PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Funds By-Laws provide that the Board shall be
divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of office of the present directors in each class expire at the Annual Meeting in
the year indicated upon the election and qualification of their respective successors: Class III, 2011, Class I, 2012 and Class II 2013. At each
subsequent annual election, directors that are chosen to succeed those whose terms are expiring will be identified as being in the same class and will
be elected for a three-year term. The effect of these staggered terms is to limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the
Fund by delaying the replacement of a majority of the Board of Directors.
The term of Mr. Julian M.I. Reid will expire at the 2011
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend in the absence of contrary instructions to vote all proxies for
the election of Mr. Reid to serve for a term expiring on the date on which the Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held in 2014, or until a successor is
elected and qualified.
It is intended that all proxies received, unless otherwise
indicated, will be voted FOR the election of the Nominee. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present at the Meeting (at
which a quorum is present) is required to elect the Nominee. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the
Nominee.
The Board of Directors knows of no reason why the Nominee
will be unable to serve. If the Nominee should become unable to serve, the proxies will be voted for the election of such person as may be designated
by the Board of Directors to replace the Nominee.
The Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of the
Fund. The Fund has engaged JF International Management Inc. (JFIMI) to manage the Fund on a day-to-day basis. The Board oversees JFIMI and
certain other principal service providers in the operations of the Fund. The Board of Directors is currently composed of five members, four of whom are
independent directors. The Board meets at regularly scheduled meetings four times throughout the year. Under normal circumstances, in order to minimize
expenses, the Board expects to hold two meetings a year by telephone. In addition, the directors may meet in-person or by telephone at special meetings
or on an informal basis at other times. As described below, the Board of Directors has established three standing committees Audit, Management
Engagement and Nominating and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time, to assist the Board of Directors in
fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.
The Board of Directors is chaired by an independent
director, the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer. As chair, Lord Cromer leads the Board of Directors in its activities. The directors have determined that the
Board of Directors leadership and committee structure is appropriate because the Board of Directors believes it sets the proper tone to the
relationships between the Fund, on the one hand, and JFIMI and certain other principal service providers, on the other, and facilitates the exercise of
the Boards independent judgment in evaluating and managing the relationships. In addition, the structure efficiently allocates responsibility
among committees.
The Board of Directors has concluded that, based on the
nominees experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other directors, the
nominee should serve as a director. Among other attributes of the nominee is his ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss
information provided to him, to interact effectively with the various service providers to the Fund, and to exercise reasonable business judgment in
the performance of his duties as a director. In addition, the Board of Directors has taken into account the actual service and commitment of the
nominee during his tenure as a director of the Fund in concluding that he should serve. A nominees ability to perform his duties effectively may
have been attained through a nominees educational background or professional training; business, consulting, public service or academic
positions; experience from service as a director of the Fund, other funds, public companies, or non-profit entities or other organizations; or other
experiences. Also, set forth below is a brief discussion of the specific experience qualifications, attributes or skills of the nominee that led the
Board of Directors to conclude that he should serve as a director.
Over the past five years, Mr. Reid has acted for leading
institutional shareholders, primarily European and American, in the direction and/or management and restructuring of companies. He has significant
experience in strategic planning and corporate restructuring. As recognition of this work, Mr. Reid won ‘Trustee/Director of the Year Award, 2007
(Smaller Companies) adjudicated by Fund Directions, the U.S. publication focusing on corporate governance matters, for his
work
4
on U.S. Investment Companies. Mr. Reid is an Affiliate
of the Securities Industry of Australia and has been licensed by the respective regulatory bodies in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. Mr.
Reid has 40 years experience in the financial services industry spanning Europe, Asia and the U.S.A. He has previously sat or presently sits on Boards
of companies listed on the exchanges of London, New York, Hong Kong, Australia and Pakistan.
