LEJU Leju Holdings Limited

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

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Date of event requiring this shell company report

For the transition period from                                to                          

Commission file number: 001-36396

Leju Holdings Limited

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Cayman Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Level G, Building G, No.8 Dongfeng South Road,

Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016

The People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

Li Yuan, Chief Financial Officer

Leju Holdings Limited

Level G, Building G, No.8 Dongfeng South Road,

Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016

People’s Republic of China

Telephone: +86 21 6133 0754

Email: michelleyuan@leju.com

(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

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

*  Not for trading but only in connection with the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of American depositary shares. Effective on May 20, 2022, the ratio of ADSs to our ordinary shares was changed from one ADS representing one ordinary share to one ADS representing ten ordinary shares.

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

None

(Title of Class)

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Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

137,172,601 ordinary shares (excluding the 3,580,150 ordinary shares issued to our depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under our share incentive plan), par value $0.001 per share, as of December 31, 2022.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  ☐ No  ☒

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes  ☐ No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  ☐ No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes  ☒ No  ☐

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Item 17  ☐ Item 18  ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ☐ No  ☒

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

Yes  ☐ No  ☒

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INTRODUCTION

Unless otherwise indicated and except where the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report on Form 20-F to:

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include:

You should read thoroughly this annual report and the documents that we refer to in this annual report with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Other sections of this annual report include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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There are also substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules regarding the status of the rights of Leju, a Cayman Islands holding company, with respect to its contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and their shareholders. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or any of the variable interest entities is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our advertising services business and real estate online business in China do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in the advertising industry or the internet information service industry, we could be subject to severe penalties” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.”

Our corporate structure is subject to risks associated with our contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the 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 or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Leju, its PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entities, and investors of Leju face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the variable interest entities and our company as a whole. The PRC regulatory authorities could disallow the VIE structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, please refer to all the risks disclosed under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”

We face various risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China. Our business operations are primarily conducted in China, and we are subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, and regulation and statements made by PRC government related to the use of variable interest entities, which may impact our ability to conduct certain businesses, accept foreign investments, or list on a United States or other foreign exchange. These risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, please refer to risks disclosed under “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors-Risks Related to Doing Business in China.”

PRC government’s significant authority in regulating our operations and its oversight and control over offerings conducted overseas by, and foreign investment in, China-based issuers could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors. Implementation of industry-wide regulations, including data security or anti-monopoly related regulations, in this nature may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government’s significant oversight over our business operation could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs.”

Risks and uncertainties arising from the legal system in China, including risks and uncertainties regarding the enforcement of laws and quickly evolving rules and regulations in China, could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our ADSs. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China —Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.” and “—Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.”

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Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for Our Operations

We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. As of the date of this annual report, Beijing Leju, Beijing Jiajujiu, Beijing Yisheng Leju Finance Culture Media Co., Ltd. and Beijing Weike Union Information Technology Co., Ltd., both subsidiaries of Beijing Leju, Beijing Yisheng Leju Internet Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Beijing Jiajujiu, and Leju Hao Fang, each holds a valid ICP license issued by the local provincial branch of the MIIT for the operation of our value-added telecommunication business, Beijing Yisheng Leju Finance Culture Media Co., Ltd. holds a Radio and television program production business license issued by the local branch of the National Radio and Television Administration for the production and distribution of radio and television programs, and the business scope of the business licenses of Beijing Leju and its subsidiaries which engage in the advertising business includes operating advertising business. These licenses are essential to the operation of our online real estate business. In addition, Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and/or Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective subsidiaries do not have internet publication licenses and licenses for online transmission of audio-visual programs, and are not applying for these licenses. For those video/audio programs and certain other forms of content that we believe are subject to the requirements of these licenses, such programs and content are hosted by SINA through our contractual arrangement with SINA. In the case that SINA does not possess the necessary licenses and permits, our video/audio programs and other content hosted by SINA are subject to the risk of being suspended by government authorities. Moreover, we cannot assure you that government would not require us to obtain these licenses separately for operation of our own websites and those websites licensed to us even if the underlying hosting of the relevant content may be provided by a qualified third party. If we are required to apply for such licenses, we can provide no assurance that we will procure and maintain such additional licenses. As advised by our PRC counsel, Fangda Partners, except for internet publication licenses and licenses for online transmission of audio-visual programs, we believe our PRC subsidiaries and the variable interest entities have obtained all of the requisite licenses and permits from the PRC government authorities that are necessary for the business operations.

Furthermore, the PRC government has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. In connection with our issuance of securities to foreign investors in the past, under current PRC laws, regulations, and rules, as of the date of this annual report, we, our PRC subsidiaries, and the variable interest entities (i) have not been required to obtain permissions from or complete filings with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, (ii) have not been required to go through cybersecurity review by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, and (iii) have not received or have not been denied such requisite permissions by the CSRC or the CAC. Our PRC counsel, Fangda Partners, has consulted the relevant government authorities, which acknowledged that, under the currently effective PRC laws and regulations, a company already listed in a foreign stock exchange before promulgation of the latest Cybersecurity Review Measures is not required to go through a cybersecurity review by the CAC to conduct a securities offering or maintain its listing status on the foreign stock exchange on which its securities have been listed. Therefore, we believe that under the currently effective PRC laws and regulations, we are not required to go through a cybersecurity review by the CAC for conducting a securities offering or maintain our listing status on the NYSE. On December 24, 2021, the CSRC issued a draft of the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and a draft of Administration Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, for public comments, according to which, the issuer or its affiliated major domestic operating company, as the case may be, shall file with the CSRC and report the relevant information for its follow-on offshore offering and other equivalent offshore offering activities. As of the date of this annual report, the draft of the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, and the draft of Administration Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies have not been adopted and there still exists substantial uncertainties surrounding the CSRC requirements at this stage. As the CSRC may formulate and publish guidelines for filings in the future, the Draft Administration Measures does not provide for detailed requirements of the substance and form of the filing documents. According to a Q&A released on CSRC’s official website, the respondent CSRC official indicated that the CSRC will start applying the filing requirements to new offerings and listings, including new initial public offerings and refinancing by existing overseas listed Chinese companies. As for the filings for the existing companies, the regulator will grant adequate transition period to complete their filing procedures. The Q&A also addressed the contractual arrangements and pointed out that if complying with domestic laws and regulations, companies with VIE structure are eligible to list overseas after filing with the CSRC. Based on the Q&A, we were advised by our PRC Counsel, Fangda Partners, that under the currently effective PRC laws and regulations, we are not required to obtain permissions from or complete filings with the CSRC, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with them.

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If (i) we do not receive or maintain any permissions or approvals, (ii) we inadvertently concluded that certain permissions or approvals have been acquired or are not required, or (iii) applicable laws, regulations or interpretations thereof change and we become subject to the requirement of additional permissions or approvals in the future, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such permissions or approvals in a timely manner, or at all, and such approvals may be rescinded even if obtained. Any such circumstance could subject us to penalties, including fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

For more detailed information, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors— Risks Related to Our Business—If we fail to obtain or keep licenses, permits or approvals applicable to the various online real estate services provided by us, we may incur significant financial penalties and other government sanctions” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The approval of and or report and filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our 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 and reporting process.”

Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act

Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the PCAOB for two consecutive years, the SEC will prohibit our shares or the ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States. We have appointed Yu Certified Public Account, P.C., or Yu CPA, for the audit of the consolidated financial statements since the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Yu CPA is a U.S.-based accounting firm that is registered with the PCAOB and can be inspected by the PCAOB, and was not included in the determinations made by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021. Our predecessor auditor’s work related to our operations in China for the fiscal years 2012 to 2018 was not inspected by the PCAOB. There is no guarantee that our current auditor or any future auditor engaged by us would remain subject to full PCAOB inspection during the entire term of our engagement, which may impact our ability to remain listed on a United States exchange. The related risks and uncertainties could cause the value of the ADSs to significantly decline. Although we believe that the HFCAA 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 HFCAA or the related regulations, which might pose regulatory risks to and impose restrictions on us in the future. For more details, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Although our independent registered public accounting firm is registered with the PCAOB and currently subject to periodic PCAOB inspection, if it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, investors would be deprived of the benefits of such inspection and our ADSs may be delisted or prohibited from trading.”

Cash and Asset Flows through Our Organization

Leju Holdings Limited is a holding company with no operations of its own. We conduct our operations in China primarily through our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in China. As a result, although other means are available for us to obtain financing at the holding company level, Leju Holdings Limited’s ability to pay dividends to the shareholders and to service any debt it may incur may depend upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries and license and service fees paid by our PRC consolidated variable interest entities. If any of our subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to Leju Holdings Limited. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to Leju Holdings Limited only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Further, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities are required to make appropriations to certain statutory reserve funds or may make appropriations to certain discretionary funds, which are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of a solvent liquidation of the companies. For more details, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Holding Company Structure.”

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Under PRC laws and regulations, our PRC subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are subject to certain restrictions with respect to paying dividends or otherwise transferring any of their net assets to us. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned enterprise out of China is also subject to examination by the banks designated by SAFE. The amounts restricted include the paid-up capital and the statutory reserve funds of our PRC subsidiaries and the net assets of the variable interest entities in which we have no legal ownership, totaling $52.9 million, $42.1 million and $41.7 million as of December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Furthermore, cash transfers from our PRC subsidiaries and the variable interest entities to entities outside of China are subject to PRC governmental control on currency conversion. As a result, the funds in our PRC subsidiaries or the variable interest entities in China may not be available to fund operations or for other use outside of China, such as the payments of dividends to U.S. investors, due to interventions in, or the imposition of restrictions and limitations on, the ability of our holding company, our subsidiaries, or the variable interest entities by the PRC government on such currency conversion. For risks relating to the fund flows of our operations in China, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities are subject to restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements” and “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.”

Under PRC law, Leju Holdings Limited may provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through capital contributions or loans, and to the variable interest entities only through loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. In the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, Leju Holdings Limited extended loans with outstanding principal amount of RMB40.0 million, RMB40.0 million and RMB40.0 million, respectively, to our intermediate holding companies and subsidiaries, and the variable interest entities received RMB40.0 million, RMB40.0 million and RMB40.0 million as capital or investment, respectively. Furthermore, cash transfers from Leju to our PRC subsidiaries and the variable interest entities are subject to PRC governmental control on currency conversion. As a result, the funds held by Leju may not be available to fund the operations of our PRC subsidiaries or the variable interest entities in China. See “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.”

Leju Holdings Limited declared and paid cash dividends of USD26.9 million in 2015. It does not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.” For PRC and United States federal income tax considerations of an investment in our ADSs, see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.”

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The following selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Our selected consolidated statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report.

Our selected consolidated financial data also includes certain non-GAAP measures, which are not required by, or presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but are included because we believe they are indicative of our operating performance and are used by investors and analysts to evaluate companies in our industry.

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Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods.

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Non-GAAP financial Measures

The following table sets forth, for the periods specified, our adjusted income (loss) from operations, our adjusted net income (loss), and our adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance, formulate business plans, and make strategic decisions on capital allocation. These non-GAAP financial measures enable our management to assess our operating results without considering the impact of non-cash charges, including share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations and goodwill impairment. We also believe they are indicative of our operating performance and are used by investors and analysts to evaluate companies in our industry. These non-GAAP measures of our performance are not required by, or presented in accordance with, U.S. GAAP. Such measures are not a measurement of financial performance or liquidity under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to income from operations, net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP or an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Our presentation of such measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. You should not compare such measures as presented by us with the presentation of such measures by other companies because not all companies use the same definition.

We define adjusted income (loss) from operations as income (loss) from operations before share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations and goodwill impairment.

We define adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss) before share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations, goodwill impairment, and income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations, and goodwill impairment.

We define adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders as net income (loss) before share-based compensation expense (net of non-controlling interests), amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations (net of non-controlling interests), goodwill impairment (net of non-controlling interests) and income tax impact on the share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business combinations, and goodwill impairment.

We determine the tax effect of the items excluded from adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders based upon evaluation of the statutory tax treatment and the applicable tax rate of the jurisdiction in which the pre-tax items were incurred, and for which realization of the resulting tax benefit, if any, is expected. In certain jurisdictions where we do not expect to realize a tax benefit (due to a history of operating losses or other factors resulting in a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets), a 0% tax rate is applied. The tax rates reflected are appropriate based on the non-GAAP income reflected in the reconciliation table.

The use of the above non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool, as they do not include all items that impact our income (loss) from operations, net income (loss), and net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders for the period. We compensate for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of our share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions and goodwill impairment in our reconciliations to the financial measures under U.S. GAAP, and in our consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.

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The following table reconciles our adjusted income (loss) from operations, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Leju Holdings Limited shareholders in the periods presented to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP:

Notes:

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Financial Information Related to the Variable Interest Entities

The following table presents the condensed consolidating schedule of financial position for the variable interest entities and other entities as of the dates presented.

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A.          [Reserved]

B.          Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C.          Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D.          Risk Factors

Summary of Risk Factors

An investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares involves significant risks. Below is a summary of material risks we face, organized under relevant headings. These risks are discussed more fully in Item 3. Key Information-D. Risk Factors.

Risks Related to Our Business

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Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Risks Related to Our ADSs

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Risks Related to Our Business

Our business is susceptible to fluctuations in China’s real estate industry, which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

We conduct our real estate services business primarily in China. Our business depends substantially on conditions in China’s real estate industry and more particularly on the volume of new property transactions in China. Demand for private residential real estate in China has grown rapidly in recent years but such growth is often coupled with volatility and fluctuations in real estate transaction volume and prices. Fluctuations of supply and demand in China’s real estate industry are caused by economic, social, political and other factors. Over the years, governments at both national and local levels have announced and implemented various policies and measures aimed to regulate the real estate market, in some cases to stimulate further development and more purchase of residential real estate units and in other cases to restrict these activities from growing too rapidly. These measures can affect real estate buyers’ eligibility to purchase additional units, their down payment requirements and financing, as well as availability of land to developers and their ability to obtain financing. These measures have affected and continue to affect the conditions of China’s real estate market and cause fluctuations in real estate pricing and transaction volume. See “—Our business may be materially and adversely affected by government measures aimed at China’s real estate industry”. Furthermore, there may be situations in which China’s real estate industry is so active that real estate developers see a reduced need for marketing initiatives and reduce their spending on such initiatives, which could potentially adversely affect our result of operations. To the extent fluctuations in China’s real estate industry adversely affect spending on real estate marketing, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

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Our business may be materially and adversely affected by government measures aimed at China’s real estate industry.

