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 I, 2012, Class II 2013, and Class III, 2014. 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 terms of the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer, Chairman of
the Board and Mr. Crinage will expire at the 2012 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 the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cromer and Mr. Crinage to serve for terms expiring on the
date on which the Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held in 2015, 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 Nominees. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present at the Meeting (at
which a quorum is present) is required to elect the Nominees. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each
Nominee.
The Board of Directors knows of no reason why the Nominees
will be unable to serve. If the Nominees 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 Nominees.
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 Chairman, 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.
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.
Lord Cromer has served as the Chairman and Director of the
Fund since 1994. He has experience in Asian financial markets, and holds several positions as Chairman, including Western Provident Association, LG
India Plus Fund Ltd., Pedder Street Asian Absolute Return Fund Limited and LG Asia Plus Fund Limited.
5
Simon Crinage is an interested director of the Fund and was
selected given his experience as both an Officer and Director in the financial services industry, specifically as a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan
Asset Management, parent of the Funds Advisor.
The Board of Directors has concluded that, based on each
Nominees experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other directors, each
Nominee should serve as a director. Among other attributes to the Nominees is their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss
information provided to them, to interact effectively with the various service providers to the Fund, and to exercise reasonable business judgment in
the performance of their duties as directors. In addition, the Board of Directors has taken into account the actual service and commitment of the
Nominees during their tenure as directors of the Fund in concluding that each 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 each Nominee that led the
Board of Directors to conclude that he should serve as a director.
The following table presents information concerning each
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 (Nominee) (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), Cosco International Holdings Limited (shipping); Esprit Holdings
Limited (clothing retail), Shangri-La Asia Limited (hotels) and Octopus Cards Limited (financial services). Former Director of China Cosco Holdings Co.
Limited (shipping) (retired May 2011). |
|
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 |
6
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 (August 7, 1944) Finsbury Dials 20 Finsbury Street London EC2Y 9AQ United
Kingdom |
|
|
|
Class III Director |
|
Three year term ends 2014; 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 AND NOMINEE
|
Simon J. Crinage (Nominee) (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 16, 2012.
Name of Director
|
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund 1
|
INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS2 |
|
|
|
|
The Rt. Hon. The
Earl of Cromer |
|
|
|
$50,001
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 |
7
1 |
|
Valuation as of March 16, 2012. |
2 |
|
Independent Directors is defined as those directors
who are not interested persons within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of 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, 2011, the Board
of Directors held a total of six meetings. All of the 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, 2011.
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 once during the fiscal year ended December
31, 2011.
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, 2011. 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.
8
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 12, 2011 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, 2011:
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 |
|
|
|
$ |
56,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
56,000 |
|
Alexander R. Hamilton, Director |
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
50,000 |
|
Julian M.I. Reid, Director |
|
|
|
|
46,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
46,000 |
|
John R. Rettberg, Director |
|
|
|
|
46,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
46,000 |
|
INTERESTED DIRECTOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Simon J. Crinage |
|
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
Nil |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
198,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
198,000 |
|
* |
|
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, 2011.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING ALL THE INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES AS DIRECTOR.
9
PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE FUNDS INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AND
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT)
TO PROVIDE THAT FEES PAID THEREUNDER WILL BE BASED
ON MANAGED
ASSETS
Reasons for Proposed Amendment to the Investment
Advisory Agreement
At the May 12, 2011 Stockholders Meeting, stockholders
approved an addition to the Funds investment policies to permit the Fund to borrow up to 20% of its net assets (not including the amount
borrowed) for investment purposes. The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that advisory fees are based on the Funds net assets, which would
not normally include proceeds of borrowings, even when the proceeds are used for investment purposes. In order to take into account the Investment
Advisors obligation to manage amounts borrowed, the Board of Directors approved on November 1, 2011 an amendment to the Investment Advisory
Agreement to calculate advisory fees based on the Funds Managed Assets (described below). As stated in the 2011 proxy statement, the Investment
Advisor will not be entitled to a management fee on any cash held when borrowings are drawn under a borrowing facility.
Board Considerations
The Board of Directors noted that the proceeds of any
borrowings used for investment purposes would increase the amount of Fund assets for which the Investment Advisor would be expected to provide services
to the Fund. The Board of Directors also determined that the original formulation of the fee language in the Investment Advisory Agreement was designed
to compensate the Investment Advisor on the basis of the amount of assets as to which it makes investment decisions. The Board of Directors noted that
it had previously determined to seek stockholder approval to broaden the Funds authority to borrow, and that this action had been determined to
be in the best interests of the Fund and the Funds stockholders. In the view of the Board of Directors, it would not be appropriate to take
actions that increase assets which the Investment Advisor is obliged by the Investment Advisory Agreement to manage without providing proportional
additional compensation. The Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors voting separately, unanimously determined to recommend that
stockholders approve a change in the fee calculation provision of the Investment Advisory Agreement to clarify that fees to the Investment Advisor will
be based on all assets under management, including the proceeds of any borrowing used for investment. In reaching its decision to recommend that
stockholders approve the proposed amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board determined that such action would be in the best interests
of the Fund and the Funds stockholders.