Investing in general and the operation of a fund involve a
variety of risks, such as investment risk, compliance risk, and operational risk, among others. The Board of Directors oversees risk as part of its
oversight of the Fund. Risk oversight is addressed as part of various regular Board of Directors and committee activities. The Board, directly or
through its committees, reviews reports from among others, JFIMI, the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, the Funds independent registered
public accounting firm and counsel, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Fund and the risk management programs of JFIMI and certain service
providers. The actual day-to-day risk management with respect to the Fund resides with JFIMI and other service providers to the Fund. Although the risk
management policies of JFIMI and the service providers are designed to be effective, those policies and their implementation vary among service
providers and over time, and there is no guarantee that they will be effective. Not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified or processes
and controls developed to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects, and some risks are simply beyond any control of the Fund or JFIMI, its
affiliates or other service providers.
The following table presents information concerning the
Nominee and the current Board of Directors and Officers of the Fund. The information includes their positions and principal occupations during the last
five years.
Name, Address and DOB
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held with Fund
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time
Served
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen
by Director*
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Director During the
Past Five Years
|
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS OR NOMINEE
|
The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer (June 3, 1946) Finsbury Dials 20 Finsbury Street London EC2Y 9AQ
United Kingdom |
|
|
|
Chairman and Class I Director |
|
Three year term ends in 2012; Chairman and Director since 1994 |
|
Chairman of the Board of the Fund; Chairman of the Board, Western Provident Association (insurance), LG India Plus Fund
Ltd (financial); Pedder Street Asia Absolute Return Fund Limited (financial); LG Asia Plus Fund Limited (financial); Director, Cheetah Korea Fund Ltd
(financial) and Chief Executive Officer, Cromer Associates Limited (family business). |
|
1 |
|
See Principal Occupation. |
Alexander R. Hamilton (October 4, 1941) 21st Floor, 8
Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong |
|
|
|
Class II Director |
|
Three year term ends in 2013; Director since 1994 |
|
Director of Citic Pacific Limited (infrastructure), China Cosco Holdings Company Limited (shipping); Esprit Holdings
Limited (clothing retail), Shangri-La Asia Limited (hotels) and Octopus Cards Limited (financial services). |
|
1 |
|
See Principal Occupation |
John R.
Rettberg (September 1, 1937) 1 Beacon Street 18th Floor Boston MA,
02108 USA |
|
|
|
Class II
Director |
|
Three
year term ends in 2013; Director since 2008 |
|
Former Trustee,
JPMorgan Alternative Products mutual fund Board 1997 to 2009. |
|
1 |
|
See Principal
Occupation |
5
Name, Address and DOB
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held with Fund
|
|
Term of Office and Length of Time
Served
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
|
Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen
by Director*
|
|
Other Directorships Held by Director During the
Past Five Years
|
Julian M.I. Reid (Nominee) (August 7, 1944) Finsbury Dials 20 Finsbury Street London EC2Y 9AQ
United Kingdom |
|
|
|
Class III Director |
|
Three year term ends 2011; Director since 1998 |
|
Chief Executive Officer of 3a Funds Group (financial); Director and Chairman of Morgans Walk Properties Limited
(property), Director and Chairman of The Korea Fund, Inc. (financial); Director and Chairman of Prosperity Voskhod Fund (financial); Director and
Chairman of ASA Limited (financial) and Director of 3a Global Growth Fund Limited (financial). |
|
1 |
|
See Principal Occupation |
INTERESTED DIRECTOR
|
Simon J. Crinage (May 10, 1965) Finsbury Dials 20 Finsbury Street London EC2Y 9AQ United
Kingdom |
|
|
|
President and Class I Director |
|
Three year term ends in 2012; Director since 2009; President since
2003** |
|
Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Asset Management 2008 to present; Vice President, J.P. Morgan Asset Management 2000 to
2008. |
|
1 |
|
None |
OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS
|
Michael J. James (May 11, 1967) 21st Floor, 8
Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong |
|
|
|
Treasurer |
|
Since 2006** |
|
Vice President, J.P. Morgan Asset Management since September 2000. |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Christopher D. Legg (March 12, 1982) Finsbury Dials 20 Finsbury Street London EC2Y 9AQ United
Kingdom |
|
|
|
Secretary |
|
Since 2008** |
|
Associate, J.P. Morgan Asset Management since 2008. |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Muriel Y.K.