The real estate industry in China is subject to government regulations, including measures that are intended to control real estate prices. The regulations at both central government level and local government level change from time to time, to either stimulate or depress the real estate market, and it is difficult to foresee the timing or direction of regulatory changes. In the fourth quarter of 2016, local governments in more than 20 cities issued notices to restrict purchases of houses, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Tianjin. The restrictive measures include, but are not limited to, an adjustment to the percentage of required down payment, more restrictive eligibility requirement imposed on purchasers and a limit on the maximum number of houses one may purchase. During the first quarter of 2017, a new round of restrictive measures at national level has permeated into more than 30 cities, including both first-tier and second-tier cities. For example, first-tier cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou further increased the percentage of required down payment. Meanwhile, a number of second-tier cities such as Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Nanjing, Changsha and Shijiazhuang have set a series of restrictions, including the maximum number of houses one may purchase, the maximum amount of mortgage loan(s) one may borrow, and the percentage of required down payment. In 2017, local governments of both first-tier and second-tier cities have also promulgated various policies to impose restrictions or eligibility requirements on buyers purchasing real estate. In the first three quarters of 2018, central and local governments emphasized the general administrative policy that “housing is for living, not for speculation”, and continuously implemented restrictive policies to curb significant increase of housing price. Furthermore, as a practical method to curb the housing price in China, local governments in certain areas of China have been reviewing the upper price limit of new residential properties for sale with increased scrutiny. If the local government determines, at its own discretion, that the upper price limit of a new residential property in its real estate sale plan is too high, the local government may refuse to approve such sale plan. In 2019, central government reiterated its insistence on the general administrative policy that “housing is for living, not for speculation,” and clearly put forward that real estate should not be used as a short-term tool for stimulating economy. In April 2019, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China gave warnings to four cities, Foshan, Suzhou, Dalian and Nanning, where the price index of newly built commercial housing and second-hand housing increased significantly. In December 2019, National Conference on Housing and Urban-rural Development emphasized that land prices and housing prices should remain stable in 2020, and restrictive measures should be continuously adopted. Since 2020, local governments in several cities have implemented control measures for housing price. For example, the Municipal Bureau of Housing and Urban Rural Development of Shenzhen promulgated regulations that families and adult singles (including divorced persons) who are willing to purchase commercial houses must have settled in the Shenzhen for three years, and shall provide a continuous payment certificate of personal income tax or social insurance for at least 36 months. Shanghai Housing and Urban Rural Construction Management Committee, together with other seven municipal bureaus, promulgated regulations that prioritize the needs of families without houses and adopt a scoring system for the purchase of first-hand houses. Under this scoring system, each purchaser will be scored based on the marital status, registered residence location, number of houses owned by the purchaser and purchase records of commercial houses within five years. On July 13, 2021, certain PRC authorities promulgated Notice on the Continuous Rectification and Regulation of the Real Estate Market Order, which provides for intensified punishment by local authorities for real estate agencies violating laws and regulations, including warning and interview, suspension of business for rectification, revocation of business license and qualification certificate, exposure to the public, and reference to security and judicial authorities for investigation and punishment in the case of criminal offence. On December 15, 2022, NDRC issued the “Implementation Plan for Expanding Domestic Demand Strategy under the 14th Five-Year Plan,” which once again emphasized the principle of “house is for living in and not for speculation,” and called for strengthening the guidance in the expectations of the real estate market development, exploring new development models, moving faster to build a housing system featuring multiple suppliers and various support channels that encourages both rentals and purchases, and the steady implementation of long-term mechanisms for the steady and healthy development of the real estate market, and supporting residents’ reasonable demand for their own living purpose. On November 11, 2022, PBOC and China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued the Notice on the current financial support for the stable and healthy development of the real estate market, which announced a series of measures to support the stable and healthy development of the real estate market. However, it is uncertain for how long these measures will remain in effect, and whether the central or local governments will further tighten their policies or adopt new measures that are less restrictive. Frequent changes in government policies may also create uncertainty that could discourage investment in real estate. Our business may be materially and adversely affected as a result of decreased transaction volumes or real estate prices that may result from government policies.

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We may fail to compete effectively, which could significantly reduce our market share and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We face competition in each of our primary business activities. We face various competitors with whom we may compete on one or more lines of business. For example, we compete with fang.com, formerly soufun.com, a leading real estate internet portal in China and compete with anjuke.com, which is operated by 58.com, a major online real estate listing platform in China. In addition, we also compete with mobile-based providers of news, such as toutiao.com, for our online advertising business. Our competitors may have more established brand names, larger visitor numbers and more extensive distribution channels than we do, either overall, or in specific regions in which we operate.

The business of providing online real estate services in China has become increasingly competitive. The barriers to entry for establishing internet-based businesses are low, thereby allowing new entrants to emerge rapidly. The new competitive landscape has placed additional demands on us to increase the amount of resources we provide to customers and increase the quality of our services in order to retain customers. As the online real estate services industry in China is constantly evolving, our current or future competitors may be able to better position themselves to attract funding and to compete as the industry matures.

We also face competition from companies in other media that offer e-commerce, advertising, listing and similar services. Any of these competitors may offer products and services that provide significant advantages over those offered by us in terms of performance, price, scope, creativity or other advantages. These products and services may achieve greater market acceptance than our service offerings, and thus weaken our brand. Increased competition in the online real estate services industry in China could make it difficult for us to retain existing customers and attract new customers, and could lead to a reduction in our revenues or an increase in our costs and expenses to conduct business.

Any of our current or future competitors may also receive investments from or enter into other commercial or strategic relationships with larger, well-established and well-financed companies and obtain significantly greater financial, marketing and content licensing and development resources than us. Furthermore, some of our competitors receive support from local governments, which may place us at a disadvantage when competing with them in their local markets. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors. Any failure to compete effectively in the real estate internet services market in China would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to continue to develop and expand our content, service offerings and features, and to develop or incorporate the technologies that support them, could jeopardize our competitive position.

As a company providing online services, we participate in an industry characterized by rapidly changing technology and new products and services. We rely in part on attracting customers to our platform by providing attractive and helpful content and tools on our websites and mobile devices to assist customers seeking to purchase residential properties and home furnishings. In addition, our ability to continue to generate and maintain online advertising service revenues depends on our ability to innovate. To remain competitive, we must continue to develop and expand our content and service offerings. We must also continue to enhance and improve the user interface, functionality and features of our websites and our mobile applications. These efforts may require us to develop internally, or to license, increasingly complex technologies. In addition, many of our competitors are continually introducing new internet-related products, services and technologies, which will require us to update or modify our own technology to keep pace. New internet-related products, services and technologies developed by competitors could render our products and services obsolete if we are unable to update or modify our own technology. Developing and integrating new products, services and technologies into our existing businesses could be expensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, such new features, functions and services may not achieve market acceptance or serve to enhance our brand loyalty. We may not succeed in incorporating new internet technologies, or, in order to do so, we may incur substantial expenses. If we fail to develop and introduce or acquire new features, functions, services or technologies effectively and on a timely basis, we may not continue to attract new users and may be unable to retain our existing users. If we are not successful in incorporating new internet technologies, our business, results of operations and growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected.

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Failure to attract and retain qualified personnel at a reasonable cost could jeopardize our competitive position.

As our industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, we may need to offer higher compensation and other benefits in order to attract and retain quality sales, technical and other operational personnel in the future. We compete with other companies engaged in online real estate services and internet-related businesses and with print media for qualified personnel. We have, from time to time in the past, experienced, and we expect in the future to continue to experience, difficulty in hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. There may be a limited supply of qualified individuals in some of the cities in China where we have operations and other cities into which we intend to expand. We must hire and train qualified managerial and other employees on a timely basis to keep pace with our rapid growth while maintaining consistent quality of services across our operations in various geographic locations. We must also provide continued training to our managerial and other employees so that they are equipped with up-to-date knowledge of various aspects of our operations and can meet our demand for high-quality services. If we fail to do so, the quality of our services may decline in one or more of the markets where we operate, which in turn, may cause a negative perception of our brand and adversely affect our business. We cannot assure you we will be able to attract or retain the quality personnel that we need to achieve our business objectives.

In addition, we place substantial reliance on the real estate industry experience and knowledge of our senior management team as well as their relationships with other industry participants. For example, Mr. Xin Zhou, our chairman, and Mr. Yinyu He, our chief executive officer, are both particularly important to our future success. We do not carry key person insurance on any member of our senior management team. The loss of one or more members of our senior management team could hinder our ability to effectively manage our business and implement our growth strategies. Finding suitable replacements for our current senior management could be difficult as competition for such talent is intense.

If we fail to successfully attract new personnel, retain and motivate our current personnel, or retain our senior management, we may lose competitiveness and our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our business faces risks associated with the application of the e-commerce business model to the real estate industry and our new products and services may not perform as expected.

Our e-commerce business was established in 2011 and experienced rapid growth to become an important part of our online real estate service operations. Although we generally have been able to effectively manage the growth of this product and maintain contractual arrangements with third-party property developers who allow us to sell discount coupons to prospective real estate purchasers on acceptable terms, there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so in the future. Customer complaints or negative publicity about our services could diminish consumer confidence in and use of our services. We may also explore new real estate e-commerce products or other product offerings. Development of new products or initiatives may involve various risks and there can be no assurance that such products or initiatives may be successfully developed, will perform as expected, or be well-received by customers. Failure to successfully develop or launch new products could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and revenue growth prospects.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from several major urban centers in China, and we face market risk due to our concentration in these major urban areas.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from major urban centers in China, including Guangzhou, Changchun, Hainan, Shanghai, and Zhongshan. In the year ended December 31, 2022, approximately 38% of our revenues was derived from Guangzhou, Changchun, Hainan, Shanghai, and Zhongshan. We expect these five urban centers to continue to be important sources of revenues. If any of these major urban centers experiences an event that negatively impacts the local real estate industry or online advertising, such as a serious economic downturn or contraction, a natural disaster, or slower growth due to adverse governmental policies or otherwise, demand for our services could decline significantly and our business and growth prospects could be materially and adversely impacted.

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A severe or prolonged downturn in the global or Chinese economy could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition.

COVID-19 has had a severe and negative impact on the Chinese and the global economy. For more details on risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, see “—The COVID-19 pandemic has had and may continue to have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.”

Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the global macroeconomic environment was facing numerous challenges. The growth rate of the Chinese economy had already been slowing since 2010. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies which had been adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including problems that may arise from the unwinding of those policies. The Federal Reserve has signaled its intention to raise interest rates in the United States. Recently, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused, and continues to intensify, significant geopolitical tensions in Europe and across the world. This conflict and the imposition of broad economic sanctions on Russia could raise energy prices and disrupt global markets. Unrest, terrorist threats and the potential for war in the Middle East and elsewhere may increase market volatility across the globe. There have also been concerns about the relationship between China and other countries, including the surrounding Asian countries, which may potentially have economic effects. In particular, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any severe or prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Failure to maintain or enhance our brands could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We believe the “Leju” brand is associated with a leading real estate online platform in China, and it is important for the continued success of our business. The brand is integral to our sales and marketing efforts. Our continued success in maintaining and enhancing our brands and image depends to a large extent on our ability to satisfy customer needs by further developing and maintaining quality of services across our operations, as well as our ability to respond to competitive pressures.

If we cannot manage our growth effectively and efficiently, our results of operations or profitability could be adversely affected.

We intend to continue to grow our operations primarily in our current markets. This growth has placed, and will continue to place, substantial demands on our managerial, operational, technological and other resources. Our planned growth will also place significant demands on us to maintain the quality of our services. In order to manage and support our growth, we must continue to improve our existing operational, administrative and technological systems and our financial and management controls, and recruit, train and retain additional qualified real estate service professionals as well as other administrative and sales and marketing personnel, particularly as we expand into new markets. We may not be able to effectively and efficiently manage the growth of our operations, recruit and retain qualified personnel and integrate new expansion into our operations. As a result, our quality of service may deteriorate and our results of operations or profitability could be adversely affected.

Our results of operations may fluctuate or otherwise be materially and adversely affected due to seasonal variations.

Our operating income and earnings have historically been substantially lower during the first quarter than other quarters. The first quarter of each year generally contributes the smallest portion of our annual revenues due to reduced real estate transactions, advertising and marketing activities of our customers in the PRC real estate industry during and around the Chinese New Year holiday, which generally occurs in January or February of each year and due to the cold winter weather in northern China. In contrast, the third and fourth quarters of each year generally contribute a larger portion of our annual revenues due to increased real estate transactions, advertising and marketing activities during the months of September and October. For this reason, our results of operations may not be comparable from quarter to quarter.

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Unexpected network interruptions or security breaches, including “hacking” or computer virus attacks, may cause delays or interruptions of service, resulting in reduced use and performance of our websites and damage our reputation and brands.

Our business depends heavily on the performance and reliability of China’s internet infrastructure, the continued accessibility of bandwidth and servers on our service providers’ networks and the continuing performance, reliability and availability of our technology platform. Any failure to maintain the satisfactory performance, reliability, security and availability of our computer and hardware systems may cause significant harm to our reputation and our ability to attract and maintain customers and visitor traffic. Major risks related to our network infrastructure include:

Computer viruses and hackings may cause delays or other service interruptions and could result in significant damage to our hardware, software systems and databases, disruptions to our business activities, such as to our e-mail and other communication systems, breaches of security and inadvertent disclosure of confidential or sensitive information, inadvertent transmissions of computer viruses and interruptions of access to our websites through the use of denial-of-service or similar attacks. In addition, the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could expose us to a material risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. We maintain most of our servers and backup servers in Beijing, and all information on our websites is backed up weekly. Any hacking, security breach or other system disruption or failure that occurs in between our weekly backup procedures could disrupt our business or cause us to lose, and be unable to recover, data such as real estate listings, contact information and other important customer information.

Ensuring secured transmission of confidential information through public networks is essential to maintaining the confidence of our customers and users. Our existing security measures may not be adequate to protect such confidential information. In addition, computer and network systems are susceptible to breaches by computer hackers. Security breaches could expose us to litigation and potential liability for failing to secure confidential customer information, and could harm our reputation and reduce our ability to attract customers and users. Future security breaches, if any, may result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We also do not maintain insurance policies covering losses relating to our systems and do not have business interruption insurance. Moreover, the low coverage limits of our property insurance policies may not be adequate to compensate us for all losses, particularly with respect to any loss of business and reputation that may occur. To improve our performance and to prevent disruption of our services, we may have to make substantial investments to deploy additional servers or create one or more copies of our websites to mirror our online resources, either of which could increase our expenses and reduce our net income.

Any failure to protect our trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights could have a negative impact on our business.

We believe our trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights are critical to our success. Any unauthorized use of our trademarks and other intellectual property rights could harm our business. Historically, China’s track record for protection of intellectual property rights has been poor, and infringement of intellectual property rights continues to pose a serious risk of doing business in China. Monitoring and preventing unauthorized use is difficult and the measures we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate. We have registered the software copyrights of substantially all of our mobile applications and software copyrights are still enforceable absent registration in China, but registration by itself may not be adequate protection from potential misuse, infringement or other challenges from third parties claiming rights on our intellectual property.

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Furthermore, the application of laws governing intellectual property rights in China and abroad is uncertain and evolving, and could expose us to risks. If we are unable to adequately protect our brand, trademarks and other intellectual property rights, we may lose these rights and our business may suffer materially. We typically impose contractual obligations on employees and consultants and have taken other precautionary measures to maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary information and restricted the use of the proprietary information other than for our company’s benefit. However, if our employees and consultants do not honor their contractual obligations or misappropriate our database and other proprietary information, our business would suffer as a result.

