(a) Defined contribution plan
The Group pays contributions to defined contribution schemes operated by the local government for employee benefits in respect of pension and unemployment. The Group also pays contribution to defined contribution schemes operated by Guangzhou Railway Group for employee supplementary pension benefit. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions to the defined contribution schemes are recognised as staff costs when they are due.
(b) Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by the Group before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Group recognises termination benefits at the earlier of the following dates: (a) when the Group can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits; and (b) when the entity recognises costs for a restructuring that is within the scope of IAS 37 and involves the payment of termination benefits. In the case of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy, the termination benefits are measured based on the number of employees expected to accept the offer. Benefits falling due more than 12 months after the end of the reporting period are discounted to their present value.