| (b) | Basis of consolidation |
i) Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.
If a member of the Group uses accounting policies other than those adopted in the consolidated financial statements for the same transactions and events in similar circumstances, appropriate adjustments are made to its financial statements in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
ii) Structured entity
The Group establishes or invests in various structured entities. A structured entity is an entity designed so that its activities are not governed by way of voting rights. When assessing control of a structured entity, the Group considers factors such as the purpose and the design of the investee; its practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee; the nature of its relationship with the investee; and the size of its exposure to the variability of returns of the investee. The Group does not recognize any non-controlling interests in the consolidated statements of financial position since the Group’s interests in these entities are recognized as liabilities of the Group.
iii) Intra-group transactions
Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealized income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Intra-group losses are recognized as expense if intra-group losses indicate an impairment that requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements.
iv) Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests in a subsidiary are accounted for separately from the parent’s ownership interests in a subsidiary. Each component of net profit or loss and other comprehensive income is attributed to the owners of the parent and non-controlling interest holders, even when the allocation reduces the non-controlling interest balance below zero.