The China office of Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today that it has formed a joint venture with the China Everbright Group and Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) to resume the development of the 21st Century Tower project in the Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong, Shanghai.

Located along Century Boulevard, the main street in the 'Little Lujiazui' Financial District, 21st Century Tower will be a 48-story mixed-use tower divided into four elements: 22,000 square meters of headquarters space for the China Everbright Group; 29,000 square meters of additional speculative Class A office space; a luxury 190-room Four Seasons Hotel; and, on the uppermost floors, 60 Four Seasons residences which will be among the most luxurious for-sale apartments in Shanghai.

Originally purchased by the China Everbright Group in 1997, the project was suspended later that year after construction of the foundation and basement due to significant changes in the Everbright Group's business focus, including the elimination of its real estate business. Following extensive redevelopment studies and evaluations with Hines, and with the participation of HPL of Singapore, a new development plan has now been finalized.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2008.

"China, and in particular Shanghai, is one of the world's most important markets," said Wang Ming Quan, Chairman of China Everbright Group. "The governmental support, market conditions, financial, legal and economic environment all combined to make Shanghai an obvious choice for such a major investment."

"China is one of our most important markets today," said Jeff Hines, president of Hines. "With a decade of experience and a history of quality developments in Beijing, we are confident that the 21st Century project will provide a spectacular entry into the Shanghai market."

Hines noted that Hines China has more employees than any of the other 12 countries in which the firm operates outside of the United States.

"The rise of Shanghai as a truly international city and financial center of global importance make it fitting that HPL's first project in China should be located here," said Stephen Lau, Chairman of HPL Hotels and Resorts.

"Shanghai has emerged as one of the world's important business centers, as well as an exciting cultural destination for leisure travelers," noted Kathleen Taylor, president of worldwide business operations, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "China and the entire Asia Pacific region continue to be an important area of opportunity for the company as we bring the Four Seasons experience to the places our guests need, and want, to go."

About China Everbright Group:

China Everbright Group is a core state-owned enterprise under the jurisdiction of the central government. It is focused on the financial sector, mainly involved in banking, securities, insurance, investment management, etc. Up to the end of 2002, the total assets of the group reached RMB360 billion yuan with 97% of those in financial assets.

The business at home and abroad of China Everbright Group is managed through China Everbright Group Limited (headquarters in Beijing) and China Everbright Holdings Company Limited (headquarters in Hong Kong). The board of directors is the supreme decision making organization of the group. It runs and manages the state-owned assets under the authorization of the state. The Party Committee of the group plays a leading political role and the State Council legally posts the board of supervisors in the group.

China Everbright Group adopts a parent-subsidiary corporate system. In accordance with the requirements of establishing a standardized financial holdings conglomerate, the group implements a flat and open management model and sets up a modern corporate governance structure on the basis of clear property rights and powers as well as responsibilities.

At present, there are financial organizations such as China Everbright Bank, Everbright Securities Company Limited, Sunlife Everbright Insurance Company Limited, etc. under the banner of China Everbright Group in mainland China. It is also the largest shareholder of Shenyin & Wanguo Securities Company Limited. It has two listed companies: China Everbright Limited and China Everbright International Limited.

China Everbright Group controls over 60 directly affiliated enterprises by full ownership, holding and as a shareholder, which facilitates the group with markets at home and abroad to develop its business.

About Hines:

Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in real estate investment, development and property management worldwide. The Hines portfolio of projects completed, underway, acquired and managed for third parties includes more than 830 properties representing over 330 million square feet of office, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, medical, sports facilities and residential properties, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments. With offices in 64 U.S. cities and 14 foreign countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $11.7 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world.

Hines has extensive experience of developing world-class properties in China. Its first project, Embassy House, located in the prestigious Second Embassy District in Beijing, is recognized as Beijing's premier downtown residential address, and consistently achieves occupancy rates of around 95%.

In 2001, Hines purchased Hyundai Nanyang Tower in Beijing, and renamed the property Millennium Tower. The firm successfully increased occupancy rates from 30% to over 90% within 18 months, establishing the building as a preferred choice for multinational headquarters in Beijing. Subsequent to reselling the building to the Hyundai Motor Group in 2004, Hines retains a minority stake in the property and continues to manage it.

