2010 Communiqués de presse

Yibin, China – As a continuation of its commitment to support the Sichuan province following the earthquake two years ago, Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (MSL) has donated RMB 82,766 to buy computers for the Gaoxian and Luxian special education Schools in Yinbin, Sichuan Province, to connect disabled children in Sichuan to the outside world. 

A donation ceremony will be held today in Gaoxian, Yibin, with leaders from the Sichuan Disabled Persons’ Federation, local government, social volunteers, the MSL management team and disabled children from the schools expected to attend.

For over 14 years, hundreds of thousands of Chinese families have trusted Manulife-Sinochem to be there for their futures and to support their communities through corporate donations. To assist disabled children in Sichuan, MSL has undertaken a series of CSR events including:

• In October 2008, MSL donated RMB 4.5 million to reconstruct 5 special education schools in Sichuan
  
  
• In May 2009, the company donated summer uniforms to disabled children at the schools
  
  
• In October 2009, tens of thousands of MSL staff and agents sold “Love Umbrellas” to raise money to buy audiphones for deaf children in Sichuan

Following the establishment of the special education schools, MSL volunteers continue to donate to disabled students in Sichuan. The computers purchased with MSL’s donation will help deaf children study computer skills and enrich their lives, opening windows to a fantastic world outside their normal environment.

“I believe that as the first foreign joint venture life insurance company in China, our customers can rely on us to provide sophisticated insurance products and financial planning while also helping to assist our communities with donations and support,” says Mr. James Lin, President of Manulife-Sinochem, “More than two years after the Wenchuan earthquake, our company continues to care for disabled children in Sichuan. These goodwill events enable our staff and agents to extend their hands to those in need, and to support the community.”

MSL is committed to being socially responsible in the communities where it operates.  Over the past ten years, MSL has supported more than a dozen organizations working on behalf of worthwhile causes for the betterment of society. Donations have included assisting 100 libraries for students in deprived areas, RMB 500,000 to establish the Hope Schools and RMB 500,000 to establish an “MSL critical disease charity fund” for college students. Moreover, over the past 8 years, MSL has been an active participator in the “Terry Fox” charity run for cancer research.

About Manulife-Sinochem

Manulife-Sinochem is a joint venture company between Manulife (International) Limited and 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 the Company has more than 11,000 professionally trained agents and employees, providing financial and insurance services to over 500,000 customers. The company is now developing in over 40 cities including Shanghai and Beijing, and in provinces including Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shandong, Fujian, Chongqing and Liaoning. 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$446 billion (US$440 billion) as at March 31, 2010.

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 19 times and ranked 170th in 2009.

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

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