As internet domain name rights are not rigorously regulated or enforced in China, other companies have incorporated in their domain names elements similar in writing or pronunciation to the “Leju” trademark or its Chinese equivalent. This may result in confusion between those companies and our company and may lead to the dilution of our brand value, which could adversely affect our business.

We may be subject to intellectual property infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely against us, could materially disrupt our business.

Some of our competitors may own copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and internet content, which they may use to assert claims against us. We provide training to our staff with respect to procedures designed to reduce the likelihood that we may use, develop or make available any content or applications without the proper licenses or necessary third party consents. However, these procedures may not be effective in completely preventing the unauthorized posting or use of copyrighted material or the infringement of other rights of third parties.

The validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights in internet-related industries, particularly in China, is uncertain and still evolving. For example, as we face increasing competition and as litigation becomes a more common way to resolve disputes in China, we face a higher risk of being the subject of intellectual property infringement claims. Pursuant to relevant laws and regulations, internet service providers may be held liable for damages if such providers have reason to know that the works uploaded or linked infringe the copyrights of others. In cases involving the unauthorized posting of copyrighted content by users on websites in China, there have been court proceedings but no settled court practice as to when and how hosting providers and administrators of a website can be held liable for the unauthorized posting by third parties of copyrighted material. Any such proceeding could result in significant costs to us and divert our management’s time and attention from the operation of our business, as well as potentially adversely impact our reputation, even if we are ultimately absolved of all liability.

In addition, we cannot assure you that we will not become subject to intellectual property laws in other jurisdictions, such as the United States, by virtue of our ADSs being listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, the ability of users to access, download and use our products and services in the United States and other jurisdictions, the ownership of our ADSs by investors in the United States and other jurisdictions, or the extraterritorial application of foreign law by foreign courts or otherwise, among other reasons. If a claim of infringement brought against us in the United States or other jurisdictions is successful, we may be required to pay substantial penalties or other damages and fines, remove relevant content or enter into license agreements which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Even though the allegations or claims could be baseless, defense against any of these allegations or claims would be both costly and time-consuming and could significantly divert the efforts and resources of our management and other personnel.

We are required to comply with PRC and other applicable laws relating to privacy and cybersecurity. The improper use or disclosure of data could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects.

Our business generates and processes a large quantity of data. We face risks inherent in handling and protecting large volume of data. In particular, we face a number of challenges relating to data from transactions and other activities on our platforms, including:

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In general, we expect that data security and data protection compliance will receive greater attention and focus from regulators, both domestically and globally, as well as attract continued or greater public scrutiny and attention going forward, which could increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges associated with data security and protection. If we are unable to manage these risks, we could become subject to penalties, including fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, and our reputation and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The PRC regulatory and enforcement regime with regard to data security and data protection is evolving and may be subject to different interpretations or significant changes. Moreover, different PRC regulatory bodies, including the Standing Committee of the NPC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT, the CAC, the MPS and the SAMR, have enforced data privacy and protections laws and regulations with varying standards and applications. See “Item 4.B. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulation.” The following are examples of certain recent PRC regulatory activities in this area:

Data Security

Personal Information and Privacy

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Many of the data-related legislations are relatively new and certain concepts thereunder remain subject to interpretation by the regulators. If any data that we possess belongs to data categories that are subject to heightened scrutiny, we may be required to adopt stricter measures for protection and management of such data. The Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Draft Regulations remain unclear on whether the relevant requirements will be applicable to companies that are already listed in the United States, such as us. We cannot predict the impact of the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Draft Regulations, if any, at this stage, and we will closely monitor and assess any development in the rule-making process. If the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the enacted version of the Draft Regulations mandate clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be taken by issuers like us, we face uncertainties as to whether these additional procedures can be completed by us timely, or at all, which may subject us to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension of our non-compliant operations, or removal of our app from the relevant application stores, and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. As of the date of this annual report, we have not been involved in any formal investigations on cybersecurity review made by the CAC on such basis.

In general, compliance with the existing PRC laws and regulations, as well as additional laws and regulations that PRC regulatory bodies may enact in the future, related to data security and personal information protection, may be costly and result in additional expenses to us, and subject us to negative publicity, which could harm our reputation and business operations. There are also uncertainties with respect to how such laws and regulations will be implemented and interpreted in practice.

In addition, regulatory authorities around the world have adopted or are considering a number of legislative and regulatory proposals concerning data protection. These legislative and regulatory proposals, if adopted, and the uncertain interpretations and application thereof could, in addition to the possibility of fines, result in an order requiring that we change our data practices and policies, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which came into effect on May 25, 2018, includes operational requirements for companies that receive or process personal data of residents of the European Economic Area. The GDPR establishes new requirements applicable to the processing of personal data, affords new data protection rights to individuals and imposes penalties for serious data breaches. Individuals also have a right to compensation under the GDPR for financial or non-financial losses. Although we do not conduct any business in the European Economic Area, in the event that residents of the European Economic Area access our website or our mobile platform and input protected information, we may become subject to provisions of the GDPR.

If we fail to obtain or keep licenses, permits or approvals applicable to the various online real estate services provided by us, we may incur significant financial penalties and other government sanctions.

The internet and online advertising industries in China are highly regulated by the PRC government. Various regulatory authorities of the PRC government, such as the State Council, the MIIT, the State Administration for Market Regulation, or SAMR, the GAPPRFT, and the Ministry of Public Security, are empowered to issue and implement regulations governing various aspects of the internet and advertising industries. Moreover, new laws, rules and regulations may be adopted, or new interpretations of existing laws, rules and regulations may be released, to address issues that arise from time to time. As a result, substantial uncertainties exist regarding the interpretation and implementation of any current and future PRC laws, rules and regulations applicable to the internet and online advertising industries.

Each of the variable interest entities, including Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu, as well as their respective subsidiaries, is required to obtain and maintain a value-added telecommunications service operating license, or ICP license, from the

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MIIT or its local counterpart in order to provide internet information services and a business license from the SAMR or its local branches which specifically includes operating advertising business in order to engage in advertising activities in China, to the extent applicable to their respective business. Beijing Leju, Beijing Jiajujiu, Beijing Yisheng Leju Finance Culture Media Co., Ltd. and Beijing Weike Union Information Technology Co., Ltd., both subsidiaries of Beijing Leju, Beijing Yisheng Leju Internet Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Beijing Jiajujiu, and Leju Hao Fang, each holds a valid ICP license issued by the local provincial branch of the MIIT for the operation of our value-added telecommunication business. Beijing Yisheng Leju Finance Culture Media Co., Ltd. holds a Radio and television program production business license issued by the local branch of the National Radio and Television Administration for the production and distribution of radio and television programs. The business scope of the business licenses of Beijing Leju and its subsidiaries which engage in the advertising business includes operating advertising business. These licenses are essential to the operation of our online real estate business. The ICP licenses are subject to annual review by the relevant government authorities. The annual review of ICP licenses and business licenses is for the government authorities to conduct an annual inspection of the status of compliance of the license-holding entity. We have submitted the application documents for the annual review of the ICP licenses. At the time of and for the purpose of the annual review of these licenses, the relevant government authorities did not ask for disclosure of our full corporate structure and thus we did not provide such information. They have not so far expressed any opinion with respect to our corporate structure in connection with these annual reviews. Moreover, the regulations relating to ICP licenses also provide that an ICP license holder must first obtain approvals from, or make filings with, competent counterparts of the MIIT in connection with subsequent updates to its shareholding structure or certain other matters relating to such ICP license holder. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully pass the annual review of our ICP licenses, or complete the updating and renewal of the filing records of our ICP licenses with local MIIT counterparts on a timely basis.

In addition, Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and/or Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective subsidiaries may be required to obtain additional licenses. For example, the release, broadcasting and transmission of graphics, video and audio programs or weblinks to such programs, other websites or data on the websites may be deemed as providing internet publication services as well as transmission of video and audio programs on the internet, which could require internet publication licenses and licenses for online transmission of audio-visual programs. During operation of our e-commerce business, we post information, including graphics, weblinks to videos, live-broadcasting, other websites or data on websites operated by us. The variable interest entities and their subsidiaries do not have internet publication licenses and licenses for online transmission of audio-visual programs, and are not applying for these licenses. For those video/audio programs and certain other forms of content that we believe are subject to the requirements of these licenses, such programs and content are hosted by SINA through our contractual arrangement with SINA. In the case that SINA does not possess the necessary licenses and permits, our video/audio programs and other content hosted by SINA are subject to the risk of being suspended by government authorities. Moreover, we cannot assure you that government would not require us to obtain these licenses separately for operation of our own websites and those websites licensed to us even if the underlying hosting of the relevant content may be provided by a qualified third party. If we are required to apply for such licenses, we can provide no assurance that we will procure and maintain such additional licenses.

Under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, the failure to obtain and/or maintain the licenses and permits required to conduct our business may subject our affected consolidated variable interest entities to various penalties, including confiscation of revenues, imposition of fines and/or restrictions on their business operations, or the discontinuation of their operations. Any such disruption in the business operations of the variable interest entities could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Moreover, under PRC advertising laws and regulations, we shall ensure that our advertising content is true and accurate and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Regulations relating to Advertising Services.” Violation of these laws and regulations may subject us to penalties, including imposition of fines, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an announcement correcting the misleading information. While we have made significant efforts to ensure that our advertisements are in full compliance with applicable PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that all the content contained in such advertisements is true and accurate and in compliance with laws and regulations, especially given the uncertainty in the interpretation of these PRC laws and regulations. If we are found to be in violation of applicable PRC advertising laws and regulations, we may be subject to penalties and our reputation may be harmed, which may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations

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The E-Commerce Law may have an adverse impact on our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

In August 2018, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the E-Commerce Law, which became effective on January 1, 2019. The E-Commerce Law generally provides that e-commerce operators must obtain administrative licenses if business activities conducted by the e-commerce operators are subject to administrative licensing requirements under applicable laws and regulations. In addition, the E-Commerce Law imposes a number of new obligations on e-commerce platform operators, including the obligations: (i) to verify and register platform merchants, (ii) to ensure platform cybersecurity, including, but not limited to, data privacy, (iii) to ensure fair dealing and the legitimate rights and interests of consumers on the platform, (iv) to publicize transaction information preservation and transaction rules, and (v) to protect intellectual properties. See “Regulation—Regulations Relating to E-Commerce” for further details. These regulatory requirements may have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations. As no detailed interpretation and implementation rules have been promulgated, it remains uncertain how the E-Commerce Law will be interpreted and implemented. We cannot assure you that our current business operations satisfy the obligations provided under the E-Commerce Law in all respects. If the PRC governmental authorities determine that we are not in compliance with all the requirements proposed under the E-Commerce Law, we may be subject to fines and/or other sanctions.

We are exposed to potential liability for information on our websites and for products and services sold over the internet and we may incur significant costs and damage to our reputation as a result of defending against such potential liability and could be subject to penalties or other severe consequences from PRC regulatory authorities as a result of such information.

We provide third-party content on our websites such as real estate listings, contractor information listings, links to third-party websites, advertisements and content provided by customers and users of our community-oriented services. In addition, our website, jiaju.com, is a platform for third-party home furnishing distributors to offer their products and services to consumers. We could be exposed to liability with respect to such third-party information or the goods and services sold through our website. Among other things, we may face assertions that, by directly or indirectly providing such third-party content or links to other websites, we should be liable for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, or other actions by parties providing such content or operating those websites. We may also face assertions that content on our websites, including statistics or other data we compile internally, or information contained in websites linked to our websites contains false information, errors or omissions, and users and our customers could seek damages for losses incurred as a result of their reliance upon or otherwise relating to incorrect information. We may also be subject to fines and other sanctions by the government for such incorrect information. Moreover, our relevant consolidated variable interest entities, as internet advertising service providers, are obligated under PRC laws and regulations to monitor the advertising content shown on our websites for compliance with applicable law. Especially, on November 26, 2021, SAMR issued the Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising (Draft for comment) for public comment, which requires that advertisers shall be responsible for the authenticity and legality of the content of Internet advertisements, including but not limited to check the relevant advertising supporting documents and verify the advertising contents. Violation of applicable law may result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising fees, orders to cease dissemination of the offending advertisements and orders to publish advertisements correcting the misleading information. In case of serious violations, the PRC authorities may revoke the offending entities’ advertising licenses and/or business licenses. In addition, our websites could be used as a platform for fraudulent transactions. The measures we take to guard against liability for third-party content or information may not be adequate to exonerate us from relevant civil and other liabilities. Any such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to defend and result in litigation and significant diversion of management’s attention and resources. Even if these claims do not result in liability to us, we could incur significant costs in investigating and defending against these claims and suffer damage to our reputation. Our general liability insurance may not cover all potential claims to which we are exposed to and may not be adequate to indemnify us for all liability that may be imposed.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could cause us to inaccurately report our financial result or fail to prevent fraud and have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and the trading price of our ADSs.

We are subject to the reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules require public companies to include a report of management on their internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports. This report must contain an assessment by management of the effectiveness of a public company’s internal control over financial reporting. We sometimes hire a professional consultant to assist us in such efforts. Our efforts to implement standardized internal control procedures and develop the internal tests necessary to verify the proper application of the internal control procedures and their effectiveness are a key area of focus for our board of directors, our audit committee and senior management.

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We had been an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the JOBS Act, and ceased to be one as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. We took advantage of certain exemptions from 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. Although we ceased to be an “emerging growth company”, as a “non-accelerated filer” as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are still not required to have an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting from our external auditors.

Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2022. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures”. However, if we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, our management may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level.

Furthermore, our independent registered public accounting firm has not conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting. It is possible that, had our independent registered public accounting firm conducted an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, such accountant might have identified material weaknesses and deficiencies or might issue a qualified report 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, 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 in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We may not be able to anticipate and identify accounting issues, or other risks critical to financial reporting that could materially impact the consolidated financial statements. Generally, 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 ADSs. 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.

Increases in labor costs in China may adversely affect our business and our profitability.

China’s economy has experienced increases in labor costs in recent years. China’s overall economy and the average wage in China are expected to continue to grow. The average wage level for our employees has also increased in recent years. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to our customers by increasing prices for our products or services, our profitability and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, we have been subject to 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 and its implementation rules, employers are subject to 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 PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Besides, pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law, dispatched employees are intended to be a supplementary form of employment and the fundamental form should be direct employment by enterprises and organizations that require employees. Further, it is expressly stated in the Interim Provisions on Labor Dispatch that the number of seconded employees an employer uses may not exceed 10% of its total labor force and the employer has a two-year transition period to comply with such requirement. Some of our PRC subsidiaries, consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries use seconded employees for their principal business activities. The transition period ended on February 29, 2016, and those PRC subsidiaries, consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries have completed reducing the percentage of seconded employees to less than 10% as required. If the relevant PRC companies are deemed to have violated the limitation on the use of seconded employees under the relevant labor laws and regulations, we may be subject to fines and incur other costs to make required changes to our current employment practices.

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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.

The successful operation of our business depends upon the performance and reliability of the internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China.