Hines is also nearing completion of Park Avenue, a 265,000-square-meter residential complex located to the south of Chaoyang Park in Beijing. To be comprised of 948 apartments for sale and a health club and retail center, the project is more than 90% sold, achieving prices significantly above market averages.

About HPL:

Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) was listed on the Stock Exchange of Singapore in 1982. Starting with just the Hilton Hotel in Singapore, HPL has expanded rapidly over the years. Today HPL has interests in over 14 hotels with nearly 4,000 rooms in over eight countries. In addition, HPL lifestyle products and services now include quality condominium properties in prime locations, shopping centers, office buildings, restaurants, food distribution, retail and leisure, and tourism-related businesses.

About Four Seasons Hotels:

Dedicated to continuous innovation and the highest standards of hospitality, Four Seasons invented luxury for the modern traveler.From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalized 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best. The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees - people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service. Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels in major city centers and desirable resort destinations around the world.

Four Seasons entered the Asian market more than a decade ago with its first hotel in Tokyo. Today, travelers will find Four Seasons in major business centers and cultural destinations across the region, including two hotels in Tokyo, two in Singapore, and properties in Bangkok, Jakarta, Taipei, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Leisure travelers can choose from a growing selection of unique resort experiences in Asia, whether it's cruising the Maldives on the Four Seasons Explorer, discovering the spirituality of Bali, communing with elephants in Chiang Rai, or indulging in the ultimate spa getaways in Chiang Mai and Langkawi.

Currently with 68 hotels in 31 countries, and more than 20 properties under development, Four Seasons will continue to lead luxury hospitality with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding. For more information on Four Seasons, visit www.fourseasons.com.

汉斯（Hines）是一家国际房地产公司，其中国办事处今天宣布：公司与中国光大集团、旅店置业(HPL)成立了合资公司。新合资公司致力于继续修建位于上海浦东陆家嘴金融区的21世纪大厦。

与世纪大道（小陆家嘴金融区的主要街道）相邻，21世纪大厦有48层综合性大楼，共分4个部分：中国光大集团总部占22000平方米、A级办公室占地29000平方米、四季酒店的190间豪华客房、在最顶层是四季酒店的60套住宅，这些住宅将是上海最豪华的待售公寓。

该项目最初是由中国光大集团于1997年购买的，在地基修建好之后，由于光大集团业务重点（包括削去房地产业务）的转变，该项目的修建于同年被中断。随后，汉斯公司加大了恢复修建的研究和评估，再加之新加坡旅店置业公司的参与，目前，一个新的开发计划已经最终确定下来了。

该项目计划于2008年竣工。

中国光大集团董事长Wang Ming Quan说：“中国，尤其是上海，是世界上最重要的市场之一。政府的大力支持、市场的良好状况、财政、法律和经济环境助力上海成为各公司进行此类重大投资的理想之选。”

汉斯公司的总裁Jeff Hines说：“当今，中国是我们最重要的市场。凭借十几年的经验以及在北京享有的高质量开发记录，我们坚信：21世纪大厦将为我们提供一个进入上海市场的良好机会。”

Hines表示：汉斯公司在美国之外的12个国家中设有办事处，而汉斯中国公司拥有的员工人数比其中任何一个办事处的人数都多。

旅店置业公司酒店和度假村的董事长Stephen Lau说：“作为真正国际大都市和全球重要金融中心的上海正在日益发展，基于这个原因，旅店置业把其首个设在中国的项目定在上海是相当合适的。”

四季酒店和度假村（Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts）全球业务运营总裁Kathleen Taylor说：“上海已经成为世界上重要的商业中心，同时，作为文化胜地，其还是休闲娱乐旅游人士的良好去处。中国和整个亚太地区将继续为公司提供重要的发展机会，我们将把四季的成功经验带到我们客户需要、希望拥有以及想要去的地方。”

关于中国光大集团：

中国光大集团是国有企业，受中央政府监管。该集团致力于金融业务，主要包括银行、证券、保险和投资管理等。截至2002年底，集团的总资产达到3600亿人民币，占金融资产的97％。

