Summary of Risk Factors
The following summary description
sets forth an overview of the material risks we are exposed to in the normal course of our business activities. The summary does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full risk factor discussion immediately following this summary
description. We encourage you to read the full risk factor discussion carefully. Our business, results of operations and financial condition
could be materially and adversely affected by any of the following material risks:
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We are a Cayman Islands
holding company with no equity ownership in our VIEs and we conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and
(ii) our VIEs with which we have maintained contractual arrangements. |
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We rely on contractual
arrangements with our VIEs and its shareholders to exercise control over our business, which may not be as effective as direct ownership
in providing operational control. |
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Uncertainties exist with
respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability
of our current structure, our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
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Our contractual arrangements
are governed by PRC law. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and any disputes would be
resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures, which may not protect you as much as those of other jurisdictions, such as the
United States. |
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In the event we are unable
to enforce the contractual arrangements with VIEs, we may not be able to exert effective control over the VIEs. If the government
of the PRC finds that VIE Agreements do not comply with PRC laws, we could be subject to significant penalties or be forced to relinquish
our interests in those operations or we could be unable to assert our contractual control rights over the VIEs. |
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The PRC government has
significant authority to regulate or intervene in the China operations of an offshore holding company, such as us, at any time. Therefore,
investors in our securities and our business face potential uncertainty from the PRC government’s policy. |
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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 the Company may be able to conduct in the PRC and accordingly on the results of its operations
and financial condition. |
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There are uncertainties
under the PRC laws relating to the procedures and time requirement for the U.S. regulators to bring about investigations and evidence
collection within the territory of the PRC. |
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The failure to comply with
PRC regulations relating to mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by offshore special purpose vehicles may subject the
Company to severe fines or penalties and create other regulatory uncertainties regarding the Company’s corporate structure. |
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The Holding Foreign Companies
Accountable Act, recent regulatory actions taken by the SEC and PCAOB, and proposed rule changes submitted by U.S. stock exchanges
calling for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to China-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital
raising activities and compliance costs. |
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Cyber-attacks, computer
viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or other unauthorized access to our or our business partners’ computer systems could
result in misuse of confidential information and misappropriation of funds of our borrowers and investors, subject us to liabilities,
cause reputational harm and adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. |
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Our reliance on major customers
and any loss of our major customers or changes in their demands for our services would likely have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospect. |
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We have incurred a net
loss for fiscal 2021 and may incur additional losses in the future. |
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We generate a significant
portion of our revenue from transportation services of slack coal in Xinjiang. Our reliance on such services subjects us to risks
resulting from any decline in the business performance of our customers in the slack coal industry and adverse events in the slack
coal industry or in the Xinjiang region in general. |
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Our cash flow position
may deteriorate owing to the difference in timing between receipt of payments from our customers and payments to our suppliers and
subcontractors if we are unable to such timing difference and its impact on our cash flow properly. |
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We rely on subcontractors
to handle a proportion of our trucking services. Any delay or failure in their services would adversely affect our operations and
financial results. |
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Difficulty in obtaining
material, equipment, goods and services from our vendors and suppliers could adversely affect our business. |
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The trucking service market
in the PRC is highly competitive and fragmented, which subjects us to competitive pressures pertaining to pricing, capacity and service. |
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The trucking service market
is affected by economic and business risks that are largely beyond our control. |
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We are, to a certain extent,
dependent on the consumer and retail market in the PRC. |
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We may not be able to implement
all or any of our business plans successfully. |
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Our business operations
have been and may continue to be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). |
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Our results of operations
may fluctuate significantly and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business. |
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We may need additional
capital, and financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. |
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We will be subject to changing
laws, rules and regulations in the U.S. regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that will increase
both our costs and the risks associated with non-compliance. |
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Any lack of requisite approvals,
licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results
of operations. |
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We have identified material
weaknesses in our internal accounting controls, and if we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls
or fail to remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that have been identified, we may be
unable to accurately report our results of operations or prevent fraud or fail to meet our reporting obligations, and customer confidence
and the market price of our ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected. |
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
We are a Cayman Islands holding company
with no equity ownership in our VIEs and we conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) our VIEs with which
we have maintained contractual arrangements.
We are a Cayman Islands holding
company with no equity ownership in the VIEs and we conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) the VIEs
and their subsidiaries with which we have maintained contractual arrangements. Investors of our ordinary shares or the ADSs thus are
not purchasing equity interest in the VIEs and their subsidiaries in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands
holding company. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the VIEs 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 in the
future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company in
the Cayman Islands, the VIEs, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that
could affect the validity and enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and, consequently, significantly affect the
financial performance of the VIEs and our company as a group.
We rely on contractual arrangements with
our VIE and its shareholders to exercise control over our business, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational
control.
We have relied and expect
to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with VIEs, and their shareholders, to operate a portion of our business in China. These
contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over the VIE. For example, the VIE
and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations
in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of the VIE, we would
be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of the VIE, which in turn could implement
changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual
arrangements, we rely on the performance by the VIE and its shareholders of their respective obligations under the contracts to exercise
control over the VIE. The shareholders of the VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations
under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portion of our business through the
contractual arrangements with the VIE. If any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights
under these contracts through arbitration, litigation or other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the
PRC legal system. Therefore, our contractual arrangements with the VIE may not be as effective in controlling our business operations
as direct ownership.
Uncertainties exist with respect to the
interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current structure,
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Pursuant to the Regulations
for the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises (the “FITE Regulations”) promulgated by the State
Council, unless otherwise provided by the state, foreign investors are not allowed to hold more than 50% of the equity interests of any
company providing value-added telecommunications services, or VATS, including Internet Content Provider (“ICP”) services.
In addition, foreign-invested telecommunication enterprises should meet the requirements as prescribed in the relevant regulations. We
have to conduct our VATS business through the VIEs.
On March 15, 2019, the
Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC passed the Foreign Investment Law of the People’s Republic
of China, or the Foreign Investment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced three existing laws regulating foreign
investment in China, namely, the PRC Equity Joint Venture Law, the PRC Cooperative Joint Venture Law and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise
Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. Among other things, the Foreign Investment Law defines the “foreign
investment” as the investment activities in China conducted by foreign individuals, enterprises and other organizations, or collectively,
the Foreign Investors, in a direct or indirectly manner, including any of the following circumstances: (1) the foreign investor
establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within the territory of China, independently or jointly with any other investor; (2) the
foreign investor acquires shares, equities, property shares or any other similar rights and interests of an enterprise within the territory
of China; (3) the foreign investor makes investment to initiate a new project within the territory of China, independently or jointly
with any other investor; and (4) the foreign investor makes investment in any other way stipulated by laws, administrative regulations
or provisions of the State Council. 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”. PRC governmental
authorities will administrate foreign investment by applying the principal of pre-entry national treatment together with a
“negative list,” or the Negative List, which shall be promulgated by or promulgated with approval by the State Counsel, to
be specific, Foreign Investors are prohibited from making any investments in the fields which are catalogued into prohibited industries
for foreign investment based on the Negative List, while Foreign Investors are allowed to make investments in the restricted industries
provided that all the requirements and conditions as set forth in the Negative List have been satisfied; when Foreign Investors make
investments in the fields other than those included in the Negative List, the national treatment principle shall apply. Besides, certain
approval and/or filing requirements shall be fulfilled in accordance with applicable foreign investment laws and regulations.
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 consequently affecting our ability to prepare for and seek approval and commercialization
of our product candidates both in China and elsewhere.
Contractual arrangements in relation to
the VIEs may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or the VIEs owes additional taxes, which
could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.
Under applicable PRC laws
and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities.
The Enterprise Income Tax Law requires every enterprise in China to submit its annual enterprise income tax return together with a report
on transactions with its related parties to the relevant tax authorities. The tax authorities may impose reasonable adjustments on taxation
if they have identified any related party transactions that are inconsistent with arm’s length principles. We may face material
and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine the contractual arrangements among the VIEs and its shareholders were
not entered into on an arm’s length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC
laws, rules and regulations, and adjust the income of the VIEs in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment
could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by the VIEs for PRC tax purposes, which could increase
our tax expenses. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on the VIEs for the adjusted
but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if the VIEs’
tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.
We may lose the ability to use and enjoy
assets held by the VIEs that are important to our business if the VIEs declare bankruptcy or become subject to a dissolution or liquidation
proceeding.
As part of our contractual
arrangements with the VIEs, the VIEs hold certain assets that are material to the operation of certain portion of our business, including
permits, domain names and certain of our intellectual property rights. If the VIEs are declared bankrupt and all or part of their assets
become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which
could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Under the contractual arrangements,
the VIEs may not, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of its assets or legal or beneficial interests in the business without
our prior consent. If our consolidated affiliated entity undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, the independent
third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If the chops of our PRC subsidiaries or
VIEs are not kept safely, are stolen or are used by unauthorized persons or for unauthorized purposes, the corporate governance of these
entities could be severely and adversely compromised.
In China, a company chop
or seal serves as the legal representation of the company towards third parties even when unaccompanied by a signature. Each legally
registered company in China is required to maintain a company chop, which must be registered with the local Public Security Bureau. In
addition to this mandatory company chop, companies may have several other chops which can be used for specific purposes. The chops of
our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are generally held securely by personnel designated or approved by us in accordance with our internal control
procedures. To the extent those chops are not kept safely, are stolen or are used by unauthorized persons or for unauthorized purposes,
the corporate governance of these entities could be severely and adversely compromised and those corporate entities may be bound to abide
by the terms of any documents so chopped, even if they were chopped by an individual who lacked the requisite power and authority to
do so. In addition, if the chops are misused by unauthorized persons, we could experience disruption to our normal business operations.
We may have to take corporate or legal action, which could involve significant time and resources to resolve while distracting management
from our operations.
Our contractual arrangements are governed
by PRC law. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law, and any disputes would be resolved in accordance
with PRC legal procedures, which may not protect you as much as those of other jurisdictions, such as the United States.
All the agreements under
our contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their equity owners are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes
through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be
resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such
as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements.
Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a VIE should
be interpreted or enforced under PRC law, and our contractual arrangements have not been tested in court. There remain significant uncertainties
regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators
are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards
within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award
recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements,
or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to
exert effective control over the VIEs, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.
If the PRC government
deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to CheYi Network, Zhisheng and Xinjiang Feipeng, our consolidated variable interest
entities, 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 in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our
interests in those operations. Accordingly, the securities we are registering may decline in value or become worthless if the determinations,
changes, or interpretations result in our inability to assert contractual control over the assets of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs
that conduct all or substantially all of our operations.
We
are a holding company incorporated as an exempted company under the laws of Cayman Islands. As a holding company with no material operations
of our own, we conduct all of our operations through our subsidiaries and our VIEs in PRC. We receive the economic benefits of our VIE’s
business operations through certain contractual arrangements. Our ordinary share offered in this offering are shares of our offshore
holding company instead of shares of our VIEs in China.
We
rely on and expect to continue to rely on our wholly owned PRC subsidiaries’ contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their shareholders
to operate a portion of our business. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control over the VIEs
as ownership of controlling equity interests would be in providing us with control over, or enabling us to derive economic benefits from
the operations of the VIEs. Under the current contractual arrangements, as a legal matter, if any of the VIEs or any of their shareholders
executing the VIE Agreements fails to perform its, his or her respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have
to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and rely on legal remedies available under PRC laws, including
seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective. For example, if
shareholders of a variable interest entity were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in such variable interest entity to us or
our designated persons when we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, we may have to take a legal action
to compel them to fulfill their contractual obligations.
If
(i) the applicable PRC authorities invalidate these contractual arrangements for violation of PRC laws, rules and regulations, (ii) any
variable interest entity or its shareholders terminate the contractual arrangements (iii) any variable interest entity or its shareholders
fail to perform its/his/her obligations under these contractual arrangements, or (iv) if these regulations change or are interpreted
differently in the future, our business operations in China would be materially and adversely affected, and the value of your securities
would substantially decrease or even become worthless. Further, if we fail to renew these contractual arrangements upon their expiration,
we would not be able to continue our business operations unless the then current PRC law allows us to directly operate businesses in
China.
In
addition, if any variable interest entity or all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we
may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations. If any of the variable interest entities undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding,
its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to
operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business and our ability to generate revenues.
All
of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC.
The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties
in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these
contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our operating entities and we may be precluded from operating
our business, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
These
contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our VIEs. For example, our VIEs
and their shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations
in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of our VIEs, we would
be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of our VIEs, which in turn could implement
changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual
arrangements, we rely on the performance by our VIEs and their shareholders of their obligations under the contracts to exercise control
over our VIEs. The shareholders of our consolidated VIEs may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations
under these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portions of our business through
the contractual arrangements with our VIEs.
If
our VIEs or their shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur
substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. For example, if the shareholders of our VIEs refuse to
transfer their equity interest in our VIEs to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements,
or if they otherwise act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations.
In addition, if any third parties claim any interest in such shareholders’ equity interests in our VIEs, our ability to exercise
shareholders’ rights or foreclose the share pledge according to the contractual arrangements may be impaired. If these or other
disputes between the shareholders of our VIEs and third parties were to impair our control over our VIEs, our ability to consolidate
the financial results of our VIEs would be affected, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect on our business, operations
and financial condition.
As
the Contractual Arrangements that establish the structure for operating our and the VIEs’ business in the PRC have not been tested
in any of the PRC courts, if the Contractual Arrangements are found to be in violation of any existing or any PRC laws or regulations
in the future, or the PRC government finds that we, or any of the VIEs fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals,
the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, including the MIIT, MOFCOM and STA, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations,
including:
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revoking the business license and/or operating licenses of our WFOE or
our VIE; |
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discontinuing or placing restrictions or onerous conditions on our
operations through any transactions among our WFOE, our VIE and its subsidiaries; |
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imposing fines, confiscating the income from our WFOE, our VIE or its
subsidiaries, or imposing other requirements with which we or our VIE may not be able to comply; |
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placing restrictions on our right to collect revenues; |
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shutting down our servers or blocking our app/websites; |
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requiring us to restructure our ownership structure or operations,
including terminating the contractual arrangements with our VIE and deregistering the equity pledges of our VIE, which in turn would
affect our ability to consolidate, derive economic interests from, or exert effective control over our VIE; |
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restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds of this offering
to finance our business and operations in China; or |
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taking other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business. |
The
imposition of any of these penalties would result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. In addition,
it is unclear what impact the PRC government actions would have on us and on our ability to consolidate the financial results of our
VIE in our consolidated financial statements, if the PRC government authorities were to find our corporate structure and contractual
arrangements to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations. If the imposition of any of these government actions causes us to lose our
right to direct the activities of our VIE or our right to receive substantially all the economic benefits and residual returns from our
VIE and we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a satisfactory manner, we would no longer be able to
consolidate the financial results of our VIE in our consolidated financial statements. Either of these results, or any other significant
penalties that might be imposed on us in this event, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
As a result, it could cause our common stock to decline in value or become worthless.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
The PRC government has significant authority
to regulate or intervene in the China operations of an offshore holding company, such as us, at any time. Therefore, investors in our
ordinary shares and our business face potential uncertainty from the PRC government’s policy.
