Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.


中國銀行股份有限公司

BANK OF CHINA LIMITED (a joint stock company incorporated in the People's Republic of China with limited liability) ("Bank of China") (Stock Code: 3988 and 4601 (Preference Shares)) (Incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability) ("BOCHK (Holdings)") (Stock Code: 2388) JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT

The respective boards of directors of Bank of China and BOCHK (Holdings) are pleased to announce the commencement of Bidding Process in relation to the Potential Disposal.
This joint announcement is made by Bank of China and BOCHK (Holdings) pursuant to Rule
13.09 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Listing Rules") and the Inside Information Provisions under Part XIVA of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) ("SFO").

Commencement of Bidding Process for the Potential Disposal of Nanyang Commercial Bank, Limited

Reference is made to the joint announcement made by Bank of China and BOCHK (Holdings)
on 21 May 2015.
The respective boards of directors of Bank of China and BOCHK (Holdings) are pleased to announce that Bank of China has obtained the in-principle approval from the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China (the "Ministry of Finance") for the undertaking of the disposal of 100% interest in Nanyang Commercial Bank, Limited held by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited ("BOCHK"), the direct wholly-owned subsidiary of BOCHK (Holdings), (the "Potential Disposal") in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Administrative Measures for the Transfer of State-owned Assets of Financial Enterprises (No.
54 Decree of the Ministry of Finance), by way of public bidding via a legally established assets exchange at the provincial level or above ("Bidding Process").
The respective boards of directors of Bank of China and BOCHK (Holdings) are pleased to announce the commencement of Bidding Process via the Beijing Financial Assets Exchange in relation to the Potential Disposal on 15 July 2015.
BOCHK will publish an announcement on 15 July 2015 in relation to Bidding Process (the "Listing Announcement") on China Securities Journal and the website of the Beijing Financial Assets Exchange. The full text of the Listing Announcement is available on the website of the Beijing Financial Assets Exchange at http://www.cfae.cn/en/.
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The respective boards of directors of Bank of China and BOCHK (Holdings) wish to emphasise that no binding agreement with respect to the Potential Disposal has been entered into by any of them (including BOCHK) as at the date of this announcement and there is no assurance that any definitive transaction will materialise. Bank of China and/or BOCHK (Holdings) will make further announcement(s) in compliance with the Listing Rules and/or Part XIVA of the SFO as and when appropriate or required.

As Bank of China or BOCHK (Holdings) may or may not enter into a binding agreement with respect to the Potential Disposal, and even if they decide to do so, the Potential Disposal may or may not proceed to completion for various reasons, accordingly, shareholders and potential investors of Bank of China and BOCHK (Holdings) are advised to exercise caution when dealing in the securities of Bank of China and BOCHK (Holdings).

By order of the board of directors of Bank of China Limited YEUNG Cheung Ying Company Secretary
By order of the board of directors of BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited CHAN Chun Ying

Company Secretary

Hong Kong, 14 July 2015

As at the date of this announcement, the directors of Bank of China comprise Tian Guoli, Chen Siqing, Zhang Xiangdong*, Zhang Qi*, Wang Yong*, Wang Wei*, Liu Xianghui*, Chow Man Yiu, Paul**, Jackson Tai**, Nout Wellink**, Lu Zhengfei** and Leung Cheuk Yan**.

As at the date of this announcement, the directors of BOCHK (Holdings) comprise Tian Guoli*, Chen Siqing*, Yue Yi, Gao Yingxin*, Li Jiuzhong, Cheng Eva**, Koh Beng Seng**, Shan Weijian** and Tung Savio Wai-Hok**.

* Non-executive Directors

** Independent Non-executive Directors

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