2004 News Releases

Hong Kong– Manulife (International) Limited (MIL) has received the title of “Caring Company” from the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), in recognition of its commitment to corporate citizenship, for the second year in a row.

The Caring Company Award scheme, launched by HKCSS in 2002, aims to recognize companies that demonstrate good corporate citizenship in at least two of the following areas: supporting employee volunteerism, being family-friendly, employing the vulnerable, partnering with the social-services sector, sharing business expertise with social-service organizations and giving to the community.

Manulife was among the first group of Hong Kong companies to be awarded the “Caring Company” title and logo from HKCSS in 2002, and at a special ceremony yesterday, it was again presented with the title and the right to use the logo.

“In partnership with established charities and non-profit organizations, Manulife has made donations, funded sponsorships and supported the volunteer activities of employees and advisors for many years,” said Ed Lau, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Hong Kong, MIL. “We are proud of this tradition and are committed to further our corporate citizenship efforts in order to contribute not only to the economic but also the social development of Hong Kong.”

This year, in continuation of these efforts, Manulife will again rally its volunteer forces to take part in the 2003-2004 New Territories Walks For Millions, which will be held on the coming Sunday, February 8th. More than 1,200 staff and insurance advisors have already signed up for this event, which is in aid of the “Services for the Elderly” sponsored by The Community Chest of Hong Kong. Manulife has been supporting this major Hong Kong fund-raiser for 14 years.

Among Manulife’s many other long-term community initiatives is the establishment of the Manulife Charitable Foundation, which has sponsored the Manulife Centre for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University since 1999.

Other ongoing corporate-citizenship efforts include its participation in the annual Blood Donation Drive, as well as its sponsorship of the Haven of Hope Christian Service’s Qile Charity Cake Drive to raise funds for elderly-care services. These activities have all been enthusiastically endorsed by the company’s employees, advisors and families.

Playing its part in the community’s fight against Sars last year, Manulife Charitable Foundation made a donation to “The Community Chest of Hong Kong - Operation UNITE Fund” to support medical professionals and Sars-affected families and individuals. And member children and their parents at the Manulife Centre for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities received telephone counseling when Sars necessitated the closure of schools. Manulife also sponsored a pubic discussion forum on “The Psychological Influence of Sars on Children”.

About Manulife (International) Limited
Manulife (International) Limited is a member of the Manulife Financial group of companies. Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 15 countries and territories worldwide. Through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners, Manulife Financial offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services. Funds under management by Manulife Financial were Cdn$150.8 billion (approximately HK$865 billion) as at September 30, 2003.

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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For more information, please contact:
Helena Lee / Jeanie Ho
Manulife (International) Limited
Tel: 2202 1050 / 2510 3191
Fax: 2234 6875
Email: helena_lee@manulife.com
jeanie_ho@manulife.com