We conduct our operations
in China through our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. 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 ordinary
shares. The Chinese government may intervene or influence the operation of our operating entities and exercise significant oversight
and discretion over the conduct of their business and may intervene in or influence their operations at any time or may exert more control
over offerings conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in operations
and/or the value of our shares. Further, any actions by the Chinese government to exert more oversight and control over offerings that
are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to
offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
On February 17, 2023, the
China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) issued the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering
and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Administrative Measures”) and relevant supporting guidelines (together with
the Trial Administrative Measures, the “New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings”), which came into effective
on March 31, 2023. According to the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, a company based in the mainland of China that
seeks to offer and list securities in overseas markets should fulfill the filing procedure with the CSRC as per requirement of the Trial
Administrative Measures. In particular, where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in overseas markets, the
issuer should designate a major domestic operating entity as the domestic responsible entity to file with the CSRC. Initial public offerings
or listings in overseas markets should be filed with the CSRC within 3 working days after the relevant application is submitted overseas.
Subsequent securities offerings of an issuer in the same overseas market where it has previously offered and listed securities should
be filed with the CSRC within 3 working days after the offering is completed. The required filing materials with the CSRC include (without
limitation) record-filing reports and related undertakings and PRC legal opinions issued by domestic law firms (with related undertakings),
in which the VIE structure (if applicable) and reasons and risk factor thereof is required to be clarified in details. In addition, under
the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, a domestic company is prohibited from overseas offering and listing if any
of the following circumstances is involved: (1) where such securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in
laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules; (2) where the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national
security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) where the domestic company
intending to make the securities offering and listing, or its controlling shareholders and the actual controller, have committed crimes
such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy during
the latest three years; (4) where the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing is suspected of committing
crimes or major violations of laws and regulations, and is under investigation according to law, and no conclusion has yet been made
thereof; and (5) where there are material ownership disputes over equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder
or by other shareholders that are controlled by the controlling shareholder and/or actual controller. Moreover, a domestic company that
seeks to offer and list securities in overseas markets should abide by certain other regulatory requirements as set out in the New Administrative
Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, including without limitation to, compliance with national secrecy, foreign investment, cybersecurity,
data security, cross-border investment and financing, foreign exchange, and other laws and relevant provisions. Based on the New Administrative
Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, we are subject to additional filing requirements in connection with this offering and our follow-up
offerings completed after such effective date, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to get the clearance of filing procedures
under the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings on a timely basis, or at all. Any failure of us to fully comply with new
regulatory requirements will result in rectification, warnings and fines on our subsidiaries or VIEs, and may significantly limit or
completely hinder our ability to continue to offer our securities, cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely
damage our reputation, which would materially and adversely affect our consolidated financial condition and results of operations and
cause our securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.
Furthermore, the Ministry of
Commerce (“MOFCOM”) and the National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”) promulgated the Special Administrative
Measures for Access of Foreign Investment (2021 Edition), or the Negative List (2021), stipulates that if a domestic enterprise engaged
in business in the prohibited investment field issues shares abroad and is listed for trading, it shall be examined and approved by the
relevant competent authorities of the state. According to a press release issued by the NDRC in relation to the Negative List (2021),
the above provisions are only applicable to the direct overseas listing of domestic enterprises engaged in the prohibited investment
field. We believe our listing on Nasdaq does not constitute a direct overseas listing of domestic enterprises mentioned in the above
press release and therefore we are not subject to the examination and approval by the relevant competent authorities of the state in
accordance with the Negative List (2021). However, the above regulations and Trial Administrative Measures also indicate the intention
of the Chinese government to increase its regulation of offshore investment in company’s utilizing the VIE structure to participate
in the prohibited investment fields. If relevant governmental authority determines or new future rules provides that we are required
to obtain the approval, we would have to apply for such approval. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain such approval
in time or at all. If we fail to obtain the approve as required or in a timely manner, the VIE arrangement may be deemed illegal and
ordered to be cancelled by relevant government authorities, and other administrative measures or penalties may be imposed on us, which
could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our shares. Any failure
of us to fully comply with new regulatory requirements may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue
to offer our shares, cause significant disruption to our business operations, severely damage our reputation, materially and adversely
affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause our shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless.
The new, stricter regulations
or interpretations of existing regulations imposed by the central or local governments may require additional expenditures and efforts
on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations, and if relevant regulations are issued and become effective
in a short notice, we may not be able to take the required actions in a timely manner without allocating significant resource.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies
of most developed countries in many respects, including a higher level of government involvement, the ongoing development of a market-oriented
economy, a higher level of control over foreign exchange, and a less efficient allocation of resources.
While the PRC economy has
experienced significant growth since the late 1970s, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy.
The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. These measures
are intended to benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our business, financial condition
and results of operations could be adversely affected by PRC government control over capital investments or changes in regulations that
are applicable to us. The PRC economy has been transitioning from a centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although
the PRC government has implemented measures since the late 1970s that emphasize the utilization of market forces for economic reform,
the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government
also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign
currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
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 the Company may be able to conduct in the PRC and accordingly on the results of its operations and financial condition.
The Company’s 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 the Company must conduct its business activities. The Company’s 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 certain uncertainties
regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing
the Company’s business, or the enforcement and performance of the Company’s arrangements with clients. 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 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 the Company’s business. Consequently,
we cannot predict 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.
There are uncertainties under the PRC laws
relating to the procedures and time requirement for the U.S. regulators to bring about investigations and evidence collection within
the territory of the PRC.
On December 28, 2019, the newly
amended Securities Law of the PRC (the “PRC Securities Law”) was officially promulgated, which became effective on March
1, 2020. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law (“Article 177”), the securities regulatory authority of the State
Council may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement
cross-border supervision and administration. Article 177 further provides that overseas securities regulatory authorities may not carry
out investigations and evidence collection directly within the territory of the PRC, and that no Chinese entity or individual is allowed
to provide any documents or materials related to securities business activities to overseas agencies without prior consent of the securities
regulatory authority of the State Council and the competent departments of the State Council. Moreover, the Civil Procedure Law of the
PRC, promulgated in 1991 and last amended in 2021, provides that except for the request for and provision of judicial assistance in accordance
with international treaties concluded or participated by the PRC, or via diplomatic channels, no foreign agency or individual may, without
the consent of the competent authorities of the PRC, carry out investigation or collect evidence within the territory of the PRC. Article
26 of the Trial Administrative Measures (the “Article 26”), which was issued by the CSRC on February 17, 2023 and came into
effective on March 31, 2023, set out that where an overseas securities regulatory agency intends to carry out investigation and evidence
collection regarding overseas offering and listing activities by a domestic company, and request assistance of the CSRC under relevant
cross-border securities regulatory cooperation mechanisms, the CSRC may provide necessary assistance in accordance with law. Any domestic
entity or individual providing documents and materials requested by an overseas securities regulatory agency out of investigative or
evidence collection purposes shall not provide such information without prior approval from the CSRC and competent authorities under
the State Council. Furthermore, Article 11 of the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration in Respect
of Overseas Issuance and Listing of Securities by Domestic Enterprises (the “Article 11”), which was jointly issued by the
CSRC, the Ministry of Finance, the State Secrecy Administration and the State Archives Bureau on February 24, 2023 and came into effective
on March 31, 2023, specifies that, (a) where the overseas securities regulator and the relevant competent authorities request to conduct
inspection or investigation to collect evidence from a domestic enterprise and the domestic securities companies and securities service
agencies providing corresponding services regarding the overseas offering and listing activities of the domestic enterprise, the inspection
or investigation shall be carried out under the cross-border regulatory cooperation mechanism, and the CSRC or the relevant authorities
shall provide the requisite assistance pursuant to the bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanism, and (b) relevant domestic enterprise,
securities companies and securities service agencies shall obtain the consent of the CSRC or the relevant administrative authorities
prior to cooperating in the inspection or investigation carried out by the overseas securities regulator or relevant administrative authorities
or providing documents and materials for cooperating in the inspection or investigation.
It is our understanding that
(i) the Article 177, the Article 26 and the Article 11 are applicable in the circumstances related to direct investigation or evidence
collection conducted by overseas authorities within the territory of the PRC (in such case, the foregoing activities are required to
be conducted through collaboration with or by obtaining prior consent of competent PRC authorities) and (ii) as of the date of this prospectus,
we are not aware of any implementing rules or regulations which have been published regarding application of the Article 177, the Article
26 and the Article 11.
Our principal business operation
is conducted in the PRC. In the event that the U.S. regulators carry out investigation on us and there is a need to conduct investigation
or collect evidence within the territory of the PRC, the U.S. regulators may not be able to carry out the investigation or evidence collection
directly in the PRC under the PRC laws. The U.S. regulators may consider cross-border cooperation with securities regulatory authority
of the PRC by way of judicial assistance, diplomatic channels or regulatory cooperation mechanism established with the securities regulatory
authority of the PRC. However, there is no assurance that the U.S. regulators could succeed in establishing such cross-border cooperation
in a specific case or could establish the cooperation in a timely manner.
Furthermore, as the Article 177,
the Article 26 and the Article 11 are relatively new and there is no implementing rules or regulations which have been published regarding
application of the Article 177, the Article 26 and the Article 11, it remains unclear how the law will be interpreted, implemented or
applied by the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission or other relevant government authorities. As such, there are uncertainties as
to the procedures and time requirement for the U.S. regulators to bring about investigations and evidence collection within the territory
of the PRC. If U.S. regulators are unable to conduct such investigations, such U.S. regulators may determine to suspend and ultimately
delist our ordinary shares from the Nasdaq Capital Market or choose to suspend or de-register our SEC registration.
If any of our subsidiaries fails to maintain
the requisite registered capital, licenses and approvals required under PRC law, our business, financial condition and results of operations
may be materially and adversely affected.
Numerous regulatory authorities
of the central PRC government, provincial and local authorities are empowered to issue and implement regulations governing various aspects
of the financial industry. Each of our subsidiaries may be required to obtain and maintain certain assets relevant to its business as
well as applicable licenses or approvals from different regulatory authorities in order to provide its current services. These registered
capitals, licenses and approvals will be essential to the operation of the Company’s business. If any of our subsidiaries fails
to obtain or maintain any of the required registered capital, licenses or approvals for its business, it may be subject to various penalties,
such as confiscation of illegal net revenue, fines and the discontinuation or restriction of its operations. Any such disruption in its
business operations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The failure to comply with PRC regulations
relating to mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by offshore special purpose vehicles may subject the Company to severe fines
or penalties and create other regulatory uncertainties regarding the Company’s corporate structure.
On August 8, 2006, the MOFCOM,
joined by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission
of the State Council, the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”), the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (the
“SAIC”), and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), jointly promulgated regulations entitled
the Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), which
took effect as of September 8, 2006, and as amended on June 22, 2009. This regulation, among other things, has certain provisions that
require offshore companies formed for the purpose of acquiring PRC domestic companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC individuals
and companies which are the related parties with the PRC domestic companies, to obtain the approval of MOFCOM prior to engaging in such
acquisitions and to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing special purpose vehicles’ securities on an overseas
stock market. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website a notice specifying the documents and materials that
are required to be submitted for obtaining CSRC approval.
If prior CSRC approval for
overseas financings is required and not obtained, the Company may face severe regulatory actions or other sanctions from MOFCOM, the
CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. In such event, these regulatory agencies may impose fines or other penalties on the Company’s
operations in the PRC, limit the Company’s operating privileges in the PRC, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds
from overseas financings into the PRC, restrict or prohibit payment or remittance of dividends to us or take other actions that could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the
trading price of our ordinary shares. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable
for us, to delay or cancel overseas financings, to restructure the Company’s corporate structure, or to seek regulatory approvals
that may be difficult or costly to obtain.
The M&A Rules, along
with certain foreign exchange regulations discussed below, will be interpreted or implemented by the relevant government authorities
in connection with our future offshore financings or acquisitions, and we cannot predict how they will affect our acquisition strategy.
The M&A Rules and certain other PRC
regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult
for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
The M&A Rules and relevant
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. The M&A Rules require that 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 an 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. The approval from MOFCOM shall be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled
by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies.
The Anti-Monopoly Law promulgated
by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or NPC, which became effective in August 2008 and was amended on June
24, 2022, requires that when a concentration of undertakings occurs and reaches statutory thresholds, the undertakings concerned shall,
or, although the threshold is not reached, when evidence proves the concentration has or may have effect of eliminating or restricting
competition, may be required to, file a prior notification with the anti-monopoly enforcement agency of the State Council. Without the
clearance from such agency, no concentration of undertakings shall be implemented and effected. Mergers, acquisitions or contractual
arrangements 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 the anti-monopoly enforcement agency of the State Council, 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 and amended
in September 2018 is triggered. If such prior notification is not obtained, the anti-monopoly enforcement agency may order the concentration
to cease its operations, dispose of shares or assets, transfer the business of the concentration within a time limit, take any other
necessary measures to restore the situation as it was before the concentration, and may impose administrative fines. We also have not
implemented monopolistic behaviors including monopoly agreements, abuse of a dominant position and concentration of undertakings that
may have the effect to eliminate or restrict competition in the field of platform economy. However, since we anticipate that long term
success in China’s market will require consolidation of the many small participants in that market, and our goal is to be one of
the survivors of that consolidation, when it happens. Aggressive enforcement of new anti-monopoly regulations could interfere with our
ability to achieve that goal. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not been involved in any investigations on anti-monopoly initiated
by the related governmental regulatory authorities, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanction in such respect.
In addition, the Implementing
Rules Concerning Security Review on the Mergers and Acquisitions by Foreign Investors of Domestic Enterprises, issued by the MOFCOM in
August 2011, specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors involved in “an industry related to national security”
are subject to strict review by the MOFCOM, and prohibit any activities attempting to bypass such 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. Complying with the requirements of the abovementioned 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.
We cannot preclude the possibility
that the MOFCOM or other government agencies may publish explanations contrary to our understanding or broaden the scope of such security
reviews in the future, 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. Our ability to expand our business or maintain or expand
our market share through future acquisitions would as such be materially and adversely affected.
You may experience difficulties in effecting
service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions against us or our management, in China, based upon
United States laws, including the U.S. federal securities laws, or other foreign laws.
We are a company organized
under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China, and substantially all of our assets
are located in China. None of our subsidiaries is organized under the laws of the United States. All of our directors and officers reside
in China, and substantially all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult
for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce judgments against us which
are obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the
United States or any state in the United States. Furthermore, 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 form of reciprocity with the United States providing for the reciprocal recognition
and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign
judgment against us or our directors or officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws, 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. Lastly, in the event shareholders originate an action against a company without domicile in
China for disputes related to contracts or other property interests, the PRC courts may accept a cause of action if (a) the disputed
contract is concluded or performed in the PRC or the disputed subject matter is located in the PRC, (b) the company (as defendant) has
properties that can be seized within the PRC, (c) the company has a representative organization within the PRC, or (d) the parties chose
to submit to the jurisdiction of the PRC courts in the contract on the condition that such submission does not violate the requirements
of jurisdiction under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. The action may be initiated by the shareholder by filing a complaint with the PRC
courts. The PRC courts would determine whether to accept the complaint in accordance with the PRC Civil Procedures Law. The shareholder
may participate in the action by itself or entrust any other person or PRC legal counsel to participate on behalf of such shareholder.
Foreign citizens and companies will have the same rights as PRC citizens and companies in such an action unless such foreign country
restricts the rights of PRC citizens and companies.
