TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

N-CSR 1 d826569dncsr.htm TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-07876

Templeton China World Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

300 S.E. 2^nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Craig S. Tyle, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (954) 527-7500

Date of fiscal year end: 8/31

Date of reporting period: 8/31/19

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

LOGO

Internet Delivery of Fund Reports Unless You Request Paper Copies: Effective January 1, 2021, as permitted by the SEC, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request them from the Fund or your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you have not signed up for electronic delivery, we would encourage you to join fellow shareholders who have. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically from the Fund by calling (800) 632-2301 or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to continue to receive paper copies of all your future shareholder reports free of charge by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly with a Fund, calling (800) 632-2301 to let the Fund know of your request. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account.

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON

Successful investing begins with ambition. And achievement only comes when you reach for it. That’s why we continually strive to deliver better outcomes for investors. No matter what your goals are, our deep, global investment expertise allows us to offer solutions that can help.

During our more than 70 years of experience, we’ve managed through all kinds of markets—up, down and those in between. We’re always preparing for what may come next. It’s because of this, combined with our strength as one of the world’s largest asset managers that we’ve earned the trust of millions of investors around the world.

Dear Shareholder:

China’s economic expansion slowed during the 12 months ended August 31, 2019, due to the U.S.-China trade conflict and weak global demand. Hong Kong’s growth slowed for similar reasons and because of large anti-government protests that hindered key sectors. Taiwan’s economy moderated but rebounded later in the period amid recovery in its technology sector. In this environment, Greater China stocks fell modestly during the period, as measured by the MSCI Golden Dragon Index, which tracks stock market performance in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

We are committed to our long-term perspective and disciplined investment approach as we conduct a rigorous, fundamental analysis of securities with a regular emphasis on investment risk management.

Historically, patient investors have achieved rewarding results by evaluating their goals, diversifying their assets globally and maintaining a disciplined investment program, all hallmarks of the Templeton investment philosophy developed more than 60 years ago. We continue to recommend investors consult their financial advisors and review their portfolios to design a long-term strategy and portfolio allocation that meet their individual needs, goals and risk tolerance.

Templeton China World Fund’s annual report includes more detail about prevailing conditions and a discussion about

investment decisions during the period. Please remember all securities markets fluctuate, as do mutual fund share prices.

We thank you for investing with Franklin Templeton, welcome your questions and comments, and look forward to serving your investment needs in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Manraj S. Sekhon, CFA

Chief Investment Officer

Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity

This letter reflects our analysis and opinions as of August 31, 2019, unless otherwise indicated. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable.

CFA^® is a trademark owned by CFA Institute.

Not FDIC Insured | May Lose Value | No Bank Guarantee



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Contents

Annual Report

Templeton China World Fund			3

Performance Summary			7

Your Fund’s Expenses			10

Financial Highlights and Statement of Investments			11

Financial Statements			18

Notes to Financial Statements			21

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			30

Tax Information			31

Board Members and Officers			32

Shareholder Information			37

Visit franklintempleton.com for fund updates, to access your account, or to find helpful financial planning tools.



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ANNUAL REPORT

Templeton China World Fund

This annual report for Templeton China World Fund covers the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities of “China companies.” Such companies are those that are organized under the laws of, or with a principal office in, the People’s Republic of China (China), Hong Kong or Taiwan; or for which the principal trading market is in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan; or that derive at least 50% of their revenues from goods or services sold or produced, or have at least 50% of their assets, in China.

Performance Overview

For the 12 months ended August 31, 2019, the Fund’s Class A shares posted a total return of -6.46%. For comparison, the MSCI Golden Dragon Index, which measures stock market performance in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, posted a -3.99% cumulative total return for the same period.¹ For the 10-year period ended August 31, 2019, the Fund’s Class A shares posted a +60.18% cumulative total return, compared with the MSCI Golden Dragon Index’s +100.03% cumulative total return for the same period.² Please note index performance information is provided for reference and we do not attempt to track the index but rather undertake investments on the basis of fundamental research. You can find more performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 7.

Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recent month-end performance, go to franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236.

Geographic Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 8/31/19

LOGO

Economic and Market Overview

China’s economic growth slowed during the 12-month period under review. The country’s annual growth rate, as measured by gross domestic product, fell from 6.5% in 2018’s third quarter to 6.2% in 2019’s second quarter, the lowest annual rate since 1992.³ China’s trade tensions with the U.S., which included both countries’ impositions of new tariffs on each other’s exports, weighed heavily on the economy. Weak global demand and investment levels further hurt growth, while increased industrial production provided some support. Hong Kong’s economic growth slowed steadily throughout the period, reaching its lowest annual growth rate since 2009 in 2019’s second quarter. A weak global economy, U.S.-China trade tensions and anti-government protests contributed to contractions in exports and fixed investment for three consecutive quarters. The protests, aimed at expanding Hong Kong’s political autonomy from China, hit Hong Kong’s retail, hospitality and real estate sectors particularly hard. Taiwan’s economic growth fluctuated during the period. Fourth-quarter 2018 annual growth moderated as a sluggish global economy and the U.S.-China trade dispute hurt demand for the country’s exports, particularly for the country’s technology companies. After holding relatively steady in 2019’s first quarter, growth

1. Source: Morningstar.

2. Source: Morningstar. As of 8/31/19, the Fund’s Class A 10-year average annual total return not including sales charges was +4.82%, compared with the 10-year average annual total return of +7.18% for the MSCI Golden Dragon Index.

The index is unmanaged and includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.

3. Source: The website of the National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China (www.stats.gov.cn).

The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Investments (SOI). The SOI begins on page 15.



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rebounded in the second quarter thanks to a recovery in exports—including technology products—and a rise in fixed investment.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) implemented an interest-rate reform in August, designating the loan prime rate as the new benchmark for household and business loans, effectively lowering interest rates. In response to the country’s trade conflict with the U.S., the PBOC also lowered its cash reserve requirement ratio for some banks in an effort to improve market liquidity, spur lending to smaller companies and support economic growth. Hong Kong’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2008 in response to the U.S Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) rate cut in July. Taiwan’s central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period.

Greater China equities fell during the 12-month period under review largely due to the U.S.-China trade conflict, which escalated near period-end with new tariffs and the U.S. declaring China a currency manipulator.⁴ Concerns about China’s ability to continue its economic growth while making structural adjustments, perceived inadequate stimulus measures and the Hong Kong protests also hurt investor confidence. Equities were supported by the Fed’s interest rate cut, occasional periods of easing trade tensions and a recovery in Taiwanese technology stocks.

In this environment, Greater China stocks, as measured by the MSCI Golden Dragon Index, posted a -3.99% total return for the 12 months ended August 31, 2019.¹ The MSCI China Index posted a total return of -5.09%, compared with -1.42% for the MSCI Hong Kong Index and -3.11% for the MSCI Taiwan Index.¹

Investment Strategy

Our investment strategy employs a fundamental research, value-oriented, long-term approach. We focus on the market price of a company’s securities relative to our evaluation of the company’s long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. We also consider a company’s profit and loss outlook, balance sheet strength, cash flow trends and asset value in relation to the current price. Our analysis considers the company’s corporate governance behavior as well as its position in its sector, the economic framework and political environment.

Top 10 Holdings

8/31/19


Company *Sector/Industry, Country*		% of Total Net Assets

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment, Taiwan		10.3%

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Internet & Direct Marketing Retail, China		9.4%

Tencent Holdings Ltd. Interactive Media & Services, China		9.1%

Anta Sports Products Ltd. Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods, China		7.4%

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd. Food Products, China		5.7%

AIA Group Ltd. Insurance, Hong Kong		5.7%

China Construction Bank Corp. Banks, China		4.5%

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, China		4.1%

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. Banks, China		3.9%

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd. Insurance, China		3.1%

Manager’s Discussion

During the 12 months under review, contributors to the Fund’s absolute performance included Anta Sports Products, Hopewell Holdings and AIA Group.

