,192.3)

(1,566.9)

(886.8)

2,174.8

(3,719.4)

(83.1)

(102.0)

2,286.7

(3,891.0)

(66.4)

(76.3)

1,917.3

(3,269.2)

(59.4)

(44.4)

26,899.1

26,184.4

24,763.8

235.3

26,621.7

26,857.0

42.1

235.3

25,912.4

26,147.7

36.7

233.8

24,504.7

24,738.5

25.3

26,899.1

26,184.4

24,763.8

Consolidated Balance Sheet

at 31st December 2013

Net operating assets
Leasehold land

Tangible fixed assets

Investment properties

Associates and joint ventures

Other investments

Non-current debtors

Deferred tax assets

Pension assets

Non-current assets

Properties for sale

Current debtors

Current tax assets

Bank balances

Current assets

Current creditors

Current borrowings

Current tax liabilities

Current liabilities

Net current assets

Long-term borrowings

Deferred tax liabilities

Non-current creditors

Total equity
Share capital

Revenue and other reserves

Shareholders’ funds

Non-controlling interests

Approved by the Board of Directors on 6th March 2014

Ben Keswick
Y.K. Pang
Directors

22  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 23

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31st December 2013

Share 
premium

Revenue 
reserves

Capital 
reserves

Hedging 
reserves

Exchange 
reserves

Attributable 
to 
shareholders  
of the  
Company

Attributable  
to non- 
controlling 
interests

US$m

US$m

US$m

US$m

US$m

US$m

US$m

Total  
equity

US$m

Share 
capital

US$m

Note

2013
At 1st January – as previously  

reported and restated

235.3

370.0

24,983.9

Total comprehensive income

Dividends paid by  

the Company

Dividends paid to  

  non-controlling  

  shareholders

22

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,169.4

(400.0)

–

At 31st December

235.3

370.0

25,753.3

–

–

–

–

–

(5.9)

5.5

564.4

26,147.7

(65.6)

1,109.3

36.7

12.5

26,184.4

1,121.8

–

–

–

–

(400.0)

–

(400.0)

–

(7.1)

(7.1)

(0.4)

498.8

26,857.0

42.1

26,899.1

2012

At 1st January – as previously  

reported and restated

233.8

315.8

23,881.1

1.5

(13.7)

320.0

24,738.5

22

Total comprehensive income

Dividends paid by  

the Company

Dividends paid to  

  non-controlling  

  shareholders

Unclaimed dividends forfeited

Issue of shares

Transfer

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.5

–

54.2

–

1,471.5

(375.1)

–

4.9

–

1.5

–

–

–

–

–

(1.5)

7.8

244.4

1,723.7

25.3

12.0

24,763.8

1,735.7

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(375.1)

–

(375.1)

–

4.9

55.7

–

(0.6)

–

–

–

(0.6)

4.9

55.7

–

At 31st December

235.3

370.0

24,983.9

–

(5.9)

564.4

26,147.7

36.7

26,184.4

Total comprehensive income included in revenue reserves comprises profit attributable to shareholders of the Company of 
US$1,189.6 million (2012: US$1,437.7 million) and a fair value loss on other investments of US$23.0 million (2012: gain of  
US$33.9 million).  The cumulative fair value gain on other investments amounted to US$19.7 million (2012: US$42.7 million).

22  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 23

 
 
 
 
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 31st December 2013

Operating activities
Operating profit

Depreciation

Reversal of writedowns on properties for sale

Change in fair value of investment properties

Asset disposals

Increase in properties for sale

(Increase)/decrease in debtors

Increase in creditors

Interest received

Interest and other financing charges paid

Tax paid

Dividends from associates and joint ventures

Cash flows from operating activities

Investing activities
Major renovations expenditure

Developments capital expenditure

Investments in and loans to associates and joint ventures

Refund/(payment) of deposit for joint ventures/other investments

Disposal of an investment property

Cash flows from investing activities

Financing activities
Drawdown of borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Contribution from non-controlling shareholders

Dividends paid by the Company

Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders

Cash flows from financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1st January

Note

6

6

23a

23b

23c

2013

US$m

834.7

2.4

(12.4)

81.9

–

(159.7)

(19.2)

245.2

39.7

(116.7)

(139.1)

151.1

907.9

(40.2)

(134.0)

(317.5)

114.1

–

(377.6)

1,136.3

(849.5)

1.1

(397.4)

(7.1)

(116.6)

7.6

421.3

981.0

Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December

23d

1,402.3

2012

US$m
restated

1,107.4

2.1

(7.5)

(306.4)

(1.6)

(907.6)

73.6

380.7

37.4

(71.7)

(147.4)

139.7

298.7

(47.8)

(515.0)

(179.0)

(112.1)

8.3

(845.6)

1,550.1

(635.9)

22.1

(374.3)

(0.6)

561.4

(0.2)

14.3

966.7

981.0

24  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 PB

1 

Principal Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, including 
International Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board.  The financial 
statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except as disclosed in the accounting policies below.

Standards, amendments and interpretations effective in 2013 which are relevant to the Group’s operations

IFRS 10 
IFRS 11 
IFRS 12 
IFRS 13 
Amendments to IFRS 7 
Amendments to IFRSs 10, 11 and 12 

Amendments to IAS 1 
IAS 19 (amended 2011) 
IAS 27 (2011) 
IAS 28 (2011) 
Annual Improvements to IFRS 

Consolidated Financial Statements
Joint Arrangements
Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities
Fair Value Measurement
Disclosures – Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
Consolidated Financial Statements, Joint Arrangements and
  Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities: Transition Guidance
Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income
Employee Benefits
Separate Financial Statements
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
2009 – 2011 Cycle

As set out on page 27, the only standard adopted that impacts the consolidated profit and loss account is IAS 19  
(amended 2011).

IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’ replaces SIC Interpretation 12 ‘Consolidation – Special Purpose Entities’ and  
most of IAS 27 ‘Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements’.  It contains a new single consolidation model that identifies 
control as the basis for consolidation for all types of entities.  It provides a definition of control that comprises the elements of 
power over an investee; exposure of rights to variable returns from an investee; and ability to use power to affect the reporting 
entity’s returns.

IFRS 11 ‘Joint Arrangements’ replaces IAS 31 ‘Interests in Joint Ventures’ and SIC 13 ‘Jointly Controlled Entities – Non Monetary 
Contributions by Venturers’.  Under IFRS 11, joint arrangements are classified as either joint operations (whereby the parties that 
have joint control have rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities of the joint arrangements) or joint ventures (whereby 
the parties that have joint control have rights to the net assets of the joint arrangements).  Joint operations are accounted for by 
showing the party’s interest in the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and/or its relative share of jointly controlled assets, 
liabilities, revenue and expenses, if any.  Accounting for joint ventures is now covered by IAS 28 (2011) as proportionate 
consolidation is no longer permitted.

IFRS 12 ‘Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities’ requires entities to disclose information that helps financial statements  
readers to evaluate the nature, risks and financial effects associated with the entity’s interests in subsidiaries, associates,  
joint arrangements and unconsolidated structured entities.  Disclosure required includes significant judgements and 
assumptions made in determining whether an entity controls, jointly controls, significantly influences or has some other  
interest in other entities.

IFRS 13 ‘Fair Value Measurement’ requires entities to disclose information about the valuation techniques and inputs used  
to measure fair value, as well as information about the uncertainty inherent in fair value measurements.  The standard applies  
to both financial and non-financial items measured at fair value.  Fair value is now defined as ‘the price that would be received  
to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date’  
(i.e. an exit price).

Amendments to IFRS 7 ‘Disclosures – Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities’ focus on disclosures of quantitative 
information about recognised financial instruments that are offset in the balance sheet, as well as those recognised financial 
instruments that are subject to master netting or similar arrangements irrespective of whether they are offset.

PB  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 25

Notes to the Financial Statements 
1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Basis of preparation continued

Amendments to IFRSs 10, 11 and 12 on transition guidance provide additional transition relief to IFRSs 10, 11 and 12, limiting 
the requirement to provide adjusted comparative information to only the preceding comparative period.  For disclosures related 
to unconsolidated structured entities, the amendments remove the requirement to present comparative information for periods 
before IFRS 12 is first applied.

Amendments to IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income’ improve the consistency and clarity of the 
presentation of items of other comprehensive income.  The amendments require entities to separate items presented in other 
comprehensive income into two groups, based on whether or not they may be reclassified to profit or loss in the future.  Items 
that will not be reclassified − such as remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans − will be presented separately from 
items that may be reclassified in the future − such as deferred gains and losses on cash flow hedges.  The amounts of tax 
related to the two groups are required to be allocated on the same basis.

IAS 19 (amended 2011) ‘Employee Benefits’ requires, for defined benefit plans, the assumed return on plan assets recognised  
in the profit and loss to be the same as the rate used to discount the defined benefit obligation.  Previously, the Group 
determined income on plan assets based on their long-term rate of expected return.  It also requires past service costs to be 
recognised immediately in profit or loss.  Additional disclosures are required to present the characteristics of defined benefit 
plans, the amount recognised in the financial statements, and the risks arising from defined benefit plans and multi-employer 
plans.  The Group has applied the amended standard retrospectively and the comparative financial statements have been 
restated in accordance with the transition provisions of the standard.  Details of the effect of the change are set out on page 27.

IAS 27 (2011) ‘Separate Financial Statements’ supersedes IAS 27 (2008) and prescribes the accounting and disclosure 
requirements for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates when an entity prepares separate financial 
statements.  There is no impact on the consolidated financial statements as the changes only affect the separate financial 
statements of the investing entity.

IAS 28 (2011) ‘Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures’ supersedes IAS 28 (2008) and prescribes the accounting for 
investments in associates and joint ventures and sets out the requirements for the application of the equity method when 
accounting for investments in associates and joint ventures.

Annual improvements to IFRS 2009 – 2011 Cycle comprise a number of non-urgent but necessary amendments to IFRSs.   
The amendments which are relevant to the Group’s operations include the following:

Amendment to IAS 1 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’ clarifies the disclosure requirements for comparative information 
when an entity provides a third balance sheet either as required by IAS 8, ‘Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates 
and errors’; or voluntarily.  When an entity produces an additional balance sheet as required by IAS 8, the balance sheet should 
be as at the date of the beginning of the preceding period – that is, the opening position.  No notes are required to support this 
balance sheet.  When management provides additional comparative information voluntarily – for example, profit and loss 
account and balance sheet – it should present the supporting notes to these additional statements.

Amendment to IAS 16 ‘Property, Plant and Equipment’ clarifies that spare parts and servicing equipment are classified as 
property, plant and equipment rather than inventory when they meet the definition of property, plant and equipment.  The 
previous wording of IAS 16 indicated that servicing equipment should be classified as inventory, even if it was used for more 
than one period.  Following the amendment, this equipment used for more than one period is classified as property, plant  
and equipment.

Amendment to IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’ clarifies that income tax related to profit distributions is recognised 
in the profit and loss account, and income tax related to the costs of equity transactions is recognised in equity.  Prior to the 
amendment, IAS 32 was ambiguous as to whether the tax effects of distributions and the tax effects of equity transactions 
should be accounted for in the profit and loss account or in equity.

Amendment to IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ clarifies the disclosure requirements for segment assets and liabilities in 
interim financial statements.  A measure of total assets and liabilities is required for an operating segment in interim financial 
statements if such information is regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and there has been a material  
change in those measures since the last annual financial statements.

26  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 27

Notes to the Financial Statements 
1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Basis of preparation continued

The effects of adopting IAS 19 (amended 2011) on the current financial year are not material and those on the comparative 
financial statements were as follows:

a)  On the consolidated profit and loss for the year ended 31st December 2012

Net operating costs

Tax

Profit after tax

Attributable to shareholders of the Company

Earnings per share (US¢)

b)  On the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31st December 2012

Profit after tax

Remeasurement of defined benefit plans

Tax on items that will not be reclassified

Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to shareholders of the Company

Increase/(decrease) in profit
US$m

(0.9)

0.1

(0.8)

(0.8)

(0.03)

Increase/(decrease) in total 
comprehensive income
US$m

(0.8)

0.9

(0.1)

–

–

c)  There is no impact on the consolidated balance sheet at 31st December 2011 and 2012.

d)  The adoption does not have any effect on the consolidated cash flows.

The following standards and amendments, which are effective after 2013, are relevant to the Group’s operations and  
yet to be adopted

IFRS 9 
Amendments to IAS 19 
Amendments to IAS 32 
Amendments to IAS 36 
Amendments to IAS 39 
IFRIC 21 
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 

Financial Instruments
Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions
Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets
Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting
Levies
2010 – 2012 Cycle
2011 – 2013 Cycle

The Group is currently assessing the impact of these new standards and amendments but expects their adoption will not have  
a material effect on the consolidated profit and loss account and balance sheet, although there will be additional disclosures in 
respect of Amendments to IAS 36.

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ is the first standard issued as part of a wider project to replace IAS 39.  It is effective for annual 
periods beginning on or after 1st January 2015.  However, on 24th July 2013, the IASB tentatively decided to defer the 
mandatory effective date of IFRS 9 and that the mandatory effective date should be left open pending the finalisation of the 
impairment and classification and measurement requirements.  It is likely that the standard will be effective no earlier than 2017 
and the Group will adopt the standard from its effective date.

26  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 27

 
1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Basis of preparation continued

IFRS 9 (2009) retains but simplifies the mixed measurement model and establishes two primary measurement categories  
for financial assets: amortised cost and fair value.  The basis of classification depends on the entity’s business model and the 
contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset.  The guidance in IAS 39 on impairment of financial assets and hedge 
accounting continues to apply.

IFRS 9 (2010) adds the requirements related to the classification and measurement of financial liabilities, and derecognition of 
financial assets and liabilities, to the version issued in November 2009.  It also includes those paragraphs of IAS 39 dealing with 
how to measure fair value and accounting for derivatives embedded in a contract that contains a host that is not a financial 
asset, as well as the requirements of IFRIC 9 ‘Remeasurement of Embedded Derivatives’.

IFRS 9 (2013) aligns hedge accounting more closely with risk management.  It also establishes a more principles-based 
approach to hedge accounting, particularly in respect of assessing hedge effectiveness and assessing what qualifies as a 
hedged item.

Amendments to IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ regarding defined benefit plans applied to contributions from employees or third 
parties to defined benefit plans.  The objective of the amendments is to simplify the accounting for contributions that are 
independent of the number of years of employee service, for example, employee contributions that are calculated according  
to a fixed percentage of salary.  The amendments are effective for periods beginning on or after 1st July 2014 and the Group 
will adopt the amendments from the effective date. 

Amendments to IAS 32 ‘Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities’ (effective 1st January 2014) are made to the 
application guidance in IAS 32 and clarify some of the requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities on  
the balance sheet.  Specifically, the amendments clarify the meaning of ‘currently has a legally enforceable right of offset’ and 
‘simultaneous realisation and settlement’.  The Group will adopt the amendments from 1st January 2014.

Amendments to IAS 36 ‘Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets’ (effective 1st January 2014) set out  
the changes to the disclosures when recoverable amount is determined based on fair value less costs of disposal.  The key 
amendments are (a) to remove the requirement to disclose recoverable amount when a cash generating unit (CGU) contains 
goodwill or indefinite lived intangible assets but there has been no impairment, (b) to require disclosure of the recoverable 
amount of an asset or CGU when an impairment loss has been recognised or reversed, and (c) to require detailed disclosure  
of how the fair value less costs of disposal has been measured when an impairment loss has been recognised or reversed.   
The Group will adopt the amendments from 1st January 2014.

Amendments to IAS 39 ‘Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting’ (effective 1st January 2014) provide 
relief from discontinuing hedge accounting when novation of a hedging instrument to a central counterparty meets specified 
criteria.  The Group will adopt the amendments from 1st January 2014.

