CK Communications Limited ("CK Communications"), a subsidiary of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited and Hutchison Global Communications Limited ("HGC") are pleased to pioneer a pilot scheme with HSBC for the first videophone banking service in Asia. This innovative service heralds a new era of personal banking services and will be provided by "Vfone", the revolutionary videophone.

Following the enthusiastic market response to "Vfone" since its launch in late 2003, CK Communications and HGC have today extended the application of this novel video and voice service to the banking industry. During a six-month pilot scheme, HSBC customers can utilise "Vfone" to speak with HSBC's customer service representatives face to face from the comfort of their own home or office. A total of six "Vfones" have been designated as hotlines to deal with general inquiries of HSBC customers within the divisions of HSBC Premier Services, Financial Planning Services and the HSBC Premier Direct Financial Services Centre.

"CK Communications is delighted to pilot such innovative 'Vfone' video and voice services in the fast-paced financial management industry. By breaking down the physical barriers of human communications with its video-conferencing capabilities, 'Vfone' signals the way forward for customer services management. This new mode of communications will enhance personal ties and rapport between service providers and customers, without the need for face to face meetings," said Gerald Ma, Director of CK Communications. "Looking forward, we will continue to explore business opportunities and team up with different organisations to extend 'Vfone's' applications and to maximise the benefits of 'Vfone' to our customers."

"Based on the immense capability of our full fibre optic network, HGC has persistently offered quality communications services to our customers in various industry sectors. We are not only committed to building an unparalleled network infrastructure, but also dedicated to providing the best-of-breed and most value-added communications services to our customers. Our new videophone banking service allows 'Vfone' customers to be the first to enjoy the innovative financial management services made possible by state-of-the-art technology," said Steve Lam, Sales and Marketing Director of HGC.

"Vfone" operates on both the HGC Broadband and HGC-PowerCom Broadband networks, as well as those of almost all other broadband network providers in the territory. "Vfones" are available at selected 3Shops, 3Corners and 3ServiceCentres . The "Vfone" 24-hour Sales Hotline is 3168 2828.

About CK Communications:

Founded in 2000, CK Communications Limited, a subsidiary of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, specialises in research and development with the aim of leveraging and enhancing the latest communications technologies for new product applications. The company's strong focus lies in the commercialization of technical products and solutions to bring new dimensions to communications. Through collaboration with innovative technology players within and beyond the Cheung Kong Group, CK Communications provides the convergence of need-driven, user-friendly and cost-effective communications solutions into everyday life. In addition to "Vfone", CK Communications team members also participated in the development of PowerCom and Net Infinity Data Centre.

About Hutchison Global Communications:

Hutchison Global Communications Limited (HGC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hutchison Whampoa Group, owns and operates the largest full fibre-optic network in Hong Kong. Together with the scalability of its global bandwidth capacity and direct links to mainland China networks, HGC provides instant connectivity to cities in Asia, the US and Europe.

Riding on HGC's advanced fiber-optic technology, its customers enjoy its leading-edge services such as Ethernet symmetrical broadband access, corporate data transmission solutions, International Private Leased Circuit Services, Internet Protocol Transit Services, as well as quality local and overseas call services. Building on its leading presence in Hong Kong, HGC is also establishing a further strategic foothold in the global marketplace. For more details, please visit www.hgc.com.hk.

About The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited:

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the founding and a principal member of the HSBC Group which, with some 9,500 offices in 79 countries and territories and assets of US$983 billion at 30 June 2003, is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.

For more information, please contact:

Agnes Chan
Hutchison Global Communications
Tel: (852) 2128-6708
Email: pr@hgc.com.hk