HONG KONG -- China Unicom Limited ("China Unicom" or "the Company") (HKSE: 0762; NYSE: CHU) announced today its interim results as of 30 June 2008.

In the first half of this year, the Company proactively addressed various challenges including market competition and adjustments to domestic roaming tariffs. While maintaining effective business developments, the Company continued to explore new markets. The Company entered into two major transactions (the proposed disposal of its CDMA business and a proposed merger with China Netcom) as it moved towards implementing a strategic restructuring. The Company has also been proactively involved in the support of the recent natural disasters in China, in order to fulfill its corporate social responsibilities. The work mentioned above have all been progressing well, and its business has been developing steadily.

During the first half of this year, the continuing operations of the Company recorded revenues of RMB35.14 billion, representing an increase of 4.0% over the same period of last year. Service revenues amounted to RMB35.12 billion, including RMB32.50 billion from the GSM business and RMB2.62 billion from the long distance, data and internet business.

Profit before tax and profit for the period for the continuing operations amounted to RMB5.13 billion and RMB3.77 billion respectively, representing an increase of 49.5% and 107.1% respectively over the same period of last year, and an increase of 1.2% and 8.9%, respectively, if eliminating the effect of the unrealized loss on changes in fair value of the derivative component of convertible bonds in the same period of last year. EBITDA amounted to RMB15.88 billion. Free cash flow was RMB6.92 billion.

China Unicom Ltd. (NYSE: CHU)