Our business depends on the performance and reliability of the internet infrastructure in China. Substantially all access to the internet is maintained through state-controlled telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the MIIT. In addition, the national networks in China are connected to the internet through international gateways controlled by the PRC government. These international gateways are generally the only websites through which a domestic user can connect to the internet. We cannot assure you that a more sophisticated internet infrastructure will be developed in China. We may not have access to alternative networks in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s internet infrastructure. In addition, the internet infrastructure in China may not support the demands associated with continued growth in internet usage.

We also rely on China Unicom and China Telecom to provide us with data communications capacity primarily through local telecommunications lines and internet data centers to host our servers. We do not have access to alternative services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with the fixed telecommunications networks of China Unicom or China Telecom, or if China Unicom or China Telecom otherwise fails to provide such services. Any unscheduled service interruption could disrupt our operations, damage our reputation and result in a decrease in our revenues. Furthermore, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by China Unicom and China Telecom. If the prices that we pay for telecommunications and internet services rise significantly, our gross margins could be significantly reduced. In addition, if internet access fees or other charges to internet users increase, our user traffic may decrease, which in turn may cause our revenues to decline.

We are subject to changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both our costs and the risk of non-compliance.

We are subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, for example, the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and the various regulatory authorities in China and the Cayman Islands, 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.

Any natural or other disasters, including outbreaks of health epidemics, and other extraordinary events could severely disrupt our business operations.

Our operations are vulnerable to interruption and damage from natural and other types of disasters, including earthquakes, fire, floods, environmental accidents, power loss, communication failures and similar events. If any natural disaster or other extraordinary events were to occur in the area where we operate, our ability to operate our business could be seriously impaired. Our business could also be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of health epidemics, including H7N9 bird flu, H1N1 swine influenza, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, Ebola, COVID-19 or another epidemic. Any such occurrence in China could severely disrupt our business operations and adversely affect our results of operations.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has had and may continue to have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.

In recent years, there have been outbreaks of epidemics in China and globally. Starting from early 2020, in response to intensifying efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Chinese government has taken a number of actions, which include quarantining individuals infected with or suspected of having COVID-19, restricting residents from travel, encouraging employees of enterprises to work remotely from home and cancelling public activities, among others. The pandemic resulted in a general slowdown in China’s economy and a significant reduction in real estate transaction volumes as many of our developer clients had to close their project sales centers and show rooms for an extended period, adversely affecting our e-commerce services. Many real estate developers also scaled back online advertising expenditures.

The population in most of the major cities was locked down to a greater or lesser extent at various times and opportunities for discretionary consumption were extremely limited. In particular, many corporate offices, physical stores and other offline services in the affected regions have been temporarily closed again, which has adversely affected our operating efficiency and capacity. Because of the city-wide lock-downs from time to time, there have been significant strains on offline operating activities and negative impacts on our e-commerce and advertising services. We have reinstated temporary remote working arrangement for our employees in the affected regions from March 2022. China began to modify its zero-COVID policy at the end of 2022, and most of the travel restrictions and quarantine requirements were lifted in December. There were surges of cases in many cities during this time, which caused disruption to our operations, and there remains uncertainty as to the future impact of the virus, especially in light of this change in policy. The extent to which the pandemic impacts our results of operations going forward will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including the frequency, duration and extent of outbreaks of COVID-19, the appearance of new variants with different characteristics, the effectiveness of efforts to contain or treat cases, and future actions that may be taken in response to these developments. In addition, our customers will also need time to recover from the economic effects of the pandemic even after business conditions begin to return to normal. Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in the current and future years.

Potential strategic investments, acquisitions or new business initiatives may disrupt our ability to manage our business effectively.

Strategic investments, acquisitions or new business initiatives and any subsequent integration of new companies or businesses will require significant attention from our management, in particular to ensure that such changes do not disrupt any existing collaborations, or affect our users’ opinion and perception of our services and customer support. In addition, in the case of acquisitions or new business initiatives our management will need to ensure that the acquired or new business is effectively integrated into our existing operations. The diversion of our management’s attention and any difficulties encountered in integration could have a material adverse effect on our ability to manage our business. In addition, strategic investments, acquisitions or new business initiatives could expose us to potential risks, including:

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Certain of our leased office premises contain defects in the leasehold interests and if we are forced to relocate operations affected by such defects, our operations may be adversely affected.

As of March 31, 2023, we had leased 43 office premises in 39 cities in China, in addition to a branch office in Hong Kong and our principal executive offices in Beijing, China. A number of these leased properties contain defects in the leasehold interests. Such defects include the lack of proper title or right to lease with respect to 8 leased premises, the landlords’ failure to duly register the leases with the relevant PRC government authority with respect to 38 leased premises and the failure to renew lease agreements before the expiration date with respect to 1 leased premise.

Under PRC regulations, in situations where a tenant lacks evidence of the landlord’s title or right to lease, the relevant lease agreement may not be valid or enforceable and may also be subject to challenge by third parties. In addition, under PRC laws and regulations, while the failure to register the lease agreement does not affect its effectiveness between the tenant and the landlord, such lease agreement may be subject to challenge by and unenforceable against a third party who leases the same property from the landlord and the lease agreement entered into by such third party has been duly registered with the competent PRC government authority. This risk may be mitigated if we continue to occupy the leased premises under our lease. Furthermore, the landlord and the tenant may be subject to administrative fines for such failure to register the lease.

We have taken steps to cause our landlords to procure valid evidence as to the title or right to lease, to complete the lease registration procedures, as well as to renew lease agreements. However, we cannot assure you that such defects will be cured in a timely manner or at all. Our operations may be interrupted and additional relocation costs may be incurred if we are required to relocate operations affected by such defects.

We have limited business insurance coverage.

The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development and PRC insurance companies offer only limited business insurance products. As a result, we do not have any business disruption insurance or litigation insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster may cause us to incur substantial costs and result in the diversion of our resources, as well as significantly disrupt our operations, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

We may have conflicts of interest with our controlling shareholder and its affiliates; because of its controlling ownership interest in our company, we may not be able to resolve such conflicts on favorable terms for us.

E-House Enterprise became our controlling shareholder since November 2020. On November 24, 2021, TM Home Limited (“TM Home”), a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and owned as to 70.23% and 29.77% by E-House Enterprise and Alibaba Investment Limited, respectively, completed the acquisition of an aggregate of 55.8% interest in our issued share capital previously held directly by E-House Enterprise by purchasing 76,401,247 of our ordinary shares from E-House Enterprise. E-House Enterprise remains to be our ultimate controlling beneficial owner.

E-House Enterprise, through its holdings in TM Home, may from time to time make strategic decisions that it believes are in the best interests of its business and its shareholders. These decisions may be different from the decisions that we would have made on our own. E-House Enterprise’s decisions with respect to us or our business may be resolved in ways that favor E-House Enterprise and therefore E-House Enterprise’s own shareholders, which may not coincide with the interests of our other shareholders. We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts, and even if we do so, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated shareholder. Even if both parties seek to transact business on terms intended to approximate those that could have been achieved among unaffiliated parties, this may not succeed in practice.

Potential conflicts of interest between E-House Enterprise and us also include the following:

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Conflicts of interest may also arise between the affiliates of E-House Enterprise and us, such as E-House. We have entered into agreements with E-House with respect to various ongoing relationships between us, which may give rise to conflicts of interests. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions— Transactions and Agreements with E-House”.

We derive a significant amount of revenue from our operation of SINA websites and there can be no assurance that our relationship with SINA will continue on satisfactory terms.

Through an agreement in 2009 entered into between SINA and E-House, we own SINA’s real estate operations. To a large extent, the operations and revenues of our business rely on SINA’s cooperation with us. The domain names of some major websites of our business are owned by SINA and licensed to us through agreements which we initially entered into with SINA in 2009 with terms through 2019 and which we amended and restated in 2014 to extend through 2024. A significant number of users of these websites are linked through other SINA websites. Pursuant to an advertising inventory agency agreement with SINA, we are the exclusive agent of SINA for selling advertising to the real estate advertisers through 2024. To a certain extent, we rely on SINA’s continued cooperation on an ongoing basis to enjoy our rights pursuant to our agreements with SINA. SINA could at any time reduce its support for our business. In addition, SINA’s dual role as our principal shareholder and contractual counterparty could result in conflicts of interest. If for any reason SINA does not fulfill its obligations in accordance with the advertising inventory agency agreement or any of the other agreements or otherwise reduces its support for our online real estate operations, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

Any negative development with respect to E-House Enterprise or SINA may materially and adversely affect our business and brand.

We benefit from our relationship with E-House Enterprise, our controlling shareholder, and its affiliates such as E-House in marketing our services, including providing services to their clients. Our business and brand continue to be closely connected with those of E-House Enterprise and its affiliates. We derive a significant amount of revenue from our operation of SINA websites, and SINA is a principal shareholder of ours. The success of the websites we operate on the platform of SINA is also dependent on the brands and images of SINA. If either E-House Enterprise or SINA loses its market position or suffers any negative publicity, it could have an adverse impact on our business, our marketing efforts, our relationships with strategic partners and customers, our reputation and brand.

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Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our advertising services business and real estate online business in China do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in the advertising industry or the internet information service industry, we could be subject to severe penalties.

Leju Holdings Limited is a Cayman Islands exempted company and a foreign person under PRC law. Due to PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in the internet industry and the uncertainty over administrative practice in advertising industries, we conduct part of our business through contractual arrangements with our affiliated PRC entities. Our e-commerce business with respect to new residential properties is operated through our contractual arrangements with Leju Hao Fang and its shareholders. Our e-commerce business with respect to home furnishing is operated through our contractual arrangements with Beijing Jiajujiu and its shareholders. Our online advertising business for new residential properties websites and our secondary listings business are operated through our contractual arrangements with Beijing Leju and its shareholders. Beijing Leju and its subsidiaries, Leju Hao Fang, and Beijing Jiajujiu and its subsidiaries and branches hold the licenses and approvals that are essential for our business operations.

We have entered into, through our PRC subsidiaries, Shanghai SINA Leju, Shanghai Yi Yue and Beijing Maiteng, a series of contractual arrangements with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective shareholders. These contractual arrangements enable us to (i) direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu and their subsidiaries and branches; (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits from the three consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in consideration for the services provided by our PRC subsidiaries; and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in the variable interest entities, when and to the extent permitted by PRC law, or request any existing shareholder of the variable interest entities to transfer all or part of the equity interest in the variable interest entities to another PRC person or entity designated by us at any time in our discretion. These agreements make us their “primary beneficiary” for accounting purposes under U.S. GAAP. For descriptions of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure”.

However, Leju is a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in the variable interest entities, and we conduct our operations in China primarily through the variable interest entities. Holders of Leju’s ADSs hold equity interest in Leju Holdings Limited, our Cayman Islands holding company, and do not have direct or indirect interest in the variable interest entities in China. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with the 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 or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. We may not be able to repay the notes and other indebtedness, and our shares may decline in value or become worthless, if we are unable to assert our contractual control rights over the assets of our PRC subsidiaries, which contribute to 100.0% of our revenues in 2022. Leju, its PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities, and investors of Leju face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of the variable interest entities and our company as a group.

If the PRC government finds that these contractual arrangements do not comply with its restrictions on foreign investment in the internet business or advertising industry, or if the PRC government otherwise finds that we, Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu, or any of their subsidiaries and branches is in violation of PRC laws or regulations or lack the necessary permits or licenses to operate our business, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, including the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, which regulates advertising companies, and the MIIT, which regulates internet information service companies, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

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The imposition of any of these penalties could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of these penalties results in our inability to direct the activities of any of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu that most significantly impact its economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from any of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu, we may not be able to consolidate the entity in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Although we believe we, our PRC subsidiaries and the variable interest entities comply with current PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that our contractual arrangements comply with PRC licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future. The PRC government has broad discretion in determining rectifiable or punitive measures for non-compliance with or violations of PRC laws and regulations. If the PRC government determines that we or the variable interest entities do not comply with applicable law, it could revoke the variable interest entities’ business and operating licenses, require the variable interest entities to discontinue or restrict the variable interest entities’ operations, restrict the variable interest entities’ right to collect revenues, block the variable interest entities’ websites, require the variable interest entities to restructure our operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which the variable interest entities may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on the variable interest entities’ business operations or on their customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against the variable interest entities that could be harmful to their business. Any of these or similar occurrences could significantly disrupt our or the variable interest entities’ business operations or restrict the variable interest entities from conducting a substantial portion of their business operations, which could materially and adversely affect the variable interest entities’ business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of these occurrences results in our inability to direct the activities of any of the variable interest entities that most significantly impact its economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from any of the variable interest entities, we may not be able to consolidate these entities in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We rely on contractual arrangements with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective shareholders for a portion of our operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.

We rely on contractual arrangements with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective shareholders to operate our online real estate business. For descriptions of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure”. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu. These contractual arrangements 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. If any of the other parties fails to perform their obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and we would have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be effective. Furthermore, the legal environment in China is not as developed as in 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, which may make it difficult to exert effective control over Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.

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In 2020, 2021 and 2022, Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective subsidiaries and branches contributed in aggregate 99.9%, 99.9% and 100.0% of our total net revenues, respectively. In the event we are unable to enforce the contractual arrangements, we may not be able to have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective subsidiaries and branches, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected, and we may not be able to consolidate the financial results of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective subsidiaries and branches into our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The shareholders of the variable interest entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, and if any such conflicts of interest are not resolved in our favor, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

We have designated individuals who are PRC nationals to be the shareholders of the variable interest entities in China. These individuals may have conflicts of interest with us. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, they will act in the best interests of our company or that conflicts of interests will be resolved in our favor. In addition, they may breach or cause the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries to breach or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements that allow us to effectively control the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries and receive economic benefits from them. Currently, we do not have arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between the shareholders of the variable interest entities and our company. We rely on them to abide by the laws of the Cayman Islands and China, which provide that directors and/or officers owe a fiduciary duty to our company, which requires them to act in good faith and in the best interests of our company and not to use their positions for personal gain. If we cannot resolve any potential conflicts of interest or disputes between us and the individual shareholders of the variable interest entities which may arise, we would have to rely on legal proceedings to enforce our rights, which could be costly and unsuccessful.

Our ability to enforce the equity pledge agreements between us and the shareholders of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu may be subject to limitations based on PRC laws and regulations.

