Hongkong Land and Merlin Entertainments Plc …

1 Page 1 of 4 news release To: Business editors For immediate release Hongkong land and Merlin Entertainments Plc deepen China partnership HONG KONG, 19th December 2013 Hongkong land , Asia s premier property developer, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Merlin Entertainments Plc, the world s second largest visitor attraction operator, in a strategic partnership to bring more engaging leisure and retail experiences to China. The two companies have agreed to communicate regularly regarding their development agendas in China and actively explore opportunities to make Merlin s world-famous entertainment brands a core component of Hongkong land s current and future property projects in the country.

2 Prior to the signing of the MoU, the two companies signed two letters of intent in March 2013 for numerous collaborations in Chongqing, China one was to establish Merlin s internationally-renowned celebrity waxworks, Madame Tussauds, and a SEA LIFE aquarium attraction at Hongkong land s Landmark Riverside; the other was to build a LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Merlin s unique indoor attraction for young children, at Yorkville, Hongkong land s first wholly-owned mixed-use development in the country. Signing the MoU heralds an even closer partnership between the two companies as they seek out new opportunities in the rapidly evolving China market. The signing of the MoU took place in the presence of Mr Hugo Swire, Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, who was in Chengdu during British Prime Minister David Cameron s visit to Hongkong land s WE City project earlier this month.

3 Hongkong land is very pleased to enter into this alliance with Merlin Entertainments , a company with an unsurpassed global reputation for excellence in entertainment , said Mr Y K Pang, Hongkong land s Chief Executive. Our partnership will redefine lifestyle experiences for the local communities and contribute to the social and economic development in leading cities in the country. Merlin s Chief Executive, Mr Nick Varney, agreed, Hongkong land s commitment to bringing the people of China a dynamic leisure and retail experience of global standards echos Merlin s own strategy for the region. We believe that makes us Hongkong land s perfect partner. Merlin has a wealth of experience and expertise in Page 2 of 4 creating and operating high quality attraction brands worldwide.

4 We have already proven that the addition of our iconic brands to a retail development drives business, but we also believe that it will add a new dimension to the strategic development of the leisure and retail market in China. Photo Caption: Officiating at the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding were (front left) Mr Raymond Wong, Head of Projects, China Residential Property of Hongkong land , and (front right) Mr Barry Cox, Director of New Business Development in Asia, Merlin Entertainments Plc. Witnesses of the signing were (second row, from right to left) Mr Kong Jian Tao, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of KWG Property Holding Limited; Mr Hugo Swire, Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom; Lord James Sassoon, Director of Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited; and Mr Joe Kwok, President, China Residential Property of Hongkong land .

5 - end - Page 3 of 4 For more information, please contact: Hongkong land Jennifer Lam (852) 2842 8222 GolinHarris Sue So (852) 2501 7984 Merlin Entertainments Plc Sally Ann Wilkinson (44) 208 899 6110/ (44) 208 948 3725 Notes to Editors: About Hongkong land Hongkong land is one of Asia s leading property investment, management and development groups. Founded in Hong Kong in 1889, Hongkong land s business is built on partnership , integrity and excellence. In Hong Kong, the Group owns and manages some 450,000 sq. m. (five million sq. ft) of prime commercial space that defines the heart of the Central Business District. In Singapore, it has been instrumental in the creation of the city-state s new Central Business District at Marina Bay with the expansion of its joint venture portfolio of new developments.

6 Hongkong land s properties in these and other Asian centres are recognised as market leaders and house the world s foremost financial, business and luxury retail names. Hongkong land develops premium residential properties in a number of cities in the region, principally in China and Singapore where its subsidiary, MCL land , is a significant 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.

7 About Merlin Entertainments Plc Merlin Entertainments Plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment , and has seen dynamic growth over the last five years. Europe s and the world s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 99 attractions, eight hotels/three holiday villages in 22 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its Page 4 of 4 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 22,000 employees. Merlin currently has 10 attractions in Asia including Madame Tussauds in Bangkok, Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Wuhan, China; the fantastic LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort with theme park, water park and hotel; world leading aquaria in Busan, Bangkok and Shanghai - underlining the company s position as the world s biggest global aquarium operator; and a LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Tokyo.

8 Attractions are also in development in Chongqing, Beijing and Singapore. Visit for more information.