Sung (September 25, 1966) 21st Floor, 8 Connaught Road Central, Hong
Kong |
|
|
|
Chief
Compliance Officer |
|
Since
2004** |
|
Managing
Director, J.P. Morgan Asset Management since January 2010; Vice President, J.P. Morgan Asset Management 2004 to 2010. |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
* |
|
JF China Region Fund, Inc. is the sole fund in the fund
complex. |
** |
|
The officers of the Fund serve at the discretion of the
Board. |
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity
securities in the Fund beneficially owned by each Director and Nominee as of March 24, 2011.
Name of Director
|
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund 1
|
INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS2 |
|
|
|
|
The Rt. Hon. The
Earl of Cromer |
|
|
|
Over
$100,000 |
Alexander R.
Hamilton |
|
|
|
$1
10,000 |
Julian M.I.
Reid |
|
|
|
$1
10,000 |
John R.
Rettberg |
|
|
|
$1
10,000 |
INTERESTED
DIRECTOR3 |
|
|
|
|
Simon J.
Crinage |
|
|
|
None |
6
1 |
|
Valuation as of March 24, 2011. |
2 |
|
Independent Directors is defined as those directors
who are not interested persons within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940
Act). |
3 |
|
Interested is defined within the meaning of Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. |
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, the Board
of Directors held a total of five meetings. All of the Independent Directors attended all the Board and Committee meetings (including committees other
than the Audit Committee) for which they were eligible to attend.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee members are Messrs. Hamilton, Rettberg, Reid and The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer. Each member of the Audit Committee is not an
interested person of the Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and is independent, as defined under Rule 10A-3
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act). The Audit Committee is exempt from the independence requirements of the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the NYSE) under Section 303A.00 of the NYSE Listing Standards because the Fund is a closed-end fund. The
primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the Fund, the
compliance by the Fund with legal and regulatory requirements, and the independence and performance of the Funds external independent registered
public accounting firm. The Audit Committee met twice during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
The Audit Committee meets with the Funds independent
registered public accounting firm to review whether satisfactory accounting procedures are being followed by the Fund and whether internal accounting
controls are adequate, to inform itself with regard to non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm (if any) and
to review fees charged by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee, comprised of all of the Independent Directors, also
recommends to the Board of Directors the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Funds Audit Committee Charter is
available on the Funds website at www.jfchinaregion.com.
The Board of Directors also has a Management Engagement
Committee. The Management Engagement Committee members are Messrs. Hamilton, Rettberg, Reid and The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer. Each member of the
Management Engagement Committee is not an interested person of the Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The Management
Engagement Committee evaluates the investment performance of the Funds portfolio and considers the renewal of the Funds investment
management contract, generally for an additional one-year period. The Management Engagement Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2010.
The Board of Directors has a Nominating Committee. The
Nominating Committee members are Messrs. Hamilton, Rettberg, Reid and The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer. Each member of the Nominating Committee is not
an interested person of the Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The Nominating Committee is exempt from the independence
requirements of the NYSE under Section 303A.00 of the NYSE Listing Standards because the Fund is a closed-end fund. The Nominating Committee is
responsible for identifying individuals believed to be qualified to become Directors and recommending to the Board of Directors such nominees to stand
for election at the Funds annual meeting of stockholders and to fill any vacancies on the Board. The Nominating Committee did not convene during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. The Funds Nominating Committee Charter is available on the Funds website at
www.jfchinaregion.com.
