Annual Report 2024

China Merchants China Direct Investments Limited Annual Report 2024 53 DIRECTORS’ REPORT (CONTINUED) BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) Dr. LI Fang , aged 67, has been an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company since October 2014. She is currently the Managing Director of Yuanta Securities (Hong Kong) Company Limited. Dr. LI has over 20 years of professional experience in securities, asset management, insurance and banking. Dr. LI was a Senior Research Assistant in Financial Research Bureau at the headquarters of the People’s Bank of China, a Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Operations of Aetna International Inc., the Head of Research Centre for Asian/Pacific Regional Pensions of ING Group, a Senior Business Advisor of Global Retirement Services of ING Group, the Chief Strategist at Corporate Finance of Yuanta Securities (Hong Kong) Company Limited, and the Vice Chairman of CR Yuanta Fund Management Co., Ltd. Dr. LI holds a doctorate degree in Economics from Monash University in Australia, a master’s degree in Banking and Finance from the Graduate School of the People’s Bank of China (now known as PBC School of Finance, Tsinghua University) and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the International Christian University in Japan. Dr. GONG Shaolin, aged 69, has been an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company since September 2020. He has extensive experience in the securities and finance industry. Dr. GONG was the Chairman of China Merchants Securities Co., Ltd. (its shares are listed on both the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) from November 2001 to May 2017, and served as Senior Adviser of China Merchants Securities Co., Ltd. from May 2017 to May 2018. Prior to this, Dr. GONG was a Vice President of China Merchants Bank from 1997 to 2001 and held a number of senior positions in the People’s Bank of China between 1982 and 1997. Dr. GONG is also an Independent Non-executive Director of Lujiazui International Trust Co., Ltd. Dr. GONG obtained his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the Central Institute of Finance and Economics, PRC and obtained his doctorate degree in Economics from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, PRC. He is also a qualified senior economist in China.