We and our shareholders face uncertainties
with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.
On February 3, 2015, the
State Administration of Taxation issued an Announcement on Several Issues Concerning Enterprise Income Tax on Income Arising from Indirect
Transfers of Property by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or Announcement 7, with the same effective date. Under Announcement 7, an “indirect
transfer” refers to a transaction where a non-resident enterprise transfers its equity interest and other similar interest in an
offshore holding company, which directly or indirectly holds Chinese taxable assets (the assets of an “establishment or place”
situated in China; real property situated in China and equity interest in Chinese resident enterprises) and any indirect transfer without
reasonable commercial purposes are subject to the PRC taxation. In addition, Announcement 7 specifies the conditions under which an indirect
transfer is deemed to lack a reasonable commercial purpose which include: (1) 75% or more of the value of the offshore holding company’s
equity is derived from Chinese taxable assets, (2) anytime in the year prior to the occurrence of the indirect transfer of Chinese
taxable assets, 90% or more of the total assets (excluding cash) of the offshore holding company are direct or indirect investment in
China, or 90% or more of the revenue of the offshore holding company was sourced from China; (3) the functions performed and risks assumed
by the offshore holding company(ies), although incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction to conform to the corporate law requirements
there, are insufficient to substantiate their corporate existence and (4) the foreign income tax payable in respect of the indirect transfer
is lower than the Chinese tax which would otherwise be payable in respect of the direct transfer if such transfer were treated as a direct
transfer. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, currently at a rate of
10%.
Announcement 7 grants a safe
harbor under certain qualifying circumstances, including transfers in the public securities market and certain intragroup restricting
transactions, however, there is uncertainty as to the implementation of Announcement 7. For example, Announcement 7 requires the buyer
to withhold the applicable taxes without specifying how to obtain the information necessary to calculate taxes and when the applicable
tax shall be submitted. Announcement 7 may be determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to our offshore restructuring transactions
or sale of the shares of our offshore subsidiaries where non-resident enterprises, being the transferors, were involved. Though Announcement
7 does not impose a mandatory obligation of filing the report of taxable events, the transferring party shall be subject to PRC withholding
tax if the certain tax filing conditions are met. Non-filing may result in an administrative penalty varying from 50% to 300% of unpaid
taxes. As a result, we and our non-resident enterprises in such transactions may become at risk of being subject to taxation under Announcement
7, and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Announcement 7 or to establish that we and our non-resident enterprises
should not be taxed under Announcement 7, for any restructuring or disposal of shares of our offshore subsidiaries, which may have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
PRC laws and regulations have established
more complex procedures for certain acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for the
Company to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
Further to the Regulations
on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the New M&A Rules, the Anti-monopoly Law of the PRC,
the Rules of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by
Foreign Investors promulgated by MOFCOM or the MOFCOM Security Review Rules, was issued in August 2011, which established additional
procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming
and complex, including requirements in some instances that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change of control transaction in which
a foreign investor takes control of a PRC enterprise, or that the approval from MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies
established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies. PRC laws and regulations also require
certain merger and acquisition transactions to be subject to merger control review and or security review.
The MOFCOM Security Review
Rules, effective from September 1, 2011, which implement the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Establishing the Security
Review System for Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors promulgated on February 3, 2011, further provide
that, when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition of a domestic enterprise by foreign investors is subject to the security
review by MOFCOM, the principle of substance over form should be applied and foreign investors are prohibited from bypassing the security
review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through agreements
control or offshore transactions.
Further, if the business
of any target company that the Company seeks to acquire falls into the scope of security review, the Company may not be able to successfully
acquire such company either by equity or asset acquisition, capital contribution or through any VIE Agreement. The Company may grow its
business in part by acquiring other companies operating in its industry. Complying with the requirements of the relevant regulations
to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from MOFCOM, may delay
or inhibit its ability to complete such transactions, which could affect its ability to maintain or expand its market share.
In addition, SAFE promulgated
the Circular on the Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, on March 30, 2015 which became
effective on June 1, 2015. Under Circular 19 (partly modified by Huifa No.39 2019), registered capital of a foreign-invested company
settled in RMB converted from foreign currencies may only be used within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority
and the equity investments in the PRC made by the foreign-invested company shall be subject to the relevant laws and regulations about
the foreign-invested company’s reinvestment in the PRC. In addition, foreign-invested companies cannot use such capital to make
the investments on securities, and cannot use such capital to issue the entrusted RMB loans (except approved in its business scope),
repay the RMB loans between the enterprises and the ones which have been transferred to the third party. Circular 19 may significantly
limit our ability to effectively use the proceeds from future financing activities as the Chinese subsidiaries may not convert the funds
received from us in foreign currencies into RMB, which may adversely affect their liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business
in the PRC.
Governmental control of currency conversion
may affect the value of your investment.
Currently, the RMB cannot
be freely converted into any foreign currency. The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies
and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability
of our PRC subsidiaries to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign
currency dominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit
distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval
from the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, for most
capital account items, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where RMB is to be converted
into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies.
The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If
the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not
be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of the ordinary shares.
Restrictions on currency exchange or outbound
capital flows may limit our ability to utilize our PRC revenue effectively.
Substantially all of our
revenue is denominated in Renminbi. The Renminbi is currently convertible under the “current account,” which includes dividends,
trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but requires approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities
or designated banks under the “capital account,” which includes foreign direct investment and loans, such as loans we may
secure from our onshore subsidiaries. Currently, our PRC subsidiaries, a foreign invested enterprise, may purchase foreign currency for
settlement of “current account transactions,” including payment of dividends to us, without the approval of the SAFE by complying
with certain procedural requirements. However, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase
foreign currencies in the future for current account transactions.
Since 2016, PRC governmental
authorities have imposed more stringent restrictions on outbound capital flows, including heightened scrutiny over “irrational”
overseas investments for certain industries, as well as over four kinds of “abnormal” offshore investments, which are:
|
● |
investments
through enterprises established for only a few months without substantive operation; |
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● |
investments
with amounts far exceeding the registered capital of onshore parent and not supported by its business performance shown on financial
statements; |
|
● |
investments
in targets that are not related to onshore parent’s main business; and |
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● |
investments
with abnormal sources of Renminbi funding suspected to be involved in illegal transfer of assets or illegal operation of underground
banking. |
On January 26, 2017, SAFE
promulgated the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and Compliance Verification,
which tightened the authenticity and compliance verification of cross-border transactions and cross-border capital flow. In addition,
the Outbound Investment Sensitive Industry Catalogue (2018) lists certain sensitive industries that are subject to NDRC pre-approval
requirements prior to remitting investment funds offshore, which subjects us to increased approval requirements and restrictions with
respect to our overseas investment activity. Since a significant amount of our PRC revenue is denominated in Renminbi, any existing and
future restrictions on currency exchange or outbound capital flows may limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in Renminbi to
fund our business activities outside of the PRC, make investments, service any debt we may incur outside of China or pay dividends in
foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our Common Shares.
PRC regulation on loans to, and direct
investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may delay or prevent us from
using the proceeds of our initial public offering or follow-on offering to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to
our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
We are a company incorporated
in the Cayman Islands structured as a holding company conducting its operations in China through its PRC subsidiaries and VIEs. As permitted
under PRC laws and regulations, in utilizing the proceeds of its initial public offering or follow-on offering, Mingzhu may make loans
to its PRC subsidiaries subject to the registrations with governmental authorities and limitation of amount, or Mingzhu may make additional
capital contributions to its PRC subsidiaries. Furthermore, loans by Mingzhu to its PRC subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot
exceed the difference between their respective total project investment amount and registered capital or 2.5 times of their net worth
and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE or its authorized banks. If we decide to finance our wholly owned PRC subsidiaries
by means of capital contributions, capital contributions to its PRC subsidiaries are subject to the requirement of making necessary registration
with the State Administration for Market Regulation or its local branch, reporting of foreign investment information with the PRC Ministry
of Commerce in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System and registration with other governmental authorities
in China (including local counterpart of SAFE or its authorized banks).
The SAFE promulgated the
Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested
Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning
the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the
Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange
Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account
Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to SAFE Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated
registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted
loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of bank loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although SAFE
Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be
used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated
capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear
whether the SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. The SAFE promulgated the Notice
of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital
Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in SAFE Circular 19, but changes
the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company
to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to grant loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of
SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly
limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from our IPO or follow-on offering, to our PRC
subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.
In light of the various
requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot
assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a
timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries or with respect to future capital contributions by
us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds from
our initial public offering or follow-on offering and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected,
which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
The PRC government could prevent the cash
maintained from leaving the PRC, restrict deployment of the cash into the business of its subsidiaries and restrict the ability to pay
dividends to U.S. investors, which could materially adversely affect our operations.
The PRC government controls
the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. We receive substantially all of our
revenues in Renminbi, and most of our cash is in Renminbi. Under our corporate structure, Mingzhu, a Cayman holding company, primarily
relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements it may have. Under the existing PRC
foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade- and-service-related
foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the SAFE by complying with certain procedural
requirements. As such, under the existing exchange restrictions, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries is able to
be paid as dividends in foreign currencies to Mingzhu without prior approval from the SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements.
However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign
currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC
government may also at its discretion in the future restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions. There is
no assurance that the PRC government will not intervene or impose restrictions on the ability of us, our subsidiaries to transfer cash.
If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands,
we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies from the PRC subsidiaries to the offshore subsidiaries, across borders, and
to our shareholders, including the U.S. investors. These foreign exchange restrictions and limitations could prevent the cash maintained
from leaving the PRC, and restrict our ability to pay dividends to Mingzhu and the U.S. investors.
There are limitations on
our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute earnings to their respective shareholders. On the one hand, under the current PRC laws
and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries are
required to set aside at least 10% of their accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds,
until the aggregate amount of such fund reaches 50% of their registered capital. These reserve funds cannot be distributed as cash dividends.
Moreover, if the PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their
ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
In addition, any transfer
of funds by Mingzhu to our PRC subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in the registered capital, is subject to
a series of procedural requirements imposed by SAFE or its local counterparts. This may hinder or delay our deployment of cash into our
subsidiaries’ business, which could result in a material and adverse effect on our operations.
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable
Act, recent regulatory actions taken by the SEC and PCAOB, and proposed rule changes submitted by U.S. stock exchanges calling for additional
and more stringent criteria to be applied to China-based public companies could add uncertainties to our capital raising activities and
compliance costs.
In April 2020, the SEC then-Chairman,
Jay Clayton, and 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. In May 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“HFCAA”
or the “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. In August 2020, the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets issued a Report on Protecting United States Investors
from Significant Risks from Chinese Companies. The Report made five recommendations designed to address risks to investors in U.S. financial
markets posed by the Chinese government’s failure to allow audit firms that are registered with the PCAOB to comply with U.S. securities
laws and investor protection requirements. Among the recommendations was advice to enhance the listing standards of U.S. exchanges to
require, as a condition of initial and continued exchange listing, PCAOB access to main auditor work papers either directly or through
co-audits.
On December 2, 2020, the
U.S. House of Representatives passed the HFCAA and on December 18, the HFCAA was signed into law. Among other things, the HFCAA amends
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to require the SEC to prohibit the securities of foreign companies from being traded on U.S. securities
markets, if the company retains a foreign accounting firm that cannot be inspected or investigated completely by the PCAOB for three
consecutive years, beginning in 2021. The Act also requires foreign companies to make certain disclosures about their ownership by governmental
entities.
Furthermore,
on June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the AHFCAA, which was enacted
on December 29, 2022 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, and amended the HFCAA to decrease the number
of non-inspection years under the HFCAA from three years to two, thus reducing the time period before an issuer’s securities may
be prohibited from trading on any U.S. securities exchange or any U.S. over-the-counter market or delisted. Although we believe that
the HFCA Act and the related regulations do not currently affect us, we cannot assure you that there will not be any further implementations
and interpretations of the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act or the related regulations, which might pose regulatory risks to
and impose restrictions on us because of our operations in mainland China.
The lack of access to the
audit work paper or other inspections 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 those accounting firms’ audit procedures
or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections.
After SEC issued new disclosure
requirements to Chinese companies seeking to list on Nasdaq, SEC approved the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB)
Rule 6100 establishing framework for determinations under the HFCAA. On December 20, 2021, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance
(the “Division”) posted an illustrative letter containing sample comments that the Division may issue to China-based companies
describing 15 areas where the agency encourages existing and future China-based listings to increase disclosures. On December 20, 2021,
the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public
accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions. On
December 15, 2022, the PCAOB announced that PCAOB has secured complete access to inspect and investigate public accounting firms headquartered
in mainland China and Hong Kong, and vacated previous determinations to the contrary.
Our independent registered
public accounting firm that issued the audit report for our financial statements for 2021, 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 our auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards. Da Hua CPA, which is
headquartered in China, participated in our auditing process and played limited role in the auditing process. Due to the limited role
of Da Hua CPA and recent decision of PCAOB, we do not believe we will be impacted by the HFCA. However, the recent U.S. legislative and
evolving regulatory environments as related to PRC companies listing or seeking to list stock on U.S. exchanges would add uncertainties
to the trading and price volatility of our common shares. The rules and guidelines applicable in the future are unclear and may affect
the progress of our business. We cannot be certain whether SEC or other U.S. regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent
criteria to Chinese issuers including us as related to the audit of our financial statements. These additional requirements and more
stringent criteria to be applied could add potential risks to our business and share price. Investigations under more strict scrutiny
brought significant impact to the Company that may materially and adversely affect your stock holdings value, reduces the value of your
investment.
Various proceedings and legislative and
regulatory developments due to political tensions between the U.S. and China may have an adverse impact on our listing and trading in
the U.S., including adverse impact on the market prices of the ordinary shares.
Political tensions between
the United States and China have escalated due to, among other things, trade disputes, the COVID-19 outbreak, sanctions imposed
by the U.S. Department of Treasury on certain officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the central government of
the PRC and the executive orders issued by the former U.S. President Donald J. Trump in August 2020 that prohibit certain transactions
with certain Chinese companies and their applications. Rising political tensions could reduce levels of trade, investment, technological
exchange and other economic activities between the two major economies, which would have a material adverse effect on global economic
conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business,
prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Cyber-attacks, computer viruses, physical
or electronic break-ins or other unauthorized access to our or our business partners’ computer systems could result in misuse of
confidential information and misappropriation of funds of our borrowers and investors, subject us to liabilities, cause reputational
harm and adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
In our business, we collect,
store and process certain sensitive data from customers and other business partners. The data that we have processed and stored may make
us the target of, and potentially vulnerable to, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or other unauthorized
access. While we have not experienced any material business or reputational harm as a result of such breach in the past, there can be
no assurance that our security measures to protect such confidential information will not be breached in the future. Because techniques
used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access into systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until they are launched
against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any accidental or willful
security breaches or other unauthorized access to our or our server hosting service providers’ systems could cause confidential
borrower and investor information to be stolen and used for criminal purposes. As personally identifiable and other confidential information
is subject to legislation and regulations in numerous domestic and international jurisdictions, inability to protect confidential information
of our borrowers and investors could result in additional cost and liability for us, damage our reputation, inhibit the use of our platform
and harm our business.