The Funds Nominating Committee believes that it is in
the best interest of the Fund and its stockholders to obtain highly qualified candidates to serve as members of the Board of Directors. The Nominating
Committee has not established a formal process for identifying candidates where a vacancy exists on the Board. In nominating candidates, the Nominating
Committee may take into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate. These factors may include judgment, skill, diversity, experience with
investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity, size and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight, the
interplay of the candidates experience with the experience of other Directors, and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable
addition to the Board and any committees thereof. Although the Board does not have a specific policy with respect to diversity, the Nominating
Committee will consider the extent to which potential candidates possess sufficiently diverse skill sets and diversity characteristics that would
contribute to the Boards overall effectiveness. The Nominating Committee periodically reviews the role of the Nominating Committee and the
Charter and makes recommendations to the Independent Directors with respect thereto.
7
The Funds Nominating Committee will consider director
candidates recommended by stockholders and submitted in accordance with applicable law and procedures as described in this Proxy Statement (see
Deadline For Stockholder Proposals below).
The Fund does not have a formal policy regarding Board
member attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. However, all of the Directors of the Fund then in office attended the May 13, 2010, Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND
OFFICERS
The table below sets forth the compensation paid by the
Fund to its Directors who received such compensation for the year ended December 31, 2010:
Name of Person, Position
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Compensation From Fund
|
|
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued
as Part of Fund Expenses*
|
|
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon
Retirement*
|
|
Total Compensation From Fund and Fund
Complex Paid to Directors
|
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer, Chairman and Director |
|
|
|
$ |
62,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
62,000 |
|
Alexander R. Hamilton, Director |
|
|
|
$ |
56,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
56,000 |
|
Julian M.I. Reid, Director |
|
|
|
$ |
52,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
52,000 |
|
John R. Rettberg, Director |
|
|
|
$ |
52,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
52,000 |
|
INTERESTED DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Simon J. Crinage |
|
|
|
Nil
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
Nil
|
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
222,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
222,000 |
|
* |
|
The Directors of the Fund do not receive any pension or
retirement benefits from the Fund or the Funds Investment Advisor. |
The Directors compensation from the Fund consists
solely of Directors annual fees and attendance fees. Each independent Director is paid an annual fee of $22,000 plus $3,000 per Board meeting
attended, $3,000 per Audit Committee meeting attended and $3,000 per Management Engagement Committee meeting attended. The Chairman is paid an annual
fee of $32,000 plus $3,000 per Board meeting attended, $3,000 per Audit Committee meeting attended and $3,000 per Management Engagement Committee
meeting attended. The Audit Committee Chairman is paid an annual fee of $26,000 plus $3,000 per Board meeting attended, $3,000 per Audit Committee
meeting attended and $3,000 per Management Engagement Committee meeting attended. The Directors actual expenses are reimbursed.
A Director or officer of the Fund who is also an officer or
employee of the Funds Investment Advisor receives no remuneration from the Fund. Since all officers and interested Directors of the
Fund are also officers or employees of the Funds Investment Advisor, none of the officers or interested Directors of the Fund
received any compensation from the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2010.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING ALL THE INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEE AS DIRECTOR.
8
PROPOSAL 2
AMENDMENT TO THE FUNDS INVESTMENT
POLICIES
At the Funds Board of Directors meeting on April 4,
2011, the Directors agreed to approve, subject to the approval by the Funds stockholders, an amendment to the Funds fundamental investment
policies to permit the Fund to borrow up to 20% of the Funds net assets (not including the amount borrowed) for investment purposes. The Board
has directed that the proposal be submitted to stockholders for approval or disapproval.
The Funds current fundamental policy with respect to
borrowing is as follows:
Under its fundamental investment restrictions, the
Fund may not: Issue senior securities, borrow or pledge its assets, except that the Fund may borrow from a bank for the purpose of obtaining amounts
necessary to make distributions for qualification as a registered investment company or to avoid imposition of an excise tax under United States tax
laws, and except that the Fund may borrow money in an amount not to exceed 15% (calculated at the lower of cost or current market value) of its total
assets (not including the amount borrowed (a) for temporary or emergency purposes, (b) for such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance or settlement of transactions and (c) for repurchases of its Common Stock. The Fund may also pledge its assets to secure such borrowings.