Pursuant to the equity pledge agreements relating to the variable interest entities, Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu, the shareholders of the variable interest entities pledge their equity interest in the variable interest entities to our subsidiaries to secure their and the relevant consolidated variable interest entities’ performance of the obligations under the relevant contractual arrangements. The equity pledges under these equity pledge agreements have been registered with the relevant local branch of the SAMR. According to the Civil Code of the PRC, which was issued by the National People’s Congress on May 28, 2020 and became effective on January 1, 2021, the pledgee and the pledgor are prohibited from making an agreement prior to the expiration of the debt performance period to transfer the ownership of the pledged equity to the pledgee when the obligor fails to pay the debt due. However, under the Civil Code of the PRC, when an obligor fails to pay its debt when due, the pledgee may choose to either conclude an agreement with the pledgor to obtain the pledged equity or seek payments from the proceeds of the auction or sell-off of the pledged equity. If any of the variable interest entities or its shareholders fails to perform its obligations secured by the pledges under the equity pledge agreements, one remedy in the event of default under the agreements is to require the pledgor to sell the equity interests in the relevant consolidated variable interest entity in an auction or private sale and remit the proceeds to our subsidiaries in China, net of related taxes and expenses. Such an auction or private sale may not result in our receipt of the full value of the equity interests in the relevant consolidated variable interest entity. We consider it very unlikely that the public auction process would be undertaken since, in an event of default, our preferred approach would be to ask our PRC subsidiary that is a party to the exclusive call option agreement with the variable interest entity’s shareholder, to designate another PRC person or entity to acquire the equity interest in the variable interest entity and replace the existing shareholder pursuant to the exclusive call option agreement.

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In addition, in the registration forms of the local branch of SAMR for the pledges over the equity interests under the equity pledge agreements, the amount of registered equity interests pledged to our PRC subsidiaries was stated as the pledgor’s portion of the registered capital of the variable interest entity. The equity pledge agreements with the shareholders of the variable interest entities provide that the pledged equity interest constitutes continuing security for any and all of the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities under the relevant contractual arrangements, and therefore the scope of pledge should not be limited by the amount of the registered capital of the variable interest entities. However, there is no guarantee that a PRC court will not take the position that the amount listed on the equity pledge registration forms represents the full amount of the collateral that has been registered and perfected. If this is the case, the obligations that are supposed to be secured in the equity pledge agreements in excess of the amount listed on the equity pledge registration forms could be determined by the PRC court to be unsecured debt, which takes last priority among creditors and often does not have to be paid back at all. We do not have agreements that pledge the assets of the variable interest entities and their subsidiaries for the benefit of us or our PRC subsidiaries, although the variable interest entities grant our PRC subsidiaries options to purchase the assets of the variable interest entities and their equity interests in their subsidiaries under the exclusive call option agreement.

Contractual arrangements we have entered into with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and a finding that we, Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu owe additional taxes could reduce our net income and the value of your investment

Under PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be audited or challenged by the PRC tax authorities. We could face material and adverse consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements we have entered into with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu do not represent an arm’s-length price and adjust the taxable income of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu or their subsidiaries and branches 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 Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu or their subsidiaries and branches, which could in turn increase their PRC tax liabilities. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on the variable interest entities for underpayment of taxes. Our consolidated net income may be materially and adversely affected if the variable interest entities’ tax liabilities increase or if they are found to be subject to late payment fees or other penalties.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

Changes in PRC government policies could have a material and adverse effect on overall economic growth in China, which could adversely affect our business.

We conduct substantially all of our business in China. As the real estate industry is highly sensitive to business spending, credit conditions and personal discretionary spending levels, it tends to decline during general economic downturns. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial condition and prospects are subject, to a significant degree, to economic developments in China. While China’s economy has experienced significant growth in the past three decades, growth has been uneven across different periods, regions and among various economic sectors of China. The PRC government may implement measures that are intended to benefit the overall economy even if they would be expected to have a negative effect on the real estate industry. The real estate industry is also sensitive to credit policies. In recent years, the PRC government adjusted the People’s Bank of China’s statutory deposit reserve ratio and benchmark interest rates several times in response to various economic situations. Any future monetary tightening may reduce the overall liquidity in the economy and reduce the amount of credit available for real estate purchase. Higher interest rates may increase borrowing costs for purchasers who rely on mortgage loans to finance their real estate purchase. These could negatively affect overall demand for real estate and adversely affect our operating and financial results. We cannot assure you that China will continue to have rapid or stable economic growth in the future or that changes in credit or other government policies that are intended to create stable economic growth will not adversely impact the real estate industry.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.

We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to foreign-invested enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. PRC legislation and regulations have gradually enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has

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not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

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

We conduct our business primarily in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. The PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct of our business, and may intervene or influence our operations, which could result in a material adverse change in our operation and/or the value of our ADSs. The PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain industries and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations or policies that directly or indirectly affect our industry or require us to seek additional permission to continue our operations, which could also result in a material adverse change in our operation and/or the value of our ADSs. Therefore, investors of our company and our business face potential uncertainty from actions taken by the PRC government affecting our business.

Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

The “variable interest entity” structure has been adopted by many PRC-based companies, including us, to obtain necessary licenses and permits in the industries that are currently subject to foreign investment restrictions in China. See “—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.” On March 15, 2019, the PRC National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the trio of existing laws regulating foreign investment in China, namely, the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The Foreign Investment Law embodies an expected PRC regulatory trend to rationalize its foreign investment regulatory regime in line with prevailing international practice and the legislative efforts to unify the corporate legal requirements for both foreign and domestic investments. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. For instance, under the Foreign Investment Law, “foreign investment” refers to the investment activities directly or indirectly conducted by foreign individuals, enterprises or other entities in China. Though it does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, there is no assurance that foreign investment via contractual arrangement would not be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activities under the definition in the future. In addition, the definition contains a catch-all provision which includes investments made by foreign investors through means stipulated in laws or administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the Stale Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. In any of these cases, it will be uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment under the PRC laws and regulations. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.

Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. Restrictions on currency exchanges between the Renminbi and other currencies may limit our ability to utilize our revenues and funds, in particular in relation to capital account transactions such as investments and loans. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current structure, our income will be primarily derived from dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and the variable interest entities to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations.

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Under current PRC regulations, the Renminbi is convertible for “current account transactions”, which include among other things dividend payments and payments for the import of goods and services, subject to compliance with certain procedural requirements. Although the Renminbi has been fully convertible for current account transactions since 1996, we cannot assure you that the relevant PRC government authorities will not limit or eliminate our ability to purchase and retain foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future.

Conversion of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and of foreign currencies into the Renminbi, for payments relating to “capital account transactions”, which principally include investments and loans, generally requires the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, and other relevant PRC governmental authorities.

In response to the persistent capital outflow from China and the depreciation of Renminbi against U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and SAFE have implemented a series of capital control measures over recent months, including stricter vetting procedures for PRC-based companies’ outbound remittance of foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. For instance, on January 26, 2017, SAFE issued the a SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures on the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including: (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks must check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities must hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls, and SAFE may adopt more restrictions and substantial vetting processes for both current account and capital account cross-border transactions. Restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi for capital account transactions could affect the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and affiliated PRC operating companies to make investments overseas or to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, including by means of loans or capital contributions from us.

Fluctuation in the value of the Renminbi may have a material and adverse effect on your investment.

The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. The value of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in China’s political and economic conditions and by China’s foreign exchange policies, among other things. We cannot assure you that Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.

As our costs and expenses are mostly denominated in Renminbi, the appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would increase our costs in U.S. dollar terms. In addition, as our operating subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities in China receive revenues in Renminbi, any significant depreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar may have a material and adverse effect on our revenues in U.S. dollar terms and financial condition, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ordinary shares. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. These and other effects on our financial data resulting from fluctuations in the value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar could have a material and adverse effect on the market price of our ADSs and your investment.

Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Foreign Exchange Risk.”

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Changes in international trade policies and rising political tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, may adversely impact our business and operating results.

There have been changes in international trade policies and rising political tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, but also as a result of the conflict in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. The U.S. government has made statements and taken certain actions that may lead to potential changes to U.S. and international trade policies towards China. While the “Phase One” agreement was signed between the United States and China on trade matters, it remains unclear what additional actions, if any, will be taken by the U.S. or other governments with respect to international trade, tax policy related to international commerce, or other trade matters. The situation is further complicated by the political tensions between the United States and China that escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of the PRC National People’s Congress’ decision on Hong Kong national security legislation and sanctions and restrictions imposed by the U.S. government on Chinese companies and citizens. Against this backdrop, China has implemented, and may further implement, measures in response to the changing trade policies, treaties, tariffs and sanctions and restrictions against Chinese companies initiated by the U.S. government. For example, the Ministry of Commerce of China published the Measures for Security Review of Foreign Investment in December 2020 to counter restrictions imposed by foreign countries on Chinese citizens and companies, and foreign investment in certain key areas, including products and services of key information technology and internet, that results in acquiring the actual control of the investee, is required to obtain approval from designated governmental authorities in advance.

In addition, we have been closely monitoring domestic policies in the United States designed to restrict certain Chinese companies from supplying or operating in the U.S. market. These policies include the Clean Network project initiated by the U.S. Department of State in August 2020 and new authorities granted to the Department of Commerce to prohibit or restrict the use of information and communications technology and services, or ICTS. While a substantial majority of our business is conducted in China, policies like these may deter U.S. users from accessing and/or using our apps, products and services, which could adversely impact our user experience and reputation.

Likewise, we are monitoring policies in the United States that are aimed at restricting U.S. persons from investing in or supplying certain Chinese companies. The United States and various foreign governments have imposed controls, license requirements and restrictions on the import or export of technologies and products (or voiced the intention to do so). For instance, the United States is in the process of developing new export controls with respect to "emerging and foundational" technologies, which may include certain AI and semiconductor technologies. In addition, the U.S. government may potentially impose a ban prohibiting U.S. persons from making investments in or engaging in transactions with certain Chinese companies. Measures such as these could deter suppliers in the United States and/or other countries that impose export controls and other restrictions from providing technologies and products to, making investments in, or otherwise engaging in transactions with Chinese companies. As a result, Chinese companies would have to identify and secure alterative supplies or sources of financing, while they may not be able to do so in a timely manner and at commercially acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, Chinese companies may have to limit and reduce their research and development and other business activities, or cease conducting transactions with parties, in the United States and other countries that impose export controls or other restrictions.

Rising trade and political tensions could reduce levels of trades, investments, technological exchanges and other economic activities between China and other countries, which would have an adverse effect on global economic conditions, the stability of global financial markets, and international trade policies. It could also adversely affect the financial and economic conditions in the jurisdictions in which we operate, as well as our overseas expansion, our financial condition, and results of operations. While cross-border business currently may not be an area of our focus, if we plan to expand our business internationally in the future, any unfavorable government policies on international trade or any restriction on Chinese companies may affect the consumer demands for our products and service, impact our competitive position, or prevent us from being able to conduct business in certain countries. In addition, our results of operations could be adversely affected if any such tensions or unfavorable government trade policies harm the Chinese economy or the global economy in general.

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PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

The Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-Raising and Round-Trip Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or SAFE Circular 75, requires PRC residents to register with the relevant local branch of SAFE before establishing or controlling any company outside China, referred to as an offshore special purpose company, for the purpose of raising funds from overseas to acquire or exchange the assets of, or acquiring equity interests in, PRC entities held by such PRC residents and to update such registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to that offshore company. 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, in July 2014, which replaced SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle”. The term “control” under SAFE Circular 37 is broadly defined as the operation rights, beneficiary rights or decision-making rights acquired by the PRC residents in the offshore special purpose vehicles or PRC companies by such means as acquisition, trust, proxy, voting rights, repurchase, convertible bonds or other arrangements. SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any changes with respect to the basic information of the special purpose vehicle, such as changes in a PRC resident individual shareholder, name or operation period; or any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. If the shareholders of the offshore holding company who are PRC residents do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, the PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the offshore company, and the offshore company may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital to its PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

We have requested our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to make the necessary applications, filings and amendments required by SAFE. However, we cannot provide any assurances that all of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents will continue to make, obtain or amend any applicable registrations or approvals required by these SAFE regulations. The failure or inability of our PRC resident beneficial owners to comply with the registration procedures set forth therein may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, or limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to our company or otherwise adversely affect our business. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of foreign exchange restrictions. Furthermore, pursuant to our agreements with Tencent, our PRC subsidiaries, Shanghai SINA Leju, Shanghai Yi Yue and Beijing Maiteng are restricted from paying dividends to us until each of our individual beneficial shareholders who are PRC residents and subject to SAFE registration as described above submits its application to SAFE and each of such PRC subsidiaries submits an application with SAFE as required.

As it is uncertain how the SAFE regulations will be interpreted or implemented, we cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or future strategy. For example, we may be subject to a more stringent review and approval process with respect to our foreign exchange activities, including the remittance of dividends and foreign currency-denominated borrowings, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the SAFE regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.

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Failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock ownership plans or share option plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

Under the applicable regulations and SAFE rules, PRC citizens who participate in an employee stock ownership plan or a stock option plan in an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures. In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company, or the Stock Option Rules, which terminated the Application Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of Overseas Publicly-Listed Company issued by SAFE in March 2007. Pursuant to the Stock Option Rules, if a PRC resident participates in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly-listed company, a qualified PRC domestic agent must, among other things, file on behalf of such participant an application with SAFE to conduct the SAFE registration with respect to such stock incentive plan and obtain approval for an annual allowance with respect to the purchase of foreign exchange in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options or stock such participant holds. Such participating PRC residents’ foreign exchange income received from the sale of stock and dividends distributed by the overseas publicly-listed company must be fully remitted into a PRC collective foreign currency account opened and managed by the PRC agent before distribution to such participants. We and our PRC employees who have been granted stock options are subject to this rule, and we have registered our existing employee stock ownership plan and stock option plan with the local SAFE branch in Shanghai. However, if there is any change to our existing employee stock ownership plan or stock option plan, we cannot assure you that we and our PRC optionees will be able to amend such registration in a timely manner, or at all. If we or our PRC optionees fail to comply with these regulations, we or our PRC optionees may be subject to fines and legal sanctions. See “Item 4. Information on the Company— B. Business Overview—Regulation—Foreign Exchange Registration of Employee Stock Incentive Plans”.

The approval of and or report and filing with the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our 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 and reporting process.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, requires an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC persons or entities 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. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear, and our historical and future offshore offerings may ultimately require approval of the CSRC. If the CSRC approval is required, 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 by us, would restrict our ability to raise funds, subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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. As a follow-up, on December 24, 2021, the State Council issued a draft of the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Draft Provisions, and the CSRC issued a draft of Administration Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Draft Administration Measures, for public comments.

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Pursuant to these drafts, an overseas offering and listing by a domestic company, whether directly or indirectly, shall be filed with the CSRC. Specifically, the examination and determination of an indirect offering and listing will be conducted on a substance-over-form basis, and an offering and listing shall be considered as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company if the issuer meets the following conditions: (i) the operating income, gross profit, total assets, or net assets of the domestic enterprise in the most recent fiscal year was more than 50% of the relevant line item in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statement for that year; and (ii) senior management personnel responsible for business operations and management are mostly PRC citizens or are ordinarily resident in the PRC, and the main place of business is in the PRC or carried out in the PRC. According to the Draft Administration Measures, the issuer or its affiliated domestic company, as the case may be, shall file with the CSRC for its initial public offering, follow-on offering, listing of securities in another overseas market, and other equivalent offing activities. Particularly, the issuer shall submit the filing with respect to its initial public offering and listing or listing of securities in another overseas market within three business days after submitting the application documents for the foregoing transactions, and the issuer shall submit the filing with respect to its follow-on offering within three business days after completion of the follow-on offering. Besides, direct or indirect overseas listing of assets of PRC domestic companies by merger and acquisition, share swap, allocation, or other arrangements through one of a series of transactions are also subject to filing with CSRC. Failure to comply with the filing requirements may result in fines to the relevant domestic companies, suspension of their businesses, revocation of their business licenses and operation permits and fines on the controlling shareholder and other responsible persons. The Draft Administration Measures also sets forth certain regulatory red lines for overseas offerings and listings by domestic enterprises. For more details of the Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures, please refer to “Regulation—Regulations on Overseas Offering and Listing.”

