Chang Jiang Shang Bao·2025-07-02 03:48Core Viewpoint - The resignation of Hou Xiaohai, the chairman and executive director of China Resources Beer, has sparked controversy, despite his significant contributions to the company's growth over the past decade [1][5]. Financial Performance - In 2024, China Resources Beer reported a slight revenue decline of 0.76% year-on-year, with net profit decreasing by 8.03%, marking a disappointing end to Hou's career [2][12]. - The company's revenue grew from 279.59 billion yuan in 2015 to 386.35 billion yuan in 2024, an increase of 106.76 billion yuan [9][10]. - The white liquor segment, which Hou had high expectations for, only saw a revenue growth of 3.7% in 2024, significantly below his target of over 30% [2][15]. Leadership and Contributions - Hou Xiaohai joined China Resources Beer in 2001 and became CEO in 2016, leading the company through various strategic initiatives, including the establishment of the Snow Beer brand and a major merger with Heineken [10][11]. - Under his leadership, the company received multiple accolades, including recognition as one of the best-managed teams in Asia [10]. Stock Transactions - Prior to his resignation, Hou sold 938,000 shares of the company, cashing out approximately 26.12 million Hong Kong dollars [4][17]. - Following these transactions, his shareholding dropped from 1.018 million shares to 80,000 shares, a reduction of 92% [18]. Compensation - Over his nine-year tenure as CEO, Hou received a total compensation of 50.81 million yuan, with a peak salary of 8.47 million yuan in 2020 [13][16]. - In 2024, his total compensation was significantly reduced to 3.6 million yuan, with bonuses dropping from 6.01 million yuan in 2023 to 1.6 million yuan [16].