Notwithstanding the above, initial and variation margin in respect of futures contracts and options thereon and any collateral arrangement in respect
of options on securities or indexes will not be prohibited by this paragraph 3 or any other investment restrictions.
As amended, the Funds fundamental policy on borrowing
would be as follows (amendments are italicized):
Under its fundamental investment restrictions, the
Fund may not: Issue senior securities, borrow or pledge its assets, except that the Fund may (i) borrow from a bank for the purpose of obtaining
amounts necessary to make distributions for qualification as a registered investment company to avoid imposition of an excise tax under United States
tax law; and (ii) borrow money (including through reverse repurchase agreements) up to the maximum amount permitted under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (a) for temporary or emergency purposes, (b) for such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance or settlement of transactions,
(c) for repurchases of its Common Stock and (d) for investment purposes, provided that amounts borrowed under this clause shall not exceed 20% on the
net assets of the Fund. The Fund may also pledge its assets to secure such borrowings. Notwithstanding the above, initial and variation margin in
respect of futures contracts and options thereon and any collateral arrangement in respect of options on securities or indexes will not be prohibited
by this paragraph 3 or any other investment restrictions.
An increase in the amount of money borrowed by the Fund for
the purposes listed in item (i) and items (ii)(a)-(d) of the proposed policy will cause the Fund to incur greater costs and expose the Fund to greater
risks than the Fund currently faces under its existing investment policies.
Although the proposal to allow borrowing also allows the
use of reverse repurchase agreements, the Board does not intend to use this mechanism. Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements under which one
party agrees to buy securities and a counterparty agrees to repurchase them at a later date. In addition to borrowing risk, reverse repurchase
agreements entail counterparty risk which is the risk that a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its repurchase
obligations.
The Board has noted that, because the Investment Advisor is
not currently permitted to borrow funds for the purpose of investing in securities, the Investment Advisor has been restricted to using funds from the
liquidation of existing holdings for the purpose of making additional investments. This has constrained the Investment Advisor from taking advantage of
opportunities to add value to the Fund, particularly in a rising market. The Board believes that the proposed change in the Funds borrowing
policy would give the Investment Advisor the flexibility to take advantage of such opportunities when it believes that the return from the additional
investment would exceed the cost of borrowing. However, purchasing securities with borrowed funds will cause the Funds losses to increase if
there is a decline in the value of the securities purchased with the proceeds of the loan, or if the return on securities purchased with borrowed funds
is less than the borrowing costs of those funds. These new risks would result from the Funds increased exposure in the underlying securities
purchased with borrowed funds and the borrowing costs incurred.
To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived
from securities purchased with funds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Funds return to Stockholders will be greater than
if leverage had not been used. Conversely,
9
if the income or capital appreciation from the
securities purchased with such funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage or if the Fund incurs capital losses, the return of the Fund to
Stockholders will be less than if leverage had not been used. The Investment Advisor may determine to maintain the Funds leveraged position if it
expects that the long-term benefits to Stockholders of maintaining the leveraged position will outweigh the current reduced return. Capital raised
through borrowing will be subject to interest costs that may or may not exceed the income and appreciation on the assets purchased. The Fund also may
be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with borrowings or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either
of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur
indebtedness unless immediately after such borrowing the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of
indebtedness (that is, such indebtedness may not exceed 331/3% of the value of the Funds total assets). Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the
Fund may not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its shares, or purchase any such shares, unless the aggregate indebtedness of
the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least
300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be.
The prohibitions on the payment of dividends or
distributions described above might impair the Funds ability to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income
tax purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to distribute its income as required to maintain its qualification as a
regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Subject to approval by shareholders of the proposed
amendment to the fundamental investment policy, the Investment Advisor will utilize the borrowing facility at its discretion and under the close
supervision of the Board. The Investment Advisor has agreed to waive its entitlement to a management fee on any cash held when borrowings are drawn
under the borrowing facility.