Anta Sports Products is a major sportswear company in China. It designs, develops, manufactures and markets apparel, footwear and accessories under the Anta brand. Other brands in its portfolio include global names such as Fila. Shares of Anta remained on an upward trend in 2019, supported by better-than-expected 2018 and first-half 2019 corporate results, which included double-digit growth in revenues and earnings. Investors expect Anta’s multi-brand and multi-channel strategy to continue to support the company’s growth.

Hopewell has major interests in property investment and development as well as, hospitality in China and Hong Kong. The company also owns a majority shareholding in Hopewell Highway Infrastructure, which is mainly engaged in building and operating strategic expressways in Guangdong province. Shares of Hopewell jumped in December 2018, as investors welcomed the announcement of a privatization plan by major

4. “Greater China” refers to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.



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shareholders. Shareholders approved the privatization in March 2019 and shares were delisted in early May 2019.

AIA is a leading pan-Asian life insurance group with a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The firm also provides retirement planning, accident and health insurance, as well as wealth management products. AIA’s first-half 2019 results exceeded market expectations with double-digit growth in new business value, driven by operations in China and Hong Kong. Expectations that AIA, as the only fully owned foreign life insurer in China, will remain a key beneficiary of the country’s plans to remove foreign ownership limits on life insurance companies further supported sentiment in the stock.

Conversely, major detractors from absolute performance included China Petroleum and Chemical (Sinopec), Baidu and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding.

Sinopec, one of China’s largest integrated energy and chemical companies, reported a decline in first-half 2019 earnings, which negatively impacted the company’s share price. The decline was largely the result of weakness in the refining, chemicals and marketing segments. The refining business, in particular reported a substantial drop, impacted by higher oil prices and depreciation in the renminbi. A lower interim dividend further impacted sentiment. The company’s exploration and production operations, however, benefitted from the implementation of cost-cutting measures.

Baidu, China’s largest search engine, experienced a sharp fall in its share price in May 2019 following disappointing first-quarter 2019 corporate results, largely due to weakness in the Chinese advertising market and higher-than-expected expenses such as increased spending on marketing initiatives to promote the Baidu app. The company, however, authorized a new share repurchase plan to support the share price and reported better-than-expected second-quarter 2019 profit toward period-end.

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, one of the top state-owned pharmaceutical companies in China, in terms of both revenue and profits, experienced a significant increase in research and development costs, which negatively impacted 2018 earnings. The company manufactures and retails a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including chemical drugs, modern Chinese medicines and biopharmaceutical

products. On the positive side, first-half 2019 corporate results met market expectations with both revenue and earnings recording double-digit growth. In addition, news that China’s centralized drug procurement program, which had initially raised concerns about its impact on earnings, would be expanded nationwide with revised rules also eased investor concerns later in the reporting period.

In the past 12 months, the Fund increased investments in the financials, real estate and health care sectors due to what we viewed as attractive investment opportunities.⁵ Key purchases included adding Bank of Ningbo, a regional Chinese commercial bank; Luk Fook Holdings (International), a leading jewelry retailer in Hong Kong and mainland China; and Wuliangye Yibin, one of China’s top liquor producers. We also added to investments in China Life Insurance, a market leader in China’s life insurance market, and CK Asset Holdings, one of the largest property developers in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, we reduced the Fund’s investments in materials, consumer discretionary, and information technology companies in favor of opportunities that we viewed as more compelling and to raise funds for dividend and capital gains distribution during the period.⁶ Key sales included reduced investments in the aforementioned Anta Sports Products, a Chinese sportswear manufacturer; Asia Cement China Holdings, a cement producer in China’s Sichuan region; and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a Taiwanese semiconductor company. The Fund also closed its position in the previously mentioned Hopewell, the Hong Kong-based infrastructure and property firm, following its privatization during the period.

5. The financials sector comprises banks, capital markets and insurance in the SOI. The real estate sector comprises real estate management and development in the SOI. The health care sector comprises health care equipment and supplies, health care providers and services, and pharmaceuticals in the SOI.

6. The materials sector comprises construction materials and paper and forest products in the SOI. The consumer discretionary sector comprises auto components, automobiles, internet and direct marketing retail, specialty retail, and textiles, apparel and luxury goods in the SOI. The information technology sector comprises communications equipment, IT services, and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment in the SOI.

See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.



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Thank you for your continued participation in Templeton China World Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

Michael Lai, CFA

Lead Portfolio Manager

Yu-Jen Shih

Portfolio Manager

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of August 31, 2019, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.



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Performance Summary as of August 31, 2019

The performance table and graphs do not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.

Performance as of 8/31/19¹

Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum is 5.50% and the minimum is 0%. Class A: 5.50% maximum initial sales charge; Advisor Class: no sales charges. For other share classes, visit franklintempleton.com.


Share Class	Cumulative Total Return²	Average Annual Total Return³

A⁴

1-Year	-6.46%	-11.60%

5-Year	+11.66%	+1.08%

10-Year	+60.18%	+4.23%

Advisor

1-Year	-6.25%	-6.25%

5-Year	+13.07%	+2.49%

10-Year	+64.69%	+5.12%

See page 9 for Performance Summary footnotes.



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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment¹

Total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods shown. It includes any applicable maximum sales charge, Fund expenses, account fees and reinvested distributions. The unmanaged index includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It differs from the Fund in composition and does not pay management fees or expenses. One cannot invest directly in an index.

Class A (9/1/09–8/31/19)

LOGO

Advisor Class (9/1/09–8/31/19)

LOGO

See page 9 for Performance Summary footnotes.



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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Distributions (9/1/18–8/31/19)


Share Class	Net Investment Income		Short-Term Capital Gain		Long-Term Capital Gain		Total

A		$0.3029		$0.1054		$2.3798		$2.7881

C		$0.0075		$0.1054		$2.3798		$2.4927

R6		$0.3661		$0.1054		$2.3798		$2.8513

Advisor		$0.3413		$0.1054		$2.3798		$2.8265

Total Annual Operating Expenses⁶


Share Class	With Fee Waiver		Without Fee Waiver

A		1.80%		1.80%

Advisor		1.55%		1.55%

Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. The government’s participation in the economy is still high and, therefore, the Fund’s investments in China will be subject to larger regulatory risk levels compared to many other countries. In addition, special risks are associated with international investing, including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments. Investments in emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors. The Fund may also experience greater volatility than a fund that is more broadly diversified geographically. Historically, smaller and midsized securities have experienced more price volatility than larger company stocks, especially over the short term. Also, as a nondiversified fund investing in China companies, the Fund may invest in a relatively small number of issuers and, as a result, be subject to a greater risk of loss with respect to its portfolio securities. The Fund is designed for the aggressive portion of a well-diversified portfolio. The Fund is actively managed but there is no guarantee that the manager’s investment decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.

1. The Fund has an expense reduction and a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 12/31/19. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.

3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.

4. Prior to 9/10/18, these shares were offered at a higher initial sales charge of 5.75%, thus actual returns (with sales charges) would have differed. Average annual total returns (with sales charges) have been restated to reflect the current maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%.

5. Source: Morningstar. The MSCI Golden Dragon Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity market performance of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

6. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.

See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.



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Your Fund’s Expenses

As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.


		Actual (actual return after expenses)		Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)


Share Class	Beginning Account Value 3/1/19	Ending Account Value 8/31/19	Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/19–8/31/19^1,²	Ending Account Value 8/31/19	Expenses Paid During Period 3/1/19–8/31/19^1,²	Net Annualized Expense Ratio²

A	$1,000	$939.50	$ 9.04	$1,015.88	$ 9.40	1.85%
C	$1,000	$936.20	$12.74	$1,012.05	$13.24	2.61%
R6	$1,000	$941.40	$ 7.00	$1,018.00	$ 7.27	1.43%
Advisor	$1,000	$940.50	$ 7.83	$1,017.14	$ 8.13	1.60%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 184/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.



