On 16 February 2012, Sailing Capital Management Co., Ltd. was officially launched at Radisson Plaza Xingguo Hotel Shanghai. Incorporated by Shanghai International Group(SIG), Sailing Capital International successfully raised RMB 12 billion in its first round capital raising. Taking the occasion of the kick-off ceremony, Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai, issued a congratulatory letter. Liu Shiyu ,Vice President of the Peoples Bank of China, and Tu Guangshao, member of CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of Shanghai attended and hosted the unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony. Other attendees also include representatives of Peoples Bank of China and related ministries, government departments, authorities of Shanghai, a portion of financial institutions as well as enterprises. SIG Chairman Ji Xiaohui, on behalf of SIG and other investors of the fund delivered the opening speech, as SIG President and Chairman of Sailing Capital Management Co., Ltd., Shao Yaliang, acted as the host of the occasion.

Sailing Capital International takes on the form of a corporate system with the size of the parent fund standing at 50billion RMB, of which 12billion RMB was raised through the aforementioned initial fund-raiser. The Fund’s operational system is considered as a critical breakthrough of the mainland’s financial services industry, embodying the “ triple linkage” feature which includes: 1) the linkage between stakeholders inside China and those outside China, 2) the linkage between investment and financing, and 3)the linkage between the operation of the fund and the overseas development of the company. Sailing Capital Management Co., Ltd., the manager of Sailing Capital International, was founded and registered in Shanghai in September 2011.

Jiang Zhuoqing, Deputy Secretary General of Shanghai Municipal Government, presented the congratulatory letter from Mayor of Shanghai, Han Zheng during the ceremony, in which Han Zheng expressed his warm felicitation towards the grand opening of Sailing Capital Management Co., Ltd. and the successful closing of the first round capital raising of Sailing Capital International. Han further pointed out the significant implications that the successful capital accumulation and establishment of the Fund on expanding the size of Shanghai’s financial assets, functional capabilities of its financial markets, as well as the process to further strengthen Shanghai as an international financial center. Han Zheng also addressed his hope for the company to fully leverage on the professionalism of her asset management wing and global vision in a bid not only to manage the operation of the Fund itself, but also to accelerate the strategic adjustments and internationalization of Shanghai’s industrial structure.

During his speech, Liu Shiyu said that, as an RMB denominated fund, the establishment of Sailing Capital International is beneficial in terms of bringing the nations corporations "outwards." He also regarded the setting up of the Fund as an important move towards the aim of having the central financial services sector serve the needs of the real economy. Moreover the stable and moderately rapid development of cross-border RMB businesses in recent years has built a solid foundation for the expansion and innovation of funds like Sailing. Peoples Bank of China should carry on assuming its role as a supportive pioneer to Shanghais financial renovation, actively supporting the business development of Sailing Capital International.

Tu Guangshao then shares his view on the symbolic importance of the start-up of Sailing Capital Management Co., Ltd and the successful closing of the first round capital raising of Sailing Capital International, events indicative of the implementation by the nations relevant departments and Shanghai of the State Council’s Official Circular No.(2009)19 in accelerating the establishment of Shanghai as an international financial center. He went on to elaborate that the establishment and operation of the Fund not only suits the nations strategic needs of bringing its corporations "outwards," but is also beneficial in attracting investments in the Shanghai financial markets by both local and foreign funds. He also highlighted the Funds conduciveness to Shanghais development as a center for RMB asset management, cross-border investments and equity finance, as well as strenghthening the Shanghai IFCs function as a "gatherer of exposure" and its global influence.

Meanwhile, Ji Xiaohui remarked in his opening address that Sailing Capital International was yet another pivotal progeny of SIG in the field of asset management subsequent to SIGs successful start-up and operation of Shanghai Financial Sector Investment Fund, Shanghai Prosperity Fund (SPF) and Shanghai Real Power Emerging Industry Fund. The successful closing of the first round capital raising of Sailing Capital International is also expected to greatly enhance the strength of the investment fund unit of SIG.

Apart from SIG, investors in Sailing Capital International also include central and municipal groups, listed companies, prestigious private companies and financial institutions etc. The objectives of the Fund lie in 1) the provision of a commercialized and market-oriented business platform and comprehensive investment and equity financing services; and 2) to actively promote the cross-border flow of RMB through foreign investments by corporations. As such, the RMB is prioritized as the currency for price-setting, trading and settlement of the Funds investment items.

The successful closing of the first round capital raising of Sailing Capital International has profound implications on the future development of the investment fund unit of SIG. The size of the Funds aggregate local and foreign capital, steered and amplified by the multi-leveled leverage mechanism via parent and subsidiary funds and the linkage between investors and borrowers, is anticipated to exceed the 150billion RMB mark. Such is expected to effectively bolster the integration function of State-owned Assets of Financial Enterprises and the leverage and guiding effects of national capital. In this way, the Fund harbors vital strategic significance in terms of the elevation of the groups asset management branding and level; the fostering of overseas operation platform; and the transition into an internationalized, strategically controlled asset management entity.