The Administrative Measures
for the Security of the International Network of Computer Information Network, issued in December 1997 and amended in January 2011,
requires us to report any data or security breaches to the local offices of the PRC Ministry of Public Security within 24 hours of any
such breach. The Cyber Security Law of the PRC, issued in November 2016 and effective as of June 1, 2017, requires us to take
immediate remedial measures when we discover that our products or services are subject to risks, such as security defects or bugs. Such
remedial measures include, informing our customers of the specific risks and reporting such risks to the relevant competent departments.
Cybersecurity and data privacy and security issues are subject to increasing legislative and regulatory focus in China. The Data Security
Law of the People’s Republic of China, which took effect on September 1, 2021, requires that data collection must be conducted
in a legitimate and proper manner, and in order to safeguard data, data processing activities must be conducted to comply with respective
graded protection systems for cybersecurity. On August 20, 2021, the NPC promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law (the “PIPL”),
which has come into effect on November 1, 2021. The PIPL further emphasizes processors’ obligations and responsibilities for personal
information protection and sets out the basic rules for processing personal information and the rules for cross-border transfer of personal
information. On January 4, 2022, the Cyber Administration of China, together with 12 other departments, promulgated the Cybersecurity
Review Measures, or the New CAC Measures, which came into effect on February 15, 2022. According to the New CAC Measures, critical information
infrastructure operators purchasing network products and services and online platform operators carrying out data processing activities
that affect or may affect national security shall conduct a cybersecurity review. Network platform operators holding personal information
of more than 1 million users seeking to be listed abroad must apply for a cybersecurity review as well. On July 30, 2021, the State Council
of the PRC promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure, which took effect on
September 1, 2021. The regulations require, among others, that certain competent authorities shall identify critical information infrastructures.
If any critical information infrastructure is identified, they shall promptly notify the relevant operators and the Ministry of Public
Security.
The New CAC Measures do not
apply to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or VIEs as of the date of this prospectus. The Company and any of its subsidiaries or
VIEs are not critical information infrastructure operators purchasing network products and services or online platform operators carrying
out data processing activities that affect or may affect national security. We hold less than 1 million users’ personal information.
We believe we are not subject to the cybersecurity review under the New CAC Measures. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not
been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review initiated by the CAC, and we have not received any warning, sanction or penalty
in such respect. We believe that we are compliant with the regulations or policies that have been issued by the CAC as of the date of
this prospectus.
Continued expansion of business
operations by the Company, however, could bring the Company within the scope of authority of the CAC rules, and future enacted or amended
CAC rules may increase compliance standards on our business operation, and thus have a substantial impact on our business. There are
substantial uncertainties as to whether and how the CAC’s further actions and any amended version of the Cybersecurity Review Measures
would impact U.S. listed companies like us. It is likely that our data processing activities within China are regulated under any future
enacted or amended CAC rules, which may subject us to cybersecurity review if the PRC governmental authorities deem such activities have
affected or may affect national security. If we will be subject to increased scrutiny regarding data security and data protection, our
business, operation, reputation and the price of our securities may be adversely affected. Any unauthorized access, disclosure, misuse
or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information,
regulatory penalties, disruption to our operations and the services we provide to customers or damage our reputation, any of which could
adversely affect our results of operations, reputation and competitive position. As there remains significant uncertainty in the interpretation
and enforcement of relevant PRC cybersecurity laws and regulations, we could be subject to cybersecurity review, and if so, there is
no assurance that we would be able to pass such review in a timely manner or at all. In addition, we could become subject to enhanced
cybersecurity review or investigations launched by PRC regulators in the future. Any failure or delay in the completion of the cybersecurity
review procedures or any other non-compliance with the related laws and regulations may result in fines or other penalties, including
suspension of business, website closure, and revocation of prerequisite licenses, as well as reputational damage or legal proceedings
or actions against us, which may result in a material change in our operations, the value of the securities registered or could significantly
limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to
significantly decline or be worthless.
Any failure to comply with relevant regulations
relating to social insurance and housing provident fund may subject us to penalty and materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
In accordance with the PRC
Social Insurance Law and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Fund and other relevant laws and regulations, China has established
a social insurance system and other employee benefits including basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, work-related injury
insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, housing fund, and a handicapped employment security fund, or collectively the
Employee Benefits. An employer shall pay the Employee Benefits for its employees in accordance with the rates provided under relevant
regulations and shall withhold the social insurance and other Employee Benefits that should be assumed by the employees. For example,
an employer that has not made social insurance contributions at a rate and based on an amount prescribed by the law, or at all, may be
ordered to rectify the non-compliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline and be subject to a late fee of
up to 0.05% per day, as the case may be. If the employer still fails to ratify the failure to make social insurance contributions within
the stipulated deadline, it may be subject to a fine ranging from one to three times of the amount overdue.
Under the Social Insurance
Law and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Fund, our PRC subsidiaries or VIEs shall register with local social insurance
agencies and register with applicable housing fund management centers and establish a special housing fund account in an entrusted bank.
Our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs and their employees are required to pay the Employee Benefits.
Some of our PRC subsidiaries
are in the process of completing the social insurance registration and the housing fund registration, and we have only made social insurance
payments and housing provident fund contributions for some of our PRC employees, and did not make contributions in full for the social
insurance fund and housing provident fund for our employees as required under the relevant PRC laws and regulations. Although we have
not received any order or notice from the local authorities nor any claims or complaints from our current and former employees regarding
our non-compliance in this regard, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any order to rectify non-compliance in the future,
nor can we assure you that there are no, or will not be any, employee complaints regarding social insurance payment or housing provident
fund contributions against us, or that we will not receive any claims in respect of social insurance payment or housing provident fund
contributions under the PRC laws and regulation. In addition, we may incur additional costs to comply with such laws and regulations
by the PRC Government or relevant local authorities. Any such development could materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
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 have been subject to stricter
regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits,
including pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and childbearing insurance
to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law, or the Labor Contract Law,
that became effective in January 2008 and amended in December 2012 and its implementing rules that became effective in September 2008,
employers are subject to stricter requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the
term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our
employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability
to affect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We believe our current practice complies with the Labor Contract Law and its amendments. However, the relevant governmental authorities
may take a different view and impose fines on us in such circumstance.
As the interpretation and
implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still evolving, we cannot assure you that our employment practice does not and
will not violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject us to labor disputes or government investigations. If
we are deemed to have violated relevant labor laws and regulations, we could be required to provide additional compensation to our employees
and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected
Some of the lease agreements of our leased
properties have not been registered with the relevant PRC government authorities as required by PRC law, which may expose us to potential
fines.
Under PRC law, all lease
agreements are required to be registered with the local land and real estate administration bureau. Although failure to do so does not
in itself invalidate the leases, the lessees may not be able to defend these leases against bona fide third parties and may also be exposed
to potential fines if they fail to ratify such non-compliance within the prescribed time frame after receiving notice from the relevant
PRC government authorities. The penalty ranges from RMB1,000 (approximately $141.50) to RMB10,000 (approximately $1,415.00) for each
unregistered lease, at the discretion of the relevant authority. As of the date of this prospectus, the lease agreement for our leased
building in China has not been registered with the relevant PRC government authorities. In the event that any fine is imposed on us for
our failure to register our lease agreements, we may not be able to recover such losses from the lessors.
Our rights to use our leased properties
could be challenged by property owners or other third parties, which may disrupt our operations and incur relocation costs.
As of the date of this prospectus,
the lessors of our leased properties in China have not been able to provide us with valid property ownership certificates or authorizations
from the property owners for the lessors to sublease the properties, and we have subleased certain of our leased properties to third
parties. There is a risk that such lessors may not have the relevant property ownership certificates or the right to lease or sublease
such properties to us, in which case the relevant lease agreements and the sublease agreements may be deemed invalid and we may be forced
to vacate these properties. In addition, our usage of the leased properties may be inconsistent with the designated usage, in which case
we may not be able to continue to use the leased properties. The above risks could interrupt our business operations and result in relocation
costs. Moreover, if our lease agreements are challenged by third parties, it could result in diversion of management attention and cause
us to incur costs associated with defending such actions, even if such challenges are ultimately determined in our favor.
Fluctuation in the currency exchange rate
of RMB may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial position.
Our revenue and expenses
have been and are expected to continue to be primarily denominated in RMB and we are exposed to the risks associated with the fluctuation
in the currency exchange rate of RMB. Should RMB appreciate against other currencies, any future financings, which are to be converted
from US dollar or other currencies into RMB, would be reduced and might accordingly hinder our business development due to the lessened
amount of funds raised. On the other hand, in the event of the devaluation of RMB, the dividend payments of our Company, which are to
be paid in US dollars after the conversion of the distributable profit denominated in RMB, would be reduced. Hence, substantial fluctuation
in the currency exchange rate of RMB may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial position and the value
of your investment in the Shares.
We are a holding company and our ability
to pay dividends is primarily dependent upon the earnings of, and distributions by, our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC.
We are a holding company
incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. No dividends have been paid or declared by our Company. The
majority of our business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC and hence, our revenue and profit are
substantially contributed by our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC.
Our ability to pay dividends
to our shareholders is primarily dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC and their distribution of funds
to us, primarily in the form of dividends. The ability of our subsidiaries in the PRC to make distributions to us depends upon, among
others, their distributable earnings. Under the PRC laws, payment of dividends is only permitted out of accumulated profits according
to PRC accounting standards and regulations, and our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC are also required to set aside part of its after-tax
profits to fund certain reserve funds that are not distributable as cash dividends. Other factors such as cash flow conditions, restrictions
on distributions contained in our PRC subsidiaries’ and VIEs’ articles of associations, restrictions contained in any debt
instruments, withholding tax and other arrangements will also affect the ability of our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC to make distributions
to us. These restrictions could reduce the amount of distributions that we receive from our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC, which in
turn would restrict our ability to pay dividends on the Shares. The amounts of distributions that any of our subsidiaries or VIEs declared
and made in the past are not indicative of the dividends that we may pay in the future. There is no assurance that we will be able to
declare or distribute any dividend in the future.
There are significant uncertainties under
the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law relating to the withholding tax liabilities of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs, and dividends payable
by our PRC subsidiaries to our offshore subsidiaries and may not qualified to enjoy certain treaty benefits.
Under the PRC Enterprise
Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, the profits of a foreign-invested enterprise (“FIE”) generated through operations,
which are distributed to its immediate holding company outside China, will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%. Pursuant to a
special arrangement between Hong Kong and China, such rate may be reduced to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns more than 25%
of the equity interest in the PRC company. Our current PRC subsidiaries are wholly-owned by our Hong Kong subsidiaries, MingZhu HK, Cheyi
(Hong Kong) Limited, Yinhua (HK) Limited and Feipeng Enterprises (HK) Limited. Accordingly, they may qualify for a 5% tax rate in respect
of distributions from its PRC subsidiaries. Under the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions
in Tax Treaties promulgated in 2009, the tax payer needs to satisfy certain conditions to enjoy the benefits under a tax treaty. These
conditions include: (i) the taxpayer must be the beneficial owner of the relevant dividends, and (ii) the corporate shareholder to receive
dividends from the PRC subsidiaries must have met the direct ownership thresholds during the 12 consecutive months preceding the receipt
of the dividends. Further, in February 2018, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Relating
to “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which sets forth certain detailed factors in determining “beneficial owner”
status.
Entitlement to a lower tax
rate on dividends according to tax treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or
regions is subject to the Administrative Measures on Entitlement of Non-resident Taxpayers to Tax Treaty Benefits, which provides that
entitlement to treaty benefits for non-resident taxpayers shall be handled by means of “self-judgment of eligibility, declaration
of entitlement, and retention of relevant materials for future reference.” Where non-resident taxpayers judge by themselves that
they meet the conditions for entitlement to treaty benefits, they may obtain such entitlement themselves at the time of making tax declarations,
or at the time of making withholding declarations via withholding agents. At the same time, they shall collect, gather and retain relevant
materials for future reference in accordance with the provisions of these Measures, and shall accept the follow-up administration of
tax authorities. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be entitled to any preferential withholding tax rate under treaties for
dividends received from our PRC subsidiaries.
PRC regulations relating to offshore investment
activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiaries’ and VIEs’ ability to change their registered capital or distribute
profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC laws.
In July 2014, SAFE promulgated
the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents’ Offshore Investment and Financing and
Roundtrip Investment Through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals
and PRC corporate entities as well as foreign individuals that are deemed as PRC residents for foreign exchange administration purpose)
to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 further
requires an amendment to the SAFE registrations in the event of any changes with respect to the basic information of the offshore special
purpose vehicle, such as change of a PRC individual shareholder, name and operation term, or any significant changes with respect to
the offshore special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contribution, share transfer or exchange, or mergers or
divisions. SAFE Circular 37 is applicable to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions
that we make in the future.
If our shareholders who are
PRC residents fail to make the required registration or to update the previously filed registration, our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs may
be prohibited from distributing or transferring their profits or the proceeds from any capital reduction, share transfer or liquidation
to us, and we may also be prohibited from making additional capital contribution into our PRC subsidiaries or transfer funds to VIEs.
In February 2015, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment,
or SAFE Notice 13, effective from June 2015 and partially repealed on December 30, 2019. Under SAFE Notice 13, applications for foreign
exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investments and outbound overseas direct investments, including those required under
SAFE Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of SAFE. The qualified banks will directly examine the applications and
accept registrations under the supervision of SAFE.
Mr. Jinlong Yang, our controlling
shareholder, has completed the initial registrations with the local SAFE branch or qualified banks as required by SAFE Circular 37. However,
we may not be informed of the identifies of all the PRC residents holding direct or indirect interest in our company, and we cannot provide
any assurance that these PRC residents will comply with our request to make or obtain any applicable registrations or continuously comply
with all requirements under SAFE Circular 37 or other related rules. The failure or inability of the relevant shareholders to comply
with the registration procedures set forth in these regulations may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, such as restrictions on
our cross-border investment activities, on the ability of our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China to distribute dividends and
the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us. Moreover, any failure to comply with the various foreign
exchange registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for circumventing applicable foreign exchange
restrictions. Furthermore, as these foreign exchange regulations are still relatively new and their interpretation and implementation
have been constantly evolving, it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions,
will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. As a result, our business operations and our ability
to distribute profits to you could be materially and adversely affected.
Any actions by the Chinese government,
including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs or to exert control over any offering
of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make material changes to the operations
of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors,
and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.
The
ability of our subsidiaries and the VIEs to operate in China may be impaired by changes in its laws and regulations, including those
relating to value-added telecommunications service industry, taxation, foreign investment limitations,
and other matters.
The central or local governments
of China may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and
efforts on our part to ensure our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs’ compliance with such regulations or interpretations. As such,
our PRC subsidiaries and the VIEs may be subject to various government actions and regulatory interference in the provinces in which
they operate. They could be subject to regulation by various political and regulatory entities, including various local and municipal
agencies and government sub-divisions. They 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 to maintain our listing status on U.S. exchanges in
the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be later denied or rescinded.