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Financial Highlights


	Year Ended August 31,

	2019			2018			2017			2016			2015


Class A

Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the year)

Net asset value, beginning of year		$22.42			$23.49			$21.51			$26.19			$38.01


Income from investment operations^a:

Net investment income^b		0.14			0.29	^c		0.15			0.17			0.32

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		(1.76	)		1.29			4.59			2.19			(7.53)


Total from investment operations		(1.62	)		1.58			4.74			2.36			(7.21)


Less distributions from:

Net investment income		(0.30	)		(0.25	)		(0.19	)		(0.46	)		(0.45)

Net realized gains		(2.49	)		(2.40	)		(2.57	)		(6.58	)		(4.16)


Total distributions		(2.79	)		(2.65	)		(2.76	)		(7.04	)		(4.61)


Net asset value, end of year		$18.01			$22.42			$23.49			$21.51			$26.19


Total return^d		(6.46)%			7.26%			26.00%			11.19%			(20.57)%

Ratios to average net assets

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates		1.87%			1.85%			1.94%			1.91%			1.84%

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates		1.83%			1.85%	^e		1.94%	^e,f		1.91%	^e,f		1.84%^e

Net investment income		0.76%			1.26%	^c		0.71%			0.77%			0.98%

Supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (000’s)		$146,709			$178,315			$188,885			$186,850			$232,814

Portfolio turnover rate		5.69%			12.15%			7.92%			3.87%			7.42%

^aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

^bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

^cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.10 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.83%.

^dTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.

^eBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

^fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.



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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


	Year Ended August 31,

	2019			2018			2017			2016			2015


Class C

Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the year)

Net asset value, beginning of year		$22.13			$23.12			$21.18			$25.76			$37.52


Income from investment operations^a:

Net investment income (loss)^b		(—	)^c		0.10	^d		(0.03	)		—	^c		0.08

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		(1.72	)		1.31			4.54			2.17			(7.42)


Total from investment operations		(1.72	)		1.41			4.51			2.17			(7.34)


Less distributions from:

Net investment income		(0.01	)		(—	)^c		—			(0.17	)		(0.26)

Net realized gains		(2.49	)		(2.40	)		(2.57	)		(6.58	)		(4.16)


Total distributions		(2.50	)		(2.40	)		(2.57	)		(6.75	)		(4.42)


Net asset value, end of year		$17.91			$22.13			$23.12			$21.18			$25.76


Total return^e		(7.16)%			6.52%			24.97%			10.41%			(21.16)%

Ratios to average net assets

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates		2.62%			2.60%			2.69%			2.66%			2.56%

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates		2.58%			2.60%	^f		2.69%	^f,g		2.66%	^f,g		2.56%^f

Net investment income (loss)		0.01%	^h		0.51%	^d		(0.04)%			0.02%			0.26%

Supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (000’s)		$15,744			$36,678			$42,577			$48,769			$63,486

Portfolio turnover rate		5.69%			12.15%			7.92%			3.87%			7.42%

^bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

^cAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

^dNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.10 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.08%.

^eTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.

^fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

^gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

^hRatio is calculated based on the Fund level net investment income, as reflected in the Statement of Operations, and adjusted for class specific expenses. The amount may not correlate with the per share amount due to the timing of income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund in relation to the timing of sales and repurchases of Fund shares.



12	Annual Report \| The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.	franklintempleton.com

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


				Year Ended August 31,

	2019			2018			2017			2016			2015


Class R6

Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the year)

Net asset value, beginning of year		$22.55			$23.66			$21.68			$26.41			$38.27


Income from investment operations^a:

Net investment income^b		0.26			0.45	^c		0.27			0.31			0.49

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		(1.81	)		1.25			4.59			2.18			(7.61)


Total from investment operations		(1.55	)		1.70			4.86			2.49			(7.12)


Less distributions from:

Net investment income		(0.37	)		(0.41	)		(0.31	)		(0.64	)		(0.58)

Net realized gains		(2.49	)		(2.40	)		(2.57	)		(6.58	)		(4.16)


Total distributions		(2.86	)		(2.81	)		(2.88	)		(7.22	)		(4.74)


Net asset value, end of year		$18.14			$22.55			$23.66			$21.68			$26.41


Total return		(6.08)%			7.75%			26.62%			11.76%			(20.20)%

Ratios to average net assets

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates		1.57%			1.50%			1.49%			1.45%			1.37%

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates		1.42%			1.42%			1.44%	^d		1.42%	^d		1.37%^e

Net investment income		1.17%			1.69%	^c		1.21%			1.26%			1.45%

Supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (000’s)		$3,395			$3,412			$1,213			$720			$711

Portfolio turnover rate		5.69%			12.15%			7.92%			3.87%			7.42%

^bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

^dBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

^eBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.



franklintempleton.com	The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. \| Annual Report	13

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


	Year Ended August 31,

	2019			2018			2017			2016			2015


Advisor Class

Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the year)

Net asset value, beginning of year		$22.60			$23.68			$21.68			$26.39			$38.26


Income from investment operations^a:

Net investment income^b		0.20			0.35	^c		0.22			0.22			0.42

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		(1.79	)		1.30			4.60			2.22			(7.61)


Total from investment operations		(1.59	)		1.65			4.82			2.44			(7.19)


Less distributions from:

Net investment income		(0.34	)		(0.33	)		(0.25	)		(0.57	)		(0.52)

Net realized gains		(2.49	)		(2.40	)		(2.57	)		(6.58	)		(4.16)


Total distributions		(2.83	)		(2.73	)		(2.82	)		(7.15	)		(4.68)


Net asset value, end of year		$18.18			$22.60			$23.68			$21.68			$26.39


Total return		(6.25)%			7.54%			26.31%			11.51%			(20.38)%

Ratios to average net assets

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates		1.62%			1.60%			1.69%			1.66%			1.56%

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates		1.58%			1.60%	^d		1.69%	^d,e		1.66%	^d,e		1.56%^d

Net investment income		1.01%			1.51%^c			0.96%			1.02%			1.26%

Supplemental data

Net assets, end of year (000’s)		$67,189			$79,456			$83,172			$73,504			$107,454

Portfolio turnover rate		5.69%			12.15%			7.92%			3.87%			7.42%

^bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

^dBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

^eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.



14	Annual Report \| The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.	franklintempleton.com

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

Statement of Investments, August 31, 2019


	Country		Shares		Value
Common Stocks 99.7%
Auto Components 0.2%
Weifu High-Technology Co. Ltd., B		China		297,517	$	485,711


Automobiles 2.8%
Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd., B		China		2,472,457		1,050,097
Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., H		China		2,667,478		2,471,666
Jiangling Motors Corp. Ltd., B		China		3,490,446		2,871,421


						6,393,184

Banks 9.9%
Bank of Ningbo Co. Ltd., A		China		656,079		2,093,791
China Construction Bank Corp., H		China		14,056,926		10,445,772
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., H		China		14,292,725		9,013,685
Standard Chartered PLC		United Kingdom		200,599		1,506,611


						23,059,859

Beverages 0.7%
Wuliangye Yibin Co. Ltd.		China		42,000		830,399
Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co. Ltd., B		China		400,099		824,131


						1,654,530

Capital Markets 1.6%
China Everbright Ltd.		China		1,642,000		1,870,137
GF Securities Co. Ltd., H		China		1,910,000		1,955,178


						3,825,315

Communications Equipment 0.5%
Hytera Communications Corp. Ltd., A		China		900,000		1,148,139


Construction Materials 1.1%
Asia Cement China Holdings Corp.		China		71,271		83,313
Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd., B		China		1,329,056		2,410,908


						2,494,221

Electric Utilities 0.6%
CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.		Hong Kong		201,348		1,355,460


Entertainment 0.5%
Poly Culture Group Corp. Ltd., H		China		448,300		359,073
Zhejiang Huace Film & TV Co. Ltd., A		China		995,594		890,314


						1,249,387

Food & Staples Retailing 4.0%
Beijing Jingkelong Co. Ltd., H		China		679,971		116,024
Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd.		China		772,876		5,533,792
President Chain Store Corp.		Taiwan		399,059		3,719,761


						9,369,577

Food Products 6.8%
Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.		China		12,047,980		13,358,373
Uni-President Enterprises Corp.		Taiwan		1,042,394		2,548,917


