2006 News Releases

Budding star becomes member of Team Manulife

Beijing – Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Canada-based Manulife Financial and the Official Life Insurance Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games today announced Olympic Taekwondo Champion, Luo Wei, as the newest member of Team Manulife, a group of talented Olympic athletes who function as Manulife ambassadors. As the exclusive Life Insurance Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Manulife-Sinochem’s agreement with Ms. Luo will also serve to showcase the Company’s support of all national athletes hoping for a chance to compete at the world’s most recognized sports competition, the Olympic Games. The long-term contract is with the Chinese Taekwondo Federation who represents Luo Wei.

“We are very pleased at the opportunity to work with Ms. Luo over the long term and to help support her quest for yet another gold medal for China at the 2008 Beijing Games,” said Alan Lee, Executive Vice President, Manulife-Sinochem, at the press conference held at Luo Wei’s training facility, the Beijing Shi Cha Hai Sports Institute. “Not only is Ms. Luo exceptionally gifted in Taekwondo, but she is also a dedicated athlete who truly embodies the Olympic spirit. Her self-discipline, perseverance and enthusiasm for her sport, and for life in general, are all qualities that Manulife is proud to be associated with. We look forward to welcoming Ms. Luo to the Manulife-Sinochem family, and as a member of Team Manulife having her represent our company at important staff, agency and community events.”

Beginning her Taekwondo training at the age of 16, the now 23-year-old Luo Wei – competing in the under 67kg category – has won many awards over the years, including Gold Medals at the 2003 Taekwondo World Championships and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. She is expected to be a promising contender for Gold again at the upcoming Asian Games in Doha and the 2008 Beijing Games.

“We look forward to developing this long-term win-win partnership with Manulife-Sinochem,” said Mr. Chang Jianping, Vice President of the Chinese Taekwondo Federation. “We thank Manulife-Sinochem for their support of Luo Wei and of our Federation and are pleased that the sponsorship dollars will be used to continually develop the professional careers of China’s most promising Taekwondo athletes.”

Olympic sponsorship set to enhance brand in competitive marketplace
“The Olympic Games present a very exciting opportunity for Beijing, for China, and for our company – we are thrilled to be a part of this special event and the Olympic spirit that will drive the development of Beijing, ultimately showcasing it as the magnificent city it is, to the rest of the world,” added Mr. Lee. “This year marks our 10^th anniversary of operations in China. We look forward to building on the success we have achieved in China over the past decade and to further developing the Manulife-Sinochem brand along with the Olympic spirit that embodies trust and professionalism.”

The Beijing Olympic Games is considered the single greatest marketing opportunity this decade for companies wishing to establish leadership positions in Asia. As such, Manulife Financial is leveraging the sponsorship and has created a powerful and comprehensive marketing strategy that spans all facets of its life insurance business in all of its Asia locations, including China, for the next two years.

“Manulife-Sinochem shares the Olympic attributes of top performance and striving to be the best,” said Mr. Lee. “As the exclusive Life Insurance Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, we hope to communicate to our stakeholders in China that we, too, stand for the excellence that has long been associated with the Olympic ideals. We anticipate that tremendous branding benefits will be gained from our investment in the Olympic Movement.”

About Manulife-Sinochem
Manulife-Sinochem is a joint venture company between Manulife (International) Limited (51 per cent) and China Foreign Economic and Trade Trust & Investment Company, a member of the Sinochem group (49 per cent).

About Sinochem
China Foreign Economic and Trade Trust & Investment Company (FOTIC) is a core enterprise of Sinochem. Sinochem, founded in 1950, is one of the biggest foreign trading companies in China. Since 1989, Sinochem has topped the list of the country’s 500 leading foreign trading companies and has also been recognized as a Fortune 500 company for 16 consecutive years.

Sinochem can be found on the Internet at www.sinochem.com.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 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$370 billion (US$332 billion) as at June 30, 2006.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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