Annual Report 2024

6 China Merchants China Direct Investments Limited Annual Report 2024 CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT (CONTINUED) is due primarily to China’s relatively low reliance on exports to the United States, its complete industry supply chain and its competitive advantages in the medium-to-high-end manufacturing sectors, as well as its innovations in trade models such as cross-border e-commerce and new forms of offshore trade, all of which help to strengthen China’s export competitiveness. In summary, China’s economic growth is expected to be maintained in 2025. Although we expect that various asset price risks, arising from slowing growth in the global economy (including China) in medium- to long-term, along with greater volatility in the capital markets, will pose certain challenges to our investment portfolio, the Company and the Investment Manager, as always, will face the challenges ahead and strive to identify new investment opportunities, as well as to seek to optimise our mix of investments in a way that will increase shareholders’ return. Lastly, on behalf of the Board, I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to the members of the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Investment Committee, and to the entire staff of the Investment Manager, for their many contributions and dedicated effort, and to the shareholders for their support. As always, I, with the Board, will continue to give our best effort in leading the Group as we seek to create value for shareholders in the coming year. Mr. ZHOU Xing Chairman Hong Kong, 28 March 2025