| 2.1 | BASIS OF PREPARATION |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with all applicable International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and the disclosure requirements of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. They have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for certain available-for-sale investments and derivative financial instruments which have been measured at fair value. Disposal groups held for sale are stated at the lower of their carrying amounts and fair values less costs to sell as further explained in note 3. These financial statements are presented in Renminbi (“RMB”) and all values are rounded to the nearest million except when otherwise indicated.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. A subsidiary is an entity (including a structured entity), directly or indirectly, controlled by the Company. Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee (i.e., existing rights that give the Group the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee).
When the Company has, directly or indirectly, less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:
| (a) | the contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of the investee; |
| (b) | rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and |
| (c) | the Group’s voting rights and potential voting rights. |
The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the Company, using consistent accounting policies. The results of subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which the Group obtains control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases.
Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the equity holders of the Company and to the non-controlling interests, even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance. All intra-group assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between members of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation.
The Group reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control described above. A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction.
If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes (i) the assets (including goodwill) and liabilities of the subsidiary, (ii) the carrying amount of any non-controlling interest and (iii) the cumulative translation differences recorded in equity; and recognizes (i) the fair value of the consideration received, (ii) the fair value of any investment retained and (iii) any resulting surplus or deficit in profit or loss. The Group’s share of components previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss or retained profits, as appropriate, on the same basis as would be required if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities.
Going concern
As at December 31, 2017, the Group’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets by approximately RMB62.04 billion. In preparing the financial statements, the Board conducts a detailed review over the Group’s going concern ability based on the current financial situation. The Board has considered the Group’s available sources of funds as follows:
| • | The Group’s expected net cash inflows from operating activities in 2018; |
| • | Unutilized banking facilities of approximately RMB59.47 billion as at December 31, 2017; and |
| • | Other available sources of financing from banks and other financial institutions given the Group’s credit history. |
The Board considers that the Group will be able to obtain sufficient financing to enable it to operate, as well as to meet its liabilities as and when they become due, and the capital expenditure requirements for the upcoming twelve months. Accordingly, the Board believes that it is appropriate to prepare these financial statements on a going concern basis without including any adjustments that would be required should the Company and the Group fail to continue as a going concern.