Revenue and Profit Performance - Revenue for the six months ended 30 September 2023 was HK36,049.15million,adecreaseof16.142,976.49 million in the same period last year[6] - Gross profit for the period was HK5,723.57million,down17.96,971.86 million in the previous year[6] - Profit before taxation decreased by 42.5% to HK2,519.23millionfromHK4,384.06 million in the prior year[6] - Profit for the period attributable to owners of the company was HK1,830.41million,adeclineof43.83,260.04 million in the previous year[7] - Basic earnings per share dropped to HK34.00 cents from HK59.92 cents in the same period last year[7] - Total comprehensive expense for the period was HK3,396.98million,animprovementfromHK5,842.11 million in the previous year[7] - Total revenue for the six months ended 30 September 2023 was HK36,049.154million,adecreaseof16.142,976.485 million in the same period last year[27] - Profit for the period attributable to owners of the company decreased to HK1,830,412,000forthesixmonthsended30September2023fromHK3,260,039,000 in the same period last year[52] - Adjusted net profit for the six months ended 30 September 2023 was HK2,458,926thousand,comparedtoHK3,289,857 thousand in the same period last year[132] - Profit for the period (Nearest HKFRS Measure) attributable to owners of the Company was HK1,830,412thousandforthesixmonthsended30September2023,downfromHK3,260,039 thousand in the previous year[132] Cost and Expenses - The company's cost of sales decreased by 15.8% to HK30,325.58millionfromHK36,004.63 million in the prior year[6] - Finance costs increased by 22.0% to HK994.47millioncomparedtoHK815.11 million in the previous year[6] - Finance costs for the six months ended 30 September 2023 increased to HK994,471,000fromHK815,111,000 in the same period last year, primarily due to higher interest on bank and other borrowings[44] - PRC Enterprise Income Tax decreased to HK490,367,000forthesixmonthsended30September2023fromHK844,243,000 in the same period last year[45] - Income tax expenses decreased by 22.7% year-on-year to HK412,023,000[126]AssetsandLiabilities−Non−currentassetsdecreasedfromHK105,070,770 thousand to HK100,925,608thousand,adeclineof3.92,881,831 thousand to HK2,602,363thousand,adeclineof9.766,891,255 thousand to HK64,882,376thousand,adeclineof3.052,220,439 thousand to HK48,429,874thousand,adeclineof7.35,655,445 thousand to HK5,214,914thousand,adeclineof7.812,706,697 thousand to HK10,424,671thousand,adeclineof18.016,702,411 thousand to HK15,312,855thousand,adeclineof8.3440,236 thousand to HK3,703,076thousand,asignificantshiftfromnetassetstonetliabilities[12]−TotalequitydecreasedfromHK64,790,379 thousand to HK61,318,078thousand,adeclineof5.440,720,627 thousand to HK35,904,454thousand,adeclineof11.8149,355,482,000, with bank balances and cash amounting to HK11,118,020,000[127]−TheGroup′stotalbankloansandotherloansamountedtoHK55,430,323,000 as of 30 September 2023, a decrease from HK60,010,801,000asof31March2023[128]−ContractliabilitiesdecreasedtoHK8,820,015,000 as of 30 September 2023 from HK9,080,132,000asof31March2023[129]−TradereceivablesdecreasedtoHK5,527,963,000 as of 30 September 2023 from HK6,282,627,000asof31March2023[129]−TradeandbillpayablesincreasedslightlytoHK14,657,737,000 as of 30 September 2023 from HK14,647,872,000asof31March2023[129]−TheGrouppledgedbankdepositsofHK135,651,000 and property, plant, and equipment of HK6,172,463,000asof30September2023[129]CashFlow−Netcashfromoperatingactivitiesforthesixmonthsended30September2023wasHK7,565,434 thousand, compared to HK4,736,177thousandinthesameperiodlastyear[17]−Netcashusedininvestingactivitiesforthesixmonthsended30September2023wasHK2,591,192 thousand, compared to HK3,895,349thousandinthesameperiodlastyear[17]−Netcashusedinfinancingactivitiesforthesixmonthsended30September2023wasHK3,541,257 thousand, compared to a net cash inflow of HK3,999,376thousandinthesameperiodlastyear[17]−Netincreaseincashandcashequivalentsforthesixmonthsended30September2023wasHK1,432,985 thousand, compared to HK4,840,204thousandinthesameperiodlastyear[17]−Cashandcashequivalentsat30September2023wereHK10,982,369 thousand, compared to HK13,807,999thousandat30September2022[17]BusinessSegmentsandSales−Salesofnaturalgasdecreasedby12.021,718.489 