IFRIC 21 ‘Levies’ (effective 1st January 2014) sets out the accounting for an obligation to pay a levy that is not income tax.   
The interpretation clarifies that the obligating event that gives rise to a liability to pay a levy is the activity described in the 
relevant legislation that triggers the payment of the levy.  The Group will apply the interpretation from 1st January 2014.

Annual improvements to IFRSs 2010 – 2012 Cycle comprise a number of non-urgent but necessary amendments.   
The amendments, effective for periods beginning on or after 1st July 2014, which are relevant to the Group’s operations  
include the following:

Amendment to IFRS 2 ‘Share-based Payment’ clarifies the definition of a ‘vesting condition’ and separately defines  
‘performance condition’ and ‘service condition’.

Amendment to IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ clarifies that an obligation to pay contingent consideration which meets  
the definition of a financial instrument is classified as a financial liability or as equity, on the basis of the definitions in IAS 32 
‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’.  The standard is further amended to clarify that all non-equity contingent consideration, 
both financial and non-financial, is measured at fair value at each reporting date, with changes in fair value recognised in  
profit and loss.

Amendment to IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’ requires disclosure of the judgements made by management in aggregating 
operating segments.  This includes a description of the segments which have been aggregated and the economic indicators 
which have been assessed in determining that the aggregated segments share similar economic characteristics.

28  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 29

Notes to the Financial Statements1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Basis of preparation continued

Amendment to IAS 24 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ includes, as a related party, an entity that provides key management 
personnel services to the reporting entity or to the parent of the reporting entity (‘the management entity’).  The reporting  
entity is not required to disclose the compensation paid by the management entity to the management entity’s employees  
or directors, but it is required to disclose the amounts charged to the reporting entity by the management entity for  
services provided.

Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2011 – 2013 Cycle comprise a number of non-urgent but necessary amendments.   
The amendments, which are largely effective for periods beginning on or after 1st July 2014, and are relevant to the  
Group’s operations include the following:

IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ clarifies that IFRS 3 does not apply to the accounting for the formation of any joint arrangement 
under IFRS 11.  The amendment also clarifies that the scope exemption only applies in the financial statements of the joint 
arrangement itself.

IFRS 13 ‘Fair Value Measurement’ clarifies that the portfolio exception in IFRS 13, which allows an entity to measure the fair 
value of a group of financial assets and financial liabilities on a net basis, applies to all contracts within the scope of IAS 39  
or IFRS 9.

IAS 40 ‘Investment Property’ clarifies that IAS 40 and IFRS 3 are not mutually exclusive.  The guidance in IAS 40 assists preparers 
to distinguish between investment property and owner-occupied property.  Preparers also need to refer to the guidance in  
IFRS 3 to determine whether the acquisition of an investment property is a business combination.

The principal operating subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures have different functional currencies in line with the economic 
environments of the locations in which they operate.  The functional currency of the Company is United States dollars.   
The consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars.

The Group’s reportable segments are set out in Note 4.

Basis of consolidation

i)   The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, and the Group’s 

interests in associates and joint ventures.

ii)  A subsidiary is an entity 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.

The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group.  The cost of  
an acquisition include the fair value at the acquisition date of any contingent consideration.  The Group recognises  
the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognised identifiable net assets of the acquired subsidiary.   
In a business combination achieved in stages, the Group remeasures its previously held interest in the acquiree at its 
acquisition-date fair value and recognised the resulting gain or loss in profit and loss.  Changes in a parent’s ownership 
interest in a subsidiary that do not result in the loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions.  When control over  
a previous subsidiary is lost, any remaining interest in the entity is remeasured at fair value and the resulting gain or loss is 
recognised in profit and loss. 

All material intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised surpluses and deficits on transactions between Group 
companies have been eliminated.

iii)  An associate is an entity, not being a subsidiary or joint venture, over which the Group exercises significant influence.   

A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights  
to the net assets of the joint venture.  Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement,  
which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

Associates and joint ventures are included on the equity basis of accounting.

Profits and losses resulting from upstream and downstream transactions between the Group and its associates and joint 
ventures are recognised in the consolidated financial statements only to the extent of unrelated investor’s interests in  
the associates and joint ventures.

28  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 29

 
 
 
 
1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Basis of consolidation continued

iv)  Non-controlling interests represent the proportion of the results and net assets of subsidiaries and their associates and joint 

ventures not attributable to the Group.

 v)  The results of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are included or excluded from their effective dates of acquisition  
or disposal respectively.  The results of entities other than subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures are included to the 
extent of dividends received when the right to receive such dividend is established.

Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are accounted for at the exchange rates ruling at the transaction dates.

Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, together with all other monetary assets and liabilities 
expressed in foreign currencies, are translated into United States dollars at the rates of exchange ruling at the year end.   
Results expressed in foreign currencies are translated into United States dollars at the average rates of exchange ruling  
during the year, which approximate the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

Exchange differences arising from the retranslation of the net investment in foreign subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, 
and of financial instruments which are designated as hedges of such investments, are recognised in other comprehensive 
income and accumulated in equity under exchange reserves.  On the disposal of these investments, such exchange differences 
are recognised in profit and loss.  Exchange differences on available-for-sale investments are recognised in other comprehensive 
income as part of the gains and losses arising from changes in their fair value.  Exchange differences relating to changes in  
the amortised cost of monetary securities classified as available-for-sale and all other exchange differences are recognised  
in profit and loss.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition of a foreign entity after 1st January 2003 are treated as assets and 
liabilities of the foreign entity and translated into United States dollars at the rate of exchange ruling at the year end.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Assets that have indefinite useful lives are not subject to amortisation and are tested for impairment annually and whenever 
there is an indication that the assets may be impaired.  Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  For the purpose  
of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there is separately identifiable cash flows.   
Cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment 
annually and whenever there is an indication that the units may be impaired.  An impairment loss is recognised for the amount 
by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of an asset’s fair value less  
costs to sell and value in use.  Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible 
reversal of the impairment annually.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the 
acquiree, and the acquisition-date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the acquisition-date fair 
value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets acquired.  Non-controlling interests are measured at their proportionate 
share of the net identifiable assets at the acquisition date.  If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets 
acquired, the difference is recognised directly in profit and loss.  Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in intangible 
assets.  Goodwill on acquisitions of associates and joint ventures is included in investment in associates and joint ventures.  
Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing and  
is carried at cost less accumulated impairment loss.

The profit or loss on disposal of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures includes the carrying amount of goodwill relating  
to the entity sold.

Leasehold land

Leasehold land represents payments to third parties to acquire short-term interests in property.  These payments are stated  
at cost and are amortised over the useful life of the lease which includes the renewal period if the lease can be renewed by  
the Group without significant cost.

30  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 31

Notes to the Financial Statements 
1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets is calculated on the straight line basis to allocate the cost or valuation of each asset to  
its residual value over its estimated useful life.  The residual values and useful lives are reviewed at each balance sheet date.   
The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Furniture, equipment and motor vehicles 

3 – 10 years

Where the carrying amount of a tangible fixed asset is greater than its estimated recoverable amount, it is written down 
immediately to its recoverable amount.

The profit or loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets is recognised by reference to their carrying amount.

Investment properties

Properties including those under operating leases which are held for long-term rental yields or capital gains are classified and 
accounted for as investment properties, but the business model does not necessarily envisage that the properties will be held 
for their entire useful life.  Investment properties are carried at fair value, representing estimated open market value determined 
annually by independent qualified valuers who have recent experience in the location and category of the investment property 
being valued.  The market value of each property is calculated on the discounted net rental income allowing for reversionary 
potential.  Changes in fair value are recognised in profit and loss.

Investments

i) 

Investments are classified by management as available for sale or held to maturity on initial recognition.  Available-for-sale 
investments are shown at fair value.  Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value are recognised in other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.  On the disposal of an investment or when an investment is determined 
to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously deferred in equity is recognised in profit and loss.  Held-to-maturity 
investments are shown at amortised cost.  Investments are classified under non-current assets unless they are expected  
to be realised within twelve months after the balance sheet date.

ii)  At each balance sheet date, the Group assesses whether there is objective evidence that an investment is impaired.   
In the case of equity securities classified as available for sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the 
security below its cost is considered as an indicator that the securities are impaired.

iii)  All purchases and sales of investments are recognised on the trade date, which is the date that the Group commits to 

purchase or sell the investment.

Leases

Leases are classified as finance leases when the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership  
to the lessee.  All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to profit and loss on a 
straight line basis over the period of the lease.  When a lease is terminated before the lease period has expired, any payment 
required to be made to the lessor by way of penalty is recognised as an expense in the year in which termination takes place.

Properties for sale

Properties for sale, which comprise land and buildings held for resale, are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.  
The cost of properties for sale comprises land cost, and construction and other development costs.

Debtors

Debtors, excluding derivative financial instruments, are measured at amortised cost except where the effect of discounting 
would be immaterial.  Provision for impairment is established when there is objective evidence that the outstanding amounts 
will not be collected.  Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial 
reorganisation, and default or delinquency in payments are considered indicators that the debtor is impaired.  The carrying 
amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account and the amount of the loss is recognised in arriving  
at operating profit.  When a debtor is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account.  Subsequent recoveries of 
amount previously written off are credited to profit and loss.

Debtors with maturities greater than twelve months after the balance sheet date are classified under non-current assets.

30  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 31

1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise deposits with banks and financial institutions, 
and bank and cash balances, net of bank overdrafts.  In the balance sheet, bank overdrafts are included in current borrowings.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has present legal or constructive obligations as a result of past events, it is probable 
that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligations, and a reliable estimate  
of the amount of the obligations can be made.

Borrowings and borrowing costs

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred.  In subsequent periods, borrowings are stated 
at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Borrowing costs relating to major development projects are capitalised until the asset is substantially completed.  Capitalised 
borrowing costs are included as part of the cost of the asset.  All other borrowing costs are expensed as incurred. 

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for 
at least twelve months after the balance sheet date.

Current and deferred tax

The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax.  Tax is recognised in profit and loss, except to the extent that 
it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or direct in equity.  In this case, the tax is also recognised in other 
comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet 
date in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income.  Management periodically evaluates positions 
taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation.  It establishes 
provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred tax is provided, using the liability method, for all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying values.  Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially 
enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax 
liability is settled.

Provision for deferred tax is made on the revaluation of certain non-current assets and, in relation to acquisitions, on the 
difference between the fair value of the net assets acquired and their tax base.  Deferred tax is provided on temporary 
differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except where the Group is able to  
control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future.  Deferred tax assets relating to the carry forward of unused tax losses are recognised to the extent that  
it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses can be utilised.

Pension obligations

The Group operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans, the assets of which are held in trustee 
administered funds.

Pension accounting costs for defined benefit plans are assessed using the projected unit credit method.  Under this method, 
the costs of providing pensions are charged to profit and loss spreading the regular cost over the service lives of employees  
in accordance with the advice of qualified actuaries, who carry out a full valuation of major plans every year.  The pension 
obligations are measured as the present value of the estimated future cash outflows by reference to market yields on high 
quality corporate bonds which have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related liability.  Plan assets are measured 
at fair value. 

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised in other 
comprehensive income in the year in which they occur.  Past service costs are recognised immediately in profit and loss.

The Group’s total contributions relating to the defined contribution plans are charged to profit and loss in the year to which  
they relate.

32  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 33

Notes to the Financial Statements1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets are classified as assets held for sale and stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs  
to sell if their carrying amount is recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use.   
Once classified as held for sale, the assets are no longer amortised or depreciated.

Derivative financial instruments

The Group only enters into derivative financial instruments in order to hedge underlying exposures.  Derivative financial 
instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured at their fair value.  The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss is dependent on the nature of the  
item being hedged.  The Group designates certain derivatives as a hedge of the fair value of a recognised asset or liability  
(fair value hedge), or a hedge of a forecast transaction or of the foreign currency risk on a firm commitment (cash flow hedge), 
or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign entity.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges and that are highly effective, are 
recognised in profit and loss, along with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the 
hedged risk.  When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 
the cumulative adjustment to the carrying amount of a hedged item for which the effective interest method is used is amortised 
to profit and loss over the residual period to maturity.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges and that are highly effective,  
are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity under hedging reserves.  Changes in the fair  
value relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit and loss.  Where the forecast transaction or firm 
commitment results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or of a non-financial liability, the gains and losses previously 
deferred in hedging reserves are transferred from hedging reserves and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the 
asset or liability.  Otherwise, amounts deferred in hedging reserves are transferred to profit and loss in the same periods during 
which the hedged firm commitment or forecast transaction affects profit and loss.  When a hedging instrument expires or  
is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in hedging 
reserves at that time remains in the hedging reserves and is recognised when the committed or forecast transaction ultimately 
is recognised in profit and loss.  When a committed or forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain 
or loss that was reported in hedging reserves is immediately transferred to profit and loss.

Certain derivative transactions, while providing effective economic hedges under the Group’s risk management policies, do not 
qualify for hedge accounting under the specific rules in IAS 39.  Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments that do 
not qualify for hedge accounting under IAS 39 are recognised immediately in profit and loss.

Hedges of net investments in foreign entities are accounted for on a similar basis to that used for cash flow hedges.  Any gain  
or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income 
and accumulated in exchange reserves; the gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit 
and loss.

The fair value of derivatives which are designated and qualify as effective hedges are classified as non-current assets  
or liabilities if the remaining maturities of the hedged assets or liabilities are greater than twelve months after the balance  
sheet date.

Non-trading items

Non-trading items are separately identified to provide greater understanding of the Group’s underlying business performance.  
Items classified as non-trading items include fair value gains or losses on revaluation of investment properties; gains and losses 
arising from the sale of businesses, investments and investment properties; impairment of non-depreciable intangible assets 
and other investments; provisions for the closure of businesses; acquisition-related costs in business combinations; and other 
credits and charges of a non-recurring nature that require inclusion in order to provide additional insight into underlying 
business performance.

32  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 33

1 

Principal Accounting Policies continued

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated on profit attributable to shareholders and on the weighted average number of shares  
in issue during the year.

Dividends

Dividends proposed or declared after the balance sheet date are not recognised as a liability at the balance sheet date.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received and receivable and represents amounts receivable for 
goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts and sales related taxes.

i)  Revenue from sale of properties is recognised on the transfer of significant risks and rewards of ownership, which generally 

coincides with the time when the properties are delivered to customers.

ii)  Receipts under operating leases are accounted for on an accrual basis over the lease terms.

iii)  Revenue from rendering of services is recognised when services are performed, provided that the amount can be 

measured reliably.

iv)  Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.

v) 

Interest income is recognised on a time proportion basis taking into account the principal amounts outstanding and  
the interest rates applicable.

Pre-operating costs

Pre-operating costs are expensed as they are incurred.

2 

Financial Risk Management

Financial risk factors

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and 
price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. 

The Group’s treasury function co-ordinates, under the direction of the board of Hongkong Land Limited, financial risk 
management policies and their implementation on a group-wide basis.  The Group’s treasury policies are designed to manage 
the financial impact of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates and to minimise the Group’s financial risks.   
The Group uses derivative financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps and forward foreign 
exchange contracts as appropriate for hedging transactions and managing the Group’s assets and liabilities in accordance  
with the Group’s financial risk management policies.  Financial derivative contracts are executed between third party banks  
and the Group entity that is directly exposed to the risk being hedged.  Certain derivative transactions, while providing effective 
economic hedges under the Group’s risk management policies, do not qualify for hedge accounting under the specific rules  
in IAS 39.  Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting under IAS 39  
are recognised immediately in profit and loss account.  It is the Group’s policy not to enter into derivative transactions for 
speculative purposes.  The notional amounts and fair values of derivative financial instruments at 31st December 2013 are 
disclosed in Note 24.

i)  Market risk

Foreign exchange risk
Entities within the Group are exposed to foreign exchange risk from future commercial transactions, net investments  
in foreign operations and net monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s 
functional currency.