Approval of the proposed amendment to the fundamental
investment policy requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting shares. Under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 this means the vote, at the annual meeting of the security holders duly called, (A) 67 per centum or more of the Funds voting
securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50 per centum of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or
represented by proxy; or (B) of more than 50 per centum of the Funds outstanding voting securities, whichever is less. If the proposed amendment
is approved, the change in the Funds fundamental investment policies will become effective immediately.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING ALL THE INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS, RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE FUNDS FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT
POLICIES.
10
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any
of the Funds previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the 1934 Act that might incorporate future filings made
by the Fund under those statutes, the following report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior filings or future filings
made by the Fund under those statutes.
(1) |
|
Membership and Role of the Audit Committee |
The Audit Committee consists of Mr. Alexander R. Hamilton,
Mr. John R. Rettberg, Mr. Julian M.I. Reid and The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the
Board of Directors, which is available on the Funds website at www.jfchinaregion.com.
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the
Board of Directors in monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the Fund, the compliance by the Fund with legal and regulatory
requirements, and the independence and performance of the Funds external independent registered public accounting firm.
(2) |
|
Review of the Funds Audited Financial Statements for the
year ended December 31, 2010 |
The Audit Committee has conducted specific oversight
activities with respect to the Funds audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Audit Committee has also reviewed and
discussed them with the Funds Investment Advisor. The Audit Committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (PwC), the
Funds independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61
(Communication with Audit Committees).
At its meeting on February 24, 2011, the Audit Committee
also received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussion with
Audit Committees) and the Audit Committee discussed the independence of PwC.
Based on the Audit Committees review and discussions
noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, be included in
the Funds annual report to shareholders required by Section 30(e) of the 1940 Act, and filed with the SEC as required by Rule 30d(1) under the
1940 Act.
Audit Committee
Alexander R. Hamilton, Chairman
The
Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer
Julian M.I. Reid
John R. Rettberg
11
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
PwC, located at 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
10017, has been recommended as the independent registered public accounting firm by a unanimous decision of the Audit Committee to audit the accounts
of the Fund for and during 2010. This firm served as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund for 2010. The Board does not know of
any direct or indirect financial interest of PwC in the Fund.
A representative of PwC will be present at the Meeting,
will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to answer questions.
Set forth in the table below are audit fees and non-audit
related fees billed to the Fund by PwC for professional services received during and for the Funds fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010,
respectively. No fees were billed by PwC to the Funds Investment Advisor or its affiliates.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
Audit-Related Fees*
|
|
Tax Fees
|
|
All Other Fees
|
2009 |
|
|
|
$55,000 |
|
|
|
$5,740 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
$56,500 |
|
|
|
$5,940 |
|
|
* |
|
Audit-Related Fees are those fees billed to the Fund
by PwC in connection with services reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Funds financial statements. |
The Funds Audit Committee Charter requires the Audit
Committee to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Fund, and all
non-audit services to be provided by the auditors to the Funds Investment Advisor and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under
common control with the Funds Investment Advisor that provide on-going services to the Fund, if the engagement relates directly to the operations
and financial reporting of the Fund. All of the audit, audit-related and tax services described above for which PwC billed the Fund for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2010, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
For the Funds fiscal year ended December 31, 2010,
PwC did not provide any non-audit services to the Funds Investment Advisor or to any affiliates thereof that provide services to the
Fund.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The Funds Investment Advisor is JF International
Management, Inc., which was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in 1992 and is registered as an investment advisor under the U.S. Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Funds Investment Advisors principal address is 21st Floor, Chater House, 8 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong.
THE ADMINISTRATOR
The Funds Administrator is J.P. Morgan Investor
Services Co., whose address is 1 Beacon Street, 18th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02108,
USA.