million from HK24,675.655millioninthepreviousyear[27]−Salesofliquefiedpetroleumgas(LPG)droppedby28.58,421.663 million from HK11,776.299million[27]−Gasconnectionandengineeringdesignandconstructionrevenuedeclinedby15.43,364.508 million from HK3,975.623million[27]−Value−addedservicesrevenueincreasedslightlyby1.11,804.486 million from HK1,785.589million[27]−Otherbusinessesrevenuedecreasedby3.1740.008 million from HK763.319million[27]−Thecompany′stotalsalesofnaturalgasincreasedby1.78,421,663,000, a year-on-year decrease of 28.5%, while profit before tax increased by 138.4% to HK194,341,000[111]InvestmentsandCapitalCommitments−TheGroupacquiredproperty,plantandequipmentatatotalcostofapproximatelyHK3,729,348,000 during the period[55] - The Group disposed of or wrote-off property, plant and equipment with a carrying amount of HK198,816,000,resultinginagainondisposalofHK5,245,000[55] - The Group recognised approximately HK62,386,000ofright−of−useassetsandHK42,324,000 of lease liabilities for the six months ended 30 September 2023[55] - The fair value of investment properties decreased by HK59,161,000,recogniseddirectlyinthecondensedconsolidatedstatementofprofitorlossandothercomprehensiveincome[54]−Capitalcommitmentsforproperty,plant,andequipmentincreasedtoHK227,044,000 as of 30 September 2023 from HK179,574,000asof31March2023[130]−CapitalcommitmentsforconstructionmaterialsincreasedtoHK171,207,000 as of 30 September 2023 from HK134,206,000asof31March2023[130]−CapitalcommitmentsforpropertiesunderdevelopmentdecreasedtoHK188,211,000 as of 30 September 2023 from HK235,176,000asof31March2023[130]LegalandContingentLiabilities−ThecompanyfacedalegalclaimofapproximatelyHK140 million from a former director, including alleged salary and bonus losses[86][87] - The company has been advised by legal advisors that there is a sound basis for defending the claims, and no provision for contingent liabilities was made as of 30 September 2023[86][87] Strategic Initiatives and Future Plans - The company leveraged digital-twin technology for visualization-based operations and delicacy management in the intelligent pipeline networks of the Hangzhou Asian Games Village[90] - The company implemented price pass-through policies and gas price adjustments for residential users to bolster industry reform and steady dollar margin recovery in gas sales[90] - The Group invested in the Safety Control Digital and Intelligent System, including the Safety Alert program, which provides data collection, assessment, monitoring, and early warning functions, enhancing workplace safety[99][100] - China Gas is diversifying its business portfolio by developing commercial and industrial PV, energy storage, and energy-conservation services[136] - The Group is enhancing its HSE Management System and digitalizing workplace safety to improve intrinsic safety[136] - China Gas is transitioning from a natural gas supplier to an integrated energy supplier and service provider, focusing on "multi-energy integration and gas-power coordination"[136] - The Group has joined the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) and has formulated mid- to long-term strategies for methane emissions reduction[138] - China Gas is aligning its operations with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and China's clean energy strategies, focusing on carbon peaking and neutrality goals[138] - The company declared an interim dividend of HK15.0 cents per share for the six months ended 30 September 2023, up from HK10.0 cents per share in the same period last year[142][143] - The company will focus on growing new businesses, including value-added services and integrated energy, while strengthening its core natural gas business[140][141] - The company aims to transform into a leading clean energy supplier and low-carbon transformation contributor, emphasizing innovation, green development, and social responsibility[140][141] - The company has adopted a methane emission reduction strategy as the first Chinese member and gold member of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP)[139] - The company will leverage national policies such as old pipeline renovation and the "bottled-to-piped-gas" project to drive