On February 17, 2023,
the CSRC issued the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial
Administrative Measures”) and relevant supporting guidelines (together with the Trial Administrative Measures, the “New Administrative
Rules Regarding Overseas Listings”), which came into effective on March 31, 2023. According to the New Administrative Rules Regarding
Overseas Listings, a company based in the mainland of China that seeks to offer and list securities in overseas markets should fulfill
the filing procedure with the CSRC as per requirement of the Trial Administrative Measures. In particular, where a domestic company seeks
to indirectly offer and list securities in overseas markets, the issuer should designate a major domestic operating entity as the domestic
responsible entity to file with the CSRC. Initial public offerings or listings in overseas markets should be filed with the CSRC within
3 working days after the relevant application is submitted overseas. Subsequent securities offerings of an issuer in the same overseas
market where it has previously offered and listed securities should be filed with the CSRC within 3 working days after the offering is
completed. The required filing materials with the CSRC include (without limitation) record-filing reports and related undertakings and
PRC legal opinions issued by domestic law firms (with related undertakings), in which the VIE structure (if applicable) and reasons and
risk factor thereof is required to be clarified in details. In addition, under the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings,
a domestic company is prohibited from overseas offering and listing if any of the following circumstances is involved: (1) where such
securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules;
(2) where the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities
under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) where the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing,
or its controlling shareholders and the actual controller, have committed crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation
of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (4) where the domestic company intending
to make the securities offering and listing is suspected of committing crimes or major violations of laws and regulations, and is under
investigation according to law, and no conclusion has yet been made thereof; and (5) where there are material ownership disputes over
equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder or by other shareholders that are controlled by the controlling shareholder
and/or actual controller. Moreover, a domestic company that seeks to offer and list securities in overseas markets should abide by certain
other regulatory requirements as set out in the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, including without limitation to,
compliance with national secrecy, foreign investment, cybersecurity, data security, cross-border investment and financing, foreign exchange,
and other laws and relevant provisions. Based on the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, we will be subject to additional
filing requirements in connection with this offering and our follow-up offerings completed after such effective date, and we cannot assure
you that we will be able to get the clearance of filing procedures under the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings on
a timely basis, or at all. Any failure of us to fully comply with new regulatory requirements will result in rectification, warnings
and fines on our subsidiaries or VIEs, and may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer our securities,
cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely damage our reputation, which would materially and adversely affect
our consolidated financial condition and results of operations and cause our securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.
Accordingly, government actions
in the future, including any decision to intervene or influence the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs at any time, or to
exert control over an offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, may cause us to make
material changes to the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or the VIEs, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue
to offer securities to investors, and/or may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless. We or
the VIEs have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions regarding our corporate structure, contractual arrangements, the
VIEs’ operations and the offering that we may make under this prospectus from the CSRC, CAC or any other PRC government authorities.
The approval of and the filing with the
CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our future offshore offerings under PRC law, and, if required,
we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such filing.
The
Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), adopted by six
PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, include, among other things, provisions that purport to require that an offshore
special purpose vehicle, formed for the purpose of an overseas listing of securities through acquisitions of PRC domestic enterprises
or assets and controlled by PRC enterprises or individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such
special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21,
2006, pursuant to the M&A Rules and other PRC laws, the CSRC published on its official website relevant guidance regarding its approval
of the listing and trading of special purpose vehicles’ securities on overseas stock exchanges, including a list of application
materials. However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules to offshore special purpose
vehicles. If the CSRC approval is required for any of our future offering of securities overseas or to maintain our offshore listing
status on U.S. exchanges, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain the approval and, even if we obtain such
CSRC approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining the CSRC approval for any of our offshore
offerings, or a rescission of such approval if obtained, may subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities,
which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
On
July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in accordance
with the Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision
on 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. These opinions and any related implementation rules to be enacted may subject us to additional compliance requirement in the
future. As these opinions were recently issued, official guidance to act upon and the interpretation thereof remain unclear at this time.
We cannot assure that we will remain fully compliant with all new regulatory requirements of these opinions or any future implementation
rules on a timely basis, or at all.
On February 17, 2023, the CSRC
issued the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Administrative
Measures”) and relevant supporting guidelines (together with the Trial Administrative Measures, the “New Administrative Rules
Regarding Overseas Listings”), which came into effective on March 31, 2023. According to the New Administrative Rules Regarding
Overseas Listings, a company based in the mainland of China that seeks to offer and list securities in overseas markets should fulfill
the filing procedure with the CSRC as per requirement of the Trial Administrative Measures. In particular, where a domestic company seeks
to indirectly offer and list securities in overseas markets, the issuer should designate a major domestic operating entity as the domestic
responsible entity to file with the CSRC. Initial public offerings or listings in overseas markets should be filed with the CSRC within
3 working days after the relevant application is submitted overseas. Subsequent securities offerings of an issuer in the same overseas
market where it has previously offered and listed securities should be filed with the CSRC within 3 working days after the offering is
completed. The required filing materials with the CSRC include (without limitation) record-filing reports and related undertakings and
PRC legal opinions issued by domestic law firms (with related undertakings), in which the VIE structure (if applicable) and reasons and
risk factor thereof is required to be clarified in details. In addition, under the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings,
a domestic company is prohibited from overseas offering and listing if any of the following circumstances is involved: (1) where such
securities offering and listing is explicitly prohibited by provisions in laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules;
(2) where the intended securities offering and listing may endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities
under the State Council in accordance with law; (3) where the domestic company intending to make the securities offering and listing,
or its controlling shareholders and the actual controller, have committed crimes such as corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation
of property or undermining the order of the socialist market economy during the latest three years; (4) where the domestic company intending
to make the securities offering and listing is suspected of committing crimes or major violations of laws and regulations, and is under
investigation according to law, and no conclusion has yet been made thereof; and (5) where there are material ownership disputes over
equity held by the domestic company’s controlling shareholder or by other shareholders that are controlled by the controlling shareholder
and/or actual controller. Moreover, a domestic company that seeks to offer and list securities in overseas markets should abide by certain
other regulatory requirements as set out in the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, including without limitation to,
compliance with national secrecy, foreign investment, cybersecurity, data security, cross-border investment and financing, foreign exchange,
and other laws and relevant provisions. Based on the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, we will be subject to additional
filing requirements in connection with this offering and our follow-up offerings completed after such effective date, and we cannot assure
you that we will be able to get the clearance of filing procedures under the New Administrative Rules Regarding Overseas Listings on
a timely basis, or at all. Any failure of us to fully comply with new regulatory requirements will result in rectification, warnings
and fines on our subsidiaries or VIEs, and may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer our securities,
cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely damage our reputation, which would materially and adversely affect
our consolidated financial condition and results of operations and cause our securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.
On December 27, 2021, the
NDRC and MOFCOM jointly issued the Negative List (2021 Version), which became effective on January 1, 2022. Pursuant to the Negative
List (2021 Version), if a PRC company engaging in the prohibited business stipulated in the Negative List (2021 Version) seeks an overseas
offering and listing, it shall obtain the approval from the competent governmental authorities. The foreign investors of the issuer shall
not be involved in the company’s operation and management, and their shareholding percentages shall be subject, mutatis mutandis,
to the relevant regulations on the domestic securities investments by foreign investors. As the 2021 Negative List is relatively new,
there remain substantial uncertainties as to the interpretation and implementation of these new requirements, and it is unclear as to
whether and to what extent listed companies like us will be subject to these new requirements. If we are required to comply with these
requirements and fail to do so on a timely basis, if at all, our business operation, financial condition and business prospect may be
adversely and materially affected.
In addition, we cannot assure
you that any new rules or regulations promulgated in the future will not impose additional requirements on us. If it is determined in
the future that approval and filing from the CSRC or other regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review
under the Measures for Cybersecurity Review and the annual data security review under the Administrative Measures for Internet Data Security
(Draft for Comments), are required for our offshore offerings, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such
approval or complete such filing procedures and any such approval or filing could be rescinded or rejected. For details, see “—
Failure to comply with governmental regulations and other legal obligations concerning data protection and cybersecurity may materially
and adversely affect our business.” Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such filing procedures
for our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such approval or filing if obtained by us, may subject us to sanctions by the CSRC
or other PRC regulatory authorities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition
and prospects, as well as the trading price of our listed securities. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions
requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and delivery of the shares offered. Consequently,
if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the
risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules
or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or other regulatory procedures for our prior
offshore offerings, 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 or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our
business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading price of our listed securities.
PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment
in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from using funds out of PRC,
to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity
and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Any funds we transfer to our
PRC subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to registration with relevant governmental
authorities in China regardless of the amount of the transfer. According to the relevant PRC regulations on FIEs in China, capital contributions
to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to registration with the State Administration for Market Regulation or its local branch, reporting
of foreign investment information with the PRC Ministry of Commerce, and registration with other governmental authorities in China (including
local counterpart of SAFE or its authorized banks). In addition, (i) any foreign loan procured by our PRC subsidiaries is required to
be registered with SAFE or their respective local branches and (ii) our PRC subsidiaries may not procure loans which exceed the difference
between their respective total project investment amount and registered capital or 2.5 times of their net worth. Furthermore, the foreign
loan is required to be registered with the NDRC if certain conditions are met. We may not be able to complete such registrations on a
timely basis with respect to future capital contributions or foreign loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such
registrations or other procedures, our ability to use funds out of PRC, and to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected,
which could adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
On March 30, 2015, the SAFE
promulgated the Circular 19, which took effect as of June 1, 2015 and partially repealed on December 30, 2019. Circular 19 launched a
nationwide reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of FIEs and allows FIEs to settle their foreign
exchange capital at their discretion, but continues to prohibit FIEs from using the Renminbi fund converted from their foreign exchange
capital for expenditure beyond their business scopes, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between nonfinancial enterprises. The
SAFE issued the Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or
SAFE Circular 16, effective in June 2016. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 16, enterprises registered in China may also convert their foreign
debts from foreign currency to Renminbi on a self-discretionary basis. SAFE Circular 16 provides an integrated standard for conversion
of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on a self-discretionary
basis which applies to all enterprises registered in China. SAFE Circular 16 reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from foreign
currency-denominated capital of a company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or prohibited
by PRC laws or regulations, while such converted Renminbi shall not be provided as loans to its non-affiliated entities. As this circular
is relatively new, there remains uncertainty as to its interpretation and application and any other future foreign exchange related rules.
Violations of these Circulars could result in severe monetary or other penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly
limit our ability to use Renminbi converted from the funds out of PRC, to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through our PRC
subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If
we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable
tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.
Under
the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with its “de facto
management body” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise” and will be subject to the enterprise income
tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as
the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties
of an enterprise. In 2009, the SAT, issued a circular, known as SAT Circular 82, partially abolished on December 29, 2017, which provides
certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that
is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular applies only to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises
or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the
SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the tax resident
status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise
or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body”
in China, and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i)
the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial
and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise’s
primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions are located or maintained in the PRC;
and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We
believe that, as a Cayman Islands exempted company, our company is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax
resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the
interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” If the PRC tax authorities determine that our company is a
PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we would be subject to PRC enterprise income on our worldwide income at the
rate of 25%. Furthermore, we would be required to withhold a 10% tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident
enterprises, including the holders of our ordinary shares. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders may be subject to PRC tax
on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC.
Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders and any gain realized
on the transfer of the ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends,
may be withheld at source by us). These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders
of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event
that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in our securities.
Epidemics,
acts of war and other disasters may adversely affect our operations.
Our
business is subject to general economic and social conditions in the PRC. Natural disasters, epidemics and other acts of God which are
beyond human control may adversely affect the economy, infrastructure and livelihood of the people of the PRC. Many major cities in the
PRC are under threat of flood, earthquake, typhoon, sandstorm or drought. Our business, results of operations and financial condition
may be adversely affected if such natural disasters occur. We may be required to disinfect our affected operational premises, which could
adversely affect our operations. Even if we are not directly affected by the epidemic, it could slow down or disrupt the level of economic
activity generally, which could in turn adversely affect our operating results.
In
addition, acts of war and terrorist attacks may cause damage or disruption to our operations, employees, markets or clients, any of which
could adversely impact our turnover, cost of sales, overall results and financial condition or the market price of the Shares. Potential
war or terrorist attacks may also cause uncertainty and cause the business to suffer in ways that we cannot currently predict.
Risks
Related to Our Business and Our Industry
Our
reliance on major customers and any loss of our major customers or changes in their demands for our services would likely have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospect.
We have historically relied
on a limited number of major customers for a significant portion of our revenue and we anticipate that such reliance will remain unchanged
in the near future. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, sales to our top five
customers accounted for approximately 31.4%, 49.4% and 78.2%, respectively.
Our
service agreements with our customers are generally for an average term of one year. While certain service agreements contain options
of renewal, there is no assurance that our major customers will continue their business relationship with us, or the revenue generated
from dealings with them will be maintained or increased in the future. In particular, if there is any claim against us related to the
quality of our services from our major customers, such claim would affect the relationship with our major customers or substantially
reduce their demand of our trucking services.
If
we are unable to renew service agreements with our customers, or there is a reduction or cessation of demands from these customers for
whatever reasons and we are unable to enter into new service agreements of comparable size and on similar terms in substitution, our
business, financial conditions and results of operation may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any deterioration on our
customers’ ability to use our services and/or pay for our services in a timely manner will also have a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospect.
Although
a number of our business strategies will help mitigate risks resulting from our reliance on major customers, there is no assurance that
these strategies will be implemented successfully or, if implemented, fully mitigate the risks in connection with the loss of one or
more major customers.
None
of our service agreements with our customers are on an exclusive basis.
None
of our service agreements with our customers are on an exclusive basis and our customers can engage other transportation services provider(s)
for the provision of transportation and delivery services in addition to or in lieu of us.
Though
we have had stable business relationships with our major customers, there is no assurance that our major customers will not engage one
or more service providers for the provision of transportation services during the term of our service agreements with them. We cannot
assure you that we can generate the same level of or increased revenue from our major customers as compared to the existing scenario.
Any appointment of any additional transportation services providers by our major customers could therefore have a material adverse impact
on our business, financial condition and operating results.
If
we are unable to collect our receivables from our existing customers, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Our business depends on
our ability to successfully obtain payment from our customers of the amounts they owe us for our services. As of December 31, 2022 we
had accounts receivable recorded at $20,073,082, of which $945,761 was allowanced and $nil was past due but not impaired. As of December
31, 2021 we had accounts receivable recorded at $3,802,773, of which $152,768 was allowanced and $nil was past due but not impaired.
We
establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon estimates, historical experience and other factors surrounding the credit risk
of specific customers. However, actual losses on customer receivables balance could differ from those that we anticipate and as a result
we might need to adjust our allowance. There is no guarantee that we will accurately assess the creditworthiness of our customers. Macroeconomic
conditions, including related turmoil in the global financial system, could also result in financial difficulties for our customers,
including limited access to the credit markets, insolvency or bankruptcy, and as a result could cause customers to delay payments to
us, requesting modifications to their payment arrangements that could increase our receivables balance or default on the payment obligations
to us. As a result, an extended delay or default in payment relating to a significant account will have a material and adverse effect
on the aging schedule and turnover days of our accounts receivable. If we are unable to collect our receivables from our customers in
accordance with the contracts with our customers, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.
The agreements governing the loan facilities
MingZhu Shenzhen currently has contained restrictions and limitations that could significantly affect our ability to operate our business,
raise capital, as well as significantly affect our liquidity, and therefore could adversely affect our results of operations.
