Independent Director's Annual Report for 2025 (Zhang Qunchao)
I, Zhang Qunchao, was nominated by the board of directors of Hubei Heyuan Gas Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") on September 27, 2023, and elected as an independent director by the shareholders' meeting on October 13, 2023. During my term, I strictly adhered to the relevant laws and regulations, including the Company Law of the People's Republic of China, the Securities Law of the People's Republic of China, and the Management Measures for Independent Directors of Listed Companies, as well as the Company's Articles of Association and the Independent Director Work System. Throughout the 2025 term, I performed my duties with integrity, diligence, responsibility, and independence, actively attending relevant meetings, carefully reviewing board proposals, and effectively fulfilling my role as an independent director and member of various specialized committees, thereby safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the Company and its shareholders, especially minority shareholders. Below is my report on the performance of my duties as an independent director during the 2025 term:
I. Basic Information of the Independent Director
Mr. Zhang Qunchao, born on August 16, 1976, is a Chinese national without permanent residency abroad, a member of the Communist Party of China, and holds a doctoral degree. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Fine Chemicals from Wuhan University in 1999; obtained a master's degree in Organic Chemistry from South-Central University for Nationalities in 2007; and earned a doctorate in Polymer Chemistry and Physics from Wuhan University in 2011. From July 1999 to July 2009, he served as a technician at Hubei Zhaoyang Sihai Chemical Co., Ltd., an assistant researcher at the Ministry of Education's Organic Silicon Engineering Research Center at Wuhan University, and technical director at Hubei Debang Chemical New Materials Co., Ltd. From July 2009 to August 2011, he pursued his doctorate at Wuhan University. Since September 2011, he has held positions as a lecturer, associate professor, and professor at Hubei University, and served as a visiting scholar at City University of Hong Kong from February 2019 to February 2020. He has been an independent director of Hubei Heyuan Gas Co., Ltd. since October 13, 2023. During my term, I met the independence requirements stipulated in Article 6 of the Management Measures for Independent Directors of Listed Companies and there were no circumstances affecting my independence.
II. Annual Performance of Independent Director
(1) Attendance at Board and Shareholder Meetings
- In 2025, the Company held 5 board meetings and 5 shareholder meetings. I was required to participate in all 5 board meetings and 5 shareholder meetings, with attendance as follows:
| Meeting Type | Required Attendance | In-Person Attendance | Attendance by Communication | Attendance by Proxy | Absences | Consecutive Absences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board Meetings | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | No |
| Shareholder Meetings | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | No |
- The Company’s board established four specialized committees: the Audit and Risk Management Committee, the Compensation and Assessment Committee, the Nomination Committee, and the Strategy Committee. As the chair of the Nomination Committee and a member of the Strategy Committee, I diligently fulfilled my responsibilities according to the implementation rules of each specialized committee. My attendance at specialized committee meetings during the 2025 term is as follows:
| Committee Name | In-Person Attendance | Attendance by Proxy |
|---|---|---|
| Audit and Risk Management Committee | / | / |
| Compensation and Assessment Committee | / | / |
| Nomination Committee | 2 | 0 |
| Strategy Committee | / | / |