growth[140][141] Shareholder Information - Mr. LIU Ming Hui holds 975,745,428 shares, representing 17.95% of the total issued shares of the company[151] - Mr. HUANG Yong holds 168,783,200 shares, representing 3.11% of the total issued shares of the company[151] - Mr. ZHU Weiwei holds 6,000,000 shares, representing 0.11% of the total issued shares of the company[151] - Ms. LI Ching holds 2,000,000 shares, representing 0.04% of the total issued shares of the company[151] - Mr. LIU Mingxing holds 800,000 shares, representing 0.01% of the total issued shares of the company[153] - Mr. ZHAO Yuhua holds 2,400,000 shares, representing 0.04% of the total issued shares of the company[153] - Dr. MAO Erwan holds 2,200,000 shares, representing 0.04% of the total issued shares of the company[153] - Mr. LIU holds 189,356,089 shares in China Gas Fortune Marine, representing 60.00% of the total issued shares of the associated corporation[154] - Mr. LIU holds 29 shares in Electronic Business Development Company Limited, representing 29% of the total issued shares of the subsidiary[156] - China Gas Group Limited beneficially owns 569,262,200 shares, with 50% ownership by Joint Coast, which is wholly-owned by Mr. LIU[157] - Mr. HUANG is deemed to be interested in a total of 168,783,200 shares, including 168,013,200 shares beneficially owned by him and 770,000 shares held by his spouse[157] - The percentage of shares is calculated based on 315,593,482 shares of China Gas Fortune Marine in issue as of 30 September 2023[157] - Mr. LIU is deemed to be interested in 189,356,089 shares of China Gas Fortune Marine beneficially owned by China Gas Group Limited (incorporated in Anguilla), with 50% ownership by Joint Coast, which is wholly-owned by Mr. LIU[157] - The percentage of shares is calculated based on 100 shares of Electronic Business in issue as of 30 September 2023[157] - Mr. LIU holds a 29% interest in Yipin Smart Living (BVI) Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, which holds a 71% interest in Electronic Business[157] - As of 30 September 2023, the outstanding share options exercisable under the 2013 Share Option Scheme is 3,000,000[163] - Total share options granted to directors and eligible employees as of 30 September 2023 amounted to 245,017,600, with 3,000,000 new options granted during the period[169] - All share options granted to directors and eligible employees on 23 April 2020 were lapsed or cancelled, totaling 245,017,600 options[169] - Service providers were granted 3,000,000 new share options on 24 May 2023, with an exercise price of HK10.50andanexerciseperioduntil23May2025[169]−The2013ShareOptionSchemeexpiredon30September2023,andnofurthershareoptionsmaybegrantedunderthisscheme[170]−Thefairvalueof3,000,000shareoptionsgrantedon24May2023wasapproximatelyHK5,796,000, with a closing price of HK9.55persharebeforethegrantdate[172]−The2023ShareOptionSchemeallowsamaximumof544,033,577shareoptionstobegranted,representingapproximately109.37 before the vesting date[182] - The total balance of awarded shares as of 30 September 2023 is 15,000, all of which are for employees[181] - The Share Award Scheme allows for a maximum award of 1% of the company's issued share capital to any selected participant within any 12-month period[177] - The Share Award Scheme is valid for 10 years from its adoption date, with no further awards involving new shares allowed after the amendment on 23 August 2023[177] - The number of shares available for grant under the Share Award Scheme at the beginning and end of the period ended 30 September 2023 was 271,971,788 shares, representing approximately 5.00% of the total issued shares of the Company[184] - The number of shares that may be issued in respect of options and awards granted under all schemes of the Company during the period divided by the weighted average number of shares of the relevant class in issue for 30 September 2023 is approximately 0.06%[184] - Beijing Enterprises Group Company Limited holds 1,277,935,143 shares, representing approximately 23.51% of the total issued shares of the Company[186] - Beijing Enterprises Group (BVI) Company Limited holds 1,274,965,143 shares, representing approximately 23.46% of the total issued shares of the Company[186