DXF Dunxin Financial Holdings Ltd

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

OR

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2023

OR

OR

Date of event requiring this shell company report

For the transition period from _______ to ___

Commission file number: 001-34958

27th Floor, Lianfa International Building 

128 Xudong Road, Wuchang District 

Wuhan City, Hubei Province 430063 

People’s Republic of China 

(Address of principal executive offices)

Mr. Ai (Kosten) Mei 

Chief Executive Officer 

Tel: +86-27-87303888 

E-mail: contact@dunxin.us 

27th Floor, Lianfa International Building 

128 Xudong Road, Wuchang District 

Wuhan City, Hubei Province 430063 

People’s Republic of China 

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

* Not for trading but only in connection with the listing on NYSE American LLC depositary shares.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None

Number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of December 31, 2023: 10,232,461,723 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.00005 per share; 512,232,237 Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 each.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐   No ☒

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive- based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 ☐ Item 18 ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes ☐   No ☒

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONVENTIONS THAT APPLY TO THIS ANNUAL REPORT

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this annual report to:

Presentation of Our Financial and Operating Data

On December 28, 2017, Honest Plus acquired 91,997,543 Shares and Perfect Lead acquired 22,999,386 Shares for an aggregate purchase price of RMB86,426,660 (or approximately $0.11 per share) pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement, as amended on October 27, 2016, and on December 10, 2017 (the “Share Purchase Agreement”), by and between Qiming Investment Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Qiming Investment”), Qiming Xu, the chairman and chief executive officer of Xiniya (“Mr. Qiming Xu”), Honest Plus, and Perfect Lead. Ricky Qizhi Wei, our former chairman and chief executive officer, is the sole director of Honest Plus and Perfect Lead.

As a condition to the Share Purchase Agreement, on December 10, 2017, Xiniya entered into (1) a Share Transfer Agreement with Qiming Investment pursuant to which Xiniya sold Xiniya Holdings Limited, Xiniya’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, to Mr. Qiming Xu in exchange for a purchase price of RMB228,000,000 (approximately $34,588,428) (“Divestiture”), and (2) a Securities Purchase Agreement with True Silver, a British Virgin Islands company, and Honest Plus pursuant to which Xiniya acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of True Silver owned by Honest Plus for a purchase price of RMB228,000,000 ($34,588,428) and the issuance of 772,283,308 Shares (the “Acquisition”) at RMB1.00 ($0.15) per share. True Silver, through a VIE structure, operates and consolidates eighty percent (80%) of the financial results of Chutian, a Chinese company that engages in the business of micro lending to customers in China. On December 28, 2017, the Divestiture and the Acquisition closed concurrently with the closing of the Share Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “CIB Transaction”). At the closing of the CIB Transaction, the Company discontinued its apparel business and became a microfinance lender in Hubei Province.

As a result of the CIB Transaction, Honest Plus and Perfect Lead, the former shareholders of True Silver, became the shareholders of the Company. The CIB Transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition, wherein True Silver is considered the acquirer for accounting and financial reporting purposes.

Accordingly and except as otherwise provided, the historical financial statement of True Silver are treated as the historical financial statements of the Company.

This annual report includes our audited consolidated statements of profit and other comprehensive income data for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, and consolidated statements of financial position data as of December 31, 2022 and 2023.

Dunxin’s predecessor, China Xiniya Fashion Limited, completed the initial public offering of 8,000,000 ADSs, each representing the right to receive four (4) ordinary shares, on November 29, 2010. On November 23, 2010, we listed our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “XNY” and on December 28, 2017, we transitioned to the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American”) and began trading under our new symbol “DXF” on March 5, 2018. Prior to December 17, 2014, each ADS represented the right to receive four (4) Shares, from December 18, 2014, the right to receive sixteen (16) Shares, from December 28, 2017, the right to receive forty-eight (48) Shares and from July 25, 2023, the right to receive four hundred and eighty (480) Shares..

Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this annual report are made at a rate of RMB7.0999 to $1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of December 31, 2023 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Unless otherwise noted, all other financial and other data related to the company in this annual report is presented in U.S. dollars. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. This annual report contains translations of certain foreign currency amounts into U.S. dollars for the convenience of the reader.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act with respect to our business, operating results and financial condition as well as our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our industry. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this annual report are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to events that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under “Risk Factors,” which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “aim,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “is/are likely to,” “could,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to:

The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this annual report and the documents that we reference in this annual report and/or file as exhibits to this annual report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

A. [Reserved]

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors

Investing in our securities is highly speculative and involves a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks as well as all other information contained in this annual report, including the matters discussed under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” before you decide to make an investment in our securities. Dunxin is a Cayman Islands holding company with substantial operations in China and is subject to a legal and regulatory environment that in many respects differs from the United States. The risks discussed below could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, ability to pay dividends and the trading price of our ordinary shares. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

RISK FACTORS SUMMARY

Our business is subject to numerous risks described in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report. The main risks set forth below and others you should consider are discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6, which you should read in its entirety.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

We face risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China in general, including, but not limited to, the following:

Risks Factors Related to Our Business

Risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry include, but not limited to, the following:

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

We are also subject to risks and uncertainties related to our corporate structure, including, but not limited to, the following:

Risks Related to our Ordinary Shares and ADSs

We face risks and uncertainties related to our ordinary shares and ADSs, including, but not limited to, the following:

There are many risks and uncertainties that may affect our operations, performance, development and results. Many of these risks are beyond our control. The following is a description of the important risk factors that may affect our business. If any of these risks were to actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Substantial uncertainties and restrictions with respect to the political and economic policies of the PRC government and PRC laws and regulations could have a significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in the PRC and accordingly on the results of our operations and financial condition.

Our business operations may be adversely affected by the current and future political environment in the PRC. The Chinese government exerts substantial influence and control over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities. Our ability to operate in China may be adversely affected by changes in Chinese laws and regulations. Under the current government leadership, the government of the PRC has been pursuing economic reform policies that encourage private economic activities and greater economic decentralization. However, the government of the PRC may not continue to pursue these policies, or may significantly alter these policies from time to time without notice.

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with borrowers in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy or criminal proceedings. Only after 1979 did the Chinese government begin to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws that regulate economic affairs in general, deal with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade, as well as encourage foreign investment in China. Although the influence of the law has been increasing, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. Also, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published cases and judicial interpretation and their lack of force as precedents, interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve significant uncertainties. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. In addition, there have been constant changes and amendments of laws and regulations over the past 30 years in order to keep up with the rapidly changing society and economy in China. Because government agencies and courts provide interpretations of laws and regulations and decide contractual disputes and issues, their inexperience in adjudicating new business and new polices or regulations in certain less developed areas causes uncertainty and may affect our business. Consequently, we cannot clearly foresee the future direction of Chinese legislative activities with respect to either businesses with foreign investment or the effectiveness on enforcement of laws and regulations in China. The uncertainties, including new laws and regulations and changes of existing laws, as well as judicial interpretation by inexperienced officials in the agencies and courts in certain areas, may cause possible problems to foreign investors.

The Second Session of the Thirteen National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China voted to adopt the Foreign Investment Law of the People’s Republic of China (“the Foreign Investment Law”) on March 15, 2019 which came into effective as of January 1, 2020. The current three major foreign investment laws (the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Law, Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Law and Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise Law) were replaced by the Foreign Investment Law on January 1, 2020.

The Foreign Investment Law expressly stipulated that “the State protects foreign investors’ investment, earnings and other legitimate rights and interests within the territory of China pursuant to the present Law”; “foreign investors may, according to the present Law, freely remit into or out of China, in Renminbi or any other foreign currency, their contributions, profits, capital gains, income from asset proposal, intellectual property royalties, lawfully acquired compensation, indemnity or liquidation income and so on within the territory of China”; “Foreign investors shall not invest in any field with investment prohibited by the negative list for foreign investment access. Foreign investors shall meet the investment conditions stipulated under the negative list for any field with investment restricted by the negative list for foreign investment access”; “In formulating normative documents concerning foreign investment, the people’s governments at all levels and their departments concerned shall comply with laws and regulations, and if there are no laws or administrative regulations to serve as the basis, they shall not impair foreign-funded enterprises’ legitimate rights and interests or increase their obligations, set any market access and exit conditions, or intervene the normal production and operation activities of any foreign-funded enterprise.”

The Foreign Investment Law leaves uncertainty with respect to whether foreign investors-controlled PRC onshore variable interest entities via contractual arrangements will be recognized as “foreign investment”. Although the Foreign Investment Law clearly stipulates: “The state implements the management system of pre-establishment national treatment plus negative list for foreign investment. ... Negative list refers to the quasi-special management measures for foreign investment in specific fields stipulated by the state. The state grants national treatment to foreign investment that is not on the negative list.” The VIE model or VIE structure will continue to exist according to the principle of “access if it is not prohibited”. If our control over the VIE through contractual arrangements are deemed as foreign investment in the future, and any business of the VIE is restricted or prohibited from foreign investment under the “negative list” effective at the time, we may be deemed to be in violation of the Foreign Investment Law, the contractual arrangements that allow us to have control over the VIE may be deemed as invalid and illegal, and we may be required to unwind such contractual arrangements and/or restructure our business operations, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business operation and financial conditions.

The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities. The PRC government may also intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and our ADSs could decline in value or become worthless.

We are currently not required to obtain approval from Chinese authorities for the VIE Agreements; however, if the VIE or the holding company were required to obtain approval in the future and were denied permission from Chinese authorities to list on U.S. exchanges, we will not be able to continue listing on U.S. exchange, continue to offer securities to investors, and that will materially affect the interest of the investors and cause significantly depreciation of our price of ADSs.

The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in our operations in China.

For example, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on July 2, 2021, that it had begun an investigation of Didi Global Inc. (NYSE: DIDI) and two days later ordered that the company’s app be removed from smartphone app stores. Similarly, our business segments may be subject to various government and regulatory interference in the regions in which we operate. We could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal agencies and government sub-divisions. We may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply.

Furthermore, it is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government for any securities offerings that are conducted in the United States or enter into VIE Agreements in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded. Although we are currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC federal or local government to obtain such permission and has not received any denial for or entering into VIE Agreements, our operations could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to our business or industry. Recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent, and the PRC government may take actions to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. On February 17, 2023, China Securities Regulatory Commission issued the “Trial Measures for the Management of Overseas Issuance and Listing of Securities by Domestic Enterprises” and supporting regulatory guidelines, marking the formal shift to the filing system of overseas listing of domestic enterprises. Filing is only to increase supervision, does not represent serious restrictions or obstacles to Chinese enterprises in overseas listed investment business. These actions could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

Our microfinance business is subject to extensive regulation and supervision by state, provincial and local government authorities, which may interfere with the way we conduct our business and may negatively impact our financial results.

We are subject to extensive and complex state, provincial and local laws, rules and regulations with regard to our loan operations, capital structure, and allowance for loan losses, among other things. These laws, rules and regulations are issued by different central government ministries and departments, provincial and local governments while enforced by different local authorities.

In addition, it is not clear whether microfinance companies are subject to certain banking regulations that the state-owned and commercial banks are subject to, including the regulation with regard to loan loss reserves. Therefore the interpretation and implementation of such laws, rules and regulations may not be clear and occasionally we have to depend on oral inquiries with local government authorities. As a result of the complexity, uncertainties and constant changes in these laws, rules and regulations, including changes in interpretation and implementation of such, our business activities and growth may be adversely affected if we do not respond to the changes in a timely manner or are found to be in violation of the applicable laws, regulations and policies as a result of a different position from ours taken by the competent authority in the interpretation of such applicable laws, regulations and policies. If we were found not to be in compliance with these laws and regulations, we may be subject to sanctions by regulatory authorities, monetary penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business operation and profitability.

Fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rate between U.S. Dollars and Renminbi could adversely affect our financial condition.

The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate. Exchange rates are affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions and the foreign exchange policy adopted by the PRC government. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of foreign currencies. Following the removal of the U.S. dollar peg, the RMB appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over three years. From July 2008 until June 2010, however, the RMB traded stably within a narrow range against the U.S. dollar. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to adopt a more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant appreciation of the RMB against foreign currencies. On June 20, 2010, the PBOC announced that the PRC government would reform the RMB exchange rate regime and increase the flexibility of the exchange rate. On August 11, 2015, the PBOC led central parity quoting banks to further improve the formation mechanism of the RMB against the US dollar, indicating that the central parity quoting price shall be decided with reference to the closing price on the previous trading day. On December 11, 2015, the China Foreign Exchange Trade System launched the RMB exchange-rate index, which strengthened the reference to a currency basket to better maintain the stability of the RMB exchange rate against the currencies in the basket. As a result, the CNY/USD central parity formation mechanism of “closing rate + exchange-rate movements of a basket of currencies” was developed. In June 2016, the Foreign Exchange Self-Disciplinary Mechanism was established, allowing financial institutions to play a more important role in maintaining orderly operations in the foreign-exchange market and in an environment for fair competition. In February 2017, the Foreign Exchange Self-Disciplinary Mechanism adjusted the reference period for the central parity against the currency basket from 24 hours ahead of submitting the quotes to 15 hours between the closing on the previous trading day and the submission of the quotes, which avoided repeated references to the daily movements of the USD exchange rate in the central parity of the following day. According to the Annual Report on Exchange Rate Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions (2019), which was published in August 2020 by the International Monetary Fund China’s exchange rate regime was classified as “other management floating arrangements” (comparing to prior to June 2018, which was classified as “crawl-like arrangements”). This exchange rate arrangement has medium to high intensive elasticity. In fact, the current daily fluctuation range of the RMB exchange rate against the US dollar limits to 2% up and down, and the formation mechanism of the intermediate exchange rate is not completely marketized. The flexibility of the RMB exchange rate against the US dollar may exhibit farther two-way fluctuations. We cannot predict how this new policy and mechanism will affect the RMB exchange rate.

Our revenues and costs are mostly denominated in the RMB, and substantially all of our financial assets are also denominated in the RMB. Any significant fluctuations in the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar may materially adversely affect our cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial position, and the amount of and any dividends we may pay on our ordinary shares in U.S. dollars. In addition, any fluctuations in the exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar could result in foreign currency translation losses for financial reporting purposes.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests and exercising your rights as a shareholder since we conduct all of our operations in China, and all of our officers and our Chairman reside outside the United States. It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China.

Dunxin was incorporated in the Cayman Islands and we conduct most of our operations in China through Chutian, the VIE in China. In addition, all of our officers and our chairman reside outside the United States and substantially all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to conduct due diligence on the business or attend shareholders meetings if such meetings are held in China, and it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon those persons inside mainland China. It may be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, as none of them currently resides in the U.S. or has substantial assets in the U.S. As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, or major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation doing business entirely or predominantly within the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state.

The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other forms of written arrangement with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security, or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States.

In 2017, Wuhan Intermediate People's Court in Wuhan, where the city Chutian, the VIE in China located, recognized for the first time the validity of a commercial judgment made by an American court in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.

It may also be difficult for you or overseas regulators to conduct investigations or collect evidence within China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with its counterparts of another country or region to monitor and oversee cross-border securities activities, such regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the United States may not be efficient in the absence of a practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or “Article 177,” which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigations or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Article 177 further provides that Chinese entities and individuals are not allowed to provide documents or materials related to securities business activities to foreign agencies without prior consent from the securities regulatory authority of the State Council and the competent departments of the State Council. While detailed interpretation of or implementing rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests.

A severe and prolonged global financial crisis, or economic recession and the slowdown in the Chinese economy may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We operate our business in the PRC. The growth of the Chinese economy has slowed down since 2012 compared to the previous decade and the trend may continue. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth was 5.2% in 2023. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. In addition, there have also been concerns on the relationship between China and the U.S. following rounds of tariffs imposed by the U.S and retaliatory tariffs imposed by China. It is unclear whether these challenges and uncertainties will be contained or resolved, and what effects they may have on the global political and economic conditions in the long term. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs in a number of ways, including:

These risks may be exacerbated in the event of a prolonged economic downturn or financial crisis. Our customers may reduce or delay their borrowings, while we may have difficulty expanding our borrowers fast enough, or at all, to offset the impact of decreased loans. In addition, to the extent borrowers’ experiences financial difficulties due to the economic slowdown, we could have difficulty collecting payment from the borrower.

Any adverse changes in political policies of the PRC government could negatively impact China’s overall economic growth, which could materially adversely affect our business.

Dunxin is a holding company with substantial operations in the PRC. China’s economy differs from the economies of most other countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement in the economy, the general level of economic development, growth rates and government control of foreign exchange and the allocation of resources. The PRC government exercises significant control over China’s economic growth by allocating resources, controlling the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Any actions and policies adopted by the PRC government could negatively impact the Chinese economy, which could materially adversely affect our business.

China moves to liberalize interest rates and deposit rates may create more competition.

China has been slowly liberalizing its interest rate and deposit rate policies to a market driven policy to try to move away from a policy based on artificially imposed ceiling or floor to a market system policy-based market demands for financial services. This marketization of interest rates and deposit rates may result in increased competition from banks and competitors and the narrowing of the interest rate spread for loan products which may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Future inflation in China may inhibit economic activity and adversely affect our operations.

The Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion in recent years which can lead to high rates of inflation or deflation. This has caused the PRC government to, from time to time, enact various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may in the future cause the PRC government to once again impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China. Any action on the part of the PRC government that seeks to control credit and/or prices may materially adversely affect our business operations.

PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investments in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies may delay or prevent Dunxin from using proceeds from future financing activities to make loans or additional capital contributions to its PRC operating subsidiary.

As an offshore holding company with PRC subsidiary, Dunxin may transfer funds to its PRC subsidiary or finance its operating entity by means of shareholder loans or capital contributions. Any loans to Dunxin’s PRC subsidiary, which are foreign-invested enterprises, shall be limited to within the margin between the total investment and registered capital approved by the examination and approval authorities. Within the scope of the aforementioned margin foreign-invested enterprises may voluntarily contract foreign debts. Where the margin is exceeded, the original examination and approval authorities shall re-conduct appraisal and determination of total investment. Such loan shall be registered with SAFE, or its local counterparts. Furthermore, any capital increase contributions we make to the Company’s PRC subsidiary, which are foreign-invested enterprises, shall be subject to record-filing via the Comprehensive Management System of the MOFCOM. We may not be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. If we fail to receive such registrations or approvals, our ability to provide loans or capital increase contributions to the Company’s PRC subsidiary may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

In addition, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Improving and Adjusting the Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Direct Investments on November 19, 2012, or Circular 59, as amended on May 4, 2015, which requires the authenticity of settlement of net proceeds from offshore offerings to be closely examined and the net proceeds to be settled in the manner described in the offering documents. Furthermore, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Reforming the Administrative Approach Regarding the Settlement of the Foreign Exchange Capitals of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19 (partially invalid on December 30, 2019), promulgated on March 30, 2015 and taken effect from June 1, 2015, pursuant to which the foreign-invested enterprises shall be allowed to settle their foreign exchange capitals on a discretionary basis, the RMB funds obtained by foreign-invested enterprises from the discretionary settlement of their foreign exchange capitals shall be managed under the accounts for foreign exchange settlement pending payment, and a foreign-invested enterprise shall truthfully use its capital for its own operational purposes within the scope of business and it shall not, unless otherwise prescribed by laws and regulations use the foregoing funds for investment in securities etc. Besides, SAFE further promulgated a Notice on Reforming and Standardizing the Administrative Provisions on Capital Account Foreign Exchange Settlement, or Circular 16, on June 9, 2016, according to which a domestic institution shall use foreign exchange earnings under capital account within its business scope and in a truthful manner for proprietary purposes and a bank shall not process foreign exchange settlement or payment formalities for a domestic institution that applies for the payment and settlement of all of its foreign exchange earnings under capital account in one lump-sum or the payment of all RMB funds in its Account for Foreign Exchange Settlement Pending Payment, if the domestic institution is unable to provide relevant materials in proof of transaction authenticity.

Circular 59, Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to effectively use the proceeds from future financing activities as the Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (“WFOE”) may not convert the funds received from us in foreign currencies into RMB or may not use the RMB funds obtained from foreign exchange settlement for certain purposes, which may materially adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.

The disclosures in our reports and other filings with the SEC and our other public pronouncements are not subject to the scrutiny of any regulatory bodies in the PRC.

We are regulated by the SEC and our reports and other filings with the SEC are subject to SEC review in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Our SEC filings and other disclosure and public pronouncements are not subject to the review or scrutiny of any PRC regulatory authority. For example, the disclosure in our SEC reports and other filings are not subject to the review by CSRC, a PRC regulator that is tasked with oversight of the capital markets in China. Accordingly, you should review our SEC reports, filings and our other public pronouncements with the understanding that no local regulator has done any review of the Company, our SEC reports, other filings or any of our other public pronouncements.

The PRC government has increasingly strengthened oversight in offerings conducted overseas or on foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.

The PRC government has recently indicated an intent to take actions to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. For example, on July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities made public the Opinions on Strictly Scrutinizing Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law, or the Opinions. These Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision of overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies.

On December 24, 2021, the CSRC issued the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) and the Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments), collectively the Draft Overseas Listing Regulations, for public comment until January 23, 2022.

Following issuance of the Draft Overseas Listing Regulations, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Notice on Filing Arrangements for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “CSRC Filing Notice”), stating that the CSRC has published the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”) and five supporting guidelines (the “Listing Guidelines”), collectively the Trial Measures and Listing Guidelines. Among others, the Trial Measures and Listing Guidelines provide that overseas offerings and listings by PRC domestic companies shall:

The Trial Measures have been implemented on March 31, 2023. PRC domestic companies seeking to offer and list securities (which, for the purposes of the Trial Measures, are defined thereunder as equity shares, depository receipts, corporate bonds convertible to equity shares, and other equity securities that are offered and listed overseas, either directly or indirectly, by PRC domestic companies) in overseas markets, either via direct or indirect means, must file with the CSRC within three working days after their application for an overseas listing is submitted.

The Trial Measures provide that where a PRC domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in overseas markets, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity, which shall, as the domestic entity responsible, file with the CSRC. The Trial Measures stipulate that an overseas listing will be determined as “indirect” if the issuer meets both of the following conditions: (1) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year are accounted for by PRC domestic companies (“Condition I”), and (2) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in the PRC, or its main places of business are located in the PRC, or the senior managers in charge of its business operations and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in the PRC (“Condition II”); whether Chinese citizens from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are included in the foregoing specification is not specified. The determination as to whether or not an overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies is indirect shall be made on a ‘substance over form’ basis; the Listing Guidelines further stipulate that if an issuer not satisfying Condition I submits an application for issuance and listing in overseas markets in accordance with relevant non-PRC issuance regulations requiring such issuer to disclose risk factors mainly related to the PRC, the securities firm(s) and the issuer’s PRC counsel should follow the principle of ‘substance over form’ in order to identify and argue whether the issuer should complete a filing under the Trial Measures.