As of the date of this annual report, the Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures were released for public comment only. There are uncertainties as to whether the Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures would be further amended, revised or updated. Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the enactment timetable and final content of the Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures. As the CSRC may formulate and publish guidelines for filings in the future, the Draft Administration Measures does not provide for detailed requirements of the substance and form of the filing documents. In a Q&A released on its official website, the respondent CSRC official indicated that the proposed new filing requirement will start with new companies and the existing companies seeking to carry out activities like follow-on financing or listing of securities in another overseas market. As for the filings for the existing companies, the regulator will grant adequate transition period and apply separate arrangements. The Q&A also addressed the contractual arrangements and pointed out that if relevant domestic laws and regulations have been observed, companies with compliant VIE structure may seek overseas listing after completion of the CSRC filings. Nevertheless, it does not specify what qualify as compliant VIE structures and what relevant domestic laws and regulations are required to be complied with. Given the substantial uncertainties surrounding the latest CSRC filing requirements at this stage, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the filings and fully comply with the relevant new rules on a timely basis, if at all.

Relatedly, on December 27, 2021, the NDRC and the Ministry of Finance, or the MOC, jointly issued the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (2021 Version), or the 2021 Negative List, which became effective on January 1, 2022. Pursuant to such Special Administrative Measures, if a domestic company engaging in the prohibited business stipulated in the 2021 Negative List seeks an overseas offering and listing, it shall obtain the approval from the competent governmental authorities. Besides, the foreign investors of the company shall not be involved in the company’s operation and management, and their shareholding percentage 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 conditions, business prospect and ability of financing, may be adversely and materially affected.

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On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedure and report relevant information to the CSRC; if a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedure or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines; (2) if the issuer meets both of the following conditions, the overseas offering and listing shall be determined as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company: (i) any of the total assets, net assets, revenues or profits of the domestic operating entities of the issuer in the most recent accounting year accounts for more than 50% of the corresponding figure in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statements for the same period; (ii) its major operational activities are carried out in China or its main places of business are located in China, or the senior managers in charge of operation and management of the issuer are mostly Chinese citizens or are domiciled in China; and (3) where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity responsible for all filing procedures with the CSRC, and where an issuer makes an application for listing in an overseas market, the issuer shall submit filings with the CSRC within three business days after such application is submitted.

On the same day, the CSRC also held a press conference for the release of the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and issued the Notice on Administration for the Filing of Overseas Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, which, among others, clarifies that the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas on or before the effective date of the Overseas Listing Trial Measures (i.e. March 31, 2023) shall be deemed as existing issuers, or the Existing Issuers. Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC when subsequent matters such as refinancing are involved.

According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, an overseas listed company shall file with the CSRC within three business days after the completion of its subsequent securities offering on the same market, and an overseas listed company shall file with the CSRC within three business days after its application of its offering and listing on a different market. If an overseas listed company purchase PRC domestic assets through a single or multiple acquisitions, share swaps, shares transfers or other means, and such purchase constitutes direct or indirect listing of PRC domestic assets, a filing with the CSRC is also required. In addition, an overseas listed company is required to report to the CSRC the occurrence of any of the following material events within three business days after the occurrence and announcement thereof: (i) a change of control of the listed company; (ii) the investigation, sanction or other measures undertaken by any foreign securities regulatory agencies or relevant competent authorities in respect of the listed company; (iii) a change of listing status or transfer of listing segment; and (iv) the voluntary or mandatory delisting of the listed company. If there is any material change of the principal business of the listed company after the overseas offering and listing so that the listed company is no longer required to file with the CSRC, it shall file a specific report and a legal opinion issued by a domestic law firm to the CSRC within three business days after the occurrence hereof.

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In addition, we cannot assure you that any new rules or regulations promulgated in the future will not impose additional requirements on us or otherwise tightening the regulations on companies with a variable interest entity structure. 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 enacted version of the revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review and the draft of Regulations on the Network Data Security, 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. 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, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities for failure to seek CSRC approval or filing or other government authorization for our offshore offerings. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, 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. If we do not receive prior approval or complete the filing, to the extent it is required, for any of our future offerings of securities overseas or to maintain the trading status of our ADSs, or if we inadvertently conclude that such prior approval or any filing is not required, the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, not to proceed with such offering or maintain the trading status of our ADSs. If we proceed with any of such offering or maintain the trading status of our ADSs without obtaining these regulatory agencies’ approval or completing the filing to the extent it is required, or if we are unable to comply with any new approval requirements or regulatory requirements which might be adopted for offerings that we have completed prior to the publication of the above-referenced opinions, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from these regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from offering of securities overseas into China or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of the ADSs. Additionally, if the CSRC or other relevant PRC regulatory agencies subsequently determine that such approval is required, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain such approval in a timely manner, or at all. 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 regulations relating to acquisitions in China require us to obtain certain approvals from the MOC and the failure to obtain such approvals could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations, reputation and the trading price of our ADSs.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, jointly issued by six PRC regulatory agencies and amended by the MOC in 2009, include provisions that purport to require the MOC’s approval for acquisitions by offshore entities established or controlled by domestic companies, enterprises or natural persons of onshore entities that are related to such domestic companies, enterprises or natural persons. However, the interpretation and implementation of the M&A Rules remain unclear with no consensus currently existing regarding the scope and applicability of the MOC approval requirement on foreign acquisitions among related parties.

We have entered into contractual arrangements with each of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective shareholders, which provide us with substantial ability to control each of these entities. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure”.

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If the MOC subsequently determines that their approval was required for such contractual arrangements, we may need to apply for a remedial approval. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain such approval or waiver of such approval from the MOC. Inability to obtain such approval or waiver from the MOC may have a material and adverse effect on our business. Further, we may be subject to certain administrative punishments or other sanctions from the MOC. The MOC or other regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of U.S. dollars into China, or take other actions that could have further material and adverse effects on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs.

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 recently adopted 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. For example, the M&A Rules require that the MOC be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have or may have impact on the national economic security; or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand. Mergers, 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 MOC when the threshold under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings issued by the State Council in August 2008 and amended in 2018 is triggered. In addition, the Implementing Rules Concerning Security Review on the Mergers and Acquisitions by Foreign Investors of Domestic Enterprises, issued by the MOC 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 MOC, and prohibit any activities attempting to bypass such security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. These laws and regulations are continually evolving as newly enacted Foreign Investment Law took effect. On December 19, 2020, the Measures for the Security Review for Foreign Investment was jointly issued by NDRC and MOFCOM and took effect from January 18, 2021. The Measures for the Security Review for Foreign Investment specified provisions concerning the security review mechanism on foreign investment, including the types of investments subject to review, review scopes and procedures, among others. As these measures are recently promulgated, official guidance has not been issued by the designated office in charge of such security review yet. At this stage, the interpretation of those measures remains unclear in many aspects such as what would constitute "important information technology and internet services and products" and whether these measures may apply to foreign investment that is implemented or completed before the enactment of these new measures. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses.

In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the MOC or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. We believe that our business is not in an industry related to national security but we cannot preclude the possibility that the MOC 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 China, 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.

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Our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities are subject to restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements.

Leju is a holding company registered in the Cayman Islands. It relies on dividends from its PRC subsidiaries as well as service and other fees paid to its PRC subsidiaries by the variable interest entities for our cash and financing requirements, such as the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to its shareholders, including holders of its ADSs, and service any debt it may incur.

The variable interest entities are directly held by certain PRC individuals designated by us and thus are not able to make dividend payments to our PRC subsidiaries and holding companies outside China. We have the right to charge the variable interest entities service fees through our relevant PRC subsidiaries pursuant to the exclusive business cooperation agreements entered into with the variable interest entities, which together with the other agreements with the variable interest entities and their respective shareholders, enable us to enjoy substantially all of the economic benefits of the variable interest entities. These contractual arrangements we have entered into with the variable interest entities may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Contractual arrangements we have entered into with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and a finding that we, Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu owe additional taxes could reduce our net income and the value of your investment”. The variable interest entities have paid and will continue to pay the service fees to our relevant PRC subsidiaries pursuant to the exclusive technical support agreements between them.

Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside a certain amount of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserves. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. In addition, the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, and its implementation rules provide that withholding tax rate of 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by PRC companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC-resident enterprises are incorporated. We have not received any dividend payments or other distributions from our PRC subsidiaries, and as we currently intend to retain all of the available funds and any future earnings of our PRC subsidiaries to fund the development and growth of our business, we do not expect to receive any dividend payments or other distributions from our PRC subsidiaries in the foreseeable future.

Furthermore, if our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict the ability of the variable interest entities to pay service fees to our PRC subsidiaries or the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements. Our contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities enable us to prevent them from entering into debt arrangements that may be detrimental to us because these contractual arrangements provide us with the ability to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the variable interest entities. In addition, the exclusive call option agreements among our PRC subsidiaries, consolidated variable interest entities and their respective shareholders specifically provide that the applicable consolidated variable interest entity shall not, and its shareholders shall ensure that the variable interest entity does not, incur any loan or offer any guarantee without the prior written consent of our applicable PRC subsidiary. However, any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated variable interest entities to pay dividends or make other payments to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries.

As an offshore holding company of our PRC operating subsidiaries, Leju may make loans to its PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities, or may make additional capital contributions to its PRC subsidiaries, subject to satisfaction of applicable governmental registration and approval requirements.

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Any loans we extend to our PRC subsidiaries, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises under PRC law, cannot exceed the statutory limit and must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE. The statutory limit for the total amount of foreign debt of a foreign-invested company was the difference between the amount of total investment and the amount of registered capital of such foreign-invested company as approved by the MOC or its local counterpart. According to a notice issued by the People’s Bank of China regarding foreign debt on January 11, 2017, the total amount of foreign debt of our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated variable interest entities or other PRC domestic entities shall not exceed two times of their respective net assets. Pursuant to the above notice and other PRC law regarding foreign debt, within a one-year grace period starting from January 11, 2017, the statutory limit for the total amount of foreign debt of a foreign-invested company, which is subject to its own choice, is either the difference between the amount of total investment and the amount of registered capital as approved by the MOC or its local counterpart, or two times of their respective net assets. It is very likely that our PRC subsidiaries will elect to apply two times of their respective net assets as the limit for foreign debt if any of them needs to borrow any foreign debt during the grace period. We may extend loans to the relevant PRC subsidiary in an amount that does not exceed the difference between the amount of its total investment and the amount of its registered capital or two times of its net assets referenced above. With respect to the variable interest entities or other domestic PRC entities, the limit for the total amount of foreign amount is two times of their respective net assets pursuant to the above notice. According to Notice of the National Development and Reform Commission on Promoting the Administrative Reform of the Recordation and Registration System for Enterprises’ Issuance of Foreign Debts issued by the National Development and Reform Commission in September 2015, any loans we extend to the variable interest entities or other PRC operating companies that are domestic PRC entities for more than one year must be filed with the National Development and Reform Commission or its local counterpart and must also be registered with SAFE or its local branches.

We may also decide to finance our PRC subsidiaries by means of capital contributions. According to the Interim Measures for the Recordation Administration of the Formation and Modification of Foreign-Funded Enterprises issued by the MOC on October 8, 2016, which was latest amended on June 29, 2018, these capital contributions shall be filed with the MOC or its local counterpart. On December 30, 2019, MOC and SAMR jointly promulgated Measures for the Reporting of Foreign Investment Information, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the Interim Measures for the Recordation Administration of the Formation and Modification of Foreign-Funded Enterprises. According to the Measures for the Reporting of Foreign Investment Information, foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall report investment information to commerce departments through the enterprise registration system and the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, and market regulatory departments shall forward such investment information reported by foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises to commerce departments in a timely manner. SAFE has also issued a few circulars with respect to the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into Renminbi and the flow and use of such Renminbi fund. Capital contributions are currently required to be filed in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System. In March 2015, SAFE issued the Circular on the Reforming of the Management Method of the Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, effective June 2015, or SAFE Circular 19. Under SAFE Circular 19, a foreign-invested enterprise may choose to convert its registered capital from foreign currency to Renminbi on a self-discretionary basis, and the Renminbi capital converted can be used for equity investments within China, which will be regarded as the reinvestment of foreign-invested enterprise.

SAFE also promulgated a circular in November 2011, which prohibits a foreign-invested enterprise from using Renminbi funds converted from its foreign currency registered capital to provide entrustment loans or repay loans borrowed from non-financial enterprises. Violation of these circulars could result in severe monetary or other penalties. These circulars may limit our ability to transfer funds to the variable interest entities and the subsidiaries of our PRC subsidiaries, and we may not be able to convert funds into Renminbi to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies, or establish other consolidated variable interest entities in China. Despite the restrictions under these SAFE circulars, our PRC subsidiaries may use their income in Renminbi generated from their operations to finance the relevant consolidated variable interest entities through entrustment loans to the variable interest entities or loans to such variable interest entities’ shareholders for the purpose of making capital contributions to such variable interest entities. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries can use Renminbi funds converted from foreign currency registered capital to carry out any activities within their normal course of business and business scope, including to purchase or lease servers and other relevant equipment and fund other operational needs in connection with their provision of services to the relevant consolidated variable interest entities under the applicable exclusive technical support agreements.

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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 to our PRC subsidiaries or any consolidated variable interest entity or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to 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 discontinuation of any of the preferential tax treatments currently available to us in China or imposition of any additional PRC taxes on us could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Pursuant to a Circular on Enterprise Income Tax Preferential Treatments issued by the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, and the Ministry of Finance effective February 2008, as partially amended by a Circular on Enterprise Income Tax Policies for Further Encouraging the Development of the Software Industry and the Integrated Circuit Industry, a qualified software enterprise is eligible to be exempted from income tax for its first two profitable years, followed by a 50% reduction in income tax, to a rate of 12.5%, for the subsequent three years. Shanghai SINA Leju renewed its qualification of software enterprise in August 2022, and conducted inspection on an annual basis. In 2021, Shanghai SINA Leju renewed its qualification of “high and new technology enterprise” to enjoy the favorable statutory tax rate of 15% for the following three years. If Shanghai SINA Leju fails to maintain “high and new technology enterprise” status, its applicable enterprise income tax rate may increase to up to 25%. The loss or potential loss of preferential tax treatments enjoyed by Shanghai SINA Leju could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Various local governments in China have also provided discretionary preferential tax treatments to us. However, at any time, these local governments may decide to reduce or eliminate these preferential tax treatments. Furthermore, these local implementations of tax laws may be found in violation of national laws or regulations, and as a consequence, we may be subject to retroactive imposition of higher taxes as a result. We are required under U.S. GAAP to accrue taxes for these contingencies. The change in accounting requirement for reporting tax contingencies, any reduction or elimination of these preferential tax treatments and any retroactive imposition of higher taxes could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfer of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises or other assets attributed to a PRC establishment of a non-PRC company, or immovable properties located in China owned by their non-PRC holding companies.

We face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences on private equity financing transactions, share exchange or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors who are non-PRC resident enterprises.

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In February 2015, the SAT issued the Notice on Several Issues Concerning Enterprise Income Tax for Indirect Share Transfer by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or the SAT Bulletin 7, which replaced previous rules under the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 698, issued by the SAT in 2009. Pursuant to the SAT Bulletin 7, an “indirect transfer” of assets of a PRC resident enterprise, including equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets, if such transaction arrangement lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax. According to the SAT Bulletin 7, “PRC taxable assets” include assets attributed to an establishment in China, immovable properties located in China, and equity interests in PRC resident enterprises, in respect of which gains from their transfer by a direct holder, being a non-PRC resident enterprise, would be subject to PRC enterprise income taxes. In respect of an indirect transfer of assets of a PRC establishment, the resulting gain is to be included with the enterprise income tax filing of the PRC establishment or place of business being transferred, and would consequently be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. If the underlying transfer relates to immovable properties located in China or to equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise, which is not related to a PRC establishment or place of business of a non-resident enterprise, a PRC enterprise income tax at 10% would apply, subject to preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements, if any, and the party who is obligated to make payments for the transfer has a withholding obligation. Although the SAT Bulletin 7 does not apply to share transfers of publicly traded companies, there is uncertainty as to the application of the SAT Bulletin 7 or previous rules under the SAT Circular 698. We and our non-PRC resident investors may be at risk of being subject to tax filing or withholding obligations under the SAT Bulletin 7 and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with the SAT Bulletin 7 or to establish that we should not be taxed under the SAT Bulletin 7.

We cannot assure you that the PRC tax authorities will not, at their discretion, adjust any capital gains and impose tax return filing and withholding or tax payment obligations on the transferors and transferees, while our PRC subsidiaries may be requested to assist in the filing. Any PRC tax imposed on a transfer of our shares or any adjustment of such gains would cause us to incur additional costs and may have a negative impact on the value of your investment in us.

Dividends payable to us by our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to PRC withholding taxes or we may be subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income, and dividends distributed to our investors may be subject to PRC withholding taxes under the EIT Law and our investors may be subject to PRC withholding tax on the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs.

Under the EIT Law and its implementation rules, all domestic and foreign invested companies would be subject to a uniform enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% and dividends from a PRC subsidiary to its foreign parent company will be subject to a withholding tax at the rate of 10%, unless such foreign parent company’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a reduced rate of withholding, or the tax is otherwise exempted or reduced pursuant to PRC tax laws.

Under the Measures for the Administration of Non-Resident Taxpayers’ Enjoyment of the Treatment under Tax Agreements, effective November 2015, our Hong Kong subsidiaries need to obtain approval from the relevant local branch of the SAT in order to enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% in accordance with the Arrangement between Mainland China and Hong Kong for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income. The SAT further clarified in a circular that tax treaty benefits will be denied to “conduit” or shell companies without business substance and that a beneficial ownership analysis will be used based on a “substance-over-form” principle to determine whether or not to grant the tax treaty benefits. It is unclear at this stage whether this circular applies to dividends from our PRC subsidiaries paid to us through our Hong Kong subsidiaries. However, it is possible that our Hong Kong subsidiaries might not be considered as “beneficial owners” of any dividends from their PRC subsidiaries and as a result would be subject to withholding tax at the rate of 10%. As a result, there is no assurance that our Hong Kong subsidiaries will be able to enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate.

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In addition, under the EIT Law, enterprises organized under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with their “de facto management bodies” located within China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and therefore be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their worldwide income. Under the implementation rules of the EIT Law, “de facto management bodies” are defined as the bodies that have material and overall management and control over the business, personnel, accounts and properties of the enterprise. A subsequent circular issued by the SAT provides that a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group will be classified as a “resident enterprise” with its “de facto management bodies” located within China if the following requirements are satisfied: (i) the senior management and core management departments in charge of its daily operations function mainly in China; (ii) its financial and human resources decisions are subject to determination or approval by persons or bodies in China; (iii) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in China; and (iv) more than half of the enterprise’s directors or senior management with voting rights reside in China.

The EIT Law and its implementation rules are relatively new and ambiguities exist with respect to the interpretation of the provisions relating to resident enterprise issues. Although our offshore holding companies are not controlled by any PRC company or company group, we cannot assure you that we will not be deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law and its implementation rules. If we were considered a PRC resident enterprise, we would be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our worldwide income; dividend income we receive from the PRC subsidiaries, however, may be exempt from PRC tax since such income is exempted under the EIT Law to a PRC resident recipient. However, as there is still uncertainty as to how the EIT Law and its implementation rules will be interpreted and implemented, and the PRC foreign exchange control authorities have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as PRC resident enterprises, we cannot assure you that we are eligible for such PRC enterprise income tax exemptions or reductions. In addition, ambiguities also exist with respect to the interpretation of the provisions relating to identification of PRC-sourced income. If we were considered a PRC resident enterprise, any dividends payable to non-resident holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs, and the gains such investors may realize from the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs, may be treated as PRC-sourced income and therefore be subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax (or 20% in the case of non-resident individual holders), unless otherwise exempted or reduced pursuant to treaties or applicable PRC law.

If we became a PRC resident enterprise under the new PRC tax system and received income other than dividends, our profitability and cash flows would be adversely affected due to our worldwide income being taxed in China under the EIT Law. Additionally, we would incur an incremental PRC dividend withholding tax cost if we distributed our profits to our ultimate shareholders. There is, however, not necessarily an incremental PRC dividend withholding tax on the piece of the profits distributed from our PRC subsidiaries, since they would have been subject to PRC dividend withholding tax even if we were not a PRC tax resident.

Failure to obtain the approvals or complete the filings required for our real estate agency and brokerage business in China may limit our ability to provide real estate agency and brokerage services or establish new PRC operating entities.

Currently, we mainly use the VIEs, and their subsidiaries to provide support for our e-commerce business. Certain of the support services provided by the VIEs and their subsidiaries may be regarded as real estate agency and brokerage services under PRC law. Pursuant to the previous Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue issued in 2011, foreign ownership of the real estate agency and brokerage business in China is subject to government approval. Accordingly, the establishment of, or investment in any company with a registered business scope of, real estate agency and brokerage services in China by our PRC subsidiaries directly is, and by our PRC subsidiaries indirectly through their subsidiaries may be, subject to approval of the MOC or its relevant local counterparts which should be obtained before registering such company with the SAMR or its local counterparts. Although the VIEs have not obtained approvals from the competent local branches of the MOC in connection with their establishment of, or investment in, their subsidiaries with a registered business scope of real estate brokerage business, the subsidiaries of the VIEs which are engaged in real estate agency and brokerage business have obtained and maintained a business license with such business scope, and none of such subsidiaries has received any notice of warning or penalties from the competent authorities for lacking such approval.

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The Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue, effective April 2015, loosens the restrictions on foreign ownership of the real estate agency and brokerage business in China by removing it from the restricted category for foreign investment. Under the new catalogue, the VIEs no longer needs the approval of the MOC or its relevant local counterparts for the establishment of, or investment in any new PRC subsidiary with a registered business scope of real estate agency and brokerage services. However, we cannot assure you that the historical non-compliance of the VIEs’ not obtaining the requisite government approval would not be found as a violation by relevant PRC government authorities. If the historical non-compliance were found and determined by the relevant PRC government authorities as a violation, our relevant subsidiaries would be subject to warnings, fines or even revocation of its licenses.

In addition, pursuant to the relevant regulations regarding real estate agency and brokerage businesses, a real estate broker must conduct a filing with the real estate administrative authority within 30 days after issuance of its business license. We have completed the filing with the competent local real estate administrative authorities for our 32 PRC operating entities which currently provide support services considered to be real estate agency and brokerage services under the PRC law. In addition, we are in the process of making such filings with the relevant local real estate administrative authorities for 11 entities. For the remaining entities, 13 entities are in the process of being liquidated, and none of the entities are not qualified to make such filings with the relevant local real estate administrative authorities. The requirements of the local real estate administrative authority for such filing may vary in different cities and we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete such filing in a timely manner or at all. If we fail to properly complete such filings, it may limit the ability of the relevant PRC operating entities to provide similar support service to our e-commerce business.

Although our independent registered public accounting firm is registered with the PCAOB and currently subject to periodic PCAOB inspection, if it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, investors would be deprived of the benefits of such inspection and our ADSs may be delisted or prohibited from trading.

We have appointed Yu Certified Public Account, P.C., or Yu CPA, for the audit of our consolidated financial statements since the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Yu CPA is a U.S.-based accounting firm that is registered with the PCAOB and can be inspected by the PCAOB. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accounts LLP, or DTT, was our predecessor auditor and audited our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years 2018 to 2018. DTT's audit work related to our operations in China was not inspected by the PCAOB.

As an auditor of companies that are registered with the SEC and publicly traded in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, our auditor is required under the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. There is no guarantee, however, that our current auditors or any future auditor engaged by us would remain subject to full PCAOB inspection during the entire term of our engagement.

The PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections in China without the approval of Chinese government authorities. Since we have substantial operations in China, if it is later determined that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection. Any audit reports not issued by auditors that are completely inspected by the PCAOB, or a lack of PCAOB inspections of audit work undertaken in China that prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors' audits and their quality control procedures, could result in a lack of assurance that our financial statements and disclosures are adequate and accurate.

Pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the PCAOB for two consecutive years, the SEC shall prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States.

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On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Yu CPA is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and was not identified in this report as a firm subject to the PCAOB’s determination. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. However, if the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we and investors in our ADSs would be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections again, which could cause investors and potential investors in the ADSs to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements. The prohibition of our ordinary shares and ADSs from trading in the United States would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase the ADSs when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with delisting would have a negative impact on the price of the ADSs. Also, such a prohibition would significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and prospects.

Risks Related to Our ADSs

The market price for our ADSs has been and may continue to be highly volatile.

In 2022, the closing price of our ADSs on the NYSE, varied from a high of $9.11 to a low of $1.32. The market price for our ADSs has been and may continue to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations due to factors beyond our control, such as broad market and industry factors. The securities markets in the United States, China and elsewhere have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies, particularly in recent years. The securities of some PRC-based companies that have listed their securities in the United States have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of these PRC companies’ securities after their offerings may affect the attitudes of investors toward PRC companies listed in the United States, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. Since 2011, some PRC-based companies became targets of short sellers. Any negative news or perceptions about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or other matters of other PRC companies may also negatively affect the attitudes of investors towards PRC companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. Although we have confidence in our corporate governance practice and internal control over financial reporting, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to such attack. Any negative news or perceptions about our corporate governance or accounting practice in the future, regardless of its merits, will negatively affect the trading performance of our ADSs. In addition, the global financial crisis and the ensuing economic recessions in many countries have contributed and may continue to contribute to extreme volatility in the global stock markets.

In addition to the broad market and industry fluctuations, factors specific to our own operations may adversely affect the market price of our ADSs, including the following:

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Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our ADSs will trade.

Our ADSs may be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange as a result of our failure of meeting the New York Stock Exchange continued listing requirements.

We are required to meet certain quantitative tests as well as corporate governance and other qualitative standards to maintain the listing of our ADSs on the NYSE. It is possible that we could fail to satisfy one or more of these requirements.

Pursuant to NYSE rule 802.01C, a company is considered to be below compliance standards if the average closing price of a security as reported on the consolidated tape is less than $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. We received a letter from the NYSE dated January 6, 2022, notifying us that we were below the foregoing compliance standard. Pursuant to NYSE rule 802.01C, once notified, a company must bring its share price and average share price back above $1.00 within six months following receipt of the notification. If on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period the company has a closing share price of at least $1.00 and an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of that month, then the company can regain compliance at any time during the six-month cure period. In the event that at the expiration of the six-month cure period, both a $1.00 closing share price on the last trading day of the cure period and a $1.00 average closing share price over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the cure period are not attained, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures. We have regained compliance by changing the ratio of our ADS to our ordinary shares from one ADS to one ordinary share to one ADS to ten ordinary shares, effective on May 20, 2022 and prior to the expiration of the applicable cure period. We are in compliance with the minimum bid requirement as of the date of this annual report. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain compliance with any other continued listing requirements of the NYSE. In the event of deficiency or non-compliance, we could receive notices from the NYSE and suffer loss of investor confidence and trading price decline. If we fail to regain compliance in time, we could face trading suspension or even delisting from the NYSE, which could make it more difficult to obtain accurate quotations of and buy or sell our securities, and the price of our securities could suffer further significant decline. Delisting may also impair our ability to raise capital and harm our reputation.

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 U.S. domestic public companies.

Because we qualify as 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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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 as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the NYSE. 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 as 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 are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE Listed Company Manual and, as a result, has relied and may continue to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.

Since November 2020, we have been a “controlled company” as defined under the NYSE Listed Company Manual because more than 50% of the voting power of our company has been held by E-House Enterprise since November 2020. For so long as we remain a “controlled company” under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance rules, including an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors or that we have to establish a nominating committee and a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. If we elect to rely on one or more of the exemptions, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements. Currently, we do not have a majority of independent directors on our board.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our ADSs or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.

The sale or availability for sale, or perceived sale or availability for sale, of substantial amounts of our ADSs could adversely affect their market price.

Sales of our ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline. As of March 31, 2023, we had 137,172,601 ordinary shares outstanding (excluding the 3,580,150 ordinary shares issued to our depositary bank for bulk issuance of ADSs reserved for future issuances upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under our share incentive plan). TM Home, SINA and Tencent held an aggregate of approximately 83.3% of our ordinary shares outstanding as of March 31, 2023. The sale or perceived sale of a substantial amount of our ADSs by any of these principal shareholders could adversely affect the prevailing market price for our ADSs. Such sales or perceived sales also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. In addition, if we pay for our future acquisitions in whole or in part with additionally issued ordinary shares, your ownership interests in our company would be diluted and this, in turn, could have an adverse effect on the price of our ADSs.

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

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

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

We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary 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, the decisions of whose courts are 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 less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, shareholders of Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (except for the memorandum and articles of association, our register of mortgages and charges and special resolutions of our shareholders) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our existing articles of association 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 motion 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 United States. Currently, we do not plan to rely on home country practice with respect to any corporate governance matter. However, if we choose to follow 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, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.

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Judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable in our home jurisdiction.

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and a substantial majority of our assets are located outside the United States. A significant percentage of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, a significant majority of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons or to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers.

There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States, and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments. A foreign money judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the liquidated sum for which such judgment has been given, provided such judgment (i) was given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (iii) is final and conclusive, (iv) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty, (v) is not inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, and (vi) is not impeachable on the grounds of fraud and was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands.

However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. A Cayman Islands court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.

It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.

Shareholder claims or regulatory investigation that are common in the United States generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory investigations or litigation initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or Article 177, which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests. See also “—Risks Related to Our ADSs—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” for risks associated with investing in us as a Cayman Islands company.

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You, as holders of ADSs, may have fewer rights than holders of our ordinary shares and must act through the depositary to exercise those rights.

Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights of our shareholders and may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under our memorandum and articles of association, the minimum notice period required to convene a general meeting is seven calendar days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit you to withdraw the underlying ordinary shares represented by your ADSs to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if the underlying ordinary shares represented by your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to call a shareholders’ meeting.

The return of your investment our ADSs will primarily depend upon any future price appreciation of our ADS.

Subject to our memorandum and articles of association and the laws of the Cayman Islands, our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but not exceeding the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of dividends will depend on, among other things, our results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs will likely depend primarily upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.

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

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

You may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution of your holdings as a result.

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

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

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

We believe that we were a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for the taxable year ended December 31, 2022, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders.

We will be classified as a “passive foreign investment company”, or “PFIC” for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, if either (i) 75% or more of our gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (ii) 50% or more of the value of our assets (generally determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (“the asset test”). Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat the variable interest entities as being owned by us for U.S. 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.

Based upon the composition of our assets (in particular the retention of a substantial amount of cash), and the market price of our ADSs, we believe that we were a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for the taxable year ended December 31, 2022, and we will likely be a PFIC for our current taxable year unless the market price of our ADSs increases and/or we invest a substantial amount of the cash and other passive assets we hold in assets that produce or are held for the production of active income.

If we are classified as a PFIC in any taxable year, a U.S. holder (as defined in “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”) may incur significantly increased U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares and on the receipt of distributions on the ADSs or ordinary shares to the extent such gain or distribution is treated as an “excess distribution” under the U.S. federal income tax rules. Further, if we are classified as a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares. Each U.S. holder is urged to consult its tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares if we are treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, including the possibility of making a “mark-to-market” election.

See the discussion under “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares if we are or become classified as a PFIC, including the possibility of making a “mark-to-market” election.

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Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership and investment in the internet information services and advertising businesses, we conduct such activities through contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities in China. Our e-commerce business with respect to new residential properties is operated through our contractual arrangements with Leju Hao Fang, formerly known as Shanghai Yi Xin E-Commerce Co., Ltd., and its shareholders. Our e-commerce business with respect to home furnishing is operated through our contractual arrangements with Beijing Jiajujiu and its shareholders. Our online advertising business for new residential properties websites and our secondary listings business are operated through our contractual arrangements with Beijing Leju and its shareholders. We have entered into, through our PRC subsidiaries, Shanghai SINA Leju, Shanghai Yi Yue and Beijing Maiteng, a series of contractual arrangements with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective shareholders. As a result of these contractual arrangements, Leju Holdings Limited, through PRC subsidiaries, is the primary beneficiary of these PRC entities and accounts for them as variable interest entities, and consolidates the financial results of these entities into our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure”.

On April 17, 2014, our ADSs commenced trading on the NYSE under the symbol “LEJU”. We raised from our initial public offering approximately $101.4 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting commissions and the offering expenses payable by us. Concurrently with our initial public offering, we also raised from Tencent in a private placement $18.9 million in net proceeds after deducting estimated fees and expenses payable by us.

On May 20, 2022, we effected a change in the ratio of our ADSs to ordinary shares from one ADS representing one ordinary share to one ADS representing ten ordinary shares. Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this annual report concerning share and per share data gives retroactive effect to the ADS Ratio Change.

Our Relationship with E-House Enterprise

On November 4, 2020, E-House Enterprise completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in our company. E-House Enterprise purchased (i) 51,925,996 ordinary shares from Mr. Xin Zhou and certain of his affiliated entities (the “Zhou Parties”) by issuing to the Zhou Parties 166,918,440 of its ordinary shares (“E-House Enterprise Shares”), and (ii) 24,475,251 ordinary shares of Leju from SINA Corporation and an affiliated entity thereof (the “SINA Parties”) by issuing to the SINA Parties 78,676,790 E-House Enterprise Shares. Upon completion of these transactions, E-House Enterprise acquired the beneficial ownership of 76,401,247 ordinary shares of us, and we became a subsidiary of E-House Enterprise and our financial results have been consolidated into the accounts of E-House Enterprise since then. On November 24, 2021, TM Home Limited (“TM Home”), a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and owned as to 70.23% and 29.77% by E-House Enterprise and Alibaba Investment Limited (“Alibaba Investment”), respectively, completed the acquisition of an aggregate of 55.8% interest in our issued share capital. TM Home purchased 76,401,247 of our ordinary shares from E-House Enterprise by issuing to the E-House Enterprise 6,854,839 of its ordinary shares. As of March 31, 2023, TM Home owned 76,401,247 ordinary shares of us, representing approximately 55.7% of our total outstanding ordinary shares.

In July 2020, E-House Enterprise entered into a business cooperation agreement with a subsidiary of Alibaba, and the two parties have agreed to cooperate in areas including online-offline real estate transaction, digital marketing and after-sale services with the goal of enhancing the digital and intellectual capabilities of the real estate service industry. Alibaba will closely collaborate with E-House Enterprise and us to build an online real estate marketing platform and digital transaction network, with E-House Enterprise being the operator of online transaction services on the platform and we being the operator of digital marketing services. To our knowledge, Alibaba beneficially owned 8.32% of E-House Enterprise’s outstanding shares as of March 31, 2023.

Leju has become aware that E-House Enterprise announced proposed restructuring of certain notes previously issued by E-House Enterprise (the “Restructuring”). As a result of a series of steps in connection with the proposed Restructuring, a special purpose vehicle established for the holders of certain notes of E-House Enterprise (the “Creditor SPV”), and Alibaba Investment and its affiliate will hold approximately 54.207% and 10.793% of the shares of TM Home, respectively, which will result in E-House Enterprise ceasing to be a controlling beneficial owner of Leju. The remaining 35% of the shares of TM Home will be held by E-House Enterprise and its affiliates, of which 15% will be transferred to a special purpose vehicle held by the members of senior management of TM Home appointed by E-House Enterprise. E-House Enterprise will further use reasonable endeavors to sell or procure the sale of the shares of TM Home held by the Creditor SPV and Alibaba Investment, which will cause further changes in the beneficial ownership of Leju. The potential change in Leju’s controlling shareholders is subject to the effectiveness of the proposed Restructuring, including the approval of the proposed Restructuring by E-House Enterprise’s noteholders.

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We also have ongoing relationship with E-House, an affiliate of E-House Enterprise. Our agreements with E-House include a master transaction agreement, an offshore transitional services agreement (as amended), an onshore transitional services agreement (as amended), a non-competition agreement and an onshore cooperation agreement. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions— Transactions and Agreements with E-House.”

Our Relationship with SINA

Through an agreement entered into between SINA and E-House in 2009, we own SINA’s real estate operations. To a large extent, the operations and revenues of our business rely on SINA’s cooperation with us. The domain names of some major websites of our business are owned by SINA and licensed to us through agreements which we initially entered into with SINA in 2009 with terms through 2019 and which we amended and restated in 2014 to extend through 2024. A significant number of users of these websites are linked through other SINA websites. Pursuant to an advertising inventory agency agreement with SINA, we are the exclusive agent of SINA for selling advertising to the real estate advertisers through 2024.

On March 21, 2017, we entered into a registration rights agreement with SINA, which grants SINA the same registration rights with respect to our ordinary shares as those granted to E-House and Tencent under an investor rights agreement dated March 31, 2014.

See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions and Agreements with SINA” for more information.

Our Relationship with Tencent

In March 2014, pursuant to a share purchase and subscription agreement we entered into with E-House and Tencent, Tencent acquired from E-House 19,201,800 of our ordinary shares, or 15% of our total outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis, including all options and restricted shares and any other rights to acquire our shares that were granted and outstanding, for $180 million in cash. Concurrent with the consummation of our initial public offering, Tencent purchased 2,029,420 ordinary shares from us at a price per ordinary share equal to the initial public offering price per ordinary shares to maintain a 15% equity interest in us on a fully diluted basis as of the consummation of our initial public offering. In connection with the sale of shares to Tencent, we have entered into an investor rights agreement on March 31, 2014 with E-House and Tencent, which grants E-House and Tencent certain registration rights with respect to our ordinary shares owned by them, grants certain board representation rights to Tencent and places certain restrictions on the transfer of our ordinary shares by E-House or Tencent.

In January 2019, we entered into a series of exclusive advertising agency agreements with Tencent. Pursuant to the exclusive advertising agency agreements, we are the exclusive real property advertising agent of Tencent for selling advertising to real estate advertisers in certain areas of China, including, Tianjin and Sichuan, Anhui, Shanxi, Guangxi and Fujian provinces. In March 2019, we entered into an advertising agency agreement with Tencent, pursuant to which we are the real property advertising agent of Tencent in certain other areas of China. In January 2020, we renewed and entered into advertising agency agreements with Tencent, pursuant to which we are the real property advertising agent of Tencent in many areas of China. Pursuant to the exclusive advertising agency agreements signed in April 2020, such areas of China were Heilongjiang, Shanxi, Tianjin, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Chongqing, Sichuan and some cities in Jiangsu Province. In early 2021, we renewed our advertising agency agreements with Tencent, and the cooperative areas remain the same as those in 2020. At the beginning of 2022, we renewed our advertising agency agreements with Tencent, and the cooperative areas were Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Fujian, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, and some cities in Jiangsu Province.

See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions and Agreements with Tencent” for more information.

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Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at Level G, Building G, No.8 Dongfeng South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 10 8474 1288. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. In addition, we have 41 branch offices in mainland China and a branch office in Hong Kong. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Law Debenture Corporate Services Inc., located at 400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

B.Business Overview

Overview

We are a leading O2O real estate services provider in China. We offer real estate e-commerce, online advertising and online listing services through our online platform, which comprises local websites covering 400 cities, various mobile applications and Weixin mini programs. We integrate our online platform with complementary offline services to facilitate residential property transactions. In addition to our own websites, we also operate various real estate and home furnishing websites of SINA.

E-Commerce. We offer e-commerce services primarily in connection with new residential property sales. Our O2O services for new residential properties include (i) selling discount coupons and facilitating online property viewing, physical property visits, marketing events and pre-sale customer support, and (ii) issuing commission coupons and providing an information platform to individual brokers on which they can refer potential individual property buyers to real estate developers with whom we work to earn commission for the successful referrals.

Online Advertising. In respect of the online advertising services, we mainly provide comprehensive advertisement placement services to advertisers, mainly property developers, through a packaged online cross-media and cross-platform product portfolio, including those owned by us and other independent outlets. We currently sell advertising primarily on the SINA new residential properties and home furnishing websites, which are operated by us. In addition, we are the exclusive advertising agent for the SINA home page and non-real estate websites with respect to advertising sold to advertisers, including real estate developers and home furnishing suppliers. We also purchased advertising resources from Tencent and other independent media outlets. In late 2017, we launched Leju Finance, an online platform that provides information and news on the real estate industry, market, and developers featuring their financial performances. We earn revenue primarily from advertising sales and brand promotion services provided to advertisers, including real estate developers and home furnishing suppliers.

Listing. We offer fee-based online property listing services to real estate agents and free services to individual property sellers. We currently operate the SINA real estate websites for listings of existing residential properties for sale or lease.

We generated total revenues of $719.5 million, $534.1 million and $343.2 million in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. We had net income of $21.0 million, net loss of $149.9 million, and net loss of $89.7 million in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Our O2O Platform

We offer multiple online and offline access points for consumers. We reach consumers through our own websites, various real estate and home furnishing related websites on sina.com.cn that are operated by us, Weibo, Weixin, Tmall, various mobile applications, and Weixin mini programs. These websites and mobile applications enable us to better reach potential purchasers for whom we are then able to provide our offline services. We also provide complementary offline services to cultivate customer loyalty and ensure superior customer experience.

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Websites

Our internet presence includes local real estate websites across China that we either operate directly or outsource to local outsourcing partners. These local websites provide region-specific real estate news, information, property data and access to online communities to real estate consumers and participants. We believe our local presence in each of these cities enables us to provide services that are tailored to local conditions, enhancing the attractiveness of our websites to consumer and to advertisers who seek targeted advertising opportunities.

Through our direct operations and outsourcing to local partners we operate websites in every province of China. We operate the following websites:

We sell online advertising on each of our direct-operated local websites covering 74 cities. We also outsource 326 local websites to third parties that pay us fixed fees for the right to operate the websites. The amount of user traffic on the websites that we own or operate, our ability to achieve user demographic characteristics that are attractive to advertisers, and our ability to demonstrate such user traffic and demographic characteristics through website traffic tracking tools and reporting systems are important factors in maintaining our advertising revenue from websites that we operate directly and fixed fees from websites that we outsource to third parties. We track such data internally and identify cities to convert to direct operations on an ongoing basis.

Mobile Applications

Our major mobile applications include “Leju Home Purchase” (an upgraded version of “Pocket Leju”), “Lai Ke” and “Leju Finance”, each of which has version for the iOS and Android operating systems.

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In March 2014, we launched our mobile e-commerce platform based on (i) existing mobile applications developed by our company, including “Leju Home Purchase” (an upgraded version of “Pocket Leju”), and (ii) Weibo and Weixin, two of China’s leading social media platforms. Our mobile platform aims to connect home buyers and developers and real estate agents through mobile devices to allow potential buyers to view detailed information about real estate projects, conduct live chats with sales agents, make appointments for property viewing, reserve individual units, and purchase discount coupons. Our mobile e-commerce platform will also connect real estate sales personnel and agents with potential home buyers and sellers, including through live chat services, in addition to providing updated customer data and analysis and a facility for making appointments for site visits.

In June 2014, we officially launched the first “Weixin Home Promotion”, using the Weixin platform as an integral part of our mobile e-commerce platform. In July 2014, we upgraded our mobile e-commerce platform to consolidate all of our mobile resources to provide developers with three unique groups of mobile promotional tools, including media channels, communication tools and e-commerce tools, to further enhance mobile marketing for our clients. Since then we have continually added new product offerings on our mobile platform, including various interactive marketing games.

In July 2015, we launched an innovative mobile product in cooperation with Didi Chuxing, a leading mobile transportation platform in China, to arrange individual site visits for customers using private cars.

Complementary Offline Services

Our offline services include physical property visits and a call center, which enables our website viewers to contact us or representatives of property developers for information on new residential properties and our services. Our services are also available at developers’ show rooms and through real estate brokers. We also organize and conduct offline marketing events for property developers to promote their new resident properties.

Our Services

We offer e-commerce services in connection with new residential property sales; online advertising services in connection with new residential property sales and home furnishing; and online listing services for existing residential properties.

E-Commerce

Our e-commerce revenue is primarily derived from the sale of discount coupons for new residential properties that are promoted by developers and the commission paid by the developers from the commission coupon business. We commenced the sale of discount coupons from the first quarter of 2012 and the sale of commission coupons from the second half of 2022. Our revenues generated from e-commