Media

Hong Kong, 28 June 2023 – Leading PRC-based professional sportswear enterprise Xtep International Holdings Limited (“Xtep” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) (Stock code: 1368. HK) is pleased to announce that it has been ranked among the top three companies in multiple categories of the “2023 Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) Executive Team” rankings organized by the authoritative US institutional investor magazine Institutional Investor. Xtep has also won eight awards at the 9th Investor Relations Awards 2023, organized by the Hong Kong Investor Relations Association (“HKIRA”), and four awards at the 13th Asian Excellence Award, organized by Corporate Governance Asia. Details of the awards and winners are as follows:

• Most Honored Company – Overall – 3^rd place
• Best CEO – Sell-side – Mr. Ding Shui Po – 1^st place
• Best CFO – Sell-side – Mr. Ricky Yeung – 1^st place
• Best IR Professional – Sell-side – Ms. Sophia Wong – 2^nd place
• Best IR Team – Combined – 3^rd place
• Best IR Team – Sell-side – 2^nd place
• Best IR Program – Sell-side – 1^st place
• Best ESG – Sell-side – 1^st place
• Best Board of Directors – Sell-side – 1^st place

• Overall Best IR Company
• Best IR by Chairman/CEO – Mr. Ding Shui Po
• Best IR by CFO – Mr. Ricky Yeung
• Best IRO – Ms. Sophia Wong
• Best IR Team – Ms. Sophia Wong and Ms. Clara Liu
• Best IR Company
• Best Annual Report
• Best ESG (E)

• Asia’s Best CEO (Investor Relations) – Mr. Ding Shui Po
• Asia’s Best CFO (Investor Relations) – Mr. Ricky Yeung
• Best Investor Relations Professional – Ms. Sophia Wong
• Best Investor Relations Company

Institutional Investor’s “2023 Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) Executive Team” rankings aim to commend Asia’s best CEOs, CFOs, IR professionals, investor relations practices and ESG policies, and recognizes companies that have adopted strict corporate governance standards and incorporated investors into their operational considerations. This year, a record-breaking of 6,474 investors, fund managers and analysts participated in the survey, evaluating 1,608 listed companies and 2,504 individuals across 18 sectors. Financial data, achievements in service and communication, and ESG performance disclosed by selected companies and individuals, as well as the characteristics of CEOs, CFOs and IR professionals, were key areas of assessment. In addition to ranking top in Asia and Mainland China, Xtep has also garnered several awards in the small and midcap category.

The 9^th Investor Relations Awards 2023, organized by the HKIRA, recognizes outstanding investor relations and corporate governance practices. This year, the Awards consisted of 15 categories and attracted over 120 well-known Hong Kong listed companies for participation. The winners were selected through two ballots by qualified voters, including over 740 buy- and sell-side analysts, fund managers and others, as well as more than 290 professional voting bodies. Xtep stood out from many participants and garnered eight awards, which reflect the Group’s long-standing strength in investor relations and the confidence it has gained from the capital market.

The Asian Excellence Award, organized by Corporate Governance Asia, acknowledges companies in Asia that have performed exceptionally in the areas of corporate governance, investor relations, ESG and corporate social responsibility. The theme of this year’s Award, “Asia: Leading the Way”, emphasizes the importance of corporate governance in stimulating the Asian economy and improving communities that have been hit by the pandemic. Xtep received four awards, which fully affirmed the Group's unremitting efforts to uphold the highest standards of investor relations, ESG and corporate social responsibility amid the new normal of the post-COVID-19 era.

Mr. Ding Shui Po, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtep International Holdings Limited, said, “We are honored to receive these awards, which testify to Xtep's continuous effort in investor relations, corporate governance and sustainable development. 2023 marks the 15^th listing anniversary. Over the past 15 years, we have been committed to maintaining the principles of transparency and integrity, and establishing stable relations with investors. We have always believed that building good ties with investors is the key to business development. In the future, we will continue to uphold the highest standards of investor relations management, maintain long-term and stable relationships with shareholders and investors, and work towards achieving our business development and sustainability goals. We wish to sincerely thank our investors for their support and recognition, as well as our employees and management team for their unremitting efforts and dedication. Looking ahead, we will continue to bolster our brand influence and competitiveness in the market to showcase the strength of a Chinese brand to the world.”