12
DEADLINE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2012
Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Fund must be received by December 9, 2011, to be included in the Proxy Statement. A stockholder seeking to
have a proposal considered at the 2012 Annual Meeting where the proposal is not received by December 9, 2011, should notify the Fund no later than
February 17, 2012. If notice is not received by February 17, 2012, then the persons appointed as proxies may vote on the proposal as they see fit
notwithstanding that stockholders have not been advised of the proposal in the Proxy Statement. Any proposal submitted by stockholders must comply in
all respects with the following: (1) the rules and regulations of the SEC; (2) the provisions of the Funds Amended Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws; and (3) Maryland law. The Fund expects the 2012 Annual Meeting will be held in May of 2012.
Stockholders may send communications to the Board of
Directors via the Funds address at 1 Beacon Street, 18th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts
02108, USA in care of J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (the Administrator). All communications received from stockholders by the
Administrator are forwarded to the Board or to the specified Board member, as the case may be, for consideration and response.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires the Funds
Directors and officers, certain persons affiliated with the Funds Investment Advisor and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a
registered class of the Funds securities, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the SEC, the NYSE and the Fund. Directors,
officers and greater-than-10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Fund with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file.
During 2010, all Section 16(a) forms that were furnished to
the Fund were filed with the SEC in a timely manner. Based upon its review of written representations from certain of such persons, the Fund believes
that during 2010 all such filing requirements applicable to such persons were met.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors of the Fund knows of no other
matters to be presented for action at the Meeting other than those mentioned above; however, if any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it
is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote on such other matters in accordance with their judgment of the best interests of
the Fund.
All proxies received will be voted in favor of all of the
proposals unless otherwise directed therein.
13
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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JF China Region Fund, Inc.
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IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
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C123456789
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000004
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000000000.000000 ext
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000000000.000000 ext
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MR A SAMPLE
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000000000.000000 ext
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000000000.000000 ext
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DESIGNATION (IF ANY)
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000000000.000000 ext
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000000000.000000 ext
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ADD 1
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ADD 2
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ADD 3
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ADD 4
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ADD 5
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ADD 6
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Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with
an X as shown in
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
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X
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Annual
Meeting Proxy Card
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PLEASE
FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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A
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Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a
vote FOR the nominee listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposal 2.
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1. Nominee:
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For
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Withhold
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01 - Alexander Reid Hamilton
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o
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+
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For
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Withhold
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2. Amendment to the Fund’s Investment Policies —
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o
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o
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B
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Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be
counted. Date and Sign Below
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Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer,
trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please
print date below.
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Signature 1 Please keep
signature within the box.
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Signature 2 Please keep
signature within the box.
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/ /
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C 1234567890
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J N T
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MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS
SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE
AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE
AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE
AND MR A SAMPLE AND
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2 0 B V
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0 2 1 4 8 4 1
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015M2B
Dear Stockholder,
Please take note of the important information enclosed with this Proxy Ballot.
Your vote counts, and you are strongly encouraged to exercise your right to vote your shares.
Please mark the box on this proxy card to indicate how your shares will be
voted. Then sign and date, and return your proxy vote in the enclosed postage paid envelope. Your vote must be received prior
to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, May 12, 2011.
Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
JF China Region Fund, Inc.
PLEASE
FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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Proxy JF China Region Fund, Inc.
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Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER of JF
China Region Fund, Inc. (the Fund) hereby appoints Lori O’Brien and Charles Daly the lawful
attorneys and proxies of the undersigned with full power of substitution to vote, as
designated below, all shares of Common Stock of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at
10:00 a.m., at the offices of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New
York 10017, and at any and all adjournments thereof with respect to the matters set forth
below and described in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated April 15th,
2011, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and any other matters arising before such
Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Properly executed proxies will be
voted (or the vote on such matters will be withheld on specific matters) in accordance
with instructions appearing on the proxy. In the absence of specific instructions, proxies
will be voted FOR the election of the nominee as director and will be voted FOR the amendment to the Fund’s Investment Policies and in the best discretion of
the proxyholders as to any other matters. Please refer to the Proxy Statement for a
discussion of the proposal.
PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.