Current Fee Structure. The Fund pays the Investment
Advisor a fee in accordance with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The current fee language in the Investment Advisory Agreement is as
follows:
|
|
The Fund agrees to pay in United States dollars to JFIMI, as
full compensation for the services to be rendered and expenses to be borne by JFIMI hereunder, an annual fee equal to 1.00% of the value of the weekly
net assets of the Fund, accruing weekly and payable monthly. For purposes of computing the fee, the weekly net assets of the Fund shall be determined
as of the close of business in Hong Kong on the last business day of each week or on such other day as the directors of the Fund may determine, and
shall be deemed to be the weekly net assets for the period from the day first following the day such weekly net assets were last computed, up to and
including the day of such computation. |
The existing Investment Advisory Agreement was last
approved by stockholders on October 30, 2000. During the Funds most recent fiscal year, the aggregate amount of fees paid to the Investment
Advisor under the Investment Advisory Agreement was $986,009. The Board of Directors most recently approved the Investment Advisory Agreement on
November 1, 2011.
Proposed New Fee Structure. The proposed fee
language for the Investment Advisory Agreement is as follows:
|
|
The Fund agrees to pay in United States dollars to JFIMI, as
full compensation for the services to be rendered and expenses to be borne by JFIMI hereunder, an annual fee equal to 1.00% of the value of the weekly
Managed Assets (as hereinafter defined) of the Fund, accruing weekly and payable monthly. For purposes of computing the fee, the weekly Managed Assets
of the Fund shall be determined as of the close of business in Hong Kong |
10
|
|
on the last business day of each week or on such other day as
the directors of the Fund may determine, and shall be deemed to be the weekly Managed Assets for the period from the day first following the day such
weekly Managed Assets were last computed, up to and including the day of such computation. As used in this Agreement, Managed Assets shall
mean net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. Upon the commencement of the use of borrowings for investment purposes, the
Investment Advisor will accrue fees based on Managed Assets. The Investment Advisor may charge such fees to the Fund only upon stockholder
approval. |
Effect of Proposed Change in Fee Structure on Fees to be
Paid
If the amount of the Funds assets under management
increases through borrowing for investment purposes, this will result in an increase in the amount of the fees payable by the Fund under the Investment
Advisory Agreement. However, the net impact on fees would depend on the net increase in Fund assets that would result from such borrowing, which cannot
be predicted. The Fund anticipates that it will begin to use investment leverage beginning in the second quarter of 2012.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING ALL THE INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS, RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2 TO AMEND THE FUNDS INVESTMENT ADVISORY
AGREEMENT.
11
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY
AGREEMENT
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the
Investment Advisor will, among other things, make investment decisions for the Fund, subject to the control of the Funds Board of Directors and
in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies. The Investment Advisor will select brokers and dealers and determine how voting
and other rights with respect to portfolio securities will be exercised. The Investment Advisor may, at its own expense, consult other firms to obtain
additional advisory information.
The Investment Advisor furnishes, at its own expense,
office space and facilities for the Funds use and pays the reasonable salaries and expenses of the Funds officers and employees, provided
that the Fund bears travel expenses for travel to Fund board or committee meetings for any of the Funds directors and officers who are also
managing directors, officers or employees of the Investment Advisor. The Investment Advisor otherwise bears all expenses arising out of its duties
under the Investment Advisory Agreement but is generally not responsible for expenses of the Fund.
In return for such services, the Fund currently pays the
Investment Advisor an annual fee equal to 1.00% of the value of the weekly net assets, accruing weekly and payable monthly. As discussed above,
Proposal 2 would expand this fee provision so that it would apply to all of the Funds assets under management, including borrowings but excluding
cash held when borrowings are drawn under the facility.
The Investment Advisory Agreement had an initial term of
two years, with continuation thereafter subject to yearly approval by (i) the Board of Directors or Fund stockholders and (ii) the Independent
Directors. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty on 60 days written notice, by the Board of Directors
or by a vote of holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities. The Investment Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in
the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the
Investment Advisor is not liable for any act or omission, error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with
the Investment Advisory Agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment Advisor in the
performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard on the part of the Investment Advisor of its obligations and duties under the Investment
Advisory Agreement. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Investment Advisor from all claims of any kind that may be asserted against the Investment Advisor
in connection with its performance under the Investment Advisory Agreement, except to the extent that such claims arise by reason of the Investment
Advisors bad faith, willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement or reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
12
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, 2011 |
The Audit Committee has conducted specific oversight
activities with respect to the Funds audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011. 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). The Audit Committee has also reviewed and discussed them with the
Funds Investment Advisor.
