2009 Communiqués de presse

Manulife-Sinochem in cooperation with the financial newspaper Money Week launched a large-scale survey this week of Chinese family happiness. It is the first survey of its kind and will result in a happiness index. The survey will take two months, covering nearly 10,000 families in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong, Sichuan and other provinces and cities nationwide.

Middle-class families in China are the core force for urban development and progress, and their level of perceived happiness is an indicator of the development of the economy and culture. The happiness index can also reflect family demand and can help offer clues for solving some social problems.

Economic development in China is causing the happiness index to fall for many middle-class families. With that, divorce rates are on the rise – one government study found the divorce rate in medium-sized cities can reach as high as 20%, and even double that in Shanghai and Beijing¹.

“Financial stress, from housing loans, car loans, medical expenses and children’s education is a leading cause of both marital strife and unhappiness,” said James Lin, President of Manulife-Sinochem.

The happiness survey will launch in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shandong, Fujian, and Chongqing, which have a representative middle-class population. Over two months, Manulife-Sinochem will follow international standards and methodology for surveying participants, in homes and on the street. The results will be published in September.

Manulife-Sinochem will also hold three lucky draws to coincide with the survey’s findings, for prizes including a family trip to Bali valued at nearly 10,000 RMB. The drawings will be Sept 9, Sept 19 and Sept 29.

“The happiness index will be an important tool for understanding and appreciating the sentiment among families in this demographic in China, and a key to understanding their satisfaction of life,” Mr. Lin said.

About Manulife-Sinochem
Manulife-Sinochem is a joint venture company between Manulife (International) Limited and the China Foreign Economy and Trade Trust Company (a member of the Sinochem group). It was the first Chinese-foreign joint-venture life insurance company established in China. Manulife-Sinochem began operations in November 1996. To date it has over 10,000 professionally trained agents and employees, providing financial and insurance services to over 400,000 customers. The company is now developing steadily in over 35 cities including Shanghai and Beijing, and in provinces including Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shandong, Fujian and Chongqing. With more than ten years’ successful experience, Manulife-Sinochem is committed to offering comprehensive insurance products combined with excellent customer service and professionalism.

Manulife-Sinochem can be found on the internet at www.manulife-sinochem.com

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$421 billion (US$362 billion) as at June 30, 2009.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

About Sinochem
China Foreign Economy and Trade Trust Company (FOTIC) is a core enterprise of Sinochem. Sinochem is an important state-owned enterprise in China, with main focus in the sectors of agriculture, energy, chemicals, finance and real estate. It is also one of the four largest state-owned oil companies in China and the largest fertilizer provider that manufactures, distributes and markets all varieties of fertilizers. Sinochem has been listed among the Fortune Global 500 companies eighteen times and ranked 257th in 2008. In 2008, Sinochem International got yearly award of “The best corporate governance of listed companies in China”.

Sinochem can be found on the Internet atwww.sinochem.com.

Notes to editors:
¹Sources: http://sh.sina.com.cn/citylink/he/s/2009-03-05/16321084.html

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