Under its loan agreements
with existing lenders, Shenzhen Yangang Mingzhu Freight Industry Co., Ltd., one of our operating subsidiaries in the PRC, Mingzhu Shenzhen
has the obligation to notify its lenders prior to certain corporate actions. Such corporation actions include, among other events, mergers,
equity offerings, transfers of material assets, involvement in a material lawsuit and certain material related party transactions. In
addition, pursuant to its loan agreements, MingZhu cannot provide guarantees to any third party, prioritize repayment of other loans,
pay dividends to its shareholders or consummate a reorganization or share ownership restructuring without prior written consent of certain
lenders.
The foregoing provisions restrict, among other
aspects, MingZhu Shenzhen’s ability to:
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incur or permit to exist
any additional indebtedness or liens; |
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guarantee or otherwise
become liable with respect to the obligations of another party or entity; |
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acquire any assets or enter
into merger or joint venture transactions; and |
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consummate certain related
party transactions. |
Our ability
to comply with these provisions may be affected by events beyond our control. A failure to comply with any of such provisions will constitute
an event of default under existing loan agreements of MingZhu Shenzhen, upon which the lenders will have the right to take a number of
remedial actions that could adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations.
Defaults
under our loan agreements could result in a substantial loss of our assets and adversely affect our financial condition and operating
results.
A
failure to repay any of the indebtedness under our loan agreements as they become due or to otherwise comply with the covenants contained
therein could result in an event of default thereunder. In addition, the loan agreements between MingZhu Shenzhen and certain lenders
contain a cross-default provision, pursuant to which a default under any other loan agreement will be deemed an event of default under
such agreements. If not cured or waived, an event of default under our existing loan agreements could enable the lenders to declare all
borrowings outstanding on such debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be due and payable and terminate all commitments
to extend further credit. The lenders could also elect to foreclose on our assets securing such debt. In such an event, we may not be
able to refinance or repay our indebtedness, pay dividends or have sufficient liquidity to meet operating and capital expenditure requirements.
Any such acceleration could cause us to lose a substantial portion of our assets and will substantially adversely affect our financial
condition and operating results.
Our
cash flow position may deteriorate owing to the difference in timing between receipt of payments from our customers and payments to our
suppliers and subcontractors if we are unable to such timing difference and its impact on our cash flow properly.
For our daily operations,
we outsourced a portion of our transportation services to external transportation companies, and sourced tires and fuel oils from the
third-party suppliers. Our cash flows depend on timely receipt of payments from our customers to meet our payment obligations to our
suppliers and subcontractors. As of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, our trade payables amounted to approximately $10,134,535, $1,344,532
and $1,415,591, respectively, whereas the respective trade payables accounted for approximately 16.4%, 3.9% and 11.3% of our total current
liabilities, respectively.
Our accounts receivable
turnover days were approximately 145.8, 94.6 and 157.6 days, respectively, during 2022, 2021 and 2020. As a result of the above, our
daily operation has to rely on our internal resources, bank borrowings and loans from shareholders to maintain our cash flow and satisfy
the needs of our daily operations.
If
we fail to manage the timing difference between receipt of customer payments and supplier payments, or if the timing difference is further
aggravated, we may have to resort to reserve further funds from our internal resources and/or obtain banking facilities and/or shareholder
loans to meet our payment obligations, which may not be readily available, or if available on reasonable economic terms and our financial
condition may be materially and adversely affected as a result.
We
rely on subcontractors to handle a proportion of our trucking services. Any delay or failure in their services would adversely affect
our operations and financial results.
We subcontract a portion
of our trucking services, specifically delivery orders from customers with irregular delivery schedules, to external transportation companies.
For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, subcontracting charges incurred by us were approximately 85.0% 48.1% and 61% of
our total transportation costs, respectively. Any significant increase in the service fees charged by our subcontractors may have an
adverse impact on our financial results.
There
is no assurance that we will be able to monitor the performance of our subcontractors as directly and efficiently as with our own staff.
If their performance is below our requisite standards or those of our customers, these sub-standard services may adversely damage our
business reputation, cause our customers to deduct our service fees, negatively affect the relationship with our customers and potentially
expose us to litigations and claims from our customers. Further, we may incur additional costs for sourcing alternative services providers
at a price higher than we originally anticipated. This could adversely affect the profitability of our business.
Notwithstanding
the stable business relationship with our subcontractors, there is no assurance that we would be able to maintain such a relationship
with them in the future. There is also no assurance that we would be able to find alternative subcontractors with the requisite expertise,
experience and capability that can meet our business needs and tight delivery schedules with competitive prices and acceptable terms
of service in a timely manner. In addition, we are not sure that our all customers will allow us to subcontract our business in the future.
In such event, our ability to complete our trucking services on time with effective cost could be impaired, thereby damaging our business
reputation and adversely affecting our operations and financial result.
Difficulty
in obtaining material, equipment, goods and services from our vendors and suppliers could adversely affect our business.
We
are dependent upon our suppliers for certain products and materials, including our tractors and trailers. We manage our over-the-road
fleet to a five-year trade cycle with the current average age-of-fleet of our vehicles at approximately three years. Accordingly, we
rely on suppliers of our trucks and truck components to maintain the age of our fleet. We believe that we have positive relationships
with our suppliers and are generally able to obtain favorable pricing and other terms from such parties. If we fail to maintain these
relationships with our suppliers, or if our suppliers are unable to provide the products and materials we need or undergo financial hardship,
we could experience difficulty in obtaining needed goods and services because of production interruptions, limited material availability
or other reasons. Subsequently, our business and operations could be adversely affected.
The
trucking service market in the PRC is highly competitive and fragmented, which subjects us to competitive pressures pertaining to pricing,
capacity and service.
Our
operating segments compete with many trucking service carriers, certain railroads, logistics, brokerage, freight forwarding and other
transportation companies. The trucking service market in the PRC is highly competitive and fragmented. Some of our competitors may have
greater access to equipment, a larger fleet, a wider range of services, preferential dedicated customer contracts, greater capital resources
or other competitive advantages. Numerous competitive factors could impair our ability to maintain or improve our profitability. These
factors include the following:
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Many
of our competitors periodically reduce their freight rates to gain business, especially during times of reduced growth in the economy.
This may make it difficult for us to maintain or increase freight rates, or may require us to reduce our freight rates. Additionally,
it may limit our ability to maintain or expand our business. |
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Since
some of our customers also operate their own private trucking fleets, they may decide to transport more of their own freight. |
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Many
customers periodically solicit bids from multiple carriers for their shipping needs, despite the existence of dedicated contracts,
which may depress freight rates or result in a loss of business to our competitors. |
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The
continuing trend toward consolidation in the transportation industry may result in more large carriers with greater financial resources
and other competitive advantages, with which we may have difficulty competing. |
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Higher
fuel prices and higher fuel surcharges to our customers may cause some of our customers to consider freight transportation alternatives,
including rail transportation. |
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Advancements
in technology may necessitate that we increase investments in order to remain competitive, and our customers may not be willing to
accept higher freight rates to cover the cost of these investments. |
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Competition
from freight logistics and brokerage companies may negatively impact our customer relationships and freight rates. |
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Smaller
carriers may build economies of scale with procurement aggregation providers, which may improve such carriers’ abilities to
compete with us. |
The
trucking service market is affected by economic and business risks that are largely beyond our control.
The
trucking service market is highly cyclical, and our business is dependent on a number of factors that may have a negative impact on our
operating results, many of which are beyond our control. We believe that some of the most significant factors beyond our control that
may negatively impact our operating results are economic changes that affect supply and demand in transportation industry, such as:
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changes
in customers’ inventory levels, including shrinking product/package sizes, and in the availability of funding for their working
capital; |
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commercial
driver shortages; |
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industry
compliance with an ongoing regulatory environment; |
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excess
truck capacity in comparison with shipping demand; and |
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downturns
in customers’ business cycles, which may be caused by declines in consumer spending. |
The
risks associated with these factors are heightened when the Chinese economy is weakened. Some of the principal risks during such times
are as follows:
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low
overall freight levels, which may impair our asset utilization; |
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customers
with credit issues and cash flow problems; |
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changing
freight patterns resulting from redesigned supply chains, resulting in an imbalance between our capacity and customer demand; and |
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customers
bidding out freight or selecting competitors that offer lower rates, in an attempt to lower their costs, forcing us to lower our
rates or lose freight. |
Economic
conditions that decrease shipping demand or increase the supply of capacity in the trucking service market can exert downward pressure
on rates and equipment utilization, thereby decreasing asset productivity. Declining freight levels and rates, a prolonged recession
or general economic instability could result in declines in our results of operations, which declines may be material.
We
also are subject to cost increases outside our control that could materially reduce our profitability if we are unable to increase our
rates sufficiently. Such cost increases include, but are not limited to, fuel and energy prices, driver wages, taxes and interest rates,
tolls, license and registration fees, insurance premiums, regulations, revenue equipment and related maintenance costs and healthcare
and other benefits for our associates. We cannot predict whether, or in what form, any such cost increase or event could occur. Any such
cost increase or event could adversely affect our profitability.
In
addition, events outside our control, such as strikes or other work stoppages at our facilities or at customer, port, border or other
shipping locations, weather, actual or threatened armed conflicts or terrorist attacks, efforts to combat terrorism, military action
against a foreign country or group located in a foreign country or heightened security requirements could lead to reduced economic demand,
reduced availability of credit or temporary closing of shipping locations. Such events or enhanced security measures in connection with
such events could impair our operations and result in higher operating costs.
We
are, to a certain extent, dependent on the consumer and retail market in the PRC.
We
mainly provide trucking services to our customers in the transportation industry, some of whom ultimately provide transportation services
to end customers in the consumer and retail market in the PRC. As such, our business performance will, to a certain extent, be affected
by our customers’ business performance and the consumer and retail market in the PRC. Although these customers of ours who are
consumer goods delivery services providers may not have contributed substantially to our total revenue in the past two years, if these
customers’ sales in the PRC decline, such decline may likely lead to a corresponding decrease in demand for our services. Furthermore,
as we expand our business, we may solicit new customers who are consumer goods delivery services providers or strengthen our relationships
with this type of existing customers, which may lead to stronger reliance on these customers. Any adverse developments in our customers’
business performance could therefore materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We
may not be able to implement all or any of our business plans successfully.
As
part of our business strategies, we plan to expand our own fleet of delivery vehicles and labor force, expand our sales and marketing
network and establish an information technology system which can facilitate our preparation of delivery routes and schedules and enable
tracking and monitoring of the status of delivery by our self-owned trucking vehicles and subcontractors. Such future plan is developed
based on a number of assumptions, forecasts and commitment of our management. We may not succeed in executing our business strategies
due to a number of reasons, including the following:
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we may fail to acquire
delivery vehicles at our expected prices or recruit a sufficient number of skilled drivers and employees to align with our expansion;
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we may not have sufficient financial resources available; |
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we may fail to adapt ourselves to the information technology
system; |
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we may fail to expand our sales and marketing network;
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we may fail to meet our customers’ demands for
our trucking services; and |
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we may fail to reach the targets we expect from our
expansion and business strategies. |
If
we fail to successfully implement our business strategies, we may not be able to maintain our growth rate and our business, financial
condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected
Expanding
our self-owned vehicle fleet may result in a significant increase in our depreciation expenses.
We
intend to expand the scale of our own vehicle fleet in order to accommodate potential new business opportunities. Such expansion of our
self-owned vehicle fleet may result in a significant increase in our depreciation expenses, which may in turn materially and adversely
affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
operation is exposed to disruptions due to bad weather, possible occurrences of natural disasters, epidemics and other diseases and uncertainties,
traffic congestions and public civil movements.
As
we provide trucking services, any significant disruption in traffic due to severe traffic congestions, weather conditions or disturbances
such as public civil movements, flash floods, or breakdown in major road infrastructure may lead to a reduction in and/or delay of our
services. Such service interruptions may adversely affect our service quality in meeting our customers’ key performance indicators
(“KPIs”) requirements and negatively affect our relationship with our customers. Further, we may have to engage additional
delivery vehicles from other transportation companies to maintain our service operations. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events
may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
business operations have been and may continue to be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
An
outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was first emerged in China in late 2019 and continues to expand
within the PRC and globally. On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a public health emergency of international
concern. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic, expanding its assessment of the threat beyond the global
health emergency it had announced in January. As of the date of this prospectus, the virus had spread globally. With an aim to contain
the COVID-19 pandemic, the PRC government had imposed extreme measures across the PRC during the first half of 2020 including complete
or partial lockdown measures across various cities in the PRC, the extended shutdown of business operations, and the mandatory quarantine
requirements on infected individuals and anyone deemed potentially infected.
The
COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a high number of fatalities worldwide, has an adverse impact on the livelihood of the people
in and the economy of the PRC. The trucking services and transportation industry in the PRC have been and may continue to be adversely
impacted. The economy slowdown and/or negative business sentiment have a negative impact on the transportation industry and our business
operations and financial condition have been and may continue to be adversely affected.
The
impacts of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition, and results of operations include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Temporary Closure of
Offices and Travel Restrictions. In compliance with the government health emergency rules in place and in observation of China’s
Spring Festival national holiday, we temporarily closed our offices from January 18, 2020 to February 12, 2020. Our offices have
resumed fully operational since February 12, 2020. We cannot foresee whether the office would be closed due to newly found cases
of COVID-19. Due to the nature of our business, the impact of the closure was not significant as most of our work force could continue
working offsite. |
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Decrease in Customer
Demand. Our customers were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the demand for transportation has largely diminished.
We have seen decrease in revenue projection for the first half of 2020. However, no customer contract has been terminated due to
COVID-19. Our subcontractors have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the trucks provided by our subcontractors
are still able to satisfy the needs required. |
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Extended Collection
Time and Increase in Bad Debts. Our customers may require additional time to pay us or fail to pay us which may require us to
record additional allowances. In order to faithful reflect the performance and condition of the Company, we had temporally revised
our policy of allowance for doubtful accounts with additional allowances recorded. We are currently working with our customers for
payments and have not experienced significant collection issues as of the date of this prospectus. We will monitor our collection
closely through 2021. |
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Shortage of Drivers.
Due to the travel restrictions imposed by the local governments, some of our drivers have not been able to get back on road for work.
However, the impact of such shortage of drivers is not significant to the Company because the customer orders have dropped due the
COVID-19 pandemic and we pay our drivers on a per-drive basis for fulfilled customer orders only. |
With
daily life in China gradually returning to normal since April, our business related to logistics industry has gone back to normal as
well. However some new cases found in Xinjiang region caused heavy lockdown starting from June. Our revenue generated from Xinjiang was
substantially reduced during June. To the date of this filing, our revenue is still negatively affected by temporarily lockdown across
the nation. We cannot foresee whether the COVID-19 pandemic will be effectively contained, nor can we predict the severity and duration
of its impact. If the COVID-19 pandemic is not effectively and timely controlled, our business operations and financial condition may
be adversely affected as a result of the deteriorating market outlook, the slowdown in regional and national economic growth, weakened
liquidity and financial condition of our customers or other factors that we cannot foresee.
We
may experience labor shortage or unrest.
Our
trucking services involve a substantial amount of labor force. As of the date of this prospectus, we have a total of 56 drivers which
accounted for approximately 70% of our total workforce. While we have not experienced any significant labor shortage, we may face such
problem in the future. We may be required to increase the wages for our workers as a result of changes in the labor market conditions
or industry practices.