At its meeting on February 24, 2012, the Audit Committee
also received the written disclosures and a 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, 2011, 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
13
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 2012. This firm served as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund for 2011. 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, 2010 and 2011,
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
|
2010 |
|
|
|
$56,500 |
|
|
|
$5,940 |
|
|
2011 |
|
|
|
$58,500 |
|
|
|
$6,100 |
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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, 2010, and December 31, 2011, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
For the Funds fiscal year ended December 31, 2011,
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. (JFIMI), 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. JFIMIs principal address is 21st
Floor, Chater House, 8 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong.
JFIMI is 100% owned by JPMorgan Asset Management (Asia)
Inc., whose principal address is 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, US.
JFIMI manages one other fund with a similar objective to
the Fund, the JPM China Region Fund (JMCRF). JMCRF is an open-ended China Region Fund with assets under management of US$11m as at 7 Mar
2012. For its services as investment adviser to JMCRF, JFIMI receives compensation at an annual rate of 1.25% of JMCRFs average daily net asset
value.
On November 1, 2011, the Funds Board of Directors
(the Board) considered and approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and JFIMI for an additional term of
twelve months. At this meeting, the Board reviewed extensive materials prepared by JFIMI and discussed these materials with representatives of JFIMI.
The Directors considered the recommendation of the Management Engagement Committee that the Investment Advisory Agreement be renewed, noting that the
Management Engagement Committee had discussed, in executive session with independent counsel, the nature, extent and quality of the advisory services
provided to the Fund by JFIMI, the level of advisory fees, the costs of the services provided and the profits realized by JFIMI, the Funds
expense ratio, its relative and absolute performance, any economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund, any ancillary benefits
received by JFIMI and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund, and various other matters included in the materials provided by
JFIMI.
14
In approving the renewal of the Agreement, the Committee,
and the Board, concluded that:
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The annual investment advisory fee rate paid by the Fund to JFIMI
for investment advisory services was reasonable relative to the Funds peer group and relative to other non-U.S. funds managed by
JFIMI. |
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The Committee and the Board were generally satisfied with the
nature, quality and extent of other services provided by JFIMI. In reaching this conclusion, the Committee and the Board reviewed, among other things,
JFIMIs investment experience in the China region markets and the background and experience of JFIMIs senior management. |
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The Funds performance during the one-year and three-year
periods lagged the Funds peer group and the Funds benchmark, the MSCI Golden Dragon Index. (The Board and the Committee reviewed the
Funds performance in comparison to the peer group and the benchmark for the 1 year, 3 year, 5 year and since inception periods.) Although
one-year, three-year and five-year performance lagged, it was noted that for certain longer-term periods, the Funds performance surpassed the
benchmark. The Board and Committee noted that the Investment Advisor had made satisfactory progression implementing a strategic repositioning of the
portfolio with the Board and Committees full support. The strategic repositioning included proposals to increase the Funds China A-Share
exposure to approximately $20 million, although the timing of this investment was uncertain and subject to necessary regulatory approval. |
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In light of the costs of providing advisory services to the Fund,
the profits and ancillary benefits that JFIMI received, with respect to providing investment advisory services to the Fund, were reasonable. The Board
and the Committee noted that beginning in May 2005, the Fund discontinued using JFIMIs affiliates to affect Fund securities trades, unless in
exceptional circumstances, effectively eliminating brokerage commissions as an ancillary benefit for JFIMI. |
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The Funds expense ratio remained at an acceptable
level. |
THE ADMINISTRATOR
The Funds Administrator is J.P. Morgan Chase Bank,
N.A., whose address is 1 Beacon Street, 18th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02108
USA.
15
DEADLINE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2013
Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Fund must be received by December 7, 2012, to be included in the Proxy Statement. A stockholder seeking to
have a proposal considered at the 2013 Annual Meeting where the proposal is not received by December 7, 2012, should notify the Fund no later than
February 18, 2013. If notice is not received by February 18, 2013, 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 2013 Annual Meeting will be held in May of 2013.
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 Chase Bank, N.A. (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 2011, based solely on the Funds review of the
copies of such forms received by it and written representations from certain of such persons, the Fund believes that all Section 16(a) forms that were
furnished to the Fund complied with the applicable filing requirements.
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.
16
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JF China Region Fund, Inc.
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C123456789
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IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
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000000000.000000 ext
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ENDORSEMENT_LINE____________SACKPACK_____________
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000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext
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000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext
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MR A SAMPLE
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DESIGNATION (IF ANY)
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ADD 1
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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 nominees 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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For
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Withhold
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01 - The Rt. Hon The Earl of Cromer
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02 - Simon J. Crinage
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For
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Abstain
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2. Amendment to the Fund’s Investment Advisory and Management Agreement
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Change of Address Please print new address below.
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Comments Please print your comments below.
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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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1 1 B V
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1 1 3 9 8 4 1
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01AXYE
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 10, 2012.
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 Charles J. Daly and Benjamin T. Doherty 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 10, 2012, at
11:00 a.m., at the offices of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY
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 [___],
2012, 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 nominees as directors and will be voted FOR the amendment
to the Fund’s Investment Advisory and Management Agreement. 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.