中国光大集团在国内外的业务通过中国光大集团有限公司（总部设在北京）和中国光大控股有限公司（总部设在香港）来管理。董事会负责制定该集团机构的最高决议。通过国家授权，该集团经营和管理着国有资产。集团的党委在政策方面起着领导性作用，在法律上，国务院是该集团的监管者。

中国光大集团采用母――子公司这样的公司体系。根据设立标准金融控股公司的要求，该集团执行公平和公开的管理模式，以产权清晰、责任明确为基础，集团设定了现代公司管理机构。

目前，在中国大陆，中国光大集团旗下的金融机构有中国光大银行、光大证券有限公司、光大永明人寿保险有限公司等。同时其还是申银万国证券股份有限公司的最大股东。其拥有两家上市公司：中国光大有限公司和中国光大国际有限公司。

中国光大集团通过全资拥有、控股和股东的方式直接控制着60多家附属公司，这些附属公司为集团在国内外市场上开展业务提供了便利。

关于汉斯：

汉斯是家私人房地产公司，主要在全世界经营房地产投资、开发和所有权管理业务。汉斯为第三方实现的、正在进行的、收购的、管理的业务组合包括：代表了3.3亿平方英尺的办公楼、综合大楼、工业、旅店、医疗、体育设施、住宅产权、大型城市规划和土地开发的830多项产权。汉斯在美国和国外分别设有64处和14处办事处，控制的资产值大约为1170亿美元，其是世界上最大的房地产机构。

汉斯在中国开发世界级房地产项目方面有着丰富的经验。其首个项目万国公寓（位于北京第二使馆区）被公认为是北京的顶级住处，占有率达到了95％左右。

2001年，汉斯收购了北京的现代南洋大厦（Hyundai Nanyang Tower），并把其更名为盛世大厦。在仅仅18个月内，公司成功的使得盛世大厦的占有率从30％突升到90％以上，成为了国际大公司在北京设立总部的理想之选。2004年，汉斯把其转售给现代汽车集团（Hyundai Motor Group），仅保留了其中很少一部分股权，但还继续管理着该大厦。

汉斯修建的Park Avenue也马上竣工。Park Avenue是占地265000平方米的复合型住宅，位于北京朝阳公园的南部。该项目由948套待售住房、一个医疗俱乐部和零售中心组成。目前，该项目已有90％售出，销售价格远远高于市场价格。

关于旅店置业

旅店置业（HPL）于1982年在新加坡证券交易所上市。刚开始成立时，仅经营新加坡的希尔顿酒店，在短短几年中，公司的业务迅速扩张。目前，旅店置业在8个国家中经营着14家酒店，拥有近4000间客房。此外，旅店置业的生活方式产品和服务包括：对豪华区、购物中心、办公楼、餐馆、食品分销、零售和娱乐以及与旅游相关业务的质量共管权。

关于四季酒店

四季酒店致力于不断的创新和提供高标准的服务，为现代旅行者营造豪华的生活环境。从高质量的优雅环境到餐饮及个性化的贵宾服务，四季酒店为远离家的人营造了一个他们所喜爱的家的环境。四季文化灌输给了这里的每一位员工——所有的员工都有着一个共同的目标，他们被激励着为顾客提供最好的服务。四季酒店成立于1960年，之后就处于不断的扩展中，其在世界的主要城市中心和名胜驻地创办酒店。

10年前，四季酒店进入亚洲市场，在东京开办了第一家酒店。目前，旅行者在各地的主要商业中心和文化胜地都能找到四季酒店的身影，包括东京的两家酒店、新加坡的两家酒店、曼谷、雅加达、台北、上海和香港的所有权。休闲旅游者可以在亚洲各独特的旅游胜地中进行选择，入住四季开拓酒店（Four Seasons Explorer），可巡游马尔代夫，寻找巴厘岛的灵气、与清莱的大象沟通或沉浸在清迈和兰卡威的旅游胜地中。

目前，四季酒店在31个国家拥有68家酒店，有20多个所有权项目正在开发中。四季酒店将凭借不断增强的革新继续引领豪华客房领域，使得商业旅行更加容易、更加放松，收益更大。关于四季酒店的更多信息，请访问网站： www.fourseasons.com 。

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