NetEase Enhances Board Independence with New Director Appointment

Rhea-AI Summary

NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES) has appointed Mr. Kok Chung Johnny Chan as an independent director to its board, effective August 14, 2025. Chan brings over 40 years of experience in investment banking and management, currently serving as Chief Investment Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company.

Chan's extensive background includes roles as a member of the Market Misconduct Tribunal, Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal, and former deputy chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing Committee. He also serves as an independent director for CNQC International Holdings and Hangzhou SF Intra-city Industrial.

Positive

• Appointment of highly experienced director with 40+ years in investment banking and management
• Enhanced board independence with expertise in capital markets and regulatory matters
• Addition of director with strong connections to Hong Kong financial markets

Negative

• None.

HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX: 9999, "NetEase" or the "Company"), a leading internet and game services provider, today announced the appointment of Mr. Kok Chung Johnny Chan to its board of directors as an independent director, effective as of August 14, 2025.

Mr. Chan has over 40 years of experience in the investment banking and investment management industry. He is currently the Chief Investment Officer of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company and a member of the Market Misconduct Tribunal, established under the Securities and Futures Ordinance of Hong Kong, as well as the Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal. Mr. Chan previously served as a deputy chairman of the Listing Committee of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. 

Mr. Chan also serves as an independent non-executive director of CNQC International Holdings Ltd. (HKEX: 1240) and Hangzhou SF Intra-city Industrial Co., Ltd. (HKEX: 9699). He received a bachelor's degree (majoring in economics) from City of London Polytechnic (now London Metropolitan University), a master's degree in business administration from City University London and a postgraduate diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia (now The Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA)).

"We are delighted to welcome Johnny to the board," said Mr. William Ding, Chief Executive Officer and Director of NetEase. "We believe his extensive background and nuanced understanding of the capital markets, supported by a regarded standing in the industry, will bring fresh and practical insights that align with our commitment to excellence and innovation."

About NetEase, Inc.

NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX: 9999, "NetEase") is a leading internet and game services provider centered around premium content. With extensive offerings across its expanding gaming ecosystem, the Company develops and operates some of the most popular and longest-running mobile and PC games available in China and globally.

Powered by one of the largest in-house game R&D teams focused on mobile, PC and console, NetEase creates superior gaming experiences, inspires players, and passionately delivers value for its thriving community worldwide. By infusing play with culture, and education with technology, NetEase transforms gaming into a meaningful vehicle to build a more entertaining and enlightened world.

Beyond games, NetEase service offerings include its majority-controlled subsidiaries Youdao (NYSE: DAO), an intelligent learning and advertising solutions provider, and NetEase Cloud Music (HKEX: 9899), a well-known online music platform featuring a vibrant content community, as well as Yanxuan, NetEase's private label consumer lifestyle brand.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.netease.com/.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. In addition, statements that are not historical facts, including statements about NetEase's strategies and business plans, its expectations regarding the growth of its business and its revenue and the quotations from management in this announcement are or contain forward-looking statements. NetEase may also make forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. The accuracy of these statements may be impacted by a number of business risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated, including risks related to: the risk that the online games market will not continue to grow or that NetEase will not be able to maintain its position in that market in China or globally; risks associated with NetEase's business and operating strategies and its ability to implement such strategies; NetEase's ability to develop and manage its operations and business; competition for, among other things, capital, technology and skilled personnel; potential changes in regulation environment in the markets where NetEase operates; the risk that NetEase may not be able to continuously develop new and creative online services or that NetEase will not be able to set, or follow in a timely manner, trends in the market; risks related to evolving economic cycles and geopolitical tensions, including the direct or indirect impacts of national trade, investment, protectionist, tax or other laws or policies as well as export controls and economic or trade sanctions; risks related to the expansion of NetEase's businesses and operations internationally; risks associated with cybersecurity threats or incidents; and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that could adversely affect NetEase's business and financial results. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in NetEase's filings with the SEC and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. NetEase does not undertake any obligation to update this forward-looking information, except as required under applicable law.

Contact for Media and Investors:

Investor Relations
Email: ir@service.netease.com
Tel: (+86) 571-8985-3378

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netease-enhances-board-independence-with-new-director-appointment-302529929.html

SOURCE NetEase, Inc.

FAQ

Who is the new independent director appointed to NetEase's (NTES) board?

Mr. Kok Chung Johnny Chan was appointed as an independent director, bringing over 40 years of experience in investment banking and investment management.

What are Johnny Chan's current roles besides joining NetEase's board?

He serves as Chief Investment Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company, member of the Market Misconduct Tribunal, Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal, and independent director for CNQC International and Hangzhou SF Intra-city Industrial.

When is Johnny Chan's appointment to NetEase's board effective?

The appointment is effective as of August 14, 2025.

What is Johnny Chan's educational background?

He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from London Metropolitan University, an MBA from City University London, and a postgraduate diploma from The Financial Services Institute of Australasia.