34  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 35

Notes to the Financial Statements 
2 

Financial Risk Management continued

Financial risk factors continued

i)  Market risk continued

Foreign exchange risk continued
Entities in the Group use cross-currency swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts in a consistent manner to  
hedge firm and anticipated foreign exchange commitments and manage their foreign exchange risk arising from  
future commercial transactions.  The Group does not usually hedge its net investments in foreign operations except in 
circumstances where there is a material exposure arising from a currency that is anticipated to be volatile and the hedging 
is cost effective.  Group companies are required to manage their foreign exchange risk against their functional currency.  
Foreign currency borrowings are swapped into the entity’s functional currency using cross-currency swaps except where 
the foreign currency borrowings are repaid with cash flows generated in the same foreign currency.  The purpose of these 
hedges is to mitigate the impact of movements in foreign exchange rates on assets and liabilities and the profit and loss 
account of the Group.

Currency risks as defined by IFRS 7 arise on account of monetary assets and liabilities being denominated in a currency  
that is not the functional currency.  At 31st December 2013, there are no significant monetary balances held by group 
companies that are denominated in a non-functional currency.  Differences resulting from the translation of financial 
statements into the Group’s presentation currency are not taken into consideration.

Since the Group manages the interdependencies between foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk of foreign currency 
borrowings using cross-currency swaps, the sensitivity analysis on financial impacts arising from cross-currency swaps is 
included in the sensitivity assessment on interest rates under the interest rate risk section.

Interest rate risk
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk through the impact of rate changes on interest bearing liabilities and assets.  
These exposures are managed partly by using natural hedges that arise from offsetting interest rate sensitive assets and 
liabilities, and partly by fixed rate borrowings and the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps.   
The Group monitors interest rate exposure on a monthly basis by currency and business unit, taking into consideration 
proposed financing and hedging arrangements.  The Group’s guideline is to maintain 40% to 60% of its gross borrowings  
in fixed rate instruments.  At 31st December 2013, the Group’s interest rate hedge was 53% (2012: 53%) with an average 
tenor of nine years (2012: nine years).  The interest rate profile of the Group’s borrowings after taking into account hedging 
transactions are set out in Note 20.

Cash flow interest rate risk is the risk that changes in market interest rates will impact cash flows arising from variable rate 
financial instruments.  Borrowings at floating rates therefore expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk.  The Group 
manages this risk by using forward rate agreements to a maturity of one year, and by entering into interest rate swaps  
for a maturity of generally up to five years or longer to match the maturity of the underlying exposure.  Forward rate 
agreements and interest rate swaps have the economic effect of converting borrowings from floating rate to fixed rate.

Fair value interest rate risk is the risk that the value of a financial asset or liability and derivative financial instrument will 
fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.  The Group manages its fair value interest rate risk by entering into 
interest rate swaps which have the economic effect of converting borrowings from fixed rate to floating rate, to maintain 
the Group’s fixed rate instruments to within the Group’s guideline. 

At 31st December 2013, if interest rates had been 100 basis points higher/lower with all other variables held constant, the 
Group’s profit after tax would have been US$10 million (2012: US$8 million) higher/lower, and hedging reserve would have 
been US$66 million (2012: US$83 million) higher/lower as a result of fair value changes to cash flow hedges.  The sensitivity 
analysis has been determined assuming that the change in interest rates had occurred at the balance sheet date and had 
been applied to the exposure to interest rate risk for both derivative and non-derivative financial instruments in existence at 
that date.  The 100 basis point increase or decrease represents management’s assessment of a reasonably possible change 
in those interest rates which have the most impact on the Group, specifically the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore 
rates, over the period until the next annual balance sheet date.  In the case of effective fair value hedges, changes in fair 
value of the hedged item caused by interest rate movements balance out in profit and loss account against changes in  
the fair value of the hedging instruments.  Changes in market interest rates affect the interest income or expense of 
non-derivative variable-interest financial instruments, the interest payments of which are not designated as hedged items  
of cash flow hedges against interest rate risks.  As a consequence, they are included in the calculation of profit after tax 
sensitivities.  Changes in the market interest rate of financial instruments that were designated as hedging instruments in a 
cash flow hedge to hedge payment fluctuations resulting from interest rate movements affect the hedging reserves and are 
therefore taken into consideration in the equity-related sensitivity calculations.

34  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

Financial Risk Management continued

Financial risk factors continued

i)  Market risk continued

Price risk
The Group is exposed to securities price risk because of listed investments which are available for sale and held by the 
Group at fair value.  Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments are recognised 
in other comprehensive income.  The performance of the Group’s listed and unlisted available-for-sale investments are 
monitored regularly, together with an assessment of their relevance to the Group’s long term strategic plans.  Details of  
the Group’s available-for-sale investments are contained in Note 14.

Available-for-sale investments are unhedged.  At 31st December 2013, if the price of listed available-for-sale investments 
had been 25% higher/lower with all other variables held constant, total equity would have been US$14 million (2012:  
US$21 million) higher/lower.  The sensitivity analysis has been determined based on a reasonable expectation of possible 
valuation volatility over the next twelve months. 

ii)  Credit risk

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to deposits with banks, credit exposures to customers and derivative  
financial instruments with a positive fair value.  The Group has credit policies in place and the exposures to these credit risks 
are monitored on an ongoing basis. 

The Group manages its deposits with banks and financial institutions and transactions involving derivative financial 
instruments by monitoring credit ratings and capital adequacy ratios of counterparties, and limiting the aggregate risk to 
any individual counterparty.  The utilisation of credit limits is regularly monitored.  At 31st December 2013, 93% (2012: 95%) 
of deposits and balances with banks and financial institutions were made to institutions with credit ratings of no less than  
A3 and 7% (2012: 5%) with credit rating at Baa3 (Moody’s).  Similarly transactions involving derivative financial instruments 
are with banks with sound credit ratings and capital adequacy ratios.  In developing countries it may be necessary to 
deposit money with banks that have a lower credit rating, however the Group only enters into derivative transactions with 
counterparties which have credit ratings of at least investment grade.  Management does not expect any counterparty  
to fail to meet its obligations.

In respect of credit exposures to customers, the Group has policies in place to ensure that investment properties are let 
principally to corporate companies with appropriate credit history, and rental deposits in the form of cash or bank 
guarantee are usually received from tenants.  The Group receives progress payments from sales of residential properties  
to individual customers prior to the completion of transactions.  In the event of default by customers, the Group undertakes 
legal proceedings to recover the property.  Amounts due from associates and joint ventures are generally supported by  
the underlying assets.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset in the balance sheet 
after deducting any impairment allowance.

iii)  Liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management includes managing the profile of debt maturities and funding sources, maintaining 
sufficient cash and marketable securities, and ensuring the availability of funding from an adequate amount of committed 
credit facilities and the ability to close out market positions.  The Group's ability to fund its existing and prospective debt 
requirements is managed by maintaining diversified funding sources with adequate committed funding lines from high 
quality lenders, and by monitoring rolling short-term forecasts of the Group’s cash and gross debt on the basis of expected 
cash flows.  In addition long-term cash flows are projected to assist with the Group’s long-term debt financing plans.  

At 31st December 2013, total committed and uncommitted borrowing facilities amounted to US$7,262 million (2012: 
US$6,909 million) of which US$4,431 million (2012: US$4,255 million) was drawn down.  Undrawn committed facilities,  
in the form of revolving credit and term loan facilities, totalled US$2,676 million (2012: US$2,496 million).

36  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 37

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

Financial Risk Management continued

Financial risk factors continued

iii)  Liquidity risk continued

The following table analyses the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities, net-settled derivative financial liabilities and 
gross-settled financial instruments into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet 
date to the contractual maturity date.  Derivative financial liabilities are included in the analysis if their contractual maturities 
are essential for an understanding of the timing of the cash flows.  The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual 
undiscounted cash flows.

Within  
one year
US$m

Between  
one and  
two years
US$m

Between  
two and 
three years
US$m

Between 
three and 
four years
US$m

Between  
four and  
five years
US$m

Beyond  
five years
US$m

Total 
undiscounted 
cash flow
US$m

842.2

569.3

446.6

68.1

528.2

43.6

447.6

23.7

366.4

17.7

2,980.4

5,611.4

47.2

769.6

1.7

–

–

–

–

–

1.7

562.1

 (549.1)

53.2

(44.4)

53.2

(44.4)

53.3

(44.4)

53.3

1,499.2

2,274.3

(44.4)

(1,475.1)

(2,201.8)

507.8

328.2

841.5

59.7

416.3

41.4

631.9

16.3

135.4

14.7

2,845.1

5,378.0

51.9

512.2

3.6

1.5

–

–

–

–

5.1

80.8

(50.4)

562.3

(549.7)

53.2

(44.8)

53.2

(44.8)

53.2

1,553.1

2,355.8

(44.8)

(1,526.5)

(2,261.0)

2013
Borrowings

Creditors

Net settled derivative  

financial instruments

Gross settled derivative  

financial instruments

  – inflow

  – outflow

2012

Borrowings

Creditors

Net settled derivative  

financial instruments

Gross settled derivative  

financial instruments

  – inflow

  – outflow

Capital management

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern whilst 
seeking to maximise benefits to shareholders and other stakeholders.  Capital is equity as shown in the consolidated balance 
sheet plus net debt.

The Group actively and regularly reviews and manages its capital structure to ensure optimal capital structure and shareholder 
returns, taking into consideration the future capital requirements of the Group and capital efficiency, prevailing and projected 
profitability, projected operating cash flows, projected capital expenditures and projected strategic investment opportunities.  
In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, 
purchase Group shares, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The Group monitors capital on the basis of the Group’s consolidated gearing ratio and consolidated interest cover.  The gearing 
ratio is calculated as net debt divided by total equity.  Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less bank balances.  Interest 
cover is calculated as underlying operating profit and the Group’s share of underlying operating profit of associates and joint 
ventures divided by net financing charges including the Group’s share of net financing charges within associates and joint 
ventures.  The Group does not have a defined gearing or interest cover benchmark or range. 

The ratios at 31st December 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

Gearing ratio (%) 
Interest cover (times) 

2013 
11 
12 

2012
13
11

36  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

Financial Risk Management continued

Fair value estimation

i)  Financial instruments that are measured at fair value

For financial instruments that are measured at fair value in the balance sheet, the corresponding fair value measurements 
are disclosed by level of the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

a)  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (‘quoted prices in active markets’)

The fair value of listed securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, is based on quoted prices in active markets at 
the balance sheet date.  The quoted market price used for listed investments held by the Group is the current bid price.

b) 

c) 

Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly 
(‘observable current market transactions’)
The fair values of all interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts have been determined using rates 
quoted by the Group’s bankers at the balance sheet date which are calculated by reference to market interest rates  
and foreign exchange rates.

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (‘unobservable inputs’)
The fair value of unlisted securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, is determined using valuation techniques 
by reference to observable current market transactions or the market prices of the underlying investments with certain 
degree of entity specific estimates.

There were no changes in valuation techniques during the year.

The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by the levels in the fair value measurement hierarchy.

2013
Assets

Available-for-sale financial assets

  – listed securities

Derivative financial instruments

Liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

2012

Assets

Available-for-sale financial assets

  – listed securities

  – unlisted securities

Derivative financial instruments

Liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

Quoted 
prices in 
active 
markets
US$m

Observable 
current 
market 
transactions
US$m

Unobservable 
inputs
US$m

Total
US$m

57.5

–

57.5

–

15.3

15.3

–

(48.9)

80.5

–

80.5

–

80.5

–

–

–

50.8

50.8

–

–

–

–

–

2.1

2.1

–

2.1

57.5

15.3

72.8

(48.9)

80.5

2.1

82.6

50.8

133.4

–

(24.5)

–

(24.5)

There were no transfers among the three categories during the year ended 31st December 2013.

38  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 39

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
2 

Financial Risk Management continued

Fair value estimation continued

ii)  Financial instruments that are not measured at fair value

The fair values of current debtors, bank balances, current creditors and current borrowings are assumed to approximate 
their carrying amounts due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities.

The fair values of long-term borrowings are based on market prices or are estimated using the expected future payments 
discounted at market interest rates.

Financial instruments by category

Loans  
and 
receivables
US$m

Derivatives
US$m

Available-
for-sale
US$m

–

157.2

1,406.3

1,563.5

–

–

–

–

125.7

982.1

1,107.8

–

–

–

–

15.3

–

15.3

–

(48.9)

(48.9)

–

50.8

–

50.8

–

(24.5)

(24.5)

57.5

–

–

57.5

–

–

–

82.6

–

–

82.6

–

–

–

Other 
financial 
liabilities at 
amortised 
cost
US$m

–

–

–

–

Total 
carrying 
amount
US$m

57.5

172.5

Fair  
value
US$m

57.5

172.5

1,406.3

1,406.3

1,636.3

1,636.3

(4,431.5)

(4,431.5)

(4,348.1)

(769.6)

(818.5)

(818.5)

(5,201.1)

(5,250.0)

(5,166.6)

–

–

–

–

82.6

176.5

982.1

82.6

176.5

982.1

1,241.2

1,241.2

(4,255.5)

(4,255.5)

(4,334.0)

(512.2)

(536.7)

(536.7)

(4,767.7)

(4,792.2)

(4,870.7)

2013
Other investments

Debtors

Bank balances

Borrowings

Creditors excluding  

  non-financial liabilities

2012

Other investments

Debtors

Bank balances

Borrowings

Creditors excluding  

  non-financial liabilities

3  Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements

Estimates and judgements used in preparing the financial statements are continually evaluated and are based on historical 
experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable.  The resulting 
accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.  The estimates and assumptions that have  
a significant effect on the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities are discussed below.

38  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 39

3  Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements continued

Acquisition of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

The initial accounting on the acquisition of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures involves identifying and determining the 
fair values to be assigned to the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired entities.  The fair values  
of leasehold land, tangible assets and investment properties are determined by independent valuers by reference to market 
prices or present value of expected net cash flows from the assets.  Any changes in the assumptions used and estimates made 
in determining the fair values, and management’s ability to measure reliably the contingent liabilities of the acquired entity will 
impact the carrying amount of these assets and liabilities.

On initial acquisition or acquisition of further interests in an entity, an assessment of the level of control or influence exercised 
by the Group is required.  For entities where the Group has a shareholding of less than 50%, an assessment of the Group’s  
level of voting rights, board representation and other indicators of influence is performed to consider whether the Group  
has de facto control, requiring consolidation of that entity, or significant influence, requiring classification as an associate.

Investment properties

The fair values of investment properties are determined by independent valuers on an open market for existing use basis 
calculated on the discounted net income allowing for reversionary potential.  For investment properties in Hong Kong and 
Singapore, capitalisation rates in the range of 3.50% to 4.45% for office (2012: 3.50% to 4.45%) and 4.50% to 5.50% for retail 
(2012: 4.50% to 5.75%) are used in the fair value determination.

Considerations have been given to assumptions that are mainly based on market conditions existing at the balance sheet date 
and appropriate capitalisation rates.  These estimates are regularly compared to actual market data and actual transactions 
entered into by the Group.

Impairment of assets

The Group tests annually whether goodwill and other assets that have indefinite useful lives suffered any impairment.  Other 
assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the 
asset exceeds its recoverable amount.  The recoverable amount of an asset or a cash generating unit is determined based  
on the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-use, calculated on the basis of management’s assumptions and 
estimates.  Changing the key assumptions, including the discount rates or the growth rate assumptions in the cash flow 
projections, could materially affect the value-in-use calculations.

In determining when an available-for-sale equity investment is impaired, significant judgement is required.  In making this 
judgement, the Group evaluates, among other factors, the duration and extent to which the fair value of an investment is less 
than its cost; and the financial health of and near-term business outlook for the investee, including factors such as industry  
and sector performance, changes in technology and operational and financial cash flows.

Income taxes

The Group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions.  Significant judgement is required in determining the worldwide 
provision for income taxes.  There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain 
during the ordinary course of business.  Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were 
initially recorded, such differences will impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such 
determination is made.

Provision of deferred tax follows the way management expects to recover or settle the carrying amount of the related assets  
or liabilities, which the management may expect to recover through use, sale or combination of both.  Accordingly, deferred  
tax will be calculated at income tax rate, capital gains tax rate or combination of both.  There is a rebuttable presumption in 
International Financial Reporting Standards that investment properties measured at fair value are recovered through sale.  
Deferred tax on revaluation of investment properties held by the Group are calculated at the applicable tax rate.

Recognition of deferred tax assets, which principally relate to tax losses, depends on the management’s expectation of  
future taxable profit that will be available against which the tax losses can be utilised.  The outcome of their actual utilisation 
may be different. 

Non-trading items

The Group uses underlying business performance in its internal financial reporting to distinguish between the underlying profits 
and non-trading items.  The identification of non-trading items requires judgement by management, but follows the consistent 
methodology as set out in the Group’s accounting policies.

40  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 41

Notes to the Financial Statements4 

Segmental Information

Operating segments are identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed 
by the executive directors of the Company for the purpose of resource allocation and performance assessment.  The Group  
has two operating segments, namely Commercial Property and Residential Property.  No operating segments have been 
aggregated to form the reportable segments.  Set out below is an analysis of the Group’s underlying profit and total equity  
by reportable segment. 

2013

2012

Commercial 
Property
US$m

Residential 
Property
US$m

Corporate
US$m

Total
US$m

Commercial 
Property
US$m

Residential 
Property
US$m

Corporate
US$m

Total
US$m

Revenue

925.3

931.8

–

1,857.1

855.9

258.9

–

1,114.8

Net operating costs

(149.4)

(730.7)

(60.4)

(940.5)

(136.1)

(118.7)

(60.6)

(315.4)

Share of operating profit of  

  associates and joint ventures

138.0

212.0

–

350.0

100.5

160.3

–

260.8

Underlying operating profit

913.9

413.1

(60.4)

1,266.6

820.3

300.5

(60.6)

1,060.2

Net financing charges

  – subsidiaries

  – share of associates and  

joint ventures

Tax

  – subsidiaries

  – share of associates and  

joint ventures

Non–controlling interests

  – subsidiaries

  – share of associates and  

joint ventures

Underlying profit attributable  

to shareholders

Non-trading items:

  – change in fair value of  

investment properties

  – asset disposals

(64.0)

(38.8)

(102.8)

(149.0)

(75.5)

(224.5)

(4.0)

(0.5)

(4.5)

934.8

254.9

(0.1)

254.8

Profit attributable to shareholders

1,189.6

(60.9)

(35.3)

(96.2)

(124.3)

(58.8)

(183.1)

(3.8)

(0.9)

(4.7)

776.2

660.0

1.5

661.5

1,437.7

40  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 

Segmental Information continued

By geographical location
Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

Corporate, net financing charges and tax

By business

2013
Commercial Property

Residential Property

Unallocated assets and liabilities

2012

Commercial Property

Residential Property

Unallocated assets and liabilities

By geographical location

2013
Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

Unallocated assets and liabilities

2012

Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

Unallocated assets and liabilities

Revenue

Underlying  
operating profit

Underlying profit 
attributable to 
shareholders

2013
US$m

2012
US$m

2013
US$m

2012
US$m

2013
US$m

2012
US$m

1,188.8

668.3

–

999.7

115.1

–

907.2

419.8

(60.4)

885.5

235.3

901.1

418.5

878.9

233.7

(60.6)

(384.8)

(336.4)

1,857.1

1,114.8

1,266.6

1,060.2

934.8

776.2

Investment 
properties
US$m

Segment assets
Properties 
for sale
US$m

Segment 
liabilities
US$m

Unallocated 
assets and 
liabilities
US$m

Total  
assets and 
liabilities
US$m

Others
US$m

27,466.1

–

283.5

3,916.8

–

–

305.6

699.1

–

(569.9)

(1,887.9)

–

–

27,201.8

3,011.5

–

(3,314.2)

(3,314.2)

27,749.6

3,916.8

1,004.7

(2,457.8)

(3,314.2)

26,899.1

26,946.4

–

288.0

3,681.7

–

–

436.8

372.8

–

(530.4)

(1,432.4)

–

–

26,852.8

2,910.1

–

(3,578.5)

(3,578.5)

27,234.4

3,681.7

809.6

(1,962.8)

(3,578.5)

26,184.4

23,670.5

2,369.1 

4,079.1

1,547.7

–

–

740.7 

264.0 

–

(1,677.0)

(780.8)

–

–

25,103.3 

5,110.0

–

(3,314.2)

(3,314.2)

27,749.6

3,916.8 

1,004.7 

(2,457.8)

(3,314.2)

26,899.1 

23,285.0 

2,147.5

3,949.4

1,534.2

–

–

555.0

254.6

–

(986.5)

(976.3)

–

–

25,001.0

4,761.9

–

(3,578.5)

(3,578.5)

27,234.4

3,681.7

809.6

(1,962.8)

(3,578.5)

26,184.4

Unallocated assets and liabilities include tax assets and liabilities, bank balances and borrowings.

42  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 43

Notes to the Financial Statements 
5 

Revenue

Rental income
Service income
Sales of properties

2013

US$m

811.3 
119.7 
926.1

2012

US$m

745.5 
117.2 
252.1 

1,857.1

1,114.8

Service income includes service and management charges and hospitality service income.

Total contingent rents included in rental income amounted to US$14.9 million (2012: US$12.9 million).

The future minimum rental payments receivable under non-cancellable leases  
  are as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and five years
Beyond five years

Generally the Group’s operating leases are for terms of three years or more.

6  Net Operating Costs

Cost of sales
Other income
Administrative expenses

The following credits/(charges) are included in net operating costs:

Cost of properties for sale recognised as expense
Operating expenses arising from investment properties
Reversal of writedowns on properties for sale
Depreciation of tangible assets
Employee benefit expense
  – salaries and benefits in kind
  – defined contribution pension plans
  – defined benefit pension plans 

Auditors’ remuneration
  – audit
  – non-audit services

The number of employees at 31st December 2013 was 1,405 (2012: 1,347).

2013

US$m

710.6 
467.2 
429.0 
64.0

2012

US$m

701.0 
503.8 
410.5 
59.4

1,670.8

1,674.7

2013

US$m

(858.1)
11.3
(93.7)

(940.5)

(719.3)
(151.2)
12.4
(2.4)

(92.7)
(3.2)
(1.2)

(97.1)

(1.5)
(0.4)

(1.9)

2012

US$m

(234.7)
4.9
(85.6)

(315.4)

(102.0)
(140.2)
7.5
(2.1)

(85.5)
(2.8)
(1.1)

(89.4)

(1.3)
(0.2)

(1.5)

42  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 43

7  Net Financing Charges

Interest expenses

  – bank loans and overdrafts

  – other borrowings

Total interest expenses

Interest capitalised

Commitment and other fees

Financing charges

Financing income

2013

US$m

(19.0)

(97.6)

(116.6)

24.5

(92.1)

(14.1)

(106.2)

42.2

(64.0)

Financing charges and financing income are stated after taking into account hedging gains or losses.

8 

Share of Results of Associates and Joint Ventures

By business
Commercial Property

Residential Property

Underlying business performance

Non-trading items:

Change in fair value of investment properties 

  – Commercial Property

  – Residential Property

Asset disposals

2013

US$m

91.4

143.8

235.2

346.7

4.7

351.4

(0.1)

351.3

586.5

2012

US$m

(16.3)

(84.6)

(100.9)

11.8

(89.1)

(9.7)

(98.8)

37.9

(60.9)

2012

US$m

58.2

107.6

165.8

357.7

3.1

360.8

(0.1)

360.7

526.5

Results are shown after tax and non-controlling interests in the associates and joint ventures.  The Group’s share of revenue of 
associates and joint ventures was US$707.5 million (2012: US$683.5 million).

44  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 45

Notes to the Financial Statements9 

Tax

Tax charged to profit and loss is analysed as follows:

Current tax

Deferred tax

  – changes in fair value of investment properties

  – other temporary differences

2013

US$m

2012

US$m

(141.8)

(118.4)

(8.1)

(7.2)

(15.3)

0.6

(5.9)

(5.3)

(157.1)

(123.7)

Reconciliation between tax expense and tax at applicable tax rate:

Tax at applicable tax rate

(134.5)

(174.1)

Change in fair value of investment properties not (deductible)/taxable 

in determining taxable profit

Expenses not deductible in determining taxable profit

Income not subject to tax

Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses

Over/(under)provision in prior years

Losses not recognised

Deferred tax assets written off

Withholding tax

Land appreciation tax in Mainland China

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income is analysed as follows:

Remeasurements of employee benefit plans

Cash flow hedges

(21.4)

(7.0)

14.9

2.0

(4.0)

(0.6)

(0.3)

(1.2)

(5.0)

51.6

(10.4)

13.5

–

3.3

(2.2)

–

(0.7)

(4.7)

(157.1)

(123.7)

(0.6)

(0.6)

(1.2)

0.1

(2.2)

(2.1)

The applicable tax rate for the year of 16.9% (2012: 16.4%) represents the weighted average of the rates of taxation prevailing 
in the territories in which the Group operates.  The increase in the applicable tax rate was caused by a change in the geographic 
mix of the Group’s profits.

The Group has no tax payable in the United Kingdom (2012: Nil).

Share of tax charge of associates and joint ventures of US$111.3 million (2012: US$89.8 million) is included in share of results 
of associates and joint ventures.

44  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 45

 
10  Earnings per Share

Earnings per share are calculated on profit attributable to shareholders of US1,189.6 million (2012: US$1,437.7 million) and  
on the weighted average number of 2,352.8 million (2012: 2,344.5 million) shares in issue during the year.

Earnings per share are additionally calculated based on underlying profit attributable to shareholders.  A reconciliation of 
earnings is set out below:

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders

Non-trading items (see Note 11)

2013

2012

Earnings 
per share
US¢

39.73

US$m

934.8 

254.8 

Earnings  
per share
US¢

33.11

US$m

776.2 

661.5

Profit attributable to shareholders

1,189.6

50.56

1,437.7 

61.32

11  Non-trading Items

An analysis of non-trading items after interest, tax and non-controlling interests is set out below:

Change in fair value of investment properties

Deferred tax on change in fair value of investment properties

Share of change in fair value of investment properties of associates and  

joint ventures (net of deferred tax)

Asset disposals

Share of asset disposals of associates and joint ventures

Non-controlling interests

2013

US$m

(81.9)

(8.1)

351.4

–

(0.1)

(6.5)

254.8

2012

US$m

306.4

0.6

360.8

1.6

(0.1)

(7.8)

661.5

46  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 47

Notes to the Financial Statements 
12 

Investment Properties

2013
At 1st January

Exchange differences

Additions

Transfer

Decrease in fair value

At 31st December

Freehold properties

Leasehold properties

2012

At 1st January

Exchange differences

Additions

Disposals

Increase/(decrease) in fair value

At 31st December

Freehold properties

Leasehold properties

Completed 
commercial 
properties 
US$m

Under 
development 
commercial 
properties 
US$m

Completed 
residential 
properties 
US$m

Total
US$m

22,685.6

(30.0)

46.7

172.0

(72.3)

666.4

15.3

139.5

(172.0)

(6.6)

141.7

23,493.7

(1.3)

1.0

–

(3.0)

(16.0)

187.2

–

(81.9)

22,802.0

642.6

138.4

23,583.0

54.0

23,529.0

23,583.0

22,249.6

87.4

47.6

–

301.0

141.9

10.7

514.5

–

(0.7)

138.4

22,529.9

1.2

2.6

(6.6)

6.1

99.3

564.7

(6.6)

306.4

22,685.6

666.4

141.7

23,493.7

55.5

23,438.2

23,493.7

The Group measures its investment properties at fair value.  The fair values of the Group’s investment properties at  
31st December 2013 and 2012 have been determined on the basis of valuations carried out by independent valuers not  
related to the Group.  The Group employed Jones Lang LaSalle to value its commercial investment properties in Hong Kong, 
China, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia which are either freehold or held under leases with unexpired lease terms of more 
than 20 years.  The valuations, which conform to the International Valuation Standards issued by the International Valuation 
Standards Council and the HKIS Valuation Standards issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, were arrived at by 
reference to the net income, allowing for reversionary potential, of each property.  The Report of the valuers is set out on  
page 77.

Fair value measurements using significant observable inputs
Fair values of completed residential properties are generally derived using the direct comparison method.  This valuation 
method is based on comparing the property to be valued directly with other comparable properties, which have recently 
transacted.  However, given the heterogeneous nature of real estate properties, appropriate adjustments are usually required  
to allow for any qualitative differences that may affect the price likely to be achieved by the property under consideration. 

46  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 47

12 

Investment Properties continued

Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs
Fair values of completed commercial properties in Hong Kong and Singapore are generally derived using the income 
capitalisation method.  This valuation method is based on the capitalisation of the net income and reversionary income potential 
by adopting appropriate capitalisation rates, which are derived from analysis of sale transactions and valuers’ interpretation of 
prevailing investor requirements or expectations.  The prevailing market rents adopted in the valuation have reference to valuers’ 
view of recent lettings, within the subject properties and other comparable properties.

Fair values of completed commercial properties in Vietnam and Cambodia are generally derived using the discounted cash flow 
method.  The net present value of the income stream is estimated by applying an appropriate discount rate which reflects the  
risk profile.

Fair values of under development commercial properties are generally derived using the residual method.  This valuation method 
is essentially a means of valuing the land by reference to its development potential by deducting development costs together  
with developer’s profit and risk from the estimated capital value of the proposed development assuming completion as at the  
date of valuation. 

The Group’s policy is to recognise transfers between fair value measurements as of the date of the event or change in 
circumstances that caused the transfer. 

Information about fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs:

Fair value
US$m

Valuation method

Range of significant  unobservable inputs

Prevailing market 
rent per month
US$

Capitalisation/ 
discount rate
%

Commercial Property

Completed properties
Hong Kong

Singapore

22,127.3

Income capitalisation 

3.9 to 37.6  per square foot 

3.65 to 5.50

620.7

Income capitalisation 

6.0 to 10.6  per square foot

3.50 to 5.50 

Vietnam and Cambodia

54.0

Discounted cash flow 

23.0 to 52.4  per square metre 

15.00 to 16.00

Total

22,802.0

Properties under development
Mainland China

Cambodia

Total

617.6

25.0

642.6

Residual

91.0  per square metre 

Residual

42.0 to 95.0  per square metre 

5.25 

16.00 

Prevailing market rents are estimated based on independent valuers‘ view of recent lettings, within the subject properties and 
other comparable properties.  The higher the rents, the higher the fair value.

Capitalisation and discount rates are estimated by independent valuers based on the risk profile of the properties being valued.  
The lower the rates, the higher the fair value.

48  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 49

Notes to the Financial Statements13  Associates and Joint Ventures

Unlisted associates

Unlisted joint ventures

Share of attributable net assets

By business
Commercial Property

Residential Property

2013

US$m

41.4

4,889.0

4,930.4

3,635.6

1,294.8

4,930.4

2012

US$m

45.2

4,225.2

4,270.4

3,232.9

1,037.5

4,270.4

Movements of associates and joint ventures during the year:

At 1st January

Exchange differences

Share of results after tax and non-controlling interests

Share of other comprehensive income after tax and 

  non-controlling interests

Dividends received and receivable

Investments in and loans to associates and joint ventures

Others

At 31st December

Associates

 Joint ventures 

2013
US$m

2012
US$m

2013
US$m

2012
US$m

45.2

(0.8)

–

(0.6)

(1.7)

(0.7)

–

46.3

1.4

(0.5)

–

(1.2)

(0.8)

–

4,225.2

3,505.5

(37.2)

586.5

(51.3)

(151.2)

318.2

(1.2)

56.9

527.0

97.1

(141.7)

179.8

0.6

41.4

45.2

4,889.0

4,225.2

The material joint ventures of the Group are listed below.  These joint ventures have share capital consisting solely of ordinary 
shares, which are held directly by the Group.

Nature of investments in material joint ventures in 2013 and 2012:

Name of entity

Nature of business 

Place of  
business/country  
of incorporation 

% of  
ownership  
interest 

Properties Sub F, Ltd

BFC Development LLP

Central Boulevard Development Pte Ltd

One Raffles Quay Pte Ltd

Property investment

Property investment

Property investment

Property investment

Macau

Singapore

Singapore

Singapore

2013

2012

49.0 

33.3 

33.3 

33.3

49.0 

33.3 

33.3 

33.3

The Group’s commitments to provide funding to its joint ventures, if called, amounted to US$395.3 million as at 31st December 
2013 (2012: US$272.1 million).

48  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 49

13  Associates and Joint Ventures continued

Summarised financial information for material joint ventures
Set out below are the summarised financial information for the Group’s material joint ventures. 

Summarised balance sheet at 31st December

2013
Non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Other current assets

Total current assets

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities (excluding trade payables)

Other current liabilities (including trade payables)

Total current liabilities

Net assets

2012

Non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Other current assets

Total current assets

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Financial liabilities (excluding trade payables)

Other current liabilities (including trade payables)

Total current liabilities

Net assets

Properties 
Sub F, Ltd 
US$m

BFC 
Development 
 LLP 
US$m

Central 
Boulevard 
Development 
Pte Ltd 
US$m

One Raffles 
Quay 
Pte Ltd 
US$m

1,170.0

3,594.7

2,467.0

2,757.7

29.0

110.9

139.9

12.3

14.3

26.6

116.8

142.0

258.8

17.5

1.3

18.8

(91.2)

(108.8)

(1,330.5)

(1,274.5)

–

(15.2)

(823.3)

(196.1)

(200.0)

(1,330.5)

(1,289.7)

(1,019.4)

(3.1)

(48.8)

(51.9)

(1.3)

(87.1)

(88.4)

(7.3)

(168.4)

(175.7)

(5.8)

(41.8)

(47.6)

1,058.0

2,202.4

1,260.4

1,709.5

1,003.4

3,504.5

2,417.1

2,682.9

44.7

61.7

106.4

22.6

18.8

41.4

51.7

458.6

510.3

24.2

1.9

26.1

(136.4)

(90.4)

(1,377.3)

(1,409.7)

–

–

(853.7)

(186.5)

(226.8)

(1,377.3)

(1,409.7)

(1,040.2)

(5.2)

(57.6)

(62.8)

(1.8)

(96.0)

(97.8)

(6.9)

(484.1)

(491.0)

(5.4)

(38.7)

(44.1)

820.2

2,070.8

1,026.7

1,624.7

50  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 51

Notes to the Financial Statements13  Associates and Joint Ventures continued

Summarised statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31st December

2013
Revenue

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Interest expense

Profit from underlying business performance

Income tax (expense)/credit

Profit after tax from underlying business performance

Profit after tax from non-trading items

Profit after tax

Other comprehensive income

Properties 
Sub F, Ltd 
US$m

BFC 
Development 
 LLP 
US$m

Central 
Boulevard 
Development 
Pte Ltd 
US$m

One Raffles 
Quay 
Pte Ltd 
US$m

152.3

(9.0)

0.1

(4.0)

94.5

(11.6)

82.9

155.2

238.1

(0.3)

165.0

(0.2)

–

(47.8)

76.4

9.2

85.6

206.3

291.9

(70.3)

852.2

(0.1)

–

(25.4)

390.6

(66.2)

324.4

129.5

453.9

(35.0)

125.9

(0.1)

0.1

(22.6)

71.6

(11.5)

60.1

149.3

209.4

(52.6)

Total comprehensive income

237.8

221.6

418.9

156.8

Group’s share of dividends received and receivable 

from joint ventures

–

30.0

61.8

24.0

2012

Revenue

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Interest expense

Profit from underlying business performance

Income tax expense

Profit after tax from underlying business performance

Profit after tax from non-trading items

Profit after tax

Other comprehensive income

114.5

(13.5)

0.7

(5.6)

68.1

(8.3)

59.8

321.4

381.2

1.5

165.3

(0.2)

–

(50.5)

78.9

(6.3)

72.6

70.6

143.2

118.7

28.4

–

–

(16.5)

(7.8)

–

(7.8)

222.9

215.1

45.6

109.4

(0.1)

0.1

(22.4)

58.2

(8.7)

49.5

80.5

130.0

87.9

Total comprehensive income

382.7

261.9

260.7

217.9

Group’s share of dividends received and receivable 

from joint ventures

66.3

21.8

–

20.5

50  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 51

 
 
13  Associates and Joint Ventures continued

The information above reflects the amounts presented in the financial statements of the joint ventures adjusted for differences 
in accounting policies between the Group and the joint ventures.

Reconciliation of summarised financial information
Reconciliation of the summarised financial information presented to the carrying amount of its interest in the material joint 
ventures for the year ended 31st December

2013
Net assets at 1st January

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

Dividends paid and payable

Properties 
Sub F, Ltd 
US$m

BFC 
Development 
 LLP 
US$m

Central 
Boulevard 
Development 
Pte Ltd 
US$m

One Raffles 
Quay 
Pte Ltd 
US$m

820.2

238.1

(0.3)

–

2,070.8

1,026.7

1,624.7

291.9

(70.3)

(90.0)

453.9

(35.0)

(185.2)

209.4

(52.6)

(72.0)

Net assets at 31st December

1,058.0

2,202.4

1,260.4

1,709.5

Interest in joint ventures (%)

49.0

33.3

33.3

33.3

Group’s share of net assets in joint ventures

Shareholders’ loans

Carrying value

518.4

45.8

734.1

443.5

420.1

424.8

569.9

35.5

564.2

1,177.6

844.9

605.4

2012

Net assets at 1st January

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

Dividends paid and payable

572.9

381.2

1.5

(135.4)

1,874.2

143.2

118.7

(65.3)

766.0

215.1

45.6

–

1,468.3

130.0

87.9

(61.5)

Net assets at 31st December

820.2

2,070.8

1,026.7

1,624.7

Interest in joint ventures (%)

49.0

33.3

33.3

33.3

Group’s share of net assets in joint ventures

Shareholders’ loans

Carrying value

401.9

69.2

690.2

459.1

342.3

469.9

541.5

36.8

471.1

1,149.3

812.2

578.3

The Group has interests in a number of individually immaterial joint ventures.  The following table analyses, in aggregate, the 
share of profit and other comprehensive income and carrying amount of these joint ventures.

Share of profit

Share of other comprehensive income

Share of total comprehensive income

2013

US$m

151.5

1.6

153.1

2012

US$m

177.4

12.3

189.7

Carrying amount of interests in these joint ventures

1,696.9

1,214.3

52  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 53

Notes to the Financial Statements14  Other Investments

Available-for-sale financial assets:

Listed securities

Unlisted securities

The fair value measurements of available-for-sale financial assets are based on  

the following data:

Quoted prices in active markets

Unobservable inputs

2013

US$m

57.5

–

57.5

57.5

–

57.5

15  Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances
US$m

Revaluation 
surpluses of 
investment 
properties
US$m

Other 
temporary 
differences
US$m

Tax losses
US$m

2013
At 1st January – as previously reported 

  and restated

Exchange differences

Charged to profit and loss

Charged to other comprehensive income

At 31st December

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

0.1

–

–

–

0.1

0.1

–

0.1

(54.3)

–

(5.7)

–

(60.0)

–

(60.0)

(60.0)

(1.3)

(0.1)

(8.1)

–

(9.5)

–

(9.5)

(9.5)

(5.7)

0.2

(1.5)

(1.2)

(8.2)

5.4

(13.6)

(8.2)

(77.6)

2012

US$m

80.5

2.1

82.6

80.5

2.1

82.6

Total
US$m

(61.2)

0.1

(15.3)

(1.2)

(77.6)

5.5

(83.1)

52  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 53

 
15  Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities continued

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances
US$m

Revaluation 
surpluses of 
investment 
properties
US$m

Other 
temporary 
differences
US$m

Tax losses
US$m

2012

At 1st January – as previously reported  

  and restated

Exchange differences

(Charged)/credited to profit and loss

Charged to other comprehensive income

At 31st December

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

1.4

–

(1.3)

–

0.1

0.1

–

0.1

(50.5)

(0.1)

(3.7)

–

(54.3)

–

(54.3)

(54.3)

(1.9)

–

0.6

–

(1.3)

–

(1.3)

(1.3)

(2.9)

0.2

(1.0)

(2.0)

(5.7)

5.1

(10.8)

(5.7)

(61.2)

Total
US$m

(53.9)

0.1

(5.4)

(2.0)

(61.2)

5.2

(66.4)

Deferred tax balances predominantly comprise non-current items.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted when the taxes 
relate to the same taxation authority and where offsetting is allowed. 

Deferred tax assets of US$2.4 million (2012: US$3.7 million) arising from unused tax losses of US$11.0 million  
(2012: US$18.4 million) have not been recognised in the financial statements.  Included in the unused tax losses, US$4.6 million 
(2012: US$2.7 million) of losses have no expiry date and the balance will expire at various dates up to and including 2018 
(2012: 2017). 

16  Properties for Sale

Properties under development

Provision for impairment

Completed properties

2013
US$m

2,667.5

(97.2)

2,570.3

99.9

2,670.2

2012
US$m

2,529.6

(113.0)

2,416.6

96.8

2,513.4

At 31st December 2013, properties under development which were not scheduled for completion within the next twelve 
months amounted to US$1,889.8 million (2012: US$1,773.5 million).

At 31st December 2013, properties for sale of US$711.3 million (2012: US$314.7 million) were pledged as security for 
borrowings of US$229.9 million (2012: US$157.1 million) as shown in Note 20.

54  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 55

Notes to the Financial Statements17  Debtors

Trade debtors
Other debtors
  – third parties
  – associates and joint ventures

Non-current
Current

By geographical area of operation
Greater China
Southeast Asia and others

2013

US$m

62.5

195.1

41.3

298.9

25.2

273.7

298.9

163.1

135.8

298.9

2012

US$m

33.5

347.0
38.9

419.4

68.4

351.0

419.4

323.2

96.2

419.4

An allowance for impairment of trade debtors is made based on the estimated irrecoverable amount.  Significant financial 
difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default or delinquency 
in payment are considered indicators that the debt is impaired.

At 31st December 2013, trade debtors of US$4.3 million (2012: US$8.0 million) were past due but not impaired.  The ageing 
analysis of these trade debtors is as follows:

Below 30 days
Between 31 and 60 days
Between 61 and 90 days
Over 90 days

Other debtors are further analysed as follows:

Prepayments
Derivative financial instruments
Amounts due from associates and joint ventures
Others

2013

US$m

3.9

0.1

0.1

0.2

4.3

126.4

15.3

41.3

53.4

236.4

2012

US$m

6.9
0.2
0.1
0.8

8.0

242.9
50.8
38.9
53.3

385.9

The fair value of debtors other than derivative financial instruments approximates their carrying amounts, as the impact of 
discounting is not significant.  Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value.

54  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 55

18  Bank Balances

Deposits with banks and financial institutions

Bank balances

2013

US$m

1,274.8

131.5

1,406.3

2012

US$m

809.7

172.4

982.1

Deposits and bank balances of certain subsidiaries amounting to US$130.0 million (2012: US$98.8 million) are held under the 
Housing Developers (Project Account) Rules in Singapore, withdrawals from which are subject to the provision of these Rules.

The weighted average interest rate on deposits with banks and financial institutions is 1.2% (2012: 0.6%) per annum.

19  Creditors

Trade creditors

Tenants’ deposits

Other creditors

Derivative financial instruments

Financial liabilities

Rent received in advance

Proceeds from property for sale received in advance

Non-current

Current

By geographical area of operation
Greater China

Southeast Asia and others

2013

US$m

428.1

194.4

147.1

48.9

818.5

14.3

678.1

1,510.9

102.0

1,408.9

1,510.9

914.2

596.7

2012

US$m

251.9

178.4

81.9

24.5

536.7

9.8

672.4

1,218.9

76.3

1,142.6

1,218.9

572.7

646.2

Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value.  Other creditors are stated at amortised cost.  The fair value of these 
creditors approximates their carrying amounts.

1,510.9

1,218.9

56  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 57

Notes to the Financial Statements20  Borrowings

Current

  Bank overdrafts

  Current portion of long-term borrowings

  – bank loans

  – notes

Long-term

  Bank loans

  Notes

Secured

Unsecured

2013

Carrying 
amount
US$m

Fair value
US$m

2012

Carrying 
amount
US$m

Fair value
US$m

4.0

4.0

1.1

1.1

201.2

506.9

712.1

201.2

506.9

712.1

363.4

–

364.5

363.4

–

364.5

997.8

2,721.6

997.8

2,638.2

844.1

3,046.9

844.1

3,125.4

3,719.4

3,636.0

3,891.0

3,969.5

4,431.5

4,348.1

4,255.5

4,334.0

229.9

4,201.6

4,431.5

157.1

4,098.4

4,255.5

The fair values are based on market prices or are estimated using the expected future payments discounted at market interest 
rates ranging from 0.5% to 3.2% (2012: 0.4% to 2.3%) per annum.  The fair values of current borrowings approximate their 
carrying amounts, as the impact of discounting is not significant. 

Secured borrowings at 31st December 2013 were certain subsidiaries’ bank borrowings which were secured against their 
properties for sale.

The borrowings are further summarised as follows:

By currency

2013
Hong Kong dollar

Singapore dollar

United States dollar

2012

Hong Kong dollar

Singapore dollar

United States dollar

Fixed rate borrowings

Weighted 
average 
interest rates
%

Weighted 
average period 
outstanding
Years

Floating 
rate 
borrowings
US$m

US$m

Total
US$m

3.0

2.2

5.3

3.0

2.4

5.3

11.1

3.4

–

11.3

4.0

–

1,828.7

508.5

–

1,371.7

722.3

0.3

3,200.4

1,230.8

0.3

2,337.2

2,094.3

4,431.5

1,655.1

603.3

–

1,309.7

687.1

0.3

2,964.8

1,290.4

0.3

2,258.4

1,997.1

4,255.5

56  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 57

 
 
20  Borrowings continued

The weighted average interest rates and period of fixed rate borrowings are stated after taking into account hedging transactions.

The exposure of the Group’s borrowings to interest rate changes and the contractual repricing dates at 31st December after 
taking into account hedging transactions are as follows:

Within one year

Between one and two years

Between two and three years

Beyond five years

2013

US$m

2,200.4

297.2

–

1,933.9

4,431.5

2012

US$m

2,170.7

106.7

308.1

1,670.0

4,255.5

An analysis of the carrying amount of notes at 31st December is as follows:

2013

2012

Maturity

Current
US$m

Non-current
US$m

Current
US$m

Non-current
US$m

US$500m 10-year notes at 5.50%*

S$375m 10-year notes at 3.65%*

Medium term notes

  S$50m 8-year notes at 3.86%

  HK$200m 10-year notes at 4.135%

  HK$300m 10-year notes at 4.1875%

  HK$300m 10-year notes at 4.25%

  HK$500m 10-year notes at 4.22%

  HK$500m 10-year notes at 4.24%

  S$150m 10-year notes at 3.43%

  HK$500m 10-year notes at 3.95%

  HK$500m 12-year notes at 4.28%

  HK$410m 10-year notes at 3.86%

  US$500m 10-year notes at 4.50%*

  HK$305m 10-year notes at 3.00%

  HK$200m 10-year notes at 2.90%

  HK$1,100m 10-year notes at 3.95%

  HK$300m 10-year notes at 3.95%

  HK$300m 15-year notes at 4.10%

  US$600m 15-year notes at 4.50%*

  HK$302m 15-year notes at 3.75%

  HK$785m 15-year notes at 4.00%

  HK$473m 15-year notes at 4.04%

  HK$200m 15-year notes at 3.95%

  HK$300m 15-year notes at 3.15%

  HK$325m 15-year notes at 4.22%

  HK$800m 20-year notes at 4.11%

  HK$200m 20-year notes at 4.125%

  HK$240m 20-year partly paid notes at 4.00% †

  HK$250m 30-year notes at 5.25%

2014

2015

2017

2019

2019

2019

2020

2020

2020

2020

2021

2022

2022

2022

2022

2023

2023

2025

2025

2026

2027

2027

2027

2028

2028

2030

2031

2032

2040

506.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

297.2

41.7

25.6

38.7

38.7

68.1

64.3

118.1

64.2

66.8

52.4

461.9

39.0

25.6

140.7

38.4

38.5

617.2

38.6

99.3

60.8

25.7

38.0

41.5

103.2

25.4

19.9

32.1

506.9 

2,721.6 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

527.7

308.1

44.6

25.6

38.7

38.7

72.6

64.3

122.2

64.2

74.5

52.4

497.2

39.0

25.6

–

–

38.5

618.5

38.5

99.2

60.8

25.7

–

–

103.2

25.4

9.6

32.1

 3,046.9 

*  Listed on the Singapore Exchange.
†  The first and second instalments of HK$80 million each of the HK$240 million partly paid notes was issued in 2012 and 2013.  The final instalment of 

HK$80 million will be issued in 2014.

58  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 59

Notes to the Financial Statements21  Share Capital

Authorised
Shares of US$0.10 each

Issued and fully paid
At 1st January

Issued on conversion of convertible bonds

Ordinary shares in millions

2013

2012

2013

US$m

2012

US$m

4,000.0

4,000.0

400.0

400.0

2,352.8

–

2,338.1

14.7

235.3

–

233.8

1.5

At 31st December

2,352.8

2,352.8

235.3

235.3

22  Dividends

Final dividend in respect of 2012 of US¢11.00 (2011: US¢10.00) per share
Interim dividend in respect of 2013 of US¢6.00 (2012: US¢6.00) per share

2013

US$m

258.8 

141.2 

400.0

2012

US$m

234.2 

140.9

375.1

A final dividend in respect of 2013 of US¢12.00 (2012: US¢11.00) per share amounting to a total of US$282.3 million  
(2012: US$258.8 million) is proposed by the Board.  The dividend proposed will not be accounted for until it has been approved 
at the Annual General Meeting.  The amount will be accounted for as an appropriation of revenue reserves in the year ending 
31st December 2014.

23  Notes to Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

a) 

Increase in properties for sale in 2013 included the acquisition of a site in Singapore at US$366.1 million.  In 2012, the cash 
flow included payments for property sites in mainland China and Singapore, which amounted to US$489.0 million and 
US$302.0 million respectively. 

b)  Developments capital expenditure in 2013 included US$96.6 million (2012: US$497.6 million) for property developments  

in mainland China.

c) 

Investments in and loans to associates and joint ventures in 2013 included US$149.6 million and US$112.5 million 
investments in new joint ventures in mainland China and Indonesia respectively.

d)  Cash and cash equivalents

Bank balances

Bank overdrafts (see Note 20)

2013

US$m

1,406.3

(4.0)

1,402.3

2012

US$m

982.1

(1.1)

981.0

58  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 59

24  Derivative Financial Instruments

The fair values of derivative financial instruments at 31st December are as follows:

Designated as cash flow hedges

  – interest rate swaps

  – cross currency swaps

Designated as fair value hedges

  – interest rate swaps

  – cross currency swaps

2013

Positive  
fair value
US$m

Negative  
fair value
US$m

2012

Positive  
fair value
US$m

Negative  
fair value
US$m

–

6.7

4.5

4.1

1.5

13.0

–

34.4

–

6.9

13.7

30.2

5.1

18.2

–

1.2

Interest rate swaps
The notional principal amounts of the outstanding interest rate swap contracts at 31st December 2013 were US$210.1 million 
(2012: US$384.8 million).

At 31st December 2013, the fixed interest rates relating to interest rate swaps vary from 2.21% to 4.28% (2012: 1.84% to 4.28%).

The fair values of interest rate swaps are based on the estimated cash flows discounted at market rates ranging from 0.22% to 
2.55% (2012: 0.31% to 1.26%) per annum. 

Cross currency swaps
The contract amounts of the outstanding cross currency swap contracts at 31st December 2013 were US$1,756.3 million 
(2012: US$1,761.8 million).

25  Commitments

Capital commitments

  Authorised not contracted

  Contracted not provided

  – joint ventures

  – others

Operating lease commitments

  Due within one year

  Due between one and two years

  Due between two and five years

2013

US$m

497.9

395.3

53.9

449.2

947.1

2.8

1.8

1.2

5.8

2012

US$m

499.0

272.1

67.1

339.2

838.2

2.1

1.9

0.2

4.2

60  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 61

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
26  Contingent Liabilities

Various Group companies are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.  Having 
reviewed outstanding claims and taking into account legal advice received, the Directors are of the opinion that adequate 
provisions have been made in the financial statements.

27  Related Party Transactions

The parent company of the Group is Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited and the ultimate holding company is Jardine Matheson 
Holdings Limited (‘JMH’).  Both companies are incorporated in Bermuda.

In the normal course of business, the Group has entered into a variety of transactions with the subsidiaries, associates and  
joint ventures of JMH (‘Jardine Matheson group members’).  The more significant of these transactions are described below:

Management fee
The management fee payable by the Group, under an agreement entered into in 1995, to Jardine Matheson Limited (‘JML’)  
in 2013 was US$4.7 million (2012: US$3.9 million), being 0.5% per annum of the Group’s underlying profit in consideration  
for management consultancy services provided by JML, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JMH.

Property and other services
The Group rented properties to Jardine Matheson group members.  Gross rents on such properties in 2013 amounted to 
US$19.0 million (2012: US$21.4 million).

The Group provided project consultancy services to Jardine Matheson group members in 2013 amounting to US$0.4 million 
(2012: Nil). 

Jardine Matheson group members provided property construction, maintenance and other services to the Group in 2013  
in aggregate amounting to US$53.9 million (2012: US$34.7 million).

The outstanding balances arising from the above services at 31st December 2013 were not material.

Hotel management services
Jardine Matheson group members provided hotel management services to the Group in 2013 amounted to US$2.9 million 
(2012: US$2.7 million).

The outstanding balances arising from the above services at 31st December 2013 were not material.

Outstanding balances with associates and joint ventures
Amounts of outstanding balances with associates and joint ventures are included in debtors and creditors as appropriate  
(see Notes 17 and 19).

Directors’ emoluments
Details of Directors’ emoluments (being the key management personnel compensation) are shown on page 70 under  
the heading of ’Directors’ Appointment, Retirement, Remuneration and Service Contracts’.

60  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 61

28  Summarised Balance Sheet of the Company

Included below is certain summarised balance sheet information of the Company disclosed in accordance with Bermuda law.

Net operating assets
Investments at cost

  Unlisted shares in subsidiaries

  Net amounts due from subsidiaries

Creditors and other accruals

Total equity
Share capital (see Note 21)

Revenue and other reserves

  Contributed surplus

  Share premium

  Revenue reserves

Shareholders’ funds

2013

US$m

2012

US$m

4,481.7

941.9

5,423.6

(18.4)

4,481.7

684.6

5,166.3

(15.8)

5,405.2

5,150.5

235.3

235.3

2,249.6

386.9

2,533.4

5,169.9

5,405.2

2,249.6

386.9

2,278.7

4,915.2

5,150.5

Subsidiaries are shown at cost less amounts provided.

The contributed surplus was set up on the formation of the Company in 1989 and, under the Bye-laws of the Company,  
is distributable.

62  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 63

Notes to the Financial Statements29  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures

The principal subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures of the Group at 31st December 2013 are set out below.

Attributable 
interests
2013 2012
%

%

Issued share capital

Main activities

Place of 
incorporation

Subsidiaries

Hongkong Land China Holdings Ltd*

100

100

USD 

200,000,000

Investment holding

Bermuda

Hongkong Land International 

100

100

USD 

200,000,000

Investment holding

Bermuda

  Holdings Ltd*

Hongkong Land Ltd*

100

100

USD 

12,000

Group management

Bermuda

HK Glory Properties Ltd

100

100

USD 

2

Property development

British Virgin  

Islands

HKL (Chater House) Ltd

100

100

HKD 

1,500,000

Property investment

Hong Kong

HKL (Landmark Hotel) Ltd

100

100

HKD 

2

Hotel investment

Hong Kong

HKL (Prince’s Building) Ltd

100

100

HKD 

200

Property investment

Hong Kong

Hongkong Land (Chongqing North) 

100

100

HKD 

3,980,000,000

Property development Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

Hongkong Land (Chongqing) 

100

100

USD 

479,990,000

Property development Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

The Hongkong Land Company, Ltd

100

100

HKD 

1,293,180,006

Property investment

Hong Kong

The Hongkong Land Property 

100

100

HKD 

200

Property investment

Hong Kong

  Company, Ltd

King Kok Investment Ltd

90

90

USD 

10,000

Property investment

Mauritius

Mulberry Land Company Ltd

100

100

HKD 

200

Property investment

Hong Kong

Starsome Investments Ltd

100

100

USD 

2

Investment holding

British Virgin  

Islands

Wangfu Central Real Estate 

95

95

RMB 

3,500,000,000

Property development Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

Central Building Ltd

71

71

USD 

1,991,547

Property investment

Vietnam

Doan Ket International Co Ltd

73.9

73.9

USD 

7,291,500

Property investment

Vietnam

HKL (Esplanade) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

150,000,000

Property investment

Singapore

HKL Treasury (Singapore) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

The Hongkong Land Finance 

100

100

USD 

(Cayman Islands) Company Ltd

* Owned directly

2

2

Finance

Finance

Singapore

Cayman Islands

62  

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Annual Report 2013 63

 
 
 
29  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures continued

Attributable 
interests
2013 2012
%

%

Issued share capital

Main activities

Place of 
incorporation

Subsidiaries continued

The Hongkong Land Notes  

100

100

USD 

2

Finance

  Company Ltd

British Virgin  

Islands

Hongkong Land Singapore (Pte) Ltd

100

100

SGD 

100,000

Property management Singapore

The Hongkong Land Treasury Services 

100

100

SGD 

2

Finance

Singapore

(Singapore) Pte Ltd

Caseldine Investments Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

Kedron Investments Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land Ltd

100

100

SGD 

369,985,977

Property management Singapore

MCL Land (Gateway) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land (Pantai View) Sdn Bhd

100

100

MYR 

2,000,000

Property investment

Malaysia

MCL Land (Pasir Ris) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land (Prestige) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land (Prime) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land (Serangoon) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

MCL Land (Warren) Pte Ltd

100

100

SGD 

1,000,000

Property development

Singapore

Beijing Yee Zhi Real Estate 

100

100

USD 

150,000

Property consultancy

Mainland China

  Consultancy Co Ltd

Hongkong Land (Beijing)  

  Management Co Ltd

100

100

USD 

150,000

Property management Mainland China

Hongkong Land (Chongqing)  

100

100

USD 

150,000

Property investment,  

Mainland China

  Management Co Ltd

  development and  

  management

Hongkong Land (One Central) Retail 

100

100

MOP 

25,000

Management and  

Macau

  Property Management Ltd

  administration  

  services

Hongkong Land (Property  

100

100

HKD 

20

Property management Hong Kong

  Management) Ltd

PT Hongkong Land Consultancy  

100

100

IDR 

300

Consultancy and  

Indonesia

  and Management

  management

64  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 65

Notes to the Financial Statements 
 
29  Principal Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures continued

Attributable 
interests
2013 2012
%

%

Issued share capital

Main activities

Place of 
incorporation

Associates and joint ventures 

Beijing Premium Real Estate Ltd

Chengdu Premium Property 

  Development Co Ltd

40

50

40

50

USD 

USD 

12,000,000

Property development Mainland China

699,980,000

Property development Mainland China

China West Premier Housing 

50

50

USD 

533,960,015

Property development Mainland China

  Development Co Ltd

Chongqing Central Park Ltd

Longhu Land Ltd

Normelle Estates Ltd

50

50

50

–

HKD 

2,320,000,000

Property development Mainland China

50

50

USD 

HKD 

12,000,000

Property development Mainland China

10,000

Property investment

Hong Kong

Properties Sub F, Ltd

46.6

46.6

MOP 

1,000,000

Property investment

Macau

Ampang Investments Pte Ltd

40

40

SGD 

10

Hotel investment

Singapore

BFC Development LLP

33.3

33.3

SGD 

6

Property investment

Singapore

Central Boulevard Development 

33.3

33.3

SGD 

600

Property investment

Singapore

  Pte Ltd

Gaysorn Land Company Ltd

49

49

THB 

61,250,000

Property investments 

Thailand

Golden Quantum Acres Sdn Bhd

Jardine Gibbons Properties Ltd

MSL Properties Sdn Bhd

NorthPine Land Inc

50

40

50

40

50

40

50

40

  and operations

MYR 

BD 

2,764,210

Property development Malaysia

600,000 ‘A’

Property holding

Bermuda

400,000 ‘B’

MYR 

3,000,000

Property development Malaysia

Peso 

1,224,635,200

Property investment

The Philippines

One Raffles Quay Pte Ltd

33.3

33.3

SGD 

6

Property investment

Singapore

PT Bumi Parama Wisesa

PT Jakarta Land 

Sunrise MCL Land Sdn Bhd

49

50

50

49

50

50

IDR  1,800,000,000,000

Property investment

Indonesia

IDR 

3,320,000,000

Property development 

Indonesia

MYR 

2,000,000

Property development Malaysia

64  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 65

 
 
Independent Auditors’ Report

To the members of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited 

Report on the Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited (the ‘Company’)  
and its subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’) which comprise the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2013 and the 
Consolidated Profit and Loss Account, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes  
in Equity and Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year then ended and a summary of significant accounting policies and  
other explanatory notes. 

Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial Statements

The Company’s Directors are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and with the requirements of Section 90 of the Bermuda Companies Act.  
This responsibility includes: designing, implementing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation 
of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate 
accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances. 

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.  We conducted our audit in 
accordance with International Standards on Auditing.  Those Standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan 
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.   
The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the 
financial statements, whether due to fraud or error.  In making those risk assessments, the auditors consider internal control relevant  
to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements 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 
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the 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 accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of  
the Group as at 31st December 2013, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards and with the requirements of the Bermuda Companies Act. 

Report on Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters that under the UK Listing Rules we are required to review: 
•  Directors’ Statement in relation to going concern; and 
• 

the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code specified for our review. 

Other Matters

This report, including the opinion, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with Section 90 
of the Bermuda Companies Act and for no other purpose.  We do not, in giving this opinion, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by 
our prior consent in writing. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants 
London 
United Kingdom 
6th March 2014 

66  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 67

 
Five Year Summary

2009

US$m

2010

US$m

2011

US$m

2012

US$m

2013

US$m

Profit attributable to shareholders

1,813

4,739

5,306

1,438

1,190

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders

777

810

703

776

935

Investment properties

14,818

18,036

22,530

23,494

23,583

Net debt

2,417

2,358

2,359

3,273

3,025

Shareholders’ funds

14,936

19,457

24,739

26,148

26,857

Net asset value per share

US$

6.64

US$

8.64

US$

US$

US$

10.58

11.11

11.41

34.54

35.99

33.11

30.25

39.73

11.11

11.41

10.58

16.00

16.00

16.00

17.00

18.00

8.64

6.64

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Underlying earnings

Dividends

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Underlying earnings/dividends  
per share (US¢)

Net asset value per share (US$)

66  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 67

Responsibility Statement

The Directors of the Company confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

a. 

b. 

the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, 
including International Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board; and

the sections of this Report, including the Chairman’s Statement, Chief Executive’s Review and Principal Risks and Uncertainties, 
which constitute the management report include a fair review of all information required to be disclosed by the Disclosure and 
Transparency Rules 4.1.8 to 4.1.11 issued by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.

For and on behalf of the Board

Y.K. Pang
John R. Witt
Directors
6th March 2014

68  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 69

Corporate Governance

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda.  The Group’s property interests are almost entirely in Asia.   
The Company’s equity shares have a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange, and secondary listings in Bermuda and 
Singapore.  A Special General Meeting has been convened for 8th April 2014 to seek shareholder approval for the transfer to  
a standard listing from a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange.  The Company attaches importance to the corporate 
stability that is fundamental to the Group’s ability to pursue a long-term strategy in Asian markets.  It is committed to high standards  
of governance.  Its approach, however, developed over many years, differs from that envisaged by the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the ‘UK Code’), which was originally introduced as a guide for United Kingdom incorporated companies listed on the London 
Stock Exchange.  As provided in the Listing Rules issued by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom (the ‘FCA’),  
the Company’s premium listed status requires that this Report address how the main principles of the UK Code have been applied  
by the Company, and explain the reasons for the different approach adopted by the Company as compared to the UK Code’s 
provisions.  The Company’s governance differs from that contemplated by provisions of the UK Code on board balance and 
refreshment, director independence, board evaluation procedures, nomination and remuneration committees and the appointment  
of a senior independent director.

The Management of the Group

The Company has its dedicated executive management under the Chief Executive.  The Memorandum of Association of the 
Company, however, provides for the chairman of Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited (‘Jardine Matheson’) to be, or to appoint,  
the Managing Director of the Company.  The managing director of Jardine Matheson has been so appointed.  Reflecting this, and  
the 50% interest of the Jardine Matheson group in the Company’s share capital, the Chief Executive and the Managing Director meet 
regularly.  Similarly, the board of the Hong Kong-based Group management company, Hongkong Land Limited (‘HKL’), and its finance 
committee are chaired by the Managing Director and include Group executives as well as the deputy managing director, the group 
finance director, the group strategy director and the group general counsel of Jardine Matheson.

The Board

The Company currently has a Board of 17 Directors: the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer; seven executives of Jardine 
Matheson; and eight non-executive Directors.  Their names and brief biographies appear on pages 18 and 19 of this Report.   
The Chairman has been appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Bye-laws of the Company, which provide that the 
chairman of Jardine Matheson, or any Director nominated by him, shall be the Chairman of the Company.  The composition and 
operation of the Board reflect the Company’s commitment to its long-term strategy, shareholding structure and tiered approach  
to oversight and management as described in this Report.  These factors explain the balance on the Board between executive and 
non-executive Directors, the stability of the Board, the absence of nomination and remuneration committees and the conduct of 
Board evaluation procedures.  The Board regards Asian business experience and relationships as more valuable attributes of its 
non-executive Directors than formal independence criteria.  Accordingly the Board has not designated a ‘senior independent director’ 
as set out in the UK Code.  Recommendations and decisions on remuneration result from consultations between the Chairman and 
other Directors as he considers appropriate.

Among the matters which the Board of the Company decides are the Group’s business strategy, its annual budget, dividends  
and major corporate activities.  Responsibility for implementing the Group’s strategy is delegated to the Company’s executive 
management, with decision-making authority within designated financial parameters delegated to the HKL finance committee.   
In addition, as part of the Company’s tiered approach to oversight and management, certain Directors of the Company who do not 
serve on the board of HKL and who are based outside Asia make regular visits to Asia and Bermuda where they participate in four 
annual strategic reviews.  All of these reviews precede the Board meetings.  These Directors are not directly involved in the operational 
management of the Group’s business activities, but their knowledge and close oversight of the Group’s affairs reinforces the process 
by which business is reviewed before consideration by the Board.

The Board is scheduled to hold four meetings in 2014 and ad hoc procedures are adopted to deal with urgent matters.  In 2013  
one meeting was held in Bermuda and three were held in Asia.  All current Directors who held office in 2013 attended all four Board 
meetings, save that Jenkin Hui, Simon Keswick, Lord Leach of Fairford, Anthony Nightingale and Lord Powell of Bayswater attended 
three meetings.  The Board receives high quality, up to date information for each of its meetings, which has previously been 
considered and approved at meetings of the board of HKL.  This information is also the subject of a strategy review in a cycle  
of meetings (in Bermuda or Asia, as appropriate) prior to consideration by the Board itself.

The division of responsibilities between the roles of Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive is well established.  The role of 
the Chairman is to lead the Board as it oversees the Group’s strategic and financial direction, while the principal role of the Managing 
Director is to act as chairman of HKL and of its finance committee.  The responsibility for running the Group’s business and all the 
executive matters affecting the Group rests with the Chief Executive.

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Annual Report 2013 69

Corporate Governance

Directors’ Appointment, Retirement, Remuneration and Service Contracts

Candidates for appointment as executive Directors of the Company, as executive directors of HKL or as senior executives elsewhere 
in the Group may be sourced internally, from the Jardine Matheson group or externally using the services of specialist executive 
search firms.  The aim is to appoint individuals who combine international best practice with adaptability to Asian markets.

Each new Director is appointed by the Board and, in accordance with Bye-law 92 of the Company’s Bye-laws, each new Director is 
subject to retirement at the first Annual General Meeting after appointment.  Thereafter, the Director will be subject to retirement by 
rotation pursuant to Bye-law 85 whereby one-third of the Directors retire at the Annual General Meeting each year.  These provisions 
apply to both executive and non-executive Directors, but the requirement to retire by rotation pursuant to Bye-law 85 does not extend 
to the Chairman or Managing Director.

Lord Sassoon was appointed as a Director with effect from 23rd January 2013.  In accordance with Bye-law 85, Charles Allen-Jones, 
Jenkin Hui, Sir Henry Keswick, Simon Keswick and Lord Powell of Bayswater retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting and, 
being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.  None of the Directors proposed for re-election has a service contract with the 
Company or its subsidiaries.

Simon Keswick stepped down as Chairman of the Company on 15th May 2013 and remains as a non-executive Director.  He was 
succeeded as Chairman by Ben Keswick, who retains his position as Managing Director.

The Company’s policy is to offer competitive remuneration packages to its senior executives.  It is recognised that, due to the nature 
of the Group and its diverse geographic base, a number of its senior executives are required to be offered international terms and the 
nature of the remuneration packages is designed to reflect this.

Directors’ fees, which are payable to all Directors other than the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer, are decided upon by 
shareholders in general meeting as provided for by the Company’s Bye-laws.  For the year ended 31st December 2013, the Directors 
received US$6.7 million (2012: US$5.7 million) in Directors’ fees and employee benefits, being US$0.8 million (2012: US$0.6 million) 
in Directors’ fees, US$5.8 million (2012: US$5.0 million) in short-term employee benefits including salary, bonuses, accommodation 
and deemed benefits in kind and US$0.1 million (2012: US$0.1 million) in post-employment benefits.  The information set out in this 
paragraph forms part of the audited financial statements.

The Company has in place shadow share option schemes under which cash bonuses are paid based on the performance of the 
Company’s share price over a period.  The shadow schemes were established to provide longer-term incentives for executive 
Directors and senior managers.  Shadow share options are granted after consultation between the Chairman and the Chief Executive 
as well as other Directors as they consider appropriate.

The Company purchases insurance to cover its Directors against their costs in defending themselves in civil proceedings taken 
against them in that capacity and in respect of damages resulting from the unsuccessful defence of any proceedings.  To the extent 
permitted by law, the Company also indemnifies its Directors.  Neither the insurance nor the indemnity provides cover where the 
Director has acted fraudulently or dishonestly.

Directors’ Responsibilities in respect of the Financial Statements and Annual Report

The Directors are required under the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 to prepare financial statements for each financial year and to 
present them annually to the Company’s shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.  The financial statements should present fairly 
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) the financial position of the Group at the end of the year and 
the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended.  The Directors consider that applicable accounting policies 
under IFRS, applied on a consistent basis and supported by prudent and reasonable judgements and estimates, have been followed  
in preparing the financial statements.  The Board is also responsible for preparing the annual report and financial statements in such  
a manner that they, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders  
to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

Code of Conduct, Inclusion and Diversity

The Group conducts business in a professional, ethical and even-handed manner.  Its ethical standards are clearly set out in the 
Group’s Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines to which every employee must adhere.  The code requires that all Group companies 
comply with all laws of general application, all rules and regulations that are industry specific and proper standards of business 
conduct.  The code prohibits the giving or receiving of illicit payments, and requires all employees to be treated fairly, impartially  
and with respect.  It also requires that all managers must be fully aware of their obligations under the Code of Conduct and establish 
procedures to ensure compliance at all levels within their organisations.  The Group has in place procedures by which employees  
can raise, in confidence, matters of serious concern in areas such as financial reporting or compliance.  

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Annual Report 2013 71

Inclusion and diversity are encouraged within the Group.  As a multinational Group with a broad range of businesses operating across 
Asia, the Group believes in promoting equal opportunities in recruiting, developing and rewarding its people regardless of race, 
gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or background.  The scale and breadth of the Group’s businesses necessitate that  
they seek the best people from the communities in which they operate most suited to their needs.

Report of the Audit Committee

The Board has established within HKL an audit committee (the ‘Audit Committee’), the members of which are Adam Keswick,  
Mark Greenberg, James Riley and Giles White; they have extensive knowledge of the Group while at the same time not being  
directly involved in operational management.  Ben Keswick stepped down from the Audit Committee on 15th May 2013, upon  
his appointment as Chairman of the Company becoming effective, and was succeeded as chairman of the Audit Committee by  
Adam Keswick.  The Board considers that the members of the Audit Committee have, collectively, the requisite skills, knowledge  
and experience to enable it to discharge its responsibilities in a proper manner.  The two Audit Committee meetings held during  
the year were attended by all the then current members.  The chairman, chief executive and chief financial officer of HKL, together 
with representatives of the internal and external auditors, also attend the Audit Committee meetings by invitation.

Prior to completion and announcement of the half-year and year-end results, a review of the financial information and of any issues 
raised in connection with the preparation of the results, including the adoption of new accounting policies, is undertaken by the Audit 
Committee with the executive management and a report is received from the external auditors.  The Audit Committee also assesses 
any reports on frauds identified during the period under review.  The external auditors also have access to the full Board, in addition to 
the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and other senior executives.

At the request of the Board, the Audit Committee considered whether the annual report and financial statements of the Company  
for the year ended 31st December 2013, taken as a whole, were fair, balanced and understandable and provided the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy.  The Audit Committee is satisfied 
that this is the case.

The significant issues considered in relation to the financial statements, and for which the Audit Committee concluded appropriate 
and reasonable accounting estimates and judgements were made, are summarised below:

1.  The Audit Committee considered whether it was appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on the basis that the 
Company and the Group are going concerns.  Comprehensive financial forecasts had been prepared and, based on these 
forecasts, cash resources and existing credit facilities, the Audit Committee considered that the Company and the Group have 
adequate resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future.  Based on this review, the Directors continue to adopt  
the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

2.  The Audit Committee reviewed the year-end valuations of the material investment properties, which are based on external 

valuations performed by independent valuers.  The Audit Committee received confirmation that there was overall agreement 
between management and the external auditors concerning the valuations.  The independence and objectivity of the valuers  
were also assessed and confirmed by the Audit Committee.

3.  The Audit Committee reviewed the carrying values of the Group’s properties held for sale with management and the external 

auditors and concluded that they were appropriate.

4.  The Audit Committee received an update on developments in accounting standards and their current year impact on the Group, 
particularly IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’ and IAS 19 (amended 2011) ‘Employee Benefits’.  Developments that 
might impact future financial statements were noted and these will continue to be monitored and assessed.

The Audit Committee considered the external audit function with reviews conducted by the internal audit function and the Chief 
Financial Officer.  The Audit Committee also considered the independence and objectivity of the external auditors, and as part of that 
process has reviewed and approved the level and nature of non-audit work performed.  The Audit Committee found the performance, 
independence and objectivity of the external auditors to be satisfactory and recommended to the Board the re-appointment of the 
external auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.  PricewaterhouseCoopers have been 
auditors of the Group since 1992 and the Board believes that their expertise, independence and understanding of the Group’s 
extensive and complex business activities makes them best qualified to continue in their role.

The terms of reference of the Audit Committee can be found on the Company’s website at www.hkland.com.

The Audit Committee keeps under review the nature, scope and results of the audits conducted by the internal audit function.

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Annual Report 2013 71

Corporate Governance

Risk Management and Internal Control

The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of risk management and internal control.  The system of internal control is 
designed to manage, rather than eliminate, business risk; to help safeguard the Group’s assets against fraud and other irregularities; 
and to give reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material financial misstatement or loss.

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company are set out on page 74.

The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee responsibility for reviewing areas of risk and uncertainty, the operation and 
effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal control and the procedures by which these are monitored.  The Audit Committee 
considers the system and procedures on a regular basis, and reports to the Board semi-annually.

Executive management is responsible for the implementation of the system of internal control throughout the Group.  The internal 
audit function monitors the effectiveness of the system and the approach taken by the business units to risk.  The internal audit 
function is outside the operating businesses and reports its findings, and recommendations for any corrective action required,  
to the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee also reviews the effectiveness of the internal audit function.

The Group has in place an organisational structure with defined lines of responsibility and delegation of authority.  There are 
established policies and procedures for financial planning and budgeting; for information and reporting systems; for assessment of 
risk; and for monitoring the Group’s operations and performance.  The information systems in place are designed to ensure that the 
financial information reported is reliable and up to date.

The Company’s policy on commercial conduct underpins the Group’s internal control process, particularly in the area of compliance.  
The policy, as set out in the Code of Conduct, is reinforced and monitored by an annual compliance certification process.

The Audit Committee has also been given the responsibility to oversee the effectiveness of the formal procedures for employees to 
raise any matters of serious concern, and is required to review any reports made under those procedures that are referred to it by  
the internal audit function.

Directors’ Share Interests

The Directors of the Company in office on 20th March 2014 had interests (within the meaning of the Disclosure and Transparency 
Rules (‘DTRs’) of the FCA) as set out below in the ordinary share capital of the Company.  These interests include those notified to  
the Company in respect of the Directors’ connected persons (as that term is used in the DTRs in relation to companies incorporated 
outside the United Kingdom).

Y.K. Pang 
Charles Allen-Jones 
Simon Keswick 
Dr Richard Lee 
Anthony Nightingale 

38,000
60,000
74,521
3,678,685
2,184

Substantial Shareholders

As a non-UK issuer, the Company is subject to the DTRs pursuant to which a person must in certain circumstances notify the 
Company of the percentage of voting rights attaching to the share capital of the Company that he holds.  The obligation to notify 
arises if that person acquires or disposes of shares in the Company which results in the percentage of voting rights which he holds 
reaching, exceeding or falling below 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 50% and 75%.  

The Company has been informed of the holding of voting rights of 5% or more attaching to the Company’s issued ordinary share 
capital by Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited (‘Jardine Strategic’), which is directly interested in 1,176,616,646 ordinary shares 
carrying 50.01% of the voting rights.  By virtue of its interest in Jardine Strategic, Jardine Matheson is also interested in the same 
ordinary shares.  Apart from this shareholding, the Company is not aware of any holders of voting rights of 5% or more attaching to 
the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 20th March 2014.

There were no contracts of significance with corporate substantial shareholders during the year under review.

72  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 73

 
 
 
 
 
Relations with Shareholders

The 2014 Annual General Meeting will be held at Rosewood Tucker’s Point, Bermuda on 7th May 2014.  The full text of  
the resolutions and explanatory notes in respect of the meeting are contained in the Notice of Meeting which accompanies  
this Report.  All shareholders are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting and participate in communicating with the Company.  
The Company holds regular meetings with institutional shareholders.  A corporate website is maintained containing a wide range of 
information of interest to investors at www.hkland.com.

Securities Purchase Arrangements

At the Annual General Meeting held on 15th May 2013, shareholders renewed the approval of a general mandate authorising the 
Directors to effect purchases by the Company or its subsidiaries of the Company’s own ordinary shares of less than 15% in aggregate 
of its issued share capital.

Related Party Transactions

Details of transactions with related parties entered into by the Company during the course of the year are included in Note 27  
to the financial statements on page 61.  There were no transactions entered into by the Company during the course of the year  
to which the related party transaction rules of the FCA apply.

72  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 73

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Board has overall responsibility for risk management and internal control.  The process by which the Group identifies and 
manages risk is set out in more detail on page 72 of the Corporate Governance section of this Report.  The following are the principal 
risks and uncertainties facing the Company as required to be disclosed pursuant to the  Disclosure and Transparency Rules issued by 
the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom and are in addition to the matters referred to in the Chairman’s Statement and 
Chief Executive’s Review.

Economic Risk

The Group is exposed to the risk of negative developments in global and regional economies, and financial and property markets, 
either directly or through the impact on the Group’s joint venture partners, bankers, suppliers or tenants.  These developments can 
result in:
•  recession, inflation, deflation and currency fluctuations;
•  restrictions in the availability of credit, increases in financing and construction costs and business failures; and
•  reductions in office and retail rents, office and retail occupancy and sales prices of, and demand for, residential developments.
Such developments might increase costs of sales and operating costs, reduce revenues, or result in reduced valuations of the Group’s 
investment properties or in the Group being unable to meet in full its strategic objectives.

Commercial Risk and Financial Risk

Risks are an integral part of normal commercial practices, and where practicable steps are taken to mitigate such risks.  These risks are 
further pronounced when operating in volatile markets.

The Group makes significant investment decisions in respect of commercial and residential development projects that take time to 
come to fruition and achieve the desired returns and are, therefore, subject to market risks.  These risks are further pronounced when 
operating in volatile markets.

The Group operates in areas that are highly competitive, and failure to compete effectively in terms of price, product specification  
or levels of service can have an adverse effect on earnings as can construction risks in relation to new developments.  Significant 
pressure from such competition may lead to reduced margins.  The quality and safety of the products and services provided by  
the Group are also important and there is an associated risk if they are below standard.

The steps taken by the Group to manage its exposure to financial risk are set out in the Financial Review on page 15 and Note 2 to  
the financial statements on pages 34 to 39.

Regulatory and Political Risk

The Group is subject to a number of regulatory environments in the territories in which it operates.  Changes in the regulatory 
approach to such matters as foreign ownership of assets and businesses, exchange controls, planning controls, tax rules and 
employment legislation have the potential to impact the operations and profitability of the Group.  Changes in the political 
environment in such territories can also affect the Group.

Terrorism, Pandemic and Natural Disasters

A number of the Group’s interests are vulnerable to the effects of terrorism, either directly through the impact of an act of terrorism  
or indirectly through the impact of generally reduced economic activity in response to the threat of or an actual act of terrorism.

The Group would be impacted by a global or regional pandemic which could be expected to seriously affect economic activity and 
the ability of our business to operate smoothly.  In addition, many of the territories in which the Group is active can experience from 
time to time natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.

74  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 75

Shareholder Information

Financial Calendar

2013 full-year results announced

Share registers closed

Annual General Meeting to be held

2013 final dividend payable

2014 half-year results to be announced

Share registers to be closed

2014 interim dividend payable

* Subject to change

Dividends

6th March 2014

24th to 28th March 2014

7th May 2014

14th May 2014

31st July 2014 *

25th to 29th August 2014 *

15th October 2014 *

Shareholders will receive their dividends in United States dollars, unless they are registered on the Jersey branch register where  
they will have the option to elect for sterling.  These shareholders may make new currency elections for the 2013 final dividend  
by notifying the United Kingdom transfer agent in writing by 25th April 2014.  The sterling equivalent of dividends declared in  
United States dollars will be calculated by reference to a rate prevailing on 29th April 2014.  Shareholders holding their shares  
through The Central Depository (Pte) Limited (‘CDP’) in Singapore will receive United States dollars unless they elect, through CDP,  
to receive Singapore dollars.

Registrars and Transfer Agent

Shareholders should address all correspondence with regard to their shareholdings or dividends to the appropriate registrar or 
transfer agent.

Principal Registrar
Jardine Matheson International Services Limited
P.O. Box HM 1068
Hamilton HM EX
Bermuda

Jersey Branch Registrar  
Capita Registrars (Jersey) Limited 
12 Castle Street 
St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RT 
Channel Islands

United Kingdom Transfer Agent
Capita Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU
England

Singapore Branch Registrar
M & C Services Private Limited
112 Robinson Road #05-01
Singapore 068902

Press releases and other financial information can be accessed through the internet at www.hkland.com.

74  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 75

Offices

Offices

Hongkong Land (Premium Investments) Limited

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Jardine House
33-35 Reid Street
Hamilton
Bermuda
Tel +1441 292 0515
Fax +1441 292 4072
E-mail: gpobox@hkland.com
John C. Lang

Hongkong Land Limited

One Exchange Square, 8th Floor
Hong Kong
Tel +852 2842 8428
Fax +852 2845 9226
E-mail: gpobox@hkland.com
Y.K. Pang

Hongkong Land (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

One Raffles Quay
North Tower #34–03
Singapore 048583
Tel +65 6238 1121
Fax +65 6238 1131
E-mail: gpobox.sg@hkland.com
Robert Garman

Hongkong Land (Asia Management) Limited

Suite 204, 2/F Central Building
31 Hai Ba Trung
Hoan Kiem
Hanoi
Vietnam
Tel +844 3825 1480
Fax +844 3824 0769
E-mail: gpobox.hanoi@hkland.com
Cao, Ly Anh

Hongkong Land (Beijing) Management 
Company Limited

Room 303, Block 26, Central Park
No. 6 Chaoyangmenwai Avenue
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100020
China
Tel +8610 6597 0921
Fax +8610 6597 0925
E-mail: gpobox.bj@hkland.com
Joe Kwok

Hongkong Land (Chongqing) Management 
Company Limited

7/F, Zone D, Neptune Building
No. 62 Star Light Road
New North Zone
Chongqing 401147
China
Tel +8623 6703 3016-8
Fax +8623 6703 3888
E-mail: gpobox.cq@hkland.com
Joe Kwok / Ling Chang Feng

76  

Hongkong Land

No. 1A, Street 102
Sangkat Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Tel +855 2399 2063
Fax +855 2399 2083
E-mail: gpobox.cambodia@hkland.com
Daniel Parkes

Beijing Yee Zhi Real Estate Consultancy 
Company Limited

Room 1013, 10/F
Office Tower 1 Beijing APM
No. 138 Wangfujing Street
Dongcheng District
Beijing 100006
China
Tel +8610 6520 4828
Fax +8610 6520 4830
E-mail: gpobox.bj@hkland.com
Stanley Ko

PT Hongkong Land Consultancy  
and Management

World Trade Center I, 17th Floor
JI. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29–31
Karet, Setiabudi
Jakarta 12920
Indonesia
Tel +6221 521 1125
Fax +6221 521 1115
E-mail: gpobox.indonesia@hkland.com
Arthur Choo Weng Leong

MCL Land Limited

78 Shenton Way #33–00
Singapore 079120
Tel +65 6221 8111
Fax +65 6225 3383
E-mail: gpobox.mcl@hkland.com
Koh Teck Chuan

Representative Offices

Shanghai

Unit 1109C, Bund Centre
222 Yanan Road (East)
Shanghai 200002
China
Tel +8621 6335 1220
Fax +8621 6335 0100
E-mail: gpobox.sh@hkland.com
Stanley Ko / Vincent Sun

Vietnam

Unit 503, 5/F Gemadept Tower
2 bis-4-6 Le Thanh Ton, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel +848 3827 9006
Fax +848 3827 9020
E-mail: gpobox.hcmc@hkland.com
Cosimo Jencks

Annual Report 2013 77

Report of the Valuers

To Hongkong Land Holdings Limited

Dear Sirs

Revaluation of Investment Properties Held under Freehold and Leasehold

Further to your instructions, we have valued in our capacity as external valuers the investment properties held under freehold and 
leasehold as described in the consolidated financial statements of Hongkong Land Holdings Limited.  We are of the opinion that  
the market value of the investment properties held under freehold in Cambodia and leasehold in China, Hong Kong, Singapore  
and Vietnam as at 31st December 2013, totalled US$23,570,400,000 (United States Dollars Twenty Three Billion Five Hundred 
Seventy Million and Four Hundred Thousand).

Our valuations were prepared in accordance with the International Valuation Standards by the International Valuation Standards 
Council and The HKIS Valuation Standards by The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors.

We have inspected the properties without either making structural surveys or testing the services.  We have been supplied with details 
of tenure, tenancies and other relevant information.

In arriving at our opinion, each property was valued individually, on market value basis, calculated on the net income allowing for 
reversionary potential, however no allowance has been made for expenses of realisation or for taxation which might arise in the event 
of disposal.

Yours faithfully

Jones Lang LaSalle Limited
Hong Kong, 6th March 2014

76  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 77

Major Property Portfolio

at 31st December 2013

Commercial Investment Property

Completed development

Hong Kong

Alexandra House

Chater House

Exchange Square

  One Exchange Square

  Two Exchange Square

  Three Exchange Square

  Podium

  The Forum

Jardine House

Gloucester Tower

Landmark Atrium

Edinburgh Tower

York House

Prince’s Building

Macau

One Central

Singapore

One Raffles Link

One Raffles Quay

  North Tower

  South Tower

Attributable 

interests

%

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

46.6

100

33.3

35

43

139

63

44

24

45

10

51

454

19

29

124

Marina Bay Financial Centre

33.3

285

  Tower 1

  Tower 2

  Tower 3

Jakarta, Indonesia

Wisma Metropolitan I

Wisma Metropolitan II

World Trade Center

World Trade Center II

Bangkok, Thailand

Gaysorn Plaza

Hanoi, Vietnam

Central Building

63 L’y Thái Tô’

78  

Hongkong Land

50

50

50

50

49

71

73.9

438

15

18

42

60

135

17

4

7

11

Lettable area (100%)

Total

Office

Retail

(in thousands of square metres)

30

39

53

47

30

–

4

59

44

–

32

10

38

386

–

22

71

53

58

95

116

415

14

16

36

56

122

5

4

6

10

5

4

–

–

–

5

–

4

–

24

13

–

13

68

19

7

–

–

1

7

8

23

1

2

6

4

13

12

–

1

1

Annual Report 2013 79

Residential Development Property for Sale

Completed development

Attributable 

interests

Location

31st December 2013 (100%)

Available units at  

Hong Kong

Serenade

Mainland China

Maple Place

Macau

%

100

90

Tai Hang Road

Beijing

The Residences & Apartments at Mandarin Oriental

46.6

Avenida Dr Sun Yat Sen

14

76

2

21

Singapore

Marina Bay Suites

Under development

Singapore

Hallmark Residences

Palms  @Sixth Avenue

Uber 388

Terrasse

Ripple Bay

J Gateway

Jurong West

Mainland China

Bamboo Grove

Landmark Riverside

Yorkville South

Yorkville North

Central Park

WE City

Park Life

One Capitol

One Island

33.3

Central Boulevard

Attributable 

interests

%

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

50

50

100

100

50

50

50

50

50

Location

Site area (100%)

(in square metres)

Ewe Boon Road

Sixth Avenue

Upper East Coast Road

Hougang Avenue 2

Jalan Loyang Besar/ 

Pasir Ris Drive 4

Boon Lay Way

Jurong West Street 41

Chongqing

Chongqing

Chongqing

Chongqing

Chongqing

Chengdu

Shenyang

Shenyang

Shenyang

5,906

6,412

6,103

30,196

27,055 

11,588

22,357

252,561

323,955

271,601

526,458

402,305

190,253

331,358

375,398

253,553

78  

Hongkong Land

Annual Report 2013 79

Major Property Portfolio

Hong Kong – Central District

R A L

E N ’ S   R O A D   C E N T

Q U E

P

E

D

D

E

R

S

T

R

E

E

T

R A L

S   V O E U X   R O A D   C E N T

D E

I

C

E

H

O

U

S

E

9a

10

9

8

S

T

R

E

E

T

11

  R O A D   C E N T

L

A

R

3

C O N N A U G H T

Hongkong Land properties

Public car park

Pedestrian bridges

Mass Transit Railway access

7

IC

E H

6

O

U

S

E S

T

R

E

E

T

12

1

2

Stock
Exchange

O

A R B

H

4

U R   V IE W  S T R E E T
Airport E xpress Station
G  S T R E E T

N

L
A
R
T
N
E
C

Standard
Chartered
Bank

D
A
O
R

S
’

N
E
E
U
Q

Bank of
China

L
A
R
T
N
E

D C

HSBC

A
O
X R
U
E
O
S V

E
D

Statue
Square

D
A
O
R

R
E
T
A
H
C

Statue
Square

Mandarin
Oriental

L
A
R
T
N
E
C

D
A

O
R

T
H

G

U
A
N

J

A

C

K

S

O

5

General
Post Office

H E U

N   C

A

M

M

A

N

Y

I

U

S

T

R

E

E

T

D

A

O  R O

G   W

N

L U

N R

O

A

D

N

O

C

12

8

11

9a

10

9

7

6

1

2

5

3

4

1  One Exchange Square
2  Two Exchange Square
3  Three Exchange Square
4  The Forum 

Jardine House
5 
6  Chater House
7  Alexandra House

8  Gloucester Tower
9  Edinburgh Tower
9a  The Landmark Mandarin Oriental

10  York House
11  Landmark Atrium
12  Prince’s Building

80  

Hongkong Land 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marina Bay Financial Centre, a joint venture 
development in Singapore’s new Central 
Business District (front cover).

Hong Kong

Macau

Serenade

One Central

Indonesia

Contents

Corporate Overview 

Corporate Information 

Highlights 

Chairman’s Statement

Chief Executive’s Review

Financial Review 

Directors’ Profiles

Financial Statements

Independent Auditors’ Report 

Five Year Summary

Responsibility Statement

Corporate Governance 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Shareholder Information

Offices

Report of the Valuers

Major Property Portfolio

1

2

3

4

6

12

18

20

66

67

68

69

74

75

76

77

78

WTC

Thailand

Vietnam

Anandamaya Residences*

Nava Park*

Gaysorn

63 Lý Thái Tô’

Central Building

Cambodia

Philippines

Central Mansions

Phnom Penh Site*

Roxas Triangle Towers*

Beijing, China

Wangfujing Site*

Beijing, China

CBD Site

Central Park

Chongqing, China

Maple Place

Bamboo Grove

Landmark Riverside

Chongqing, China

Yorkville South

Yorkville North*

Chengdu, China

Shenyang, China

WE City

Park Life

One Capitol

* This rendering is for reference only, subject to change and government approval.

H
o
n
g
k
o
n
g
L
a
n
d
H
o
d
n
g
s
L
m

i

i

l

i
t
e
d

A
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
3

Singapore

Marina Bay Financial Centre
Marina Bay Financial Centre

One Raffles Quay

One Raffles Link

Marina Bay Suites

Este Villa

The Estuary

Hallmark Residences*

Palms@Sixth Avenue*

Terrasse*

Uber 388* 

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited
Jardine House  Hamilton  Bermuda

* This rendering is for reference only, subject to change and government approval.

www.hkland.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
H
o
n
g
k
o
n
g
L
a
n
d
H
o
d
n
g
s
L
m

l

i

i

i
t
e
d

A
n
n
u
a
l

R
e
p
o
r
t

2
0
1
3

Singapore

Marina Bay Financial Centre
Marina Bay Financial Centre

One Raffles Quay

One Raffles Link

Marina Bay Suites

Este Villa

The Estuary

Hallmark Residences*

Palms@Sixth Avenue*

Terrasse*

Uber 388* 

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited
Jardine House  Hamilton  Bermuda

* This rendering is for reference only, subject to change and government approval.

www.hkland.com