Subsequent securities offerings of an issuer in (i) the same overseas market where it has previously offered and listed securities, and (ii) an overseas market other than one where the issuer has previously offered and listed securities shall be filed with the CSRC within three working days after offerings are completed. Additionally, the Trial Measures stipulate that after an issuer has offered and listed securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall submit a report to the CSRC within three working days after the occurrence and public disclosure of (i) a change of control thereof, (ii) investigations of or sanctions imposed on the issuer by overseas securities regulators or relevant competent authorities, (iii) changes of listing status or transfers of listing segment, and (iv) a voluntary or mandatory delisting.

The CSRC Filing Notice states that, beginning from March 31, 2023, PRC domestic enterprises which have already issued and listed securities overseas and fall within the scope of filing under the Trial Measures shall be considered “existing enterprises” (“Existing Listed Enterprises”). Existing Listed Enterprises are not required to complete filings immediately; rather, Existing Listed Enterprises should complete filings if they are subsequently involved in matters require filings, such as follow-on financing activities, in accordance with the Trial Measures.

There is a possibility that we may be deemed as an Existing Listed Enterprise as defined under the CSRC Filing Notice, and that future offerings of listed securities or listings outside China by us may be subject to CSRC filing requirements in accordance with the Trial Measures. Given that the Trial Measures and Listing Guidelines have been introduced recently, and that there remain substantial uncertainties surrounding the enforcement thereof, we cannot assure you that, if required, we would be able to complete the filings and fully comply with the relevant new rules on a timely basis, if at all. Further, as of the date of this annual report, the aforementioned Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) issued on December 24, 2021 remain in draft form and final and effective versions are yet to be published.

In addition, the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which took effect on February 15, 2022, requires, among others, prior cybersecurity review for online platform operators holding over one million users’ personal information before any public listing in a foreign country. The Measures on Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer, effective on September 1, 2022, specify that data controllers and/or critical information infrastructure operators will be subject to security assessment. There remain uncertainties as to whether such measures are applicable to our business.

On February 24, 2023, the CSRC and other PRC governmental authorities jointly issued the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Confidentiality Provisions”), which came into effect on March 31, 2023. According to the Confidentiality Provisions, PRC domestic companies that directly or indirectly conduct overseas offerings and listings shall strictly abide by the laws and regulations on confidentiality when providing or publicly disclosing, whether directly or through their overseas listed entities, materials to securities services providers. In the event such materials contain state secrets or working secrets of government agencies, PRC domestic companies shall first obtain approval from authorities, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level with the approving authority; in the event that such materials, if divulged, will jeopardize national security or public interest, PRC domestic companies shall comply with procedures stipulated by national regulations. PRC domestic companies shall also provide a written statement of the specific sensitive information provided when providing materials to securities service providers, and such written statements shall be retained for inspection. Although the Confidentiality Provisions have been implemented, however the interpretation and implementation remain substantially uncertain.

If (i) we mistakenly conclude that certain regulatory filings, permissions and approvals are not required or (ii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and (iii) we are required to obtain such filings, permissions or approvals in the future, we may be unable to obtain them in a timely manner, or at all, and such filings, permissions or approvals may be denied or rescinded even if obtained. We may face adverse actions or sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies if we are unable to comply with such requirements, which may result in fines and penalties, restrictions on our operations, having to delist from a stock exchange outside of China, the halting of securities offerings to foreign investors and other actions that could materially and adversely affect our operations and the interest of our investors and cause a significant depreciation in the price of our ordinary shares and ADSs.

The approval and/or other requirements of the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities may be required in connection with an offering under PRC rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or how soon we will be able to obtain such approval.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, requires offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear. If a governmental approval is required, it is uncertain how long it will take for us to obtain such approval, and, even if we obtain such approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or a delay in obtaining the requisite governmental approval for an offering, or a rescission of such CSRC approval if obtained by us, may subject us to sanctions imposed by the relevant PRC regulatory authority, which could include fines and penalties on our and the VIE’s operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our PRC counsel, Hubei Lifeng Law Firm (“Hubei Lifeng”), has advised us that, based on its understanding of the current PRC laws and regulations, we will not be required to submit an application to the CSRC for the approval under the M&A Rules for an offering because (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether any securities offerings that are conducted in the United States are subject to this regulation; and (ii) we did not acquire any equity interests or assets of a “PRC domestic company” as such terms are defined under the M&A Rules.

However, our PRC counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering, and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC governmental authorities, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC counsel, and hence, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from them. Furthermore, relevant PRC governmental authorities promulgated the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law, which provided that the administration and supervision of overseas-listed China-based companies will be strengthened, and the special provisions of the State Council on overseas issuance and listing of shares by such companies will be revised, clarifying the responsibilities of domestic industry competent authorities and regulatory authorities. However, the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law were only issued recently, leaving uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of these opinions. It is possible that any new rules or regulations may impose additional requirements on us. In addition, on July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued a revised draft of the Measures for Cybersecurity Review for public comments, according to which, among others, operators of “critical information infrastructure” or data processors holding over one million users’ personal information shall apply to the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before any listing on a foreign stock exchange. It is uncertain when the final measures will be issued and take effect, how they will be enacted, interpreted or implemented, and whether they will affect us. If it is determined in the future that CSRC approval or other procedural requirements are required to be met for and prior to an offering, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such approval or complete such procedures and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such procedures for an offering, or a rescission of any such approval, could subject us to sanctions by the relevant PRC governmental authorities. The governmental authorities may impose restrictions and penalties on the Company’s operations in China, such as the suspension of our services, revocation of our licenses, or shutting down part or all of our operations, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from an offering into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of the ADSs. The PRC governmental authorities may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt an offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs offered therein. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the PRC governmental authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for filings, registrations or other kinds of authorizations for an offering, we cannot assure you that we can obtain the approval, authorizations, or complete required procedures or other requirements in a timely manner, or at all, or obtain a waiver of the requisite requirements if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver.

The M&A Rules set forth complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult to pursue growth through acquisitions.

The M&A Rules and recently adopted PRC regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have or may have impact on the national economic security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand. Mergers or acquisitions that allow one market player to take control of or to exert decisive impact on another market player must also be notified in advance to MOFCOM when the threshold under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings, or the “Prior Notification Rules,” issued by the State Council in August 2008 is triggered. In addition, the Provisions of the Ministry of Commerce on the Implementation of the Security Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “Security Review Rules”) issued by MOFCOM that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by MOFCOM, and the Security Review Rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. In the future, we may grow our business in part by acquiring complementary businesses, including acquisition of businesses related to supply chain finance. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the MOFCOM or its local counterparts, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. Any delay or inability to obtain applicable approvals to complete acquisitions could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share. It is clear that our PRC subsidiaries’ business would not be deemed to be in an industry that raises “national defense and security” or “national security” concerns. MOFCOM or other government agencies, however, may publish explanations in the future determining that the business of our PRC subsidiary and the VIE is in an industry subject to the security review, in which case our future acquisitions in the PRC, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited. In addition, in the future, if any of our acquisitions were subject to the M&A Rules and were found not to be in compliance with the requirements of the M&A Rules, relevant PRC regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects.

PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents and PRC citizens may increase the administrative burden we face and may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or employees who are stock option holders to personal liabilities, limit the Company’s subsidiary’s abilities to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us, limit our ability to inject capital into the Company’s PRC subsidiary, or may otherwise expose us to liability under PRC law. 

SAFE has promulgated regulations that require PRC residents and PRC corporate entities to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. These regulations may apply to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may apply to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future. In accordance with the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Resident’s Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37 (partially invalid on December 30, 2019), any PRC resident who is a direct or indirect shareholder of an offshore company is required to update his or her registration with the relevant SAFE branches, with respect to that offshore company, any material change involving an increase or decrease of capital, transfer or swap of shares, merger, division or other material event. SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment in February 2015, which took effect on June 1, 2015. This notice has amended SAFE Circular 37 requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks rather than SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas investment or financing. At the same time, the registration content is simplified and the registration no longer restricted.

There is uncertainty concerning under what circumstances residents of other countries and regions can be classified as a PRC resident. The PRC government authorities may interpret our beneficial owners’ status differently or their status may change in the future. Moreover, we may not be fully informed of the identities of the beneficial owners of the Company and we cannot assure you that all of our PRC resident beneficial owners will comply with SAFE regulations. The failure of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to make any required registrations may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, and prevent us from being able to make distributions or pay dividends, as a result of which our business operations and our ability to distribute profits to you could be materially adversely affected.

On February 15, 2012, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Issues related to Foreign Exchange Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in Share Incentive Plans of Overseas Listed Companies, or Circular 7. Circular 7 streamlines the foreign exchange control process applicable to share incentive plans implemented by offshore listed companies and extends the foreign exchange registration requirement to a wider range of share incentive plan types and certain foreign nationals residing in China. We and our PRC or foreign employees who may be granted various stock options will be subject to Circular 7 because the Company is an overseas publicly listed company. If we or our PRC or foreign employees fail to comply with such regulation, we or our employees may be subject to fines and legal sanctions.

Restrictions on foreign exchange under PRC laws may limit our ability to convert cash derived from our operating activities into foreign currencies and may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.

Substantially all of our revenues and operating expenses are denominated in Renminbi. Under the relevant foreign exchange regulations in the PRC, conversion of the Renminbi is permitted, without the need for SAFE approval, for “current account” transactions, which includes dividends, trade, and service-related foreign exchange transactions, subject to procedural requirements including presenting relevant documentary evidence of such transactions and conducting such transactions at designated foreign exchange banks within China who have the licenses to carry out foreign exchange business. Conversion of the Renminbi for “capital account” transactions, which includes foreign direct investment, loans and investment in negotiable instruments, is still subject to significant limitations and requires approvals from and registration with SAFE and other PRC regulatory authorities. Under the Company’s current structure, our source of funds primarily consists of dividend payments from the Company’s subsidiary in the PRC. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet all of our foreign currency obligations or to remit profits out of China. If future changes in relevant regulations were to place restrictions on the ability of the Company’s subsidiary to remit dividend payments to us, our liquidity and ability to satisfy our third-party payment obligations and our ability to distribute dividends in respect of the ADSs could be materially adversely affected.

The PRC government’s significant oversight over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs.

We conduct our business in China primarily through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct of our business, and it regulates and may intervene our operations, which could result in a material adverse change in our operation and/or the value of our ADSs. Also, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. Any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. In addition, implementation of industry-wide regulations directly targeting our operations could cause our securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless. Therefore, investors of Dunxin face potential uncertainty from actions taken by the PRC government affecting our business.

Dunxin may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries or Chutian to make payments to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

Dunxin is a holding company, and it may rely on dividends from its wholly-owned subsidiaries and service, license and other fees paid to its wholly-owned subsidiary in China by Chutian for its cash requirements, including any debt it may incur. Current PRC regulations permit the Company’s PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, the Company’s PRC subsidiary and Chutian is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital, and each of the Company’s subsidiaries is required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund at the discretion of its board of directors. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if the Company’s PRC subsidiary and Chutian incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require us to adjust our taxable income under the contractual arrangements we currently have in place in a manner that would materially and adversely affect the Company’s PRC subsidiary’s ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. Any limitation on the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to distribute dividends to us or on the ability of Chutian to make payments to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

We may be treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes under the EIT Law, which may subject us to PRC income tax for our global income and withholding for any dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders.

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law (“EIT Law”), enterprises established outside of China whose “de facto management bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises,” and will generally be subject to the uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate for their global income. Although the term “de facto management bodies” is defined as “management bodies which has substantial and overall management and control power on the operation, human resources, accounting and assets of the enterprise,” the circumstances under which an enterprise’s “de facto management body” would be considered to be located in China are currently unclear. A circular issued by the State Administration of Taxation on April 22, 2009, partially invalid on December 29, 2017, which provides that a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group will be classified as a “resident enterprise” with its “de facto management bodies” located within China if the following requirements are satisfied: (1) the senior management and core management departments in charge of its daily operations function mainly in the PRC; (2) its financial and human resources decisions are subject to determination or approval by persons or bodies in the PRC; (3) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (4) at least half of the enterprise’s directors or senior management with voting rights reside in the PRC. In addition, the State Administration of Taxation recently promulgated the Interim Provisions on Administration of Income Tax of Chinese-Controlled Resident Enterprise Registered Overseas, effective from September 1, 2011, as subsequently amended on June 1, 2015 and June 15, 2018, which clarified certain matters concerning the determination of resident status, administrative matters following this determination, and competent tax authorities. These interim provisions also specify that when an enterprise which is both Chinese-controlled and incorporated outside of mainland China receives PRC-sourced incomes such as dividends and interests, no PRC withholding tax is applicable if such enterprise has obtained a certificate evidencing its status as a PRC resident enterprise which is registered overseas and controlled by Chinese.

Most members of our management team are based in China and are expected to remain in China. Although our offshore holding companies are not controlled by any PRC company or company group, we cannot assure you that we will not be deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law and its implementation rules. If we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, we will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our global income. In that case, however, dividend income we receive from the Company’s PRC subsidiary may be exempt from PRC enterprise income tax because the EIT Law and its implementation rules generally provide that dividends received by a PRC resident enterprise from its directly invested entity that is also a PRC resident enterprise is exempt from enterprise income tax. Accordingly, if we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise and earn income other than dividends from the Company’s PRC subsidiary, a 25% enterprise income tax on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our cash flow and profitability.

In addition, the EIT Law and its implementation rules are relatively new and ambiguities exist with respect to the interpretation of the provisions relating to identification of PRC-sourced income. If we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, dividends distributed to our non-PRC entity investors by us, or the gain our non-PRC entity investors may realize from the transfer of our common shares or ADSs, may be treated as PRC-sourced income and therefore be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax pursuant to the EIT Law and, as a result, the value of your investment may be materially and adversely affected.

We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.

Under PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among business entities may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. The tax laws applicable to our business activities are subject to interpretation. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that some of our business activities are not based on arm’s-length prices and adjust our taxable income accordingly. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties to us for under-paid taxes. Our consolidated net profit in the future may be materially and adversely affected if we are subject to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.

There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations. Complying with evolving PRC laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection and other related laws and requirements may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and reputation as well as the trading price of our ADSs, and could also create uncertainties for any securities offerings that are conducted in the United States and affect our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors outside China.

We receive and process information about our employees, customers and partners, and we may store (or contract with third parties to store) our customers’ data. There are numerous laws governing privacy and the storage, sharing, use, disclosure and protection of personally identifiable information and user data. Specifically, personally identifiable and other confidential information is increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous domestic and international jurisdictions. We could be adversely affected if legislation or regulations in China and elsewhere on the world where we have business operations are expanded to require changes in business practices or privacy policies, or if the relevant governmental authorities in China and elsewhere on the world where we have business operations interpret or implement their legislation or regulations in ways that negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we may face additional burdens in connection with the PRC laws and regulations regarding cybersecurity, information security, privacy and data protection. Regulatory authorities in China have been considering a number of legislative proposals to heighten data protection and cybersecurity regulatory requirements. Since the promulgation of the PRC Cybersecurity Law, which became effective in June 2017, numerous regulations, guidelines and other measures have been and are expected to be adopted under the PRC Cybersecurity Law. In April 2020, the Cyberspace Administration of China and certain other PRC regulatory authorities promulgated the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which requires that operators of critical information infrastructure must pass a cybersecurity review when purchasing network products and services which do or may affect national security.

The PRC Data Security Law, which took effect on September 1, 2021, imposes data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals that carry out data activities, provides for a national security review procedure for data activities that may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information. On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Personal Information Protection Law (the “PIPL”), which took effect on November 1, 2021. The PIPL sets out the regulatory framework for handling and protection of personal information and transmission of personal information overseas.

On November 14, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China released the Regulations on Network Data Security (draft for public comments) and accepted public comments until December 13, 2021. The draft Regulations on Network Data Security provide that data processors refer to individuals or organizations that autonomously determine the purpose and the manner of processing data. If a data processor that processes personal data of more than one million users intends to list overseas, it shall apply for a cybersecurity review. In addition, data processors that process important data or are listed overseas shall carry out an annual data security assessment on their own or by engaging a data security services institution, and the data security assessment report for the prior year should be submitted to the local cyberspace affairs administration department before January 31 of each year.

On December 28, 2021, the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 version) was promulgated and became effective on February 15, 2022, which iterates that any “online platform operators” controlling personal information of more than one million users which seeks to list in a foreign stock exchange should also be subject to cybersecurity review. We do not believe we are among the “operator of critical information infrastructure” or “data processor” as mentioned above, however, Measures for Cybersecurity Review (2021 version) was recently adopted and the Network Internet Data Protection Draft Regulations (draft for comments) is in the process of being formulated and the Opinions remain unclear on how it will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities.

Moreover, the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council on July 6, 2021 call for strengthened regulation over illegal securities activities and supervision of overseas listings by China-based companies and propose to take effective measures, such as promoting the development of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. As of the date of this annual report, no official guidance and related implementation rules have been issued in relation to these recently issued opinions and the interpretation and implementation of the Opinions remain unclear at this stage.

We do not believe we are required to obtain any permission from any PRC governmental authorities to offer securities to foreign investors. We have been closely monitoring regulatory developments in China regarding any necessary approvals from the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities required for overseas listings, including offering securities to foreign investors. As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to any securities offerings that are conducted in the United States from the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities. However, there remains significant uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities. If it is determined in the future that the approval of the CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China or any other regulatory authority is required for any securities offerings that are conducted in the United States, we may face sanctions by the CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operations in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from an securities offering that is conducted in the United States into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our securities. The CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt any securities offerings that are conducted in the United States before settlement and delivery of our securities. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China or other regulatory PRC agencies later promulgate new rules requiring that we obtain their approvals for any securities offerings that are conducted in the United States, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such an approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our securities.

If we become directly subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve any related issues, which could materially adversely impact our business operations, our reputation, and the trading price of its ADSs.

Certain U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has been centered around financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of certain U.S.-listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value. Certain companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on our business and the trading price of our ADSs. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend the Company. This situation will be costly and time consuming and distract our management from growing the company. Such allegations may materially adversely impact our business operations, our reputation, and the trading price of our ADSs.

U.S. regulatory bodies may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of the Company’s operations in China.

Any disclosure of documents or information located in China by foreign agencies may be subject to jurisdiction constraints and must comply with China’s state secrecy laws, which broadly define the scope of “state secrets” to include matters involving economic interests and technologies. There is no guarantee that requests from U.S. federal or state regulators or agencies to investigate or inspect our operations will be honored by us, by entities who provide services to us or with whom we associate, without violating PRC legal requirements, especially as those entities are located in China. Furthermore, under the current PRC laws, an on-site inspection of our facilities by any of these regulators may be limited or prohibited.

Our ADSs may be delisted under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the PCAOB is unable to inspect auditors who are located in China. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections deprives our investors with the benefits of such inspections.

On April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) Chairman William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint statement highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including China. The joint statement emphasized the risks associated with lack of access for the PCAOB to inspect auditors and audit work papers in China and higher risks of fraud in emerging markets.

On May 18, 2020, Nasdaq filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply a minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily operating in a “Restrictive Market,” (ii) adopt a new requirement relating to the qualification of management or the board of directors for Restrictive Market companies, and (iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditor. On October 4, 2021, the SEC approved Nasdaq’s revised proposal for the rule changes.

On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCA Act”) requiring a foreign company to certify it is not owned or controlled by a foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign auditor not subject to PCAOB inspection. If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the company’s auditors for three consecutive years, the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a national exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the HFCA Act. On December 18, 2020, the HFCA Act was signed into law.

On March 24, 2021, the SEC announced the adoption of interim final amendments to implement the submission and disclosure requirements of the HFCA Act. In the announcement, the SEC clarifies that before any issuer will have to comply with the interim final amendments, the SEC must implement a process for identifying covered issuers. The announcement also states that the SEC staff is actively assessing how best to implement the other requirements of the HFCA Act, including the identification process and the trading prohibition requirements.

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and on December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law by President Biden, which contained, among other things, an identical provision to the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and amended the HFCA Act by requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three, thus reducing the time period for triggering the delisting of our Company and the prohibition of trading in our securities if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our accounting firm at such future time.

On September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCA Act, which provides a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCA Act, whether the board of directors of a company is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.

On December 2, 2021, the SEC adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCA Act, which became effective on January 10, 2022. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions. For example, on December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions.

On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that the Board is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions. The Board made these determinations pursuant to PCAOB Rule 6100, which provides a framework for how the PCAOB fulfills its responsibilities under the HFCA Act.

The lack of access to the PCAOB inspection in China prevents the PCAOB from fully evaluating audits and quality control procedures of the auditors based in China. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of these accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause existing and potential investors in our Ordinary Shares to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.

Our auditor, Enrome LLP (“Enrome”). the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this annual report, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Our auditor is headquartered in Singapore, and subject to PCAOB inspection on a regular basis. The PCAOB currently has access to inspect the working papers of our auditor and our auditor is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. However, the recent developments would add uncertainties to the listing and trading of our securities and we cannot assure you whether regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us since the majority of our operations are conducted in China. Furthermore, if the PCAOB is unable to inspect our accounting firm in the future, the HFCA Act, which requires that the PCAOB be permitted to inspect an issuer’s public accounting firm within two years, as amended, will prohibit trading in our securities, and, as a result, an exchange may determine to delist our securities and trading in our securities could be prohibited.

On August 26, 2022, the CSRC, the MOF, and the PCAOB signed the Protocol, governing inspections and investigations of accounting firms based in mainland China and Hong Kong, taking the first step toward opening access for the PCAOB to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pursuant to the fact sheet with respect to the Protocol disclosed by the SEC, the PCAOB shall have independent discretion to select any issuer audits for inspection or investigation and has the unfettered ability to transfer information to the SEC. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB Board determined that the PCAOB was able to secure complete access to inspect and investigate registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and voted to vacate its previous determinations to the contrary. However, should PRC authorities obstruct or otherwise fail to facilitate the PCAOB’s access in the future, the PCAOB Board will consider the need to issue a new determination.

Changes in U.S. and Chinese regulations or in relations between the United States and China may adversely impact our business, our operating results, our ability to raise capital and the market price of our ADSs. Any such changes may take place quickly and with very little notice.

The U.S. government, including the SEC, has recently made statements and taken certain actions that may lead to significant changes to U.S. and international relations, and will impact companies with connections to the United States or China. It is unknown whether and to what extent new tariffs (or other new laws or regulations will be adopted, or the effect that any such actions would have on us or our industry and users. Although cross-border business may not be an area of our major focus, if we increase the selling of our products internationally in the future, any unfavorable government policies on international trade, such as capital controls or tariffs, may affect the demand for our products and services, impact the competitive position of our products or prevent us from being able to sell products in certain countries. If any new tariffs, legislation and/or regulations are implemented, or if existing trade agreements are renegotiated or, in particular, if the U.S. government takes retaliatory trade actions due to the recent U.S.-China trade tension, such changes could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations.

In addition, the SEC has issued statements primarily focused on companies with significant China-based operations, such as us. For example, on July 30, 2021, Gary Gensler, Chairman of the SEC, issued a Statement on Investor Protection Related to Recent Developments in China, pursuant to which Chairman Gensler stated that he has asked the SEC staff to engage in targeted additional reviews of filings for companies with significant China-based operations. The statement also addressed risks inherent in companies with VIE structures. It is possible that the Company’s filings with the SEC may be subject to enhanced review by the SEC and this additional scrutiny could affect our ability to effectively raise capital in the United States.

In response to the SEC’s July 30, 2021 statement, the CSRC announced on August 1, 2021, that “[i]t is our belief that Chinese and U.S. regulators shall continue to enhance communication with the principle of mutual respect and cooperation, and properly address the issues related to the supervision of China-based companies listed in the U.S. so as to form stable policy expectations and create benign rules framework for the market.” While the CSRC will continue to collaborate “closely with different stakeholders including investors, companies, and relevant authorities to further promote transparency and certainty of policies and implementing measures,” it emphasized that it “has always been open to companies’ choices to list their securities on international or domestic markets in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.” If any new legislation, executive orders, laws and/or regulations are implemented, if the U.S. or Chinese governments take retaliatory actions due to the recent U.S.-China tension or if the Chinese government exerts more oversight and control over securities offerings that are conducted in the United States, such changes could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, our ability to raise capital and the market price of our ADSs.

Risk Factors Related to Our Business

Current ongoing litigation and future litigation, administrative proceedings or legal proceedings resulting from our lending business and liquidity issues have had, may continue to have, a material adverse effect on our lending business, financial conditions and operating results.

We have been, and continue to be, involved in legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, claims and other litigation that arise in the ordinary course of business. We may choose to litigate against individuals and companies for unpaid loans that are incidental to our lending business. In addition, our lenders and service providers may choose to litigate against us for loans, unpaid fees and other payment obligations that we accrue during the course of our lending business. Since 2019, we have been subject to multiple actions, claims and orders as a result of overdue payments and loan payables to our lenders and service providers. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate maximum amount of claims we were potentially subject to was RMB111.6 million ($15.7 million). During the course of ongoing legal proceedings, deposits in our bank accounts and properties have been frozen or seized during pre-litigation by court order. Such orders had a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and therefore may further affect our liquidity, which may lead to additional legal proceedings against us. Our failure to pay judgments could result in additional seizure of property, freezing of bank deposits and issuances of restrictive court orders which would have a material adverse effect on our business and our operations. In addition, judgments ordering the payment of our obligations or accrual of interest for unpaid payments during current or future litigations would further adversely affect our financial conditions and operating results.

We have experienced and continue to experience severe liquidity issues resulting from our inability to timely collect payments of loan principal and interest as well as assets and cash being frozen as a result of involvement in various litigation. If we are unable to generate or raise additional working capital, we will be unable to fully fund our operations and to otherwise execute our business plan, leading to the further reduction or suspension of our operations and ultimately our going out of business.

In the beginning of 2019, we began to default in certain loans payable, even though certain loans payable were negotiated for revised repayment terms. With our loans receivables continuing to be further credit-impaired, we have defaulted on all of our outstanding loans. Our liquidity issues have further severely affected our ability to pay taxes, service providers, employees and others. Due to non-payment of our obligations when due, multiple significant legal proceedings against us were initiated by our shareholders, service providers and others. COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated our liquidity issues since we have experienced great difficulty in timely collecting payments of loan principal and interest. As a result of the severe financial restraint, we suspended our offering of loans in the second half year of 2019 and do not expect to resume our loan offerings until most of existing our loan and interest receivable recovers and overall liquidity improves.

We have taken intensive measures to control and cut down costs and expenses and strengthened efforts on collection of loan payables and monetizing loan collaterals as well as secured financial support from related parties. We believe that our currently available working capital and source of funds will be sufficient to operate our business for at least the next twelve months. However, should our efforts to collect loan payments turn out to be unsuccessful, our costs and expenses prove to be greater than we currently anticipate, or should we change our current business plan in a manner that will increase or accelerate our anticipated costs and expenses, the depletion of our working capital would be accelerated.

To the extent it becomes necessary to raise additional cash in the future as our current cash and working capital resources are depleted, we will seek to raise it through the public or private sale of assets, debt or equity securities, funding from shareholders and related parties, debt financing or short-term loans, or a combination of the foregoing. We currently do not have any binding commitments for, or readily available sources of, additional financing. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to secure the additional cash or working capital we may require to continue our operations. If we are unable to raise additional capital, we will be unable to fully fund our operations and to otherwise execute our business plan, leading to the further reduction or suspension of our operations and ultimately our going out of business.

COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our financial and operating performance.

Since December 2019, COVID-19 has become widespread in China and many other countries. The pandemic has resulted in mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of stores and facilities in China and other parts of the world for the past few months, and certain areas remain subject to such heightened measures. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 a pandemic. As a company headquartered in Wuhan, the epicenter of the pandemic in 2020, with substantially all operating activities, revenues and workforce in Wuhan, our results of operations and financial outlook were materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, delays in loan payments and collection of accounts receivable, and decrease in business development.

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the resulting widespread health crisis has also adversely affected economies and financial markets globally, which could result in an economic downturn that could affect our operations and future revenue and operating results.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE have undertaken a series of mitigating initiates and efforts to alleviate impact of COVID -19 on our business, including but not limited to, proactively working with our customers to collect payments and renegotiating of the repayment schedule with our creditors as well as carefully controlling our administrative expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has material impacts on our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE’s financial positions and operating results.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our results of operations in 2024 will depend on the future developments of the outbreak. The outlook for COVID-19 remains fluid and its long-term implications on our business and results of operations are uncertain. The extent to which this outbreak impacts our results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information on the effectiveness of the mitigation strategies, the duration, spread, severity, and recurrence of COVID-19, and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, which may also take an extended period of time to be widely and adequately distributed. After the initial outbreak of COVID-19, from time to time, some instances of COVID-19 infections have emerged in various regions of China, including the infections caused by the Omicron variants in 2022, and varying levels of temporary restrictions and other measures were reinstated to contain the infections, including those in Shanghai in March 2022. A potential COVID-19 resurgence may negatively affect our business and operating results. In addition, the continued uncertainties associated with COVID-19 may cause our PRC subsidiaries’ and the VIE’s revenue and cash flows to underperform in the next 12 months. The extent of any future impact of COVID-19 on our PRC subsidiaries’ and the VIE’s business operations is still highly uncertain and cannot be predicted as of the date of this annual report. We are closely monitoring the pandemic and its impact on us.

We have experienced an increase in delinquency rates on loans from borrowers since 2019, which have materially and adversely affected our business and results of operations.

We have experienced an increase in delinquency rates on loans from borrowers since 2019. Starting in January 2020, the outbreak and widespread of COVID-19 has significantly impacted the Chinese economy. The government measures designed to control the spread of the virus have also resulted in a decline in economic activities in China, in particular in Wuhan, the epicenter of the pandemic in 2020 as well as a city where substantially all our operating activities, workforce and borrowers are concentrated. The economic downturn and government lockdown, travel restrictions and quarantines have further adversely impacted the ability of our borrowers to pay our loans, which led to a higher level of delinquency in our outstanding loans. Our borrowers’ failure to timely and fully make payments of loan principal and interest further exacerbates our liquidity issues resulting from the freezing of our cash and assets by court orders and have materially and adversely affected our cash flows and results of operations.

Our failure to pay taxes may result in penalties, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation. 

In accordance with the Law of the PRC on the Administration of Tax Collection and its Implementation Regulations, where a taxpayer or a withholding agent fails to pay or underpays the amount of tax that should be paid or remitted within the specified time, the tax authorities shall order the taxpayer or withholding agent to pay or remit the tax within the specified time limit, and impose a penalty for late payment on a daily basis at the rate of 0.05% of the amount of tax in arrears from the date the tax payment is defaulted. If the taxpayer or withholding agent still fails to do so on the expiration of the time limit, the tax authorities may recover such unpaid taxes by adopting compulsory enforcement measures, and impose a fine of not less than 50 percent but not more than five times the amount of tax the taxpayer or withholding agent fails to pay or underpays or fails to remit.

As of December 31, 2023, the VIE, Chutian, had failed to pay its income tax in the aggregate amount of RMB32.5 million payable to the China State Administration of Taxation due to liquidity issues. As of the date of this annual report, Chutian still owes taxes in the amount of RMB32.5 million. We are actively communicating with the local tax authorities, and making efforts to pay the balance as soon as possible.

As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any order or notice from the local tax authorities to set a specific time limit for us to pay the outstanding taxes referenced above, or impose any penalty for the late tax payment, but we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any order to pay the taxes within a specific time limit. Despite our efforts to minimize the impact of this matter on us, there are uncertainties whether we will have enough funds to make the tax payment within the time limit set by the tax authorities. If we fail to do so, the tax authorities may recover such unpaid taxes and late payment fees by adopting compulsory enforcement measures such as withholding the taxes from the Company’s bank account, or sealing up, auctioning or disposing of the Company’s properties. In addition, the tax authorities may even impose a fine on us as prescribed by the laws. If any of the above were to occur, our business, operations and financial position would be materially and adversely affected.

Due to severe financial constraints, we have been unable to pay our employees on regularly scheduled payment dates. Non-compliance with labor-related laws and regulations of the PRC may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operation.

We are subject to the PRC Labor Contract Law, which governs how and when wages are paid to our employees. Due to the severe financial constraints, we did not pay our employees on regularly scheduled payment dates. If we are found not to be in compliance with the Labor Contract Law and were to assess a penalty against us for our failure to pay the wages we owe on a timely basis, our actual liability could be in excess of due amount. We also might be subject to claims from employees due to late payment of their wages.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely impacted.

We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on such company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm may audit and report on the effectiveness of a public company’s internal control over financial reporting except where the public company is a non-accelerated filer. We are currently a non-accelerated filer.

Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures.” Such management report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm, as we are a non-accelerated filer. We may fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and our management and our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level in the future. This could in turn result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs. Furthermore, we have incurred and anticipate that we will continue to incur considerable costs and use significant management time and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We have previously identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that, if not remediated, could result in additional material misstatements in our financial statements.

Historically, our management identified and evaluated the control deficiencies that gave rise to the accounting errors, and concluded that those deficiencies, collectively, represented material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. These deficiencies were remediated and we did not identify material weaknesses as of December 31, 2022 and 2023. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that those material weaknesses identified in 2018 will not be recurring in future.

If material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, restrict our ability to access the capital markets, require us to expend significant resources to correct the material weakness, subject us to fines, penalties or judgments, harm our reputation or otherwise cause a decline in investor confidence.

Our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

In their audit report issued in connection with our financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023, our independent registered public accounting firm included a going concern explanatory paragraph which stated there was substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The Company incurred a net loss of RMB395.8 million (US$55.8 million) and RMB30.3 million (US$4.5 million) during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There is also uncertainty related to the outcome of the lawsuits filed against the Company. We have prepared our financial statements on a going concern basis that contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that would be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern and, therefore, be required to liquidate our assets and discharge our liabilities in other than the normal course of business and at amounts different from those reflected in our financial statements. If we are unable to continue as a going concern, our stockholders may lose all or a substantial portion or all of their investment.

Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects.

We commenced operations in early 2013 and have a limited operating history. Our revenue was RMB20.6 million($3.2 million), RMB44.8 million (US$6.6 million) and RMB11.2million (US$1.6 million) in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. It is difficult to evaluate our prospects, as we may not have sufficient experience in addressing the risks to which companies operating in new and rapidly evolving markets such as the microfinance industry may be exposed. We will continue to encounter risks and difficulties that companies at a similar stage of development frequently experience, including the potential failure to:

If we are unable to address any or all of the foregoing risks, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Potential dispute over ownership of Chutian may adversely affect our business.

In April 2018, Chutian and Hubei Daily Media Group (“Hubei Daily”) signed a share transfer agreement which would allow Hubei Daily to exit from its ownership of Chutian. The agreement was for Hubei Daily to sell their interest to Hubei New Nature Investment Co. Ltd., a company that is 80% owned by former Chairman Wei. However, as the share transfer did not obtain the approval from the relevant authorities and the consideration was not paid in full, the transaction was not completed and inconclusive. As such, Hubei Daily is still a shareholder of Chutian and Hubei Daily may continue to seek to liquidate its position in Chutian, which could adversely affect our business and operations.

We have very limited cash and we need additional capital which, if obtained, could result in dilution or significant debt service obligations. We may not be able to obtain additional capital on commercially reasonable terms, which could adversely affect our liquidity and financial position.

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash balances totaled RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million), compared to RMB295,000 (US$43,000) as of December 31, 2022.

We have historically met our cash needs through a combination of cash flows from operating activities, loans payable from third parties raised through various securities exchanges, loans from shareholders and related parties, as well as equity financing. The cash requirements are generally for operating activities and repayments of loans from third parties, related parties and shareholders. Ever since, securities exchanges have ceased offering any form of financing to us through their platforms and our loan receivables were credit-impaired, the Company ran into severe liquidity issue. In the beginning of 2019, the Company began to default in certain loans payable, even though certain loans payable were negotiated for revised repayment terms. With loans receivables continued to be further credit-impaired, all obligations of loans payable were defaulted. The liquidity issue of the Company has further severely affected its ability to pay its taxes, service providers, employees and others. Due to non-payment of its obligations when due, multiple significant legal proceedings were initiated by its shareholders, service providers and others against the Company (see Note 28 of the Consolidated Financial Statements - Legal proceedings for detailed disclosure). As a result, we require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments. If our current resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations and liquidity.

In addition, our ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including conditions of the market, our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and PRC governmental regulation of foreign investment in microfinance service companies in China.

We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure to raise additional funds on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition.

We rely heavily on loans to our customers in Wuhan City. Failure to maintain or increase our lending to our customers may adversely affect our results of operations.

We generate substantially all of our interest income from loans to customers in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. If we are unsuccessful in maintaining or increasing our lending to our customers in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, our business, results of operations and prospects may be materially adversely affected. Further, all of our customers are located in Wuhan, China, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, government lockdown, travel restrictions and quarantines imposed by the Chinese government, our customers’ business operations, financial conditions and cash flows were materially adversely affected, which, in turn, materially adversely affected our collection of interest and principal on our loans to customers.

In conducting our business, we face many risks that may interfere with our business objectives. Some of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, we are subject to various risks resulting from changing economic, political, industry, business and financial conditions. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business operations.

Credit loss allowances may not be sufficient to absorb future losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

We determine credit loss allowances in accordance with IFRS 9 as follows:

However, our credit loss allowance may not be sufficient to absorb future loan losses or prevent a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, borrowers are located in Wuhan, China, due to the government lockdown, travel restrictions and quarantines imposed by the Chinese government in Wuhan, China, the business operations, financial conditions and cash flows of our borrowers were materially adversely affected, the impact of COVID-19 may have exacerbated the conditions of our credit-impaired loans and hence increase the insufficiency of our credit loss allowance.

While they do not directly impact our IFRS financial statements, we are also subject to regulatory accounting requirements. Pursuant to Measures for Administration of Pilot Scheme on Microfinance Companies in Hubei Province jointly issued by the Financial Affairs Office of the Hubei Province People’s Government Hubei Province Administration for Industry and Commerce, Hubei Bureaus of the CBRC, Hubei Branch of the PBOC and the Public Security of Hubei Province on May 13, 2009, we should make sufficient credit loss allowances. As of December 31, 2021, 2022, and 2023, credit loss allowance of RMB597.9 million ($93.8 million), RMB640.3 million ($92.8 million) and RMB212.4 million ($29.9 million) were provided, respectively, which represented 51.9%, 53.5% and 52.3%of our outstanding loans, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, delinquent loans that were subject to 100% loan loss allowance, were RMB158.7 million ($24.9 million), RMB176.6 million ($25.6 million) and RMB504.7 million ($70.1 million), respectively. In 2023, we written off those loan balances with 100% loss allowance provided.

While we believe that our management uses the best information available to make credit loss allowance evaluations, adjustments to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions or change in accounting guidance, which could negatively affect our results of operations and financial conditions.

We used to heavily rely on obtaining our funding from creditors through various securities exchanges in China. Inability to obtain financing from these securities exchanges or creditors has materially and adversely affected our liquidity and our results of operations.

According to Article 2 and 4 of Provisional Administrative Working Guidance for Utilization of Capital Market by Microfinance Companies in Wuhan, promulgated on October 13, 2015, debt financing instruments referred to issuance of debt financing instruments including private placing bonds, by microfinance companies at legally established open exchange markets, including but not limited to Beijing Securities Exchange and Wuhan Securities Exchange. Total financing (excludes financing provided from shareholders) of the microfinance company acquired from bonds, funds from banking financial institutions and buy-back, shall not exceed 150% of its net capital. Total financing provided by legal person shareholders shall not exceed 50% of its net capital.

We used to obtain substantially all of our funding from creditors through various securities exchanges in China.

However, we have defaulted on repayment of our loans payable to our creditors since 2019 and, as a result, these securities exchanges have since ceased offering any form of financing to us through their platforms. Our ability in obtaining funding from creditors through these securities exchanges is no longer viable, our business and results of operations are materially and adversely affected.

There are no nationwide laws or regulations that govern our industry.

As of December 31, 2023, there was no administrative regulatory authority for the microfinance industry at the national level. According to the Guiding Opinions on the Pilot Operation of Microfinance Companies, jointly issued by the CBRC and the PBOC on May 4, 2008, (Yin Jian Fa No. [2008] 23), any provincial government that is able to assign a department, financial office or other similar authority to take charge of the supervision and administration of microfinance companies and is willing to assume the responsibility of risk management of microfinance companies may formulate pilot rules and measures in relation to the incorporation of such companies within the province, autonomous region or municipalities directly under the PRC government.

Therefore, the microfinance industry in the PRC is primarily regulated by the financial offices and other similar authorities of the provincial governments of the relevant provinces. On February 6, 2013, we were issued an Official Reply (E Jin Ban Fa No. [2013]14) by the Financial Office of People’s Government of Hubei, which approved us under the pilot program as a microfinance lender, as proposed by the Wuchang People’s Government. As such, we are not required to obtain any other operation approvals or qualification for conducting our business after receiving the approval of establishment. However, any changes at the national or provincial level relating to the regulation of the microfinance industry may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We do not strictly adhere to one of the principles under Measures for Administration of Pilot Scheme on Microfinance Companies in Hubei Province, and may be deemed not be in compliance with the provincial local regulatory policies.

One of the provisions of the Measures for Administration of Pilot Scheme on Microfinance Companies in Hubei Province provides that “when granting loans, microfinance companies shall adhere to the principle of “small sum and decentralization”. Microfinance companies are encouraged to provide credit services for farmers and mini-size enterprises and make more efforts in increasing their number of clients and enlarging the coverage of services. 70% of the outstanding loan balance of the microfinance company shall be applied to borrowers of a single account whose balance of the loan is no more than RMB0.5 million, while the rest may be applied to other borrowers, provided that loans to any of such borrowers shall not exceed 5% of the net capital”. Currently, we do not strictly adhere to this principle of “small sum and decentralization” since some of our loans balance to borrowers of a single account is more than RMB0.5 million. As a result, the provincial local regulatory authorities may have the discretion to determine that we are not in compliance with the provincial local regulatory policies. Although we have not received any notices, warnings or inquiries from provincial local regulatory authorities, there is no assurance that we will not be subject to fines, penalties, rectification by the provincial local regulatory authorities, or have our business suspended or license revoked if we do not rectify its deficiencies after receiving notice from such authorities. Any of these occurrences would adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our current operations in China are territorially limited to the Hubei Province, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

In accordance with the PRC state and provincial laws and regulations relating to microfinance companies, we are not allowed to make loans to businesses and individuals located outside of Hubei Province. We also developed our new business in Shenzhen and Hong Kong in 2023. Our business and future growth opportunities depend on the growth and stability of the economy in China. A downturn in the local economy or the implementation of local policies unfavorable to businesses will cause a decrease in the demand for our products/services and will negatively affect borrowers’ ability to repay their loans on a timely basis, both of which will have a negative impact on our profitability and business.

The Company’s headquarters, borrowers and operations are located in Wuhan, China, the epicenter for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant negative impact on our ability to collect payments for loan principal and interest, cashflow, financial conditions and business operations.

Changes in the interest rates and spread could have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.

Our revenues and financial condition are heavily dependent on net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned from loans we provide and interest paid to the borrowings we obtained from various individuals and companies through securities exchanges. The narrowing interest rate spread could adversely affect our earnings and financial conditions. If we are not able to control our funding costs or adjust our lending interest rate in a timely manner, our interest margin will decline.

Our business is subject to greater credit risks than larger lenders, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

There are inherent risks associated with lending activities, including credit risk, which is the risk that borrowers may not repay the outstanding loans in our direct loan business. As a microfinance company, we extend credit to small and medium-sized enterprises, farmers and individuals. These borrowers generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and may have fewer financial resources to weather a downturn in the economy. Such borrowers may expose us to greater credit risks than lenders lending to larger, better-capitalized state-owned businesses with longer operating histories. Conditions such as inflation, economic downturn, local policy change, adjustment of industrial structure and other factors beyond our control may increase our credit risk more than such events would affect larger lenders.

In addition, approximately 100% of our revenue was generated from business operations in Wuhan City in 2023. Therefore, our ability to diversify our economic risks is limited by the local markets and economies. Also, decreases in local real estate value could adversely affect the value of the real property used as collateral in our direct loan business. Such adverse changes in the local economy may have a negative impact on the ability of borrowers to repay their loans and our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Although we developed new business line in 2023, we still lack product and business diversification. Accordingly, our future revenues and earnings are more susceptible to fluctuations than a more diversified company.

Historically, our primary business activities were offering direct loans to our customers prior to the suspension of our microfinance lending business. In 2023, we developed new business, including digital security technology services and real estate operation management, etc. If we are unable to maintain and grow the operating revenues from our business, our future revenues and earnings are not likely to grow and could decline. Our lack of product and business diversification could inhibit the opportunities for growth of our business, revenues and profits.

Competition in the microfinance industry is intense and could cause us to lose market share and revenues in the future.

We believe that the microfinance industry is an emerging market in China. According to the PBOC published statistics, as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, a total of 246, 238 and 221 microfinance lending companies were registered in Hubei Province and with the combined total registered and paid-up capital of RMB27.8 billion ($4.4 billion), RMB27.0 billion ($3.9 billion) and RMB24.1 billion ($3.4 billion) among these microfinance lending companies, respectively. The average registered and paid-up capital of these microfinance lending companies was RMB113.2 million ($17.8 million), RMB113.6 million ($16.5 million) and RMB114.4 million ($16.1 million), respectively, whereas our registered and paid-up capital was RMB450 million ($65.6 million). The average outstanding loan portfolio for these microfinance lending companies was RMB109.4 million ($17.2 million), RMB109.0 million ($15.8 million) and RMB105.5 million ($14.9 million), whereas our outstanding loan portfolio was RMB193.7 million ($27.2 million) as of December 31, 2023.

We face intense competition in the microfinance industry and we believe that the microfinance market is becoming more competitive as this industry matures and begins to consolidate. We currently compete with traditional financial institutions, other microfinance companies, and some cash-rich state-owned companies or individuals that lend to SMEs. Some of our competitors have larger and more established borrower bases and substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than us. As a result, we could lose market share and our revenues could decline, thereby affecting our earnings and potential for growth.

Our business depends on the continuing efforts of our management. If we lose their services, our business may be severely disrupted.

Our business operations depend on the continuing efforts of our management, particularly the executive officers named in this annual report. If one or more of our management were unable or unwilling to continue their employment with us, we might not be able to replace them in a timely manner, or at all. We may incur additional expenses to recruit and retain qualified replacements. Our business may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our management may join a competitor or form a competing company. We may not be able to successfully enforce any contractual rights we have with our management team, in particular in China, where all of these individuals reside and where our business is operated through our PRC subsidiaries, and Chutian through the VIE Agreements. As a result, our business may be negatively affected due to the loss of one or more members of our management.

We require highly qualified personnel and if we are unable to hire or retain qualified personnel, we may not be able to grow effectively.

Our future success also depends upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. Expansion of our business and our management will require additional managers and employees with industry experience, and our success will be highly dependent on our ability to attract and retain skilled management personnel and other employees. We may not be able to attract or retain highly qualified personnel. Competition for skilled personnel is significant in China. This competition may make it more difficult and expensive to attract, hire and retain qualified managers and employees.

Our controlling shareholder has substantial influence over us and its interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.

As of the date of this annual report, we have an aggregate of 11,266,180,123 issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares and 512,232,237 issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares. Mr. Wei, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owns an aggregate of 512,232,237 of our total issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares directly through Perfect Lead, and indirectly through Honest Plus and Hesperus Limited Investments Limited, which accounts for an aggregate of over 69% of our total voting power. Mr. Wei is (i) the sole director of Honest Plus and Perfect Lead, (ii) the sole shareholder of Perfect Lead, (iii) an indirect controlling shareholder of Honest Plus and (iv) has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote of Hesperus Investments. As such, Mr. Wei, directly through Perfect Lead, and indirectly through Honest Plus and Hesperus Investments, has substantial influence over our business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors, declaration of dividends and other significant corporate actions. As the controlling shareholder, he may take actions that are not in the best interests of our other shareholders. These actions may be taken in many cases even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. In addition, this concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control which could deprive you of an opportunity to receive a premium for your ADSs as part of a sale of the Company.

In addition, as a result of this concentration of control, we are deemed a “controlled company” for purposes of NYSE American LLC Company Guide and as such we are not subject to certain NYSE American LLC Company Guide corporate governance rules including the requirement that a majority of the board of directors be independent, the requirement applicable to the nomination process of directors and the requirements applicable to the determination or recommendation of executive compensation by a committee comprised of independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors. We have decided to be treated as a “controlled company,” even though the members of our compensation committee and our nominating and governance committee consists solely of independent directors, you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the NYSE American corporate governance requirements.

We may have difficulty in establishing adequate management and financial controls in China.

China has only recently begun to adopt the management and financial reporting concepts and practices that investors in the United States are familiar with. We may have difficulty in hiring and retaining employees in China who have the experience necessary to implement the kind of management and financial controls that are required of a United States public company. If we cannot establish such controls, or if we are unable to collect the financial data required for the preparation of our financial statements, or if we are unable to keep our books and accounts in accordance with IFRS for business, we may not be able to continue to file required reports with the SEC, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the performance of our ADSs.

We do not foresee paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, as a result, our investors’ sole source of gain will depend on capital appreciation, if any.

We do not plan to declare or pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future and currently intend to retain any future earnings for funding growth. As a result, investors should not rely on an investment in our securities if they require the investment to produce dividend income. Capital appreciation, if any, of our shares may be investors’ sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.

Our bank accounts are not insured or protected against loss.

We maintain our cash primarily with China Merchants Bank, which is one of the top six commercial banks in China according to the ranking by China Banking Association. Under Regulations on Deposit Insurance (Order No. 660 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China) that were effective on May 1, 2015:

However, our cash accounts are not insured or otherwise protected. Should any bank or trust company holding our cash deposits become insolvent, or if we are otherwise unable to withdraw funds, we could lose the cash on deposit with that particular bank or trust company.

If we grant employee stock options or other share-based compensation in the future, our net profit could be materially adversely affected.

Share-based compensation is important to attract and retain key personnel. We may adopt equity incentive plans in the future. Grants of share-based awards under such plans may lead to incurrence of share-based compensation expenses. We will account for compensation costs for all share-based awards using the fair value method and recognize the expenses in our consolidated statement of operations in accordance with the accounting guidance of share-based payment under IFRS, which may materially adversely affect our net profit. Moreover, the additional expenses associated with share-based compensation may reduce the attractiveness of our current and future equity incentive plans.

Transition of our operations to new products, services and technologies, including content categories, is inherently risky and may subject us to additional business, legal, financial and competitive risks.

We historically primarily engaged in the business of providing loan facilities to micro sized enterprises, SMEs, sole proprietors and individuals in Hubei province of the People’s Republic of China. Transition of our operations to and development of digital security technology services and real estate operation management  related business involves numerous risks and challenges, including potential new competition, increased capital requirements and increased marketing spent to achieve customer awareness of these new products and services.

Growth into additional content, product and service areas requires changes to our existing business model and cost structure and modifications to our infrastructure and may expose us to new regulatory and legal risks, any of which may require expertise in areas in which we have little or no experience. There is no guarantee that we will be able to generate sufficient revenue from sales of such products and services to offset the costs of developing, acquiring, managing and monetizing such products and services and our business may be adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

PRC laws and regulations governing our businesses and the validity of certain of the Company’s contractual arrangements are uncertain. If we are found to be in violation, we could be subject to sanctions. In addition, changes in PRC laws and regulations or changes in interpretations thereof may materially and adversely affect our business.  

Current PRC laws and regulations place certain restrictions and conditions on foreign ownership of certain areas of businesses. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we conduct our business activities through the VIE in China. Chutian Holding has entered into contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholders, and such contractual arrangements were designed to enable us to exercise control over, receive substantially all of the economic benefits of, and have an exclusive option to purchase a majority of the equity interest and assets in the VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. Because of these contractual arrangements, we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE in China for accounting purposes and hence consolidate their financial results with ours as our variable interest entities under IFRS.

However, Dunxin is a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the VIE. Investors in our ordinary shares or the ADSs thus are not purchasing equity interest in the VIE in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company. If the PRC government deems that the Company’s contractual arrangements with the VIE do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or we be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company in the Cayman Islands, the VIE, and investors of Dunxin face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the VIE and the Company as a whole.

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our and the VIE’s business, or the enforcement and performance of the Company’s contractual arrangements with the VIE, and their shareholders. These laws and regulations may be subject to change, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. Further, the VIE Agreements have not been tested in a court of law. Due to the uncertainty and complexity of the regulatory environment, we cannot assure you that we would always be in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the violation of which may have adverse effect on our and the VIE’s business and our reputation.

Although we believe we, our PRC subsidiary and the VIE are not in violation of current PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that the Company’s contractual arrangements comply with PRC licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future. If the PRC government determines that we or the VIE do not comply with applicable law, the competent PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations or failures, including, without limitation:

Any of these or similar occurrences could significantly disrupt the Company’s or the VIE’s business operations or restrict the VIE from conducting a substantial portion of its business operations, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s or the VIE’s business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of these occurrences results in our inability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from the VIE, we may not be able to consolidate the VIE in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS. In addition, our ADSs may decline in value or become worthless if we are unable to assert the Company’s contractual control rights over the assets of the VIE that conducts substantially all of our operations.

The controlling shareholders of the VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The controlling shareholders of the VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us. The controlling shareholders of the VIE may breach, or refuse to renew, the existing VIE Agreements we have with them, which may have a material and adverse effect on our ability to exert additional control over Chutian. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, the controlling shareholders of the VIE will act in the best interests of the Company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and the controlling shareholders of the VIE, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

Our ability to manage and operate Chutian under the VIE Agreements may not be effective.

We conduct our microfinance lending business in the PRC and generate virtually all of our revenues for our business through the VIE Agreements. Our plans for future growth are based substantially on growing the operations of Chutian. However, the VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing us with control over Chutian. Under the current VIE Agreements, if Chutian fails to perform its obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies under PRC law, which we cannot be sure would be effective. Therefore, if we are unable to effectively control Chutian, it may have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business objectives and grow our revenues.

The contractual arrangements may not be effective in providing us with control over the VIE, and we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit Dunxin’s ability, as a Cayman holding company, to enforce these contractual arrangements and doing so may be quite costly. There are also substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of our Cayman Islands holding company with respect to its contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. Further, the VIE Agreements have not been tested in a court of law. If we or the VIE are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. Accordingly, the enforceability of the various contracts described above by the Company against the VIE is dependent upon the Shareholders holding 80% equity interests of Chutian. If any of such shareholders fails to perform his obligations under the contractual arrangements, we could be unable to enforce the contractual arrangements that were designed to provide us effective control over the VIE. If this happens, we would need to deconsolidate the VIE. Substantially all of our assets, including the necessary licenses to conduct business in China are held by the VIE. Substantially all of our revenues are generated by the VIE. An event that results in the deconsolidation of the VIE would have a material effect on our operations and result in the value of the securities diminish substantially or even become worthless.

As the VIE Agreements are governed by PRC law, we would be required to rely on PRC law to enforce our rights and remedies under them; PRC law may not provide us with the same rights and remedies as are available in contractual disputes governed by the law of other jurisdictions.

The VIE Agreements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitral proceedings. If Chutian or its shareholders fail to perform the obligations under the VIE Agreements, we would be required to resort to legal remedies available under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, or claiming damages. We cannot be sure that such remedies would provide us with effective means of causing Chutian to meet its obligations, or recovering any losses or damages as a result of non-performance. Further, the legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions. Uncertainties in the application of various laws, rules, regulations or policies in the PRC legal system could limit our liability to enforce the VIE Agreements and protect our interests.

The payment arrangement under the VIE Agreements may be challenged by the PRC tax authorities.

We generate our revenues through the payments we receive pursuant to the VIE Agreements. We could face adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the VIE Agreements were not entered into based on arm’s length negotiations. For example, PRC tax authorities may adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes which could result in our being subject to higher tax liability, or cause other adverse financial consequences. According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, and Implementation Regulations for the Law of the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, in the case of a transfer pricing related adjustment, the statute of limitation is three years normally and ten years in special instances.

We rely on the approval certificates and business license held by Chutian for our microfinance lending business and any deterioration of the relationship between Chutian and us could materially and adversely affect our business operations.

We operate our microfinance lending business in the PRC on the basis of the approval certificates, business license and other requisite licenses held by Chutian. There is no assurance that Chutian will be able to renew its licenses or certificates when their terms expire with substantially similar terms as the ones it currently holds.

Further, our relationship with Chutian is governed by the VIE Agreements which is intended to provide us with effective control over the business operations of Chutian. However, the VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over the application for and maintenance of the licenses required for our business operations. Chutian could violate the VIE Agreements, go bankrupt, suffer from difficulties in its business or otherwise become unable to perform its obligations under the VIE Agreements and, as a result, our operations, reputations and business could be severely harmed.

If Chutian Holding exercises the purchase option it holds over Chutian’s share capital pursuant to the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, the payment of the purchase price could materially and adversely affect our financial position.

Under the Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, Chutian Holding has the option to purchase up to 80% of the equity interest in Chutian at a price based on the circumstances of the exercise of the option as determined by the relevant parties, provided that the acquisition will not violate any PRC laws or regulations in effect. As Chutian is already the Company’s contractually controlled affiliate, Chutian Holding’s exercising of the option would not bring immediate benefits to the Company, and payment of the purchase price could adversely affect our financial position.

Risks Related to our Ordinary Shares and ADSs

The trading prices of our ADSs are likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

The market price for our ADSs has fluctuated significantly since our ADSs became listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, on November 23, 2010, and listed on NYSE American as of December 28, 2017. The market price for our ADSs is likely to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors such as:

In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for companies with operations in China in particular, have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. In addition, any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or other matters of other Chinese companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards Chinese companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our ADSs will trade. We cannot assure you that these factors will not occur in the future.

If securities or industry analysts publish negative reports about our business, the price and trading volume of our ADSs could decline.

The trading market for our ADSs is influenced by the research reports and ratings that securities or industry analysts or ratings agencies publish about us, our business and the microfinancing lending market in China in general. We do not have any control over these analysts or agencies. If one or more of the analysts or agencies who cover us downgrades us or our securities, the price of our ADSs may decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of the Company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause the price of our ADSs or trading volume to decline.

Our ADSs would be subject to delisting from the NYSE American if we are unable to achieve and maintain compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards.

Under the NYSE American LLC Company Guide (the “Company Guide”), we are required to maintain a minimum continued listing standards on the NYSE American. If we are unable to maintain compliance with such Company Guide for continued listing, our ADSs would be subject to suspension and delisting. For example, failure to meet the continued listing requirement may exist if low selling price issues provided under the Company Guide occur. If we are unable to comply with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards, there may be a significant decline in the trading price, trading volume and liquidity of our ADSs. In addition, the suspension and delisting of our ADSs would lead to decreases in analyst coverage and market-making activity relating to our ADSs, as well as reduced information about trading prices and volume. As a result, it could become significantly more difficult for our ADSs holders to sell their ADSs at prices comparable to those in effect prior to delisting or at all.

Substantial future sales or perceived sales of our ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.

Sales of our ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline. As of April 29, 2024, we had 11,266,180,123 Class A ordinary shares and 512,232,237 Class B ordinary shares outstanding, including 2,238,197,680 Class A ordinary shares represented by 4,662,912 ADSs. All ADSs are freely transferable without restriction or additional registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. The remaining ordinary shares outstanding will be available for sale and, in the case of the ordinary shares that certain option holders will receive when they exercise their share options, until the later of (i) the first anniversary of the grant date, and (ii) the expiration of any relevant lock-up periods, subject to volume and other restrictions that may be applicable under Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our ADSs.

Our articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ADSs and ordinary shares.

Our currently effective articles of association is our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which limit the ability of third parties to acquire control of the Company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of the Company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of the Company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because Dunxin was incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

Dunxin is an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Dunxin’s corporate affairs are governed by its second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands (As Revised) (the “Companies Act”) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of Dunxin’s directors to it under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of Dunxin’s shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of Dunxin’s directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

There is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would:

There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.

As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

Dunxin is a Cayman Islands company and all of its assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of its current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, most of Dunxin’s directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the United States federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of the PRC may render you unable to enforce a judgment against Dunxin’s assets or the assets of its directors and officers.

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to vote your ordinary shares.

As a holder of our ADSs, you will only be able to exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you must vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying shares unless you withdraw the shares. Under our currently effective articles of association, the minimum notice period required for convening a general meeting is seven days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice to withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs to allow you to vote with respect to any specific matter. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

The depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, except in limited circumstances, which could adversely affect your interests.

Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings unless:

The effect of this discretionary proxy is that if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, you cannot prevent our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, except under the circumstances described above. This may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence the management of the Company. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.

You may not receive dividends or other distributions on our ordinary shares and you may not receive any value for them, if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to you.

The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying our ADSs, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary may also determine that it is not feasible to distribute certain property through the mail. Additionally, the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may determine not to distribute such property. We have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs. This means that you may not receive distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may cause a material decline in the value of our ADSs.

You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs represented by ADRs, are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of our ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings and you may not receive distributions with respect to the underlying ordinary shares if it is impractical to make them available to you.

We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not make rights available to you unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act or exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.

In addition, the depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property and you will not receive such distribution.

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. History and Development of the Company

We conduct our operations in China primarily through our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE. PRC laws and regulations restrict and impose conditions on foreign investment in microfinance lending businesses. Accordingly, we operate our microfinance lending business in China through the VIE. We have evaluated the guidance in IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities and consolidated the results of the VIE in our financial statements, for accounting purposes, based upon such contractual arrangements. Investors in our ordinary shares or ADSs are not purchasing equity interest in the VIE in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and investors may never directly hold equity interests in the VIE in China, Chutian.

Our holding company, Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited (formerly known as China Xiniya Fashion Limited), was incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted limited liability company on June 24, 2010. On December 28, 2017, we completed the Divestiture and Acquisition. In connection with the Divestiture, we divested our wholly-owned subsidiary, Xiniya Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong company, to Qiming Investment Limited, a British Virgin Islands company, in exchange for a purchase consideration of RMB228,000,000 (US$34,588,428). In connection with the Acquisition, we purchased all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of True Silver for a cash payment of RMB228,000,000 (US$34,588,428) and the issuance of 772,283,308 of our ordinary shares at RMB1.00 (US$0.15) per share, and True Silver became our wholly owned subsidiary. True Silver utilizes a VIE structure to operate and consolidate 80% of the financial results of Chutian.

As a result of the CIB Transaction, Honest Plus and Perfect Lead, the former shareholders of True Silver, became the shareholders of the Company. The CIB Transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition, wherein True Silver is considered the acquirer for accounting and financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, we changed our business from an apparel business to a microfinance lending business in Hubei Province, China. We currently operate our microfinance lending business through Chutian.

We historically were primarily engaged in the business of providing loan facilities to micro sized enterprises, SMEs, sole proprietors and individuals in Hubei province of the People’s Republic of China. We operate our microfinance lending business through the VIE, Chutian. Substantially all of our operations are conducted in the PRC through Chutian, which holds all the certificates, business license and other requisite licenses for the microfinance lending businesses.

We provided family-run businesses, farmers and individual borrowers with working capital and bridge financing support, primarily through means of short-term loans based upon their needs and qualifications. Due to the severe financial restraint, we suspended offering loans to our customers in the second half year of 2019 and we entered into business of digital security technology and real estate operation management and investment in 2023.

On May 13, 2024, we entered into certain share purchase agreement (the “Disposition SPA”) with True Silver, Chutian HK, and Jianneng Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands company which is not affiliate of the Company of any of its directors or officers (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the Disposition SPA, the Purchaser agreed to purchase Chutian HK in exchange for nominal cash consideration of US$1 (the “Purchase Price”). Upon the closing of the transaction (the “Disposition”) contemplated by the Disposition SPA, the Purchaser will become the sole shareholder of Chutian HK and as a result, assume all assets and liabilities of Chutian HK and subsidiaries owned or controlled by Chutian HK. The closing of the Disposition is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions including the payment of the Purchase Price, the receipt of a valuation report from an independent firm, and all consents required to be obtained from or made with any governmental authorities.

We currently operate in the real estate operation management and investment business in the PRC, focusing on key industries such as medical and health services, commercial real estate, and emerging consumer sectors. Our professional team manages, operates, and conducts mergers and acquisitions of entrusted or self-owned assets to enhance the profitability of our asset portfolio and achieve stable growth in cash flow.

Separately, we established the headquarters for and operate our digital security technology business in Hong Kong and operate a global digital security technology business. Our technical team will focus on cutting-edge areas such as digital asset security, intellectual property security, AI computing power, etc., to develop application-level security products with proprietary intellectual property rights. Through this initiative, we aim to expand comprehensive strategic partnerships with financial institutions and smart technology enterprises, building a competitive advantage in the fintech and digital security sectors.

The following is a brief description of each of Dunxin’s subsidiaries and the VIE:

The following is a brief description of the VIE Agreements entered into on August 10, 2017, among Chutian Holding, Chutian and certain shareholders of Chutian, through which we seek to control 80% equity interests of Chutian:

As of the date of this annual report, we, our PRC subsidiaries and the VIE have received from PRC and BVI authorities all requisite licenses, permissions or approvals needed to engage in the businesses currently conducted in China and BVI, and no permission or approval has been denied. The following table provides details of permissions held by our PRC subsidiary and the VIE.

As of the date of this annual report, our PRC counsel, Hubei Lifeng, has advised us that neither we nor our PRC subsidiaries (1) are required to obtain permission from any of the PRC authorities to operate and issue our Ordinary Shares to foreign investors, (2) are subject to approval requirements from the CSRC, the CAC, or any other entity to approve our operations, and (3) have been denied such permissions by any PRC authorities.

In recent years, however, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the “Opinions,” which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. These Opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-concept overseas-listed companies and the demand for cybersecurity and data privacy protection. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Trial Administrative Measures for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (“Announcement No. 43”), which will become effective on March 31, 2023. Under Announcement No. 43, we may be required to file with CSRC for this offering.

We do not believe we are required to obtain any permission from any PRC governmental authorities to offer securities to foreign investors. We have been closely monitoring regulatory developments in China regarding any necessary approvals from the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities required for overseas listings, including securities offerings that are conducted in the United States. As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to securities offerings that are conducted in the United States from the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities. However, recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the “Opinions,” which were made available to the public on July 6, 2021. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. These Opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal with the risks and incidents facing China-concept overseas-listed companies and the demand for cybersecurity and data privacy protection. On February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Trial Measures, which will become effective on March 31, 2023. Under the Trial Measures, we may be required to file with CSRC for future securities offering. If it is determined in the future that the approval of the CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China or any other regulatory authority is required for securities offerings that are conducted in the United States, we may face sanctions by the CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operations in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from securities offerings that are conducted in the United States into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our securities. The CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt securities offerings that are conducted in the United States before settlement and delivery of our ordinary shares. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC, the Cyberspace Administration of China or other regulatory PRC agencies later promulgate new rules requiring that we obtain their approvals for securities offerings that are conducted in the United States, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding such an approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our securities. See “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in China-The PRC government has increasingly strengthened oversight in offerings conducted overseas or on foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and could cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless.” on page 16 of this annual report.

Our ADSs were listed on the New York Stock Exchange on November 23, 2010 and transitioned to the NYSE American on December 28, 2017. Our current ratio of our ADS to Class A ordinary shares is 1:480. Our ADSs were traded under the symbol “XNY” from November 23, 2010 to March 4, 2018, and on March 5, 2018, our ADSs began trading under the symbol “DXF.”

The following diagram illustrates our current corporate structure:

The contractual arrangements may not be effective in providing us with control over the VIE, and we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit Dunxin’s ability, as a Cayman holding company, to enforce these contractual arrangements and doing so may be quite costly. There are also substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of our Cayman Islands holding company with respect to its contractual arrangements with the VIE and its shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. Further, the VIE Agreements have not been tested in a court of law. If we or the VIE are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. Accordingly, the enforceability of the various contracts described above by the Company against the VIE is dependent upon the Shareholders holding 80% equity interests of Chutian. If any of such shareholders fails to perform his obligations under the contractual arrangements, we could be unable to enforce the contractual arrangements that were designed to provide us effective control over the VIE. If this happens, we would need to deconsolidate the VIE. Substantially all of our assets, including the necessary licenses to conduct business in China are held by the VIE. Substantially all of our revenues are generated by the VIE. An event that results in the deconsolidation of the VIE would have a material effect on our operations and result in the value of the securities diminish substantially or even become worthless. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, please refer to risks disclosed under “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure” on page 8 of this annual report.

VIE Financial Information

Set forth below is selected Consolidated Statements of Operations and cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, and selected balance sheet information as of December 31, 2022 and 2023 showing financial information for Dunxin, non-VIE subsidiaries and the VIE, eliminating entries and consolidated information (RMB in thousands). In the tables below, the column headings correspond to the following entities in the organizational diagram.

Consolidated Statements of Operations Information