						15,907,290

Health Care Equipment & Supplies 1.0%
Ginko International Co. Ltd.		Taiwan		401,000		2,246,552



franklintempleton.com	Annual Report	15

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS


	Country		Shares		Value
Common Stocks (continued)
Health Care Providers & Services 3.7%
Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., H		China		2,876,500	$	5,421,838
Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., H		China		911,600		3,289,934

						8,711,772

Industrial Conglomerates 1.0%
CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.		Hong Kong		264,690		2,300,874


Insurance 9.6%
AIA Group Ltd.		Hong Kong		1,362,100		13,180,533
China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., H		China		3,076,000		7,189,795
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China Ltd., H		China		180,000		2,065,114

						22,435,442

Interactive Media & Services 10.1%
^aBaidu Inc., ADR		China		22,395		2,339,605
Tencent Holdings Ltd.		China		511,900		21,133,791

						23,473,396

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 10.2%
^aAlibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR		China		125,720		22,004,772
^a Ctrip.com International Ltd., ADR		China		55,600		1,800,328

						23,805,100

IT Services 1.7%
TravelSky Technology Ltd., H		China		1,925,441		3,858,699


Marine 0.6%
COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation Co. Ltd., H		China		2,492,000		1,407,974


Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 6.6%
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., H		China		16,329,678		9,525,555
CNOOC Ltd.		China		2,338,400		3,464,099
PetroChina Co. Ltd., H		China		4,906,403		2,414,963

						15,404,617

Paper & Forest Products 1.1%
Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.		China		3,507,400		2,649,924


Pharmaceuticals 0.9%
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd., A		China		121,409		1,357,980
Tong Ren Tang Technologies Co. Ltd., H		China		570,700		618,721

						1,976,701

Real Estate Management & Development 2.1%
China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.		China		732,000		2,309,083
CK Asset Holdings Ltd.		Hong Kong		377,690		2,557,811

						4,866,894

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 10.3%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.		Taiwan		2,913,330		24,087,099


Specialty Retail 0.2%
Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd.		China		192,000		478,391


Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 7.4%
Anta Sports Products Ltd.		China		2,089,355		17,331,054



16	Annual Report	franklintempleton.com

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS


	Country		Shares		Value

Common Stocks (continued)
Transportation Infrastructure 1.8%
COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd.		China		2,716,907	$	2,376,953
Sichuan Expressway Co. Ltd., H		China		5,850,000		1,691,199

						4,068,152

Wireless Telecommunication Services 2.7%
China Mobile Ltd.		China		767,270		6,348,757


Total Common Stocks (Cost $131,879,972)						232,394,071


Short Term Investments (Cost $549,399) 0.3%

Money Market Funds 0.3%
^b,cInstitutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.85%		United States		549,399		549,399

Total Investments (Cost $132,429,371) 100.0%						232,943,470
Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.0%^†						92,310


Net Assets 100.0%					$	233,035,780

See Abbreviations on page 29.

^†Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

^aNon-income producing.

^bSee Note 3(f) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

^cThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.



franklintempleton.com	The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. \| Annual Report	17

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2019


Assets:
Investments in securities:
Cost - Unaffiliated issuers			$131,879,972
Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f)			549,399

Value - Unaffiliated issuers			$232,394,071
Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f)			549,399
Cash			673
Receivables:
Investment securities sold			263,707
Capital shares sold			89,675
Dividends			531,836
Other assets			129

Total assets			233,829,490


Liabilities:
Payables:
Capital shares redeemed			430,579
Management fees			149,473
Distribution fees			44,414
Transfer agent fees			68,679
Professional fees			54,840
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			45,725

Total liabilities			793,710

Net assets, at value			$233,035,780


Net assets consist of:
Paid-in capital			$112,822,586
Total distributable earnings (loss)			120,213,194

Net assets, at value			$233,035,780

Class A:
Net assets, at value			$146,708,575

Shares outstanding			8,148,023

Net asset value per share^a			$18.01

Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.50%)			$19.06

Class C:
Net assets, at value			$ 15,743,818

Shares outstanding			879,297

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share^a			$17.91

Class R6:
Net assets, at value			$ 3,394,863

Shares outstanding			187,175

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share			$18.14

Advisor Class:
Net assets, at value			$ 67,188,524

Shares outstanding			3,695,778

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share			$18.18

^aRedemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.



18	Annual Report \| The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.	franklintempleton.com

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Operations

for the year ended August 31, 2019


Investment income:
Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*
Unaffiliated issuers	$ 6,552,153
Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f)	49,343

Total investment income	6,601,496


Expenses:
Management fees (Note 3a)	3,285,757
Distribution fees: (Note 3c)
Class A	401,784
Class C	198,259
Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e)
Class A	312,344
Class C	38,736
Class R6	4,405
Advisor Class	138,159
Custodian fees (Note 4)	53,996
Reports to shareholders	55,438
Registration and filing fees	82,891
Professional fees	106,567
Trustees’ fees and expenses	36,550
Other	21,427

Total expenses	4,736,313
Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3f and 3g)	(105,023	)

Net expenses	4,631,290

Net investment income	1,970,206


Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments:
Unaffiliated issuers	26,978,993
Foreign currency transactions	6,373

Net realized gain (loss)	26,985,366


Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments:
Unaffiliated issuers	(47,946,904	)
Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies	(270	)

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	(47,947,174	)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	(20,961,808	)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$(18,991,602	)



*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends	$ 588,995



franklintempleton.com	The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. \| Annual Report	19

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statements of Changes in Net Assets


	Year Ended August 31,
	2019			2018

Increase (decrease) in net assets:
Operations:
Net investment income		$ 1,970,206			$ 3,910,790
Net realized gain (loss)		26,985,366			37,588,105
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)		(47,947,174	)		(18,459,664	)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		(18,991,602	)		23,039,231


Distributions to shareholders: (Note 1d)
Class A		(22,209,901	)		(20,927,999	)
Class C		(2,201,467	)		(4,258,764	)
Class R6		(387,499	)		(415,371	)
Advisor Class		(9,496,641	)		(9,515,407	)

Total distributions to shareholders		(34,295,508	)		(35,117,541	)

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)
Class A		926,746			(3,737,413	)
Class C		(15,622,877	)		(4,458,988	)
Class R6		629,958			2,420,880
Advisor Class		2,527,109			(130,979	)

Total capital share transactions		(11,539,064	)		(5,906,500	)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets		(64,826,174	)		(17,984,810	)
Net assets:
Beginning of year		297,861,954			315,846,764

End of year (Note 1d)		$233,035,780			$297,861,954



20	Annual Report \| The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.	franklintempleton.com

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

Notes to Financial Statements

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Templeton China World Fund (Fund) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). The Fund offers four classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class R6 and Advisor Class. Beginning on October 19, 2018, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares after they have been held for 10 years. Each class of shares may differ by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, voting rights on matters affecting a single class, its exchange privilege and fees due to differing arrangements for distribution and transfer agent fees.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a. Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued

according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities.

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, the VC monitors price movements following the close of trading in foreign stock markets through a series of country specific market proxies (such as baskets of American Depositary Receipts, futures contracts and exchange traded funds). These price movements are measured against established trigger thresholds for each specific market proxy to assist in determining if an event has occurred that may call into question the reliability of the values of the foreign securities held by the Fund. If such an event occurs, the securities may be valued using fair value procedures, which may include the use of independent pricing services. At August 31, 2019, a market event occurred resulting in a portion of the securities held by the Fund being valued using fair value procedures.



franklintempleton.com	Annual Report	21

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

a. Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b. Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

Realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the recorded amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in foreign exchange rates on foreign denominated assets and liabilities other than investments in securities held at the end of the reporting period.

c. Income and Deferred Taxes

It is the Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required.

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxation related to income received, capital gains on the sale of securities and certain foreign currency transactions in the foreign jurisdictions in which it invests. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Fund invests. When a capital gain tax is determined to apply, the Fund records an estimated deferred tax liability in an amount that would be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.

The Fund may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of August 31, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

d. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Estimated expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These



22	Annual Report	franklintempleton.com

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.*

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

e. Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

f. Guarantees and Indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified by the Fund against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

*Effective during the current reporting period, it is no longer required to present certain line items in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The below prior period amounts affected by this change are shown as they were in the prior year Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

For the year ended August 31, 2018, distributions to shareholders were as follows:


Distributions from net investment income:
Class A	$	(2,001,507	)
Class C		(354	)
Class R6		(60,142	)
Advisor Class		(1,159,991	)
Distributions from net realized gains:
Class A		(18,926,492	)
Class C		(4,258,410	)
Class R6		(355,229	)
Advisor Class		(8,355,416	)

For the year ended August 31, 2018, undistributed net investment income included in net assets was $2,536,663.



franklintempleton.com	Annual Report	23

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Shares of Beneficial Interest

At August 31, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:


	Year Ended August 31,

	2019						2018
	Shares			Amount			Shares			Amount

Class A Shares:
Shares sold^a		3,910,857		$	77,301,818			3,227,886		$	75,140,172
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions		1,267,133			21,477,901			940,804			20,181,431
Shares redeemed		(4,982,242	)		(97,852,973	)		(4,258,664	)		(99,059,016	)

Net increase (decrease)		195,748		$	926,746			(89,974	)	$	(3,737,413	)

Class C Shares:
Shares sold		186,314		$	3,558,506			214,085		$	4,908,064
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions		123,406			2,090,496			192,967			4,106,349
Shares redeemed^a		(1,087,730	)		(21,271,879	)		(590,979	)		(13,473,401	)

Net increase (decrease)		(778,010	)	$	(15,622,877	)		(183,927	)	$	(4,458,988	)

Class R6 Shares:
Shares sold		73,938		$	1,423,983			133,716		$	3,224,411
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions		22,767			387,499			19,311			415,371
Shares redeemed		(60,841	)		(1,181,524	)		(52,978	)		(1,218,902	)

Net increase (decrease)		35,864		$	629,958			100,049		$	2,420,880

Advisor Class Shares:
Shares sold		975,566		$	18,691,052			1,134,576		$	26,366,812
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions		487,968			8,334,500			376,082			8,115,857
Shares redeemed		(1,283,085	)		(24,498,443	)		(1,508,258	)		(34,613,648	)

Net increase (decrease)		180,449		$	2,527,109			2,400		$	(130,979	)

^aMay include a portion of Class C shares that were automatically converted to Class A.

3. Transactions with Affiliates

Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company for various subsidiaries that together are referred to as Franklin Templeton. Certain officers and trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or directors of the following subsidiaries:


Subsidiary		Affiliation

Templeton Asset Management Ltd. (Asset Management)		Investment manager

Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services)		Administrative manager

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors)		Principal underwriter

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (Investor Services)		Transfer agent



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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

a. Management Fees

Effective July 1, 2019, the Fund pays an investment management fee to Asset Management based on the average weekly net assets of the Fund as follows:


Annualized Fee Rate		Net Assets

1.250%		Up to and including $1 billion

1.200%		Over $1 billion, up to and including $5 billion

1.150%		Over $5 billion, up to and including $10 billion

1.100%		Over $10 billion, up to and including $15 billion

1.050%		Over $15 billion, up to and including $20 billion

1.000%		In excess of $20 billion

Prior to July 1, 2019, the Fund paid fees based on the average weekly net assets of the Fund as follows:


Annualized Fee Rate		Net Assets

1.300%		Up to and including $1 billion

1.250%		Over $1 billion, up to and including $5 billion

1.200%		Over $5 billion, up to and including $10 billion

1.150%		Over $10 billion, up to and including $15 billion

1.100%		Over $15 billion, up to and including $20 billion

1.050%		In excess of $20 billion

b. Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Asset Management, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Asset Management based on average weekly net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.

c. Distribution Fees

The Board has adopted distribution plans for each share class, with the exception of Class R6 and Advisor Class shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s Class A reimbursement distribution plan, the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plan, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods. In addition, under the Fund’s Class C compensation distribution plan, the Fund pays Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

The maximum annual plan rates, based on the average daily net assets, for each class, are as follows:


Class A	0.35	%
Class C	1.00	%

The Board has set the current rate at 0.25% per year for Class A shares until further notice and approval by the Board.



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TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements

Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. These charges are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. Distributors has advised the Fund of the following commission transactions related to the sales and redemptions of the Fund’s shares for the year:


Sales charges retained net of commissions paid to unaffiliated brokers/dealers	$	15,632

CDSC retained	$	515

Effective September 10, 2018, the Board approved changes to certain front-end sales charges and dealer commissions on Class A shares. Further details are disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus.

e. Transfer Agent Fees

Each class of shares pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations. The fees are based on an annualized asset based fee of 0.02% plus a transaction based fee. In addition, each class reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred and, except for Class R6, reimburses shareholder servicing fees paid to third parties. These fees are allocated daily based upon their relative proportion of such classes’ aggregate net assets. Class R6 pays Investor Services transfer agent fees specific to that class.

For the year ended August 31, 2019, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $493,644, of which $215,094 was retained by Investor Services.

f. Investments in Affiliated Management Investment Companies

The Fund invests in one or more affiliated management investment companies for purposes other than exercising a controlling influence over the management or policies. Management fees paid by the Fund are waived on assets invested in the affiliated management investment companies, as noted in the Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the year ended August 31, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:


	Value at Beginning of Year		Purchases		Sales			Realized Gain (Loss)		Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)		Value at End of Year		Number of Shares Held at End of Year		Dividend Income
Non-Controlled Affiliates
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.85%	$	5,084,830	$	61,162,277	$	(65,697,708	)		$ —		$ —	$	549,399		549,399		$49,343

g. Waiver and Expense Reimbursements

Asset Management and Investor Services have contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit their respective fees and to assume as their own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the Fund so that the expenses (excluding distribution fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain non-routine expenses or costs including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) for Class A, Class C and Advisor Class of the Fund do not exceed 1.60%, and for Class R6 do not exceed 1.43%, based on the average net assets of each class until December 31, 2019. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Fund’s fiscal year end.



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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Prior to January 1, 2019, expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses as previously disclosed) for Class R6 were limited to 1.40% based on the average net assets of the class.

4. Expense Offset Arrangement

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s custodian expenses. During the year ended August 31, 2019, there were no credits earned.

5. Income Taxes

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, was as follows:


	2019		2018


Distributions paid from:
Ordinary income	$	4,917,139	$	3,604,575
Long term capital gain		29,378,369		31,512,966


	$	34,295,508	$	35,117,541

At August 31, 2019, the cost of investments, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), undistributed ordinary income and undistributed long term capital gains for income tax purposes were as follows:


Cost of investments			$133,382,150


Unrealized appreciation			$116,026,238

Unrealized depreciation			(16,464,918)


Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)			$ 99,561,320


Distributable earnings:

Undistributed ordinary income			$ 1,677,946

Undistributed long term capital gains			18,974,953


Total distributable earnings			$ 20,652,899

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of passive foreign investment company shares.

The Fund utilized a tax accounting practice to treat a portion of the proceeds from capital shares redeemed as a distribution from realized capital gains.

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the year ended August 31, 2019, aggregated $14,484,565 and $53,885,058, respectively.



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TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7. Concentration of Risk

Investing in securities of “China companies” may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. In general, China companies are those that are organized under the laws of, or with a principal office or principal trading market in, the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. Such risks include fluctuating currency values and changing local, regional and global economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. In addition, these securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities.

8. Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the year ended August 31, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

9. Fair Value Measurements

The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

•

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments

•

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)

•

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.



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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A summary of inputs used as of August 31, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value, is as follows:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

Assets:

Investments in Securities:^a

Equity Investments:

Automobiles	$	3,921,518	$	2,471,666	$	—	$	6,393,184

Banks		2,093,791		20,966,068		—		23,059,859

Capital Markets		—		3,825,315		—		3,825,315

Construction Materials		2,410,908		83,313		—		2,494,221

Electric Utilities		—		1,355,460		—		1,355,460

Entertainment		890,314		359,073		—		1,249,387

Food & Staples Retailing		9,253,553		116,024		—		9,369,577

Food Products		2,548,917		13,358,373		—		15,907,290

Health Care Providers & Services		—		8,711,772		—		8,711,772

Industrial Conglomerates		—		2,300,874		—		2,300,874

Insurance		—		22,435,442		—		22,435,442

Interactive Media & Services		2,339,605		21,133,791		—		23,473,396

IT Services		—		3,858,699		—		3,858,699

Marine		—		1,407,974		—		1,407,974

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels		—		15,404,617		—		15,404,617

Paper & Forest Products		—		2,649,924		—		2,649,924

Pharmaceuticals		1,357,980		618,721		—		1,976,701

Real Estate Management & Development		—		4,866,894		—		4,866,894

Specialty Retail		—		478,391		—		478,391

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods		—		17,331,054		—		17,331,054

Transportation Infrastructure		—		4,068,152		—		4,068,152

Wireless Telecommunication Services		—		6,348,757		—		6,348,757

All Other Equity Investments		53,427,131		—		—		53,427,131

Short Term Investments		549,399		—		—		549,399
Total Investments in Securities	$	78,793,116	$	154,150,354	$	—	$	232,943,470

^aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

10. Subsequent Events

The Fund has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.

Abbreviations

Selected Portfolio

ADR American Depositary Receipt



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TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Templeton China World Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of Templeton China World Fund (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year ended August 31, 2019, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2019 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 31, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian and transfer agent. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California

October 17, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Franklin Templeton funds since 1948.



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Tax Information (unaudited)

Under Section 852(b)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund hereby reports the maximum amount allowable but no less than $32,753,403 as a long term capital gain dividend for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

Under Section 871(k)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund hereby reports the maximum amount allowable but no less than $1,300,150 as a short term capital gain dividend for purposes of the tax imposed under Section 871(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

Under Section 854(b)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund hereby reports the maximum amount allowable but no less than $1,378,093 as qualified dividends for purposes of the maximum rate under Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019. Distributions, including qualified dividend income, paid during calendar year 2019 will be reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV by mid-February 2020. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisors for information on the treatment of these amounts on their individual income tax returns.

At August 31, 2019, more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets were invested in securities of foreign issuers. In most instances, foreign taxes were withheld from income paid to the Fund on these investments. The Fund elects to treat foreign taxes paid as allowed under Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code. This election will allow shareholders of record as of the 2019 distribution date, to treat their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund as having been paid directly by them. The shareholder shall consider these amounts as foreign taxes paid in the tax year in which they receive the Fund distribution.



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TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

Board Members and Officers

The name, year of birth and address of the officers and board members, as well as their affiliations, positions held with the Fund, principal occupations during at least the past five years and number of U.S. registered portfolios overseen in the Franklin Templeton fund complex, are shown below. Generally, each board member serves until that person’s successor is elected and qualified.

Independent Board Members


Name,Year of Birth and Address	Position	Length of Time Served	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Board Member*	Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years

Harris J. Ashton (1932) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Trustee	Since 1993	138	Bar-S Foods (meat packing company) (1981-2010).

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director of various companies; and formerly, Director, RBC Holdings, Inc. (bank holding company) (until 2002); and President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, General Host Corporation (nursery and craft centers) (until 1998).

Ann Torre Bates (1958) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Trustee	Since 2008	35	Ares Capital Corporation (specialty finance company) (2010-present), United Natural Foods, Inc. (distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods) (2013-present), Allied Capital Corporation (financial services) (2003-2010), SLM Corporation (Sallie Mae) (1997-2014) and Navient Corporation (loan management, servicing and asset recovery) (2014-2016).
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director of various companies; and formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NHP Incorporated (manager of multifamily housing) (1995-1997); and Vice President and Treasurer, US Airways, Inc. (until 1995).

Mary C. Choksi (1950) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Trustee	Since 2016	138	Avis Budget Group Inc. (car rental) (2007-present), Omnicom Group Inc. (advertising and marketing communications services) (2011-present) and White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (holding company) (2017-present).

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director of various companies; and formerly, Founder and Senior Advisor, Strategic Investment Group (investment management group) (2015-2017); Founding Partner and Senior Managing Director, Strategic Investment Group (1987-2015); Founding Partner and Managing Director, Emerging Markets Management LLC (investment management firm) (1987-2011); and Loan Officer/Senior Loan Officer/Senior Pension Investment Officer, World Bank Group (international financial institution) (1977-1987).



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Independent Board Members (continued)


Name,Year of Birth and Address	Position	Length of Time Served	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Board Member*	Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years

Edith E. Holiday (1952) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Lead Independent Trustee	Trustee since 1996 and Lead Independent Trustee since 2007	138	Hess Corporation (exploration of oil and gas) (1993-present), Canadian National Railway (railroad) (2001-present), White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (holding company) (2004-present), Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc. (consumer finance) (2016-present), RTI International Metals, Inc. (manufacture and distribution of titanium) (1999-2015) and H.J. Heinz Company (processed foods and allied products) (1994-2013).

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director or Trustee of various companies and trusts; and formerly, Assistant to the President of the United States and Secretary of the Cabinet (1990-1993); General Counsel to the United States Treasury Department (1989-1990); and Counselor to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Public Liaison–United States Treasury Department (1988-1989).

J. Michael Luttig (1954) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Trustee	Since 2009	138	Boeing Capital Corporation (aircraft financing) (2006-2013).

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Executive Vice President, Counselor and Senior Advisor to Boeing Chairman and Board of Directors, The Boeing Company (aerospace company) (May 2019); and formerly, General Counsel and member of the Executive Council, The Boeing Company (2006-2019) and Federal Appeals Court Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1991-2006).

David W. Niemiec (1949) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Trustee	Since 2005	35	Hess Midstream Partners LP (oil and gas midstream infrastructure) (2017-present).

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Advisor, Saratoga Partners (private equity fund); and formerly, Managing Director, Saratoga Partners (1998-2001) and SBC Warburg Dillon Read (investment banking) (1997-1998); Vice Chairman, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (investment banking) (1991-1997); and Chief Financial Officer, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (1982-1997).

Larry D. Thompson (1945) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Trustee	Since 2005	138	The Southern Company (energy company) (2014-present; previously 2010-2012), Graham Holdings Company (education and media organization) (2011-present) and Cbeyond, Inc. (business communications provider) (2010-2012).

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director of various companies; Counsel, Finch McCranie, LLP (law firm) (2015-present); Independent Compliance Monitor and Auditor, Volkswagen AG (manufacturer of automobiles and commercial vehicles) (2017-present); John A. Sibley Professor of Corporate and Business Law, University of Georgia School of Law (2015-present; previously 2011-2012); and formerly, Executive Vice President – Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc. (consumer products) (2012-2014); Senior Vice President – Government Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc. (2004-2011); Senior Fellow of The Brookings Institution (2003-2004); Visiting Professor, University of Georgia School of Law (2004); and Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (2001-2003).



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Independent Board Members (continued)


Name,Year of Birth and Address	Position	Length of Time Served	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Board Member*	Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years

Constantine D. Tseretopoulos (1954) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Trustee	Since 1999	22	None

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Physician, Chief of Staff, owner and operator of the Lyford Cay Hospital (1987-present); director of various nonprofit organizations; and formerly, Cardiology Fellow, University of Maryland (1985-1987); and Internal Medicine Resident, Greater Baltimore Medical Center (1982-1985).

Robert E. Wade (1946) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Trustee	Since 2006	35	El Oro Ltd (investments) (2003-June 2019).

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Attorney at law engaged in private practice as a sole practitioner (1972-2008) and member of various boards.

Interested Board Members and Officers


Name,Year of Birth and Address	Position	Length of Time Served	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Board Member*	Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years

**Gregory E. Johnson (1961) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Trustee	Since 2007	150	None

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Chairman of the Board, Member – Office of the Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 42 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton; Vice Chairman, Investment Company Institute; and formerly, President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (1994-2015).

**Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (1940) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Chairman of the Board, Trustee and Vice President	Chairman of the Board and Trustee since 2013 and Vice President since 1996	138	None

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Vice Chairman, Member – Office of the Chairman and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 40 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

Alison E. Baur (1964) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Vice President	Since 2012	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Deputy General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

Aliya S. Gordon (1973) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Vice President	Since 2009	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; Vice President and Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.



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Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)


Name, Year of Birth and Address	Position	Length of Time Served	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Board Member*	Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years
Steven J. Gray (1955) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Vice President	Since 2009	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. and FASA, LLC; and officer of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

Matthew T. Hinkle (1971) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration	Since 2017	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; officer of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton; and formerly, Vice President, Global Tax (2012-April 2017) and Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer, Franklin Templeton (2009-2017).

Robert G. Kubilis (1973) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer	Since 2017	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Treasurer, U.S. Fund Administration & Reporting and officer of 16 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

Robert Lim (1948) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Vice President – AML Compliance	Since 2016	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Vice President, Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC; and officer of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

Kimberly H. Novotny (1972) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Vice President	Since 2013	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Fiduciary Trust International of the South; Vice President, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

Robert C. Rosselot (1960) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Chief Compliance Officer	Since 2013	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director, Global Compliance, Franklin Templeton; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; officer of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton; and formerly, Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton (2007-2013); and Secretary and Vice President, Templeton Group of Funds (2004-2013).

Manraj S. Sekhon (1969) 7 Temasek Blvd., Suntec Tower 1, #38-03 Singapore 038987	President and Chief Executive Officer – Investment Management	Since 2018	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity; officer of four of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton; and formerly, Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer, Fullerton Fund Management Company Ltd. (2011-2016).



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TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)


Name, Year of Birth and Address	Position	Length of Time Served	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Board Member*	Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years

Navid J. Tofigh (1972) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Vice President	Since 2015	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Associate General Counsel and officer of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

Craig S. Tyle (1960) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906	Vice President	Since 2005	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

Lori A. Weber (1964) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923	Vice President and Secretary	Vice President since 2011 and Secretary since 2013	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Vice President and Secretary, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; and officer of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton.

*We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton fund complex. These portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment managers.

**Gregory E. Johnson is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as an officer and director of Franklin Resources, Inc. (Resources), which is the parent company of the Fund’s investment manager and distributor. Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as an officer and director and major shareholder of Resources.

Note 1: Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is the uncle of Gregory E. Johnson.

Note 2: Officer information is current as of the date of this report. It is possible that after this date, information about officers may change.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rules adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission require the Fund to disclose whether the Fund’s Audit Committee includes at least one member who is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of such Act and Rules. The Fund’s Board has determined that there is at least one such financial expert on the Audit Committee and has designated each of Ann Torre Bates and David W. Niemiec as an audit committee financial expert. The Board believes that Ms. Bates and Mr. Niemiec qualify as such an expert in view of their extensive business background and experience. Ms. Bates has served as a member of the Fund Audit Committee since 2008. She currently serves as a director of Ares Capital Corporation (2010-present) and United Natural Foods, Inc. (2013-present) and was formerly a director of Navient Corporation from 2014 to 2016, SLM Corporation from 1997 to 2014 and Allied Capital Corporation from 2003 to 2010, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NHP Incorporated from 1995 to 1997 and Vice President and Treasurer of US Airways, Inc. until 1995. Mr. Niemiec has served as a member of the Fund Audit Committee since 2005, currently serves as an Advisor to Saratoga Partners and was formerly its Managing Director from 1998 to 2001 and serves as a director of Hess Midstream Partners LP (2017-present). Mr. Niemiec was formerly a director of Emeritus Corporation from 1999 to 2010 and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2006 to 2010, Managing Director of SBC Warburg Dillon Read from 1997 to 1998, and was Vice Chairman from 1991 to 1997 and Chief Financial Officer from 1982 to 1997 of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. As a result of such background and experience, the Board believes that Ms. Bates and Mr. Niemiec have each acquired an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements, the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting estimates, accruals and reserves, and analyzing and evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues generally comparable to those of the Fund, as well as an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and an understanding of audit committee functions. Ms. Bates and Mr. Niemiec are independent Board members as that term is defined under the applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Releases.

The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes additional information about the board members and is available, without charge, upon request. Shareholders may call (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236 to request the SAI.



36	Annual Report	franklintempleton.com

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

Shareholder Information

Board Approval of Investment

Management Agreements

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

(Fund)

At an in-person meeting held on May 21, 2019 (Meeting), the Board of Trustees (Board) of the Fund, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Independent Trustees), reviewed and approved the continuance of the investment management agreement between Templeton Asset Management Ltd. (Manager) and the Fund (Management Agreement) for an additional one-year period. The Independent Trustees received advice from and met separately with Independent Trustee counsel in considering whether to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement.

In considering the continuation of the Management Agreement, the Board reviewed and considered information provided by the Manager at the Meeting and throughout the year at meetings of the Board and its committees. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided in response to a detailed set of requests for information submitted to the Manager by Independent Trustee counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees in connection with the annual contract renewal process. In addition, prior to the Meeting, the Independent Trustees held a telephonic contract renewal meeting at which the Independent Trustees conferred amongst themselves and Independent Trustee counsel about contract renewal matters. The Board reviewed and considered all of the factors it deemed relevant in approving the continuance of the Management Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Manager; (ii) the investment performance of the Fund; (iii) the costs of the services provided and profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale are realized as the Fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors.

In approving the continuance of the Management Agreement, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined that the terms of the Management Agreement are fair and reasonable and that the continuance of such Management Agreement is in the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. While attention was given to all information furnished, the following

discusses some primary factors relevant to the Board’s determination.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of investment management services provided by the Manager and its affiliates to the Fund and its shareholders. This information included, among other things, the qualifications, background and experience of the senior management and investment personnel of the Manager; the structure of investment personnel compensation; oversight of third-party service providers; investment performance reports and related financial information for the Fund; reports on expenses, shareholder services, marketing support payments made to financial intermediaries and third-party servicing arrangements; legal and compliance matters; risk controls; pricing and other services provided by the Manager and its affiliates; and management fees charged by the Manager and its affiliates to US funds and other accounts, including management’s explanation of differences among accounts where relevant. The Board also reviewed and considered an annual report on payments made by Franklin Templeton (FT) or the Fund to financial intermediaries, as well as a memorandum relating to third-party servicing arrangements in response to a guidance update in 2016 from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to mutual fund distribution and sub-accounting fees. The Board noted management’s continuing efforts and expenditures in establishing effective business continuity plans and developing strategies to address areas of heightened concern in the mutual fund industry, such as cybersecurity and liquidity risk management. The Board also recognized management’s commitment to facilitating Board oversight of liquidity through the designation of a liquidity/risk administrator and the development of reports that highlight the amount of illiquid investments for the Fund.

The Board also reviewed and considered the benefits provided to Fund shareholders of investing in a fund that is part of the Franklin Templeton family of funds. The Board noted the financial position of Franklin Resources, Inc. (FRI), the Manager’s parent, and its commitment to the mutual fund business as evidenced by its continued introduction of new funds, reassessment of the fund offerings in response to the market environment and project initiatives and capital investments relating to the services provided to the Fund by the FT organization.



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TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Following consideration of such information, the Board was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and its affiliates to the Fund and its shareholders.

Fund Performance

The Board reviewed and considered the performance results of the Fund over various time periods ended February 28, 2019. The Board considered the performance returns for the Fund in comparison to the performance returns of mutual funds deemed comparable to the Fund included in a universe (Performance Universe) selected by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge), an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds included in a Performance Universe. The Board also reviewed and considered Fund performance reports provided and discussions that occurred with portfolio managers at Board meetings throughout the year. A summary of the Fund’s performance results is below.

The Performance Universe for the Fund included the Fund and all retail and institutional China region funds. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the five- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe, but for the one- and three-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Comparative Fees and Expenses

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the Fund’s actual total expense ratio and its various components, including, as applicable, management fees; transfer agent expenses; underlying fund expenses; Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees; and other non-management fees. The Board also noted the quarterly and annual reports it receives on all marketing support payments made by FT to financial intermediaries. The Board considered the actual total expense ratio and, separately, the contractual management fee rate, without the effect of fee waivers, if any (Management Rate) of the Fund in comparison to the median expense ratio and median Management Rate, respectively, of other mutual funds deemed comparable to and with a similar expense structure to the Fund selected by Broadridge (Expense Group). Broadridge fee and expense data is based upon information taken from each fund’s most recent annual report, which reflects historical asset levels that may be quite different from those currently existing, particularly in a period of market volatility. While recognizing such inherent limitation

and the fact that expense ratios and Management Rates generally increase as assets decline and decrease as assets grow, the Board believed the independent analysis conducted by Broadridge to be an appropriate measure of comparative fees and expenses. The Broadridge Management Rate includes administrative charges, and the actual total expense ratio, for comparative consistency, was shown for Class A shares for the Fund and for other funds in the Expense Group. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds included in an Expense Group.

The Expense Group for the Fund included the Fund and seven other China region funds. The Board noted that the Management Rate was above the median of its Expense Group and the actual total expense ratio for the Fund was slightly above the median of its Expense Group. The Board discussed the expenses of the Fund with management and noted cost factors relating to the Fund’s operations, such as the quality and experience of its portfolio manager and research staff, and the depth of the Manager’s physical presence and coverage in the geographical area in which the Fund invests. In response to a request from the Independent Trustees, management agreed to reduce the Fund’s Management Rate effective July 1, 2019. In light of the above, the Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund is reasonable.

Profitability

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates in connection with the operation of the Fund. In this respect, the Board considered the Fund profitability analysis provided by the Manager that addresses the overall profitability of FT’s US fund business, as well as its profits in providing investment management and other services to each of the individual funds during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2018, being the most recent fiscal year-end for FRI. The Board noted that although management continually makes refinements to its methodologies used in calculating profitability in response to organizational and product-related changes, the overall methodology has remained consistent with that used in the Fund’s profitability report presentations from prior years. Additionally, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, auditor to FRI and certain Franklin Templeton funds, has been engaged by the Manager to periodically review and assess the allocation methodologies to be used solely by the Fund’s Board with respect to the profitability analysis.



38	Annual Report	franklintempleton.com

TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

The Board noted management’s belief that costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary for the type of mutual fund operations conducted by the Manager and its affiliates may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to the Fund in determining its profitability, as well as the fact that the level of profits, to a certain extent, reflected operational cost savings and efficiencies initiated by management. The Board also noted management’s expenditures in improving shareholder services provided to the Fund, as well as the need to implement systems and meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from recent SEC and other regulatory requirements.

The Board also considered the extent to which the Manager and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including revenues generated from transfer agent services, potential benefits resulting from personnel and systems enhancements necessitated by fund growth, as well as increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Based upon its consideration of all these factors, the Board concluded that the level of profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates from providing services to the Fund was not excessive in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Board reviewed and considered the extent to which the Manager may realize economies of scale, if any, as the Fund grows larger and whether the Fund’s management fee structure reflects any economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of management fee breakpoints, which operate generally to share any economies of scale with the Fund’s shareholders by reducing the Fund’s effective management fees as the Fund grows in size. The Board considered the Manager’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments the Manager incurs across the Franklin Templeton family of funds as a whole. The Board concluded that to the extent economies of scale may be realized by the Manager and its affiliates, the Fund’s management fee structure provided a sharing of benefits with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund grows.

Conclusion

Based on its review, consideration and evaluation of all factors it believed relevant, including the above-described factors and conclusions, the Board unanimously approved

the continuation of the Management Agreement for an additional one-year period.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Fund’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Fund’s complete Policies online at franklintempleton.com. Alternatively, shareholders may request copies of the Policies free of charge by calling the Proxy Group collect at (954) 527-7678 or by sending a written request to: Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Attention: Proxy Group. Copies of the Fund’s proxy voting records are also made available online at franklintempleton.com and posted on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov and reflect the most recent 12-month period ended June 30.

Quarterly Statement of Investments

The Fund files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the Commission’s website at sec.gov. The filed form may also be viewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operations of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Householding of Reports and Prospectuses

You will receive the Fund’s financial reports every six months as well as an annual updated summary prospectus (prospectus available upon request). To reduce Fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the financial reports and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding,” will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at (800) 632-2301. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and financial reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.



franklintempleton.com	Annual Report	39

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Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a summary prospectus and/or prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.

To help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls to and from our service areas are monitored and/or recorded.

Annual Report and Shareholder Letter

Templeton China World Fund

Investment Manager

Templeton Asset

Management Ltd.

Distributor

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.

(800) DIAL BEN^®/ 342-5236

franklintempleton.com

Shareholder Services

(800) 632-2301


© 2019 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved.		188 A 10/19

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

(a)	The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.

(c)

N/A

(d)

N/A

(f)	Pursuant to Item 13(a)(1), the Registrant is attaching as an exhibit a copy of its code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

(a) (1)

The Registrant has an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

(2)	The audit committee financial experts are Ann Torre Bates and David W. Niemiec they are “independent” as defined under the relevant Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Releases.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) Audit Fees

The aggregate fees paid to the principal accountant for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or for services that are normally provided by the principal accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or

engagements were $46,141 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 and $46,610 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018.

(b) Audit-Related Fees

There were no fees paid to the principal accountant for assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of Item 4.

There were no fees paid to the principal accountant for assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of their financial statements.

There were no fees paid to the principal accountant for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

The aggregate fees paid to the principal accountant for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $20,000 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 and $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The services for which these fees were paid included professional fees in connection with tax treatment of equipment lease transactions and professional fees in connection with an Indonesia withholding tax refund claim.

(d) All Other Fees

The aggregate fees paid to the principal accountant for products and services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant not reported in paragraphs (a)-(c) of Item 4 were $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 and $111 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The services for which these fees were paid included review of materials provided to the fund Board in connection with the investment management contract renewal process.

The aggregate fees paid to the principal accountant for products and services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant not reported in paragraphs (a)-(c) of Item 4 were $22,200 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 and $7,500 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The services for which these fees were paid included the issuance of an Auditors’ Certificate for South Korean regulatory shareholder disclosures and benchmarking services in connection with the ICI TA Survey.

(e) (1) The registrant’s audit committee is directly responsible for approving the services to be provided by the auditors, including:

(i) pre-approval of all audit and audit related services;

(ii) pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided to

the Fund by the auditors;

(iii) pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided to the registrant by the auditors to the registrant’s investment adviser or to any entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser and that provides ongoing services to the registrant where the non-audit services relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant; and

(iv) establishment by the audit committee, if deemed necessary or appropriate, as an alternative to committee pre-approval of services to be provided by the auditors, as required by paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above, of policies and procedures to permit such services to be pre-approved by other means, such as through establishment of guidelines or by action of a designated member or members of the committee; provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service and the committee is informed of each service and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of audit committee responsibilities, as contemplated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to management; subject, in the case of (ii) through (iv), to any waivers, exceptions or exemptions that may be available under applicable law or rules.

(e) (2) None of the services provided to the registrant described in paragraphs (b)-(d) of Item 4 were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of regulation S-X.

(f) No disclosures are required by this Item 4(f).

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees paid to the principal accountant for services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant and the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $42,200 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 and $7,611 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018.

(h) The registrant’s audit committee of the board has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. N/A

Item 6. Schedule of Investments. N/A

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. N/A

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. N/A

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. N/A

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees that would require disclosure herein.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such information is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, recognizes that any set of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR, the Registrant had carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and the Registrant’s principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls: Effective November 1, 2018, the Registrant’s controls were enhanced through the implementation of a daily secondary review of market events following the close of trading on foreign stock markets to ensure the appropriate application of market level fair value.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Company. N/A

Item 13. Exhibits.

(a) (1) Code of Ethics

(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration, and Robert G. Kubilis, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration, and Robert G. Kubilis, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


TEMPLETON CHINA WORLD FUND

By		S\ MATTHEW T. HINKLE
		Matthew T. Hinkle
		Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration


Date:		October 31, 2019

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


By		S\ MATTHEW T. HINKLE
		Matthew T. Hinkle
		Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration


Date:		October 31, 2019


By		S\ ROBERT G. KUBILIS
		Robert G. Kubilis
		Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer


Date:		October 31, 2019