We
expect that the wage levels of our employees will continue to be determined in accordance with the prevailing market rates in the relevant
regions in the PRC as well as the performance of the relevant employees in the foreseeable future. There is no assurance that we will
not face labor unrest or we do not have to adjust the wages upward for our employees demanding higher wages from us. Labor unrest will
disrupt our services and the higher wages will result in increased services costs for us. Should we fail to increase our service prices
to offset the additional labor costs in a timely manner or fail to manage labor shortage or labor unrest, our business, operation and
financial performance could be adversely affected.
Our
customers could become our competitors.
Many
of our customers are logistic companies which have the capability and financial resources to diversity and own their own vehicle fleet.
These customers may also continue to evaluate whether to own their vehicle fleet or engage other transportation companies to provide
the logistics services. In the event that our customers own their vehicle fleet, such customers could reduce or eliminate their need
of our trucking services, which would subsequently result in a reduction of our revenue and would adversely affect our business and results
of operations.
We
may not be familiar with new regions or markets we enter and may not be successful in offering new products and services or maintain
our current growth.
The growth of our company
was based on the services we currently provided to existing markets. We may expand our business and enter other regional markets in the
future. However, we may be unable to replicate our initial success in new markets. In expanding our business, we may enter markets in
which we have limited, or no, experience. We may not be familiar with the local business and regulatory environment and we may fail to
attract a sufficient number of customers due to our limited presence in that region. In addition, competitive conditions in new markets
may be different from those in our existing markets and may make it difficult or impossible for us to generate high income in these new
markets. If we are unable to manage these and other difficulties in our expansion into other regions in China, our prospects and results
of operations may be adversely affected.
Our
results of operations may fluctuate significantly and may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.
Our
results of operations, including our operating revenue, expenses and other key metrics, may vary significantly in the future and period-to-period
comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful. Accordingly, the results for any one quarter are not necessarily an indication
of future performance. Our financial results may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control and,
as a result, may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business. Fluctuation in our operational results may adversely affect
the price of our ordinary shares. Factors that may cause fluctuations in our quarterly results include:
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our ability to attract
new customers, maintain relationships with existing customers, and expand into new territories in China; |
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the amount and timing of
operating expenses related to acquiring customers and the maintenance and expansion of our business, operations and infrastructure; |
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general economic, industry
and market conditions in China; |
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our emphasis on customer
experience instead of near-term growth; and |
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the timing of expenses
related to the development or acquisition of technologies or businesses and potential future charges for impairment of goodwill from
acquired technologies or businesses. |
If
we fail to promote and maintain our brand in an effective and cost-efficient way, our business and results of operations may be harmed.
We
believe that developing and maintaining awareness of our brand effectively is critical to attracting new and retaining existing customers.
Our efforts to build our brand have caused us to incur significant expenses, and it is likely that our future marketing efforts will
require us to incur significant additional expenses. These efforts may not result in increased revenues in the immediate future or at
all and, even if they do, any increases in revenues may not offset the expenses incurred. If we fail to promote and maintain our brand,
while incurring substantial expenses, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected, which may impair
our ability to grow our business.
If
labor costs in the PRC increase substantially, our business and costs of operations may be adversely affected.
In
recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced inflation and labor cost increases. Average wages are projected to continue to increase.
Further, under PRC law we are required to pay various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing funds, medical insurance,
work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our
employees. The relevant government agencies may examine whether an employer has made adequate payments to the statutory employee benefits,
and those employers who fail to make adequate payments may be subject to late payment fees, fines and/or other penalties. We expect that
our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. If we are unable to control our labor costs or pass
such increased labor costs on to our customers by increasing the price of our products and services, our financial condition and results
of operations may be adversely affected.
Competition
for our employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the highly skilled employees needed to support our business.
As
we continue to experience growth, we believe our success depends on the efforts and talents of our employees, including experienced drivers,
financial personnel and marketing professionals. Our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and
retain highly qualified and skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled personnel is extremely intense. We may not be able to hire
and retain these personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure. Many of the companies
with which we compete for experienced employees have greater resources than we have and may be able to offer more attractive terms of
employment.
In
addition, we invest significant time and expense in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to
recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expenses in hiring and training their replacements, and
the quality of our services and our ability to serve customers could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business.
Our
business depends on the continued efforts of our senior management, particularly Mr. Jinlong Yang. If Mr. Yang, or one or more other
of our key executives, were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, our business may be severely disrupted.
Our
business operations depend on the continuing services of our senior management, particularly Mr. Jinlong Yang, our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and our other executive officers named in this prospectus. While we have provided different incentives to our management,
we cannot assure you that we can continue to retain their services. If one or more of our key executives were unable or unwilling to
continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, our future growth may be constrained, our business
may be severely disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we may
incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel. In addition, although we have entered into confidentiality
and non-competition agreements with our key executives of our subsidiaries and VIEs in China, there is no assurance that any member of
our management team will not join our competitors or form a competing business. If any dispute arises between us and our current or former
officers, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such agreements in China or we may be unable to enforce
them at all.
Our
executive officers have no prior experience in operating a U.S. public company, and their inability to operate the public company aspects
of our business could harm us.
Our
executive officers have no experience in operating a U.S. public company, which makes our ability to comply with applicable laws, rules
and regulations uncertain. Our failure to comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to U.S. public companies could subject
us or our management to regulatory scrutiny or sanction, which could harm our reputation and share price
From
time to time we may evaluate and potentially consummate acquisitions or alliances, which could require significant management attention,
disrupt our business, adversely affect our financial results, be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the desired result.
We
plan to evaluate and consider strategic transactions, combinations, acquisitions or alliances to enhance our existing business or develop
new products and services. These transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations if consummated.
If we are able to identify an appropriate business opportunity, we may not be able to successfully consummate the transaction and, even
if we do consummate the transaction, we may be unable to obtain the benefits or avoid the difficulties and risks of such a transaction.
Any
acquisition or alliance will involve risks commonly encountered in business relationships, including:
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difficulties in assimilating
and integrating the operations, personnel, systems, data, technologies, products and services of the acquired business; |
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inability of the acquired
technologies, products or businesses to achieve expected levels of revenue, profitability, productivity or other benefits; |
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difficulties in retaining,
training, motivating and integrating key personnel; |
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diversion of management’s
time and resources from our normal daily operations; |
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difficulties in successfully
incorporating licensed or acquired technology and rights into our products; |
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difficulties in retaining
relationships with customers, employees and suppliers of the acquired business; |
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regulatory risks; and |
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liability for activities
of the acquired business before the acquisition, including patent, copyright and trademark infringement claims, violations of laws,
commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities. |
Any
future acquisitions or alliances may not be successful. Furthermore, we may not benefit from our business strategy, nor generate sufficient
revenue to offset the associated costs or may otherwise not result in the intended benefits. In addition, we cannot assure you that any
future acquisition of, or alliance with respect to, new businesses or technology will lead to the successful development of new or enhanced
services or that any new or enhanced services, if developed, will achieve market acceptance or prove to be profitable.
We
may need additional capital, and financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Although
our current cash and cash equivalents, anticipated cash flows from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working
capital requirements and capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business, there is a risk that we may need additional cash resources
in the future to fund our growth plans or if we experience adverse changes in business conditions or other developments. We may also
need additional cash resources in the future if we find and wish to pursue opportunities for new investments, acquisitions, capital expenditures
or similar actions. If we determine that our cash requirements exceed the amount of cash and cash equivalents we have on hand at the
time, we may seek to issue equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities. We cannot assure you that financing will be available
in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our
shareholders.
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default and foreclosure
on our assets if our operating revenue is insufficient to repay debt obligations; |
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acceleration of obligations
to repay the indebtedness (or other outstanding indebtedness), even if we make all principal and interest payments when due, if we
breach any covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that
covenant; |
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our inability to obtain
necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the
debt security is outstanding; |
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diverting a substantial
portion of cash flow to pay principal and interest on such debt, which would reduce the funds available for expenses, capital expenditures,
acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; and |
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creating potential limitations
on our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our business and in the industry in which we operate. |
The
occurrence of any of these risks could adversely affect our operations or financial condition.
We
will be subject to changing laws, rules and regulations in the U.S. regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure
that will increase both our costs and the risks associated with non-compliance.
Following
this prospectus, we will be subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies and self-regulatory organizations, including,
for example, the SEC and The Nasdaq Stock Market, which are charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose
securities are publicly traded, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable law. Our efforts to comply with new and
changing laws and regulations have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in increased general and administrative expenses
and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Moreover,
because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over time
as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs
necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. If we fail to address and comply with these regulations
and any subsequent changes, we may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
Our
business is subject to risks related to lawsuits and other claims brought by our clients or business partners. If the outcomes of these
proceedings are adverse to us, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to lawsuits
and other claims in the ordinary course of our business. We are currently not involved in any material lawsuits with any of our customers.
However, claims arising out of actual or alleged violations of law could be asserted against us by individuals, companies, governmental
or other entities in civil, administrative or criminal investigations and proceedings. These claims could be asserted under a variety
of laws and regulations, including but not limited to contract laws, consumer protection laws or regulations, intellectual property laws,
environmental laws, and labor and employment laws. These actions could expose us to adverse publicity and to monetary damages, fines
and penalties, as well as suspension or revocation of licenses or permits to conduct business. Even if we eventually prevail in these
matters, we could incur significant legal fees or suffer reputational harm, which could have a material adverse effect on our business
and results of operations as well as our future growth and prospects.
We
are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations, and the costs related to compliance with, or our failure to comply with,
existing or future laws and regulations, could adversely affect the business and results of operations.
Our
operations are subject to national and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Sanctions for noncompliance
may include revocation of permits, corrective action orders, significant administrative or civil penalties and criminal prosecution.
In recent years, the PRC government has strengthened the regulations of environmental protection by enacting new laws and modifying existing
laws. Our business involves environmental management and issues typically associated with fuel consumption. We have not received any
non-compliance notice or warning from the government regarding environmental violations. However, the PRC government may pass new legislation
or amend current laws and regulations and set higher requirements and standards for vehicle operations. Our cost of complying with environmental
laws and regulations may increase and we may assign more personnel for environmental compliance. As a result, our financial conditions
and results of operation may be materially and adversely affected.
Any
lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
In
accordance with the relevant laws and regulations in jurisdictions in which we operate, we are required to maintain various approvals,
licenses and permits to operate our business, including but not limited to business license, road transport business license. These approvals,
licenses and permits are obtained upon satisfactory compliance with, among other things, the applicable laws and regulations.
We
were engaged in the business of air freight as an international freight forwarding agency and had entered into master agreements with
the subcontractors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this particular business has been suspended and no significant revenue was recorded
since the beginning of 2020. We have not obtained the relevant certificate for this type of business, or completed filings with the competent
governmental agencies. All of our subcontractors are qualified to conduct relevant business activities. According to the Detailed Rules
for Implementing the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of the International Freight Forwarding
Industry, entities engaging in international freight forwarding operations which are in violation of the provisions of the Regulations
of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of the International Freight Forwarding Industry and the present Detailed
Rules are subject to bans against any illegal operational activities imposed by governmental agencies that are in charge of the trade
sector. The agencies for industry and commerce shall impose penalties on such entities in accordance with the provisions of the relevant
laws and administrative regulations, and the agencies in charge of the trade sector shall announce the ban thereof. The relevant local
agencies of commerce shall file a record for archival purposes with the MOFCOM after making the announcement. Such entities are prohibited
from applying for handling international freight forwarding operations independently or jointly with other applicants for five years.
Meanwhile, Implementing Regulations of the Customs of the People’s Republic of China on Administrative Penalties, which was promulgated
in 2004 by the State Council and amended in 2022, further provides that in case anyone undertakes customs declaration business without
going through customs registration or fails to obtain the customs declaration practicing qualification, it shall be banned from conducting
the business activities, the illegal gains shall be confiscated, and a fine of less than RMB 100,000 (approximately $14,150) may be imposed.
Although we have suspended conducting this type of business for now, we face the risk of violating the foregoing PRC regulations. We
may also face the risk of breaching the agreements we have entered into with our customers or subcontractors for air freight services
and be banned from conducting this type of business and subject to punishments or confiscation of the gains derived from related business.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any order or penalty from any governmental authorities but we cannot assure you
that we will not be subject to any order or penalties for the lack of relevant qualifications before we complete necessary registration
and filing requirements.
As
of the date of this prospectus, we have obtained the business license and road transport business license, but there can be no assurance
that we will be able to obtain, renew and/or convert all of the approvals, licenses and permits required for our existing business operations
upon their expiration in a timely manner or duly complete necessary registration or filings in the relevant governmental authorities
for any of our new business, which could adversely affect our business operations.
Our
business may be materially and adversely affected if our Chinese subsidiaries or VIEs declare bankruptcy or become subject to a dissolution
or liquidation proceedings.
The
Enterprise Bankruptcy Law of China provides that an enterprise may be liquidated if the enterprise fails to settle its debts as and when
they fall due and if the enterprise’s assets are, or are demonstrably insufficient to clear such debts. Our PRC subsidiaries and
VIEs hold the bulk of the assets that are important to our business operations. If any of our PRC subsidiaries or VIEs gets involved
in a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets,
thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially or adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Any
failure to protect our own intellectual property rights could impair our brand, negatively impact our business or both.
We
currently own 6 PRC patents related to technologies used in connection with trucking services, including 1 invention patent and 5 utility
patents. We also own one PRC trademark and 17 PRC copyright registrations, including 1 art-work copyright and 16 software copyrights.
Our intellectual property rights are key to our operations and business prospects.
Our
success and ability to compete also depend in part on protecting our own intellectual property. We rely on a combination of patents,
copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks and other rights, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our
proprietary technology, processes and other intellectual property. However, the steps we take to protect our intellectual property rights
may be inadequate. We have only filed patent applications in China and we have not acquired any related international patent rights by
filing pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Our patents are under no protections outside of China.
Third
parties may seek to challenge, invalidate or circumvent our patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks and other rights or applications
for any of the foregoing. In order to protect our intellectual property rights, we may be required to spend significant resources. Litigation
brought to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could be costly, time-consuming and distracting to management. Our failure
to secure, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our brand and impact our business.
We
may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights, which could harm our business.
Our
competitors, as well as other entities and individuals, may own or claim to own intellectual property relating to our industry. From
time to time, a third-party provider may claim that we are infringing on their intellectual property rights. We may, however, be unaware
of the intellectual property rights that others may claim over some or all of our applications, technology or services. Any claims or
litigation could cause us to incur significant expenses and, if successfully asserted against us, could require that we pay substantial
damages or ongoing royalty payments, restrict us from conducting our business or require that we comply with other unfavorable terms.
We may also be obligated to indemnify parties or pay substantial settlement costs, including royalty payments, in connection with any
such claim or litigation and to obtain licenses, modify applications or refund fees, which could be costly. Even if we were to prevail
in such a dispute, any litigation regarding our intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming and divert the attention of
our management from our business operations.
We
have identified material weaknesses in our internal accounting controls, and if we fail to implement and maintain an effective system
of internal controls or fail to remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that have been identified,
we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations or prevent fraud or fail to meet our reporting obligations, and customer
confidence and the market price of our ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected.
We
are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of and the rules and regulations
of the Nasdaq Stock Market. We are not required to provide a report of management’s assessment on our internal control over financial
reporting in this prospectus due to a transition period established by the rules of the SEC for newly public companies. In addition,
we are not required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered
public accounting firm in this prospectus, since we are an emerging growth company as defined under the JOBS Act. However, in the course
of auditing our consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus, we and our independent registered public accounting firm
identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in standards established by the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), 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. The material weakness identified relates to our
lack of sufficient skilled staff with U.S. GAAP knowledge and the SEC reporting knowledge for the purpose of financial reporting as well
as the lack in formal accounting policies and procedures manual to ensure proper financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and
SEC reporting requirements.
We
have already taken some steps and have continued to implement measures to remediate the material weakness identified, including but not
limited to (i) streamline our accounting department structure and enhance our staff’s U.S. GAAP expertise on a continuous basis;
(2) hire a new reporting manager who has sufficient expertise in U.S. GAAP to improve the quality of U.S. GAAP reports; (3) make an overall
assessment on the current finance and accounting resources and have plans to hire new finance team members with U.S. GAAP qualification
in order to strengthen our U.S. GAAP reporting framework; (4) participate in trainings and seminars provided by professional services
firms on a regular basis to gain knowledge on regular accounting/SEC reporting updates; and (5) provide internal training to our current
accounting team on US GAAP knowledge. We are also in the process of completing a systematic accounting manual for US GAAP and financial
closing process. However, we cannot assure you that we will not identify additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in
the future. In addition, if we are unable to meet the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our securities may not be
able to remain listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting
in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. In addition, once we
cease to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting
firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that
our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control
over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing,
may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented,
designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, as we are a public company,
our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable
future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.
During
the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, we may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if
we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended
from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting.
If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial
statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial
information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations and lead to a decline in the trading
price of our shares. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or
misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations
and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our financial statements from prior periods.
Certain
data and information in this prospectus were obtained from third-party sources and were not independently verified by us.
We
have engaged Frost& Sullivan to prepare a commissioned industry report that analyzes the PRC transportation industry, which we refer
to as the “Frost& Sullivan Report”. Information and data relating to the PRC transportation industry have been derived
from Frost & Sullivan Report. Statistical data included in the Frost & Sullivan Report also include projections based on a number
of assumptions. The transportation industry may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. Any failure of the PRC transportation
industry to grow at the projected rate may have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our ordinary shares.
Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data is later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ
from the projections based on these assumptions.
We
have not independently verified the data and information contained in the Frost & Sullivan Report or any third-party publications
and reports Frost & Sullivan has relied on in preparing its report. Data and information contained in such third-party publications
and reports may be collected using third-party methodologies, which may differ from the data collection methods used by us. In addition,
these industry publications and reports generally indicate that the information contained therein is believed to be reliable, but do
not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information.
Insurance
and claims expenses could significantly reduce our earnings.
Although
we maintain auto insurance for our vehicles, our future insurance and claims expenses might exceed historical levels, which could reduce
our earnings. We maintain a high deductible for a portion of our claims exposure resulting from auto liability. Estimating the number
and severity of claims, as well as related judgment or settlement amounts is inherently difficult. This, along with legal expenses, incurred
but not reported claims and other uncertainties can cause unfavorable differences between actual claim costs and our reserve estimates.
We reserve for anticipated losses and expenses and periodically evaluate and adjust our claims reserves to reflect our experience. However,
ultimate results may differ from our estimates, which could result in losses over our reserved amounts.
We
maintain insurance with licensed insurance carriers above the amounts which we retain. Although we believe our aggregate auto insurance
limits should be sufficient to cover reasonably expected claims, it is possible that the amount of one or more claims could exceed our
aggregate coverage limits. If any claim were to exceed our coverage, we would bear the excess, in addition to our other retained amounts.
Insurance carriers have raised premiums for many businesses, including transportation companies. As a result, our insurance and claims
expense could increase, or we could raise our deductible when our policies are renewed or replaced. Our operating results and financial
condition could be materially and adversely affected if (i) cost per claim, premiums, or the number of claims significantly exceeds our
estimates, (ii) we experience a claim in excess of our coverage limits, (iii) our insurance carriers fail to pay on our insurance claims
or (iv) we experience a claim for which coverage is not provided.
Any
failure to pay the full amount of taxes may subject us to penalty and 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. Furthermore, the taxation authorities shall also announce the tax payments
defaulted by taxpayers regularly.
Affected
by polity factors such as credit tightening, some of our accounts receivable that met the collection conditions have not been recovered
on time, which has an adverse impact on our liquidity. As a result, MingZhu Shenzhen has completed the procure for tax declaration, but
failed to pay corporate income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2018 in the amount of RMB 6,302,411 (approximately $965,887) on
time. As of December 31, 2020, MingZhu Shenzhen owed taxes and late fees in the amount of RMB 8,126,959 (approximately $1,177,104). On
March 18, 2021, we have paid up all owed taxes and late fees. As of December 31, 2021, MingZhu Shenzhen owed taxes in the amount of RMB
8,241,655.
As
of the date of this prospectus, 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 our bank account, or sealing up, auctioning or disposing of our 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.
We
do not have any business insurance coverage.
Insurance
companies in China currently do not offer an extensive array of insurance products as insurance companies in more developed economies
do. Currently, we do not have any business liability or disruption insurance, except auto insurances, to cover our operations. We have
determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable
terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured business disruptions may result in our incurring substantial costs
and the diversion of resources, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We
may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.
We
are subject to enterprise income tax, value-added tax, and other taxes in each province and city in China where we have operations. Our
tax structure is subject to review by various local tax authorities. The determination of our provision for income tax and other tax
liabilities requires significant judgment. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where
the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate decisions by the relevant
tax authorities may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the
period or periods for which such determination is made.
Risks
Related to Our Securities
We
may not maintain our listing on Nasdaq which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities and subject
us to additional trading restrictions.
Our
ordinary shares are listed on Nasdaq. We cannot assure you that our ordinary shares will continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future.
In order to continue listing our securities on Nasdaq, we must maintain certain financial, distribution and share price levels. Generally,
we must (i) maintain a minimum amount in shareholders’ equity (generally above $2,500,000), maintain a minimum market value of
listed securities (generally above $35,000,000) or have a minimum net income from operations for the prior year of for two of the preceding
years (generally above $500,000); and (ii) a minimum number of publicly held shares (generally greater than 500,000) and a minimum number
of public shareholders (generally greater than 300 shareholders). Our ordinary shares also cannot have a bid price of less than $1.00.
Moreover, we must comply with certain listing standards regarding the independence of our board of directors and members of our audit
committee. We intend to fully comply with these requirements, but we may not continue to be able to meet these requirements in the future.
If
Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities
exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material
adverse consequences, including:
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a limited availability
of market quotations for our securities; |
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● |
reduced liquidity for our
securities; |
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● |
a determination that our
ordinary shares is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent
rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; |
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a limited amount of news
and analyst coverage; and |
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a decreased ability to
issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
The
National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a U.S. federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating
the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Because we expect that our ordinary shares
will be listed on Nasdaq, such securities will be covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our
securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding
of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. Further, if we were
no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not be covered securities and we would be subject to regulations in each state in which
we offer our securities.
The
trading price of our ordinary shares may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.
The
trading price of our securities may be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because
of the broad market and industry factors, like the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business
operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. A number of Chinese companies have listed
or are in the process of listing their securities on U.S. stock markets. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant
volatility, including price declines in connection with their initial public offerings. The trading performances of these Chinese companies’
securities after their offerings may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States in general
and consequently may impact the trading performance of our ordinary shares, regardless of our actual operating performance.
In
addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our ordinary shares may be highly volatile for factors specific
to our own operations, including the following:
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variations in our revenues,
earnings, cash flow and data related to our user base or user engagement; |
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announcements of new investments,
acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors; |
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announcements of new product
and service offerings, solutions and expansions by us or our competitors; |
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changes in financial estimates
by securities analysts; |
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detrimental adverse publicity
about us or our industry; |
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additions or departures
of key personnel; |
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release of lock-up or other
transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities; and |
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potential litigation or
regulatory investigations. |
Any
of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our ordinary shares will trade.
In
the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods
of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount
of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses
to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our
reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be
required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations
regarding our ordinary shares, the market price for our ordinary shares and trading volume could decline.
The
trading market for our ordinary shares will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our
business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our ordinary shares, the market price for our ordinary shares would likely decline.
If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial
markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume for our ordinary shares to decline.
Techniques
employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the ordinary shares
Short
selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention
of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value
of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects
to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security
to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions and allegations regarding the relevant issuer
and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short.
These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations,
whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such
allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the
manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law or issues of
commercial confidentiality.
Because
we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of our ordinary shares for a return
on your investment.
We
currently intend to retain all of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As
a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our
ordinary shares as a source for any future dividend income.
Our
board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law.
In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our
board of directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account,
provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall
due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form
of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements
and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries and VIEs, our financial condition, contractual
restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our securities
will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ordinary shares. There is no guarantee that our ordinary shares
will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased our ordinary shares. You may not realize a return on your
investment in our ordinary shares and you may even lose your entire investment.
If
we are classified as a passive foreign investment company, United States taxpayers who own our securities may have adverse United States
federal income tax consequences.
A
non-U.S. corporation such as ourselves will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which is known as a PFIC, for any
taxable year if, for such year, either
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At least 75% of our gross
income for the year is passive income; or |
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The average percentage
of our assets (determined at the end of each quarter) during the taxable year which produces passive income or which are held for
the production of passive income is at least 50%. |
Passive
income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade
or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
If
we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. taxpayer who
holds our securities, the U.S. taxpayer may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional
reporting requirements.
With
any assets held for the production of passive income, it is possible that, for our current taxable year or for any subsequent year, more
than 50% of our assets may be assets which produce passive income. We will make this determination following the end of any particular
tax year. Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat our consolidated affiliated entities as being owned by us for United States
federal income tax purposes, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities but also because we are
entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their operating results in our consolidated
financial statements. For purposes of the PFIC analysis, in general, a non-U.S. corporation is deemed to own its pro rata share of the
gross income and assets of any entity in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the equity by value.
Our
principal shareholders have substantial influence over our company. Their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other
shareholders, and they could prevent or cause a change of control or other transactions.
As
of May 17, 2023, Mr. Jinlong Yang, our founder and chairman of our board of directors, beneficially owns an aggregate of 23.5% of our
outstanding ordinary shares.
Accordingly,
our executive officers and directors, together with our existing shareholders, could have significant influence in determining the outcome
of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to the shareholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations, the election
of directors and other significant corporate actions. In cases where their interests are aligned and they vote together, these shareholders
will also have the power to prevent or cause a change in control. Without the consent of some or all of these shareholders, we may be
prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us or our minority shareholders. In addition, our directors and
officers could violate their fiduciary duties by diverting business opportunities from us to themselves or others. The interests of our
largest shareholders may differ from the interests of our other shareholders. The concentration in the ownership of our ordinary shares
may cause a material decline in the value of our ordinary shares.
As
a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance
matters that differ significantly from Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders
than they would enjoy if we complied fully with Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.
As
an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands that is listed on Nasdaq, we are subject to Nasdaq corporate governance listing
standards. However, Nasdaq rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country.
Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from Nasdaq corporate
governance listing standards. Currently, we do not plan to rely on the home country practice with respect to our corporate governance.
However, if we choose to follow home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise
would enjoy under Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
You
may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because
we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We
are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. Our corporate affairs are governed
by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common
law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors and us, actions by minority shareholders and
the fiduciary duties of our directors to us 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 the English common law, which are generally of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The
rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our 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 has a different
body of securities laws than the United States, and provide significantly less protection to investors. In addition, Cayman Islands companies
may not have the standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. 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.
Shareholders
of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than
the memorandum and articles of association) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion
under our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association we expect to adopt, to determine whether or not, and under
what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders.
This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder resolution
or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
Certain
corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies
incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the U.S. Currently, we do not plan to rely on home country practice with respect to any corporate
governance matter. However, if we choose to follow our home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection
than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
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 our 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.
We
are a Cayman Islands exempted company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. All of our current
operations are conducted in China. In addition, all of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other
than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be
difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons or to enforce against us or them
judgments obtained in the United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities
laws of the United States or any state in the United States. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws
of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and
officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China. As a result of all of the above, our shareholders
may have more difficulties in protecting their interests through actions against us or our officers, directors, or major shareholders
than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.
We
are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
We
are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various
requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required
to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we are an emerging growth
company. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain
information they may deem important.
The
JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards
until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. In other words,
an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise
apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period, although we have early adopted certain
new and revised accounting standards based on transition guidance permitted under such standards. As a result of this election, our future
financial statements may not be comparable to other public companies that comply with the public company effective dates for these new
or revised accounting standards.
We
are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions
applicable to United States domestic public companies.
Because
we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations
in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
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the rules under the Exchange
Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC; |
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the sections of the Exchange
Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; |
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the sections of the Exchange
Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit
from trades made in a short period of time; and |
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the selective disclosure
rules by issuers of material non-public information under Regulation FD. |
We
are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish
our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq. Press releases
relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required
to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S.
domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information, which would be made available to you, were
you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
We
may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.
As discussed above, we
are a foreign private issuer, and therefore, we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act. The determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an
issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and, accordingly, the next determination will be made with respect to us
on June 30, 2023. In the future, we would lose our foreign private issuer status if (1) more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities
are owned by U.S. residents and (2) a majority of our directors or executive officers are U.S. citizens or residents, or we fail to meet
additional requirements necessary to avoid loss of foreign private issuer status. If we lose our foreign private issuer status, we will
be required to file with the SEC periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms, which are more detailed
and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We will also have to mandatorily comply with U.S. federal proxy requirements,
and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions
of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements
under the listing rules of the Nasdaq. As a U.S. listed public company that is not a foreign private issuer, we will incur significant
additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we will not incur as a foreign private issuer.
As
a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to, and we have elected to, rely on exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards
applicable to U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our ordinary shares.
As
a Cayman Islands company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards.
For example, Rule 5605 of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules requires listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of its board
members to be independent, and to obtain shareholder approval for certain issuances of securities. However, Nasdaq rules permit a foreign
private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the
Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. For example,
under Cayman Islands law we are not required to have a majority of our board consist of independent directors or obtain shareholder approval
for certain issuances of our securities. With respect to the foregoing corporate governance requirement, we have elected to follow home
country practice. We may also elect to rely on home country practice to be exempted from other corporate governance requirements. As
a result, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would enjoy under the Nasdaq corporate governance listing
standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
We
will incur significantly increased costs and devote substantial management time as a result of the listing of our ordinary shares.
We
will incur additional legal, accounting and other expenses as a public reporting company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an
emerging growth company. For example, we will be required to comply with the additional requirements of the rules and regulations of
the SEC and the Nasdaq rules, including applicable corporate governance practices. We expect that compliance with these requirements
will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. In addition, we
expect that our management and other personnel will need to divert attention from operational and other business matters to devote substantial
time to these public company requirements. We cannot predict or estimate the number of additional costs we may incur as a result of becoming
a public company or the timing of such costs.
In
addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for
public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time-consuming. These laws, regulations
and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application
in practice may evolve over time as new guidelines are provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty
regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to
invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative
expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our
efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due
to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may also initiate legal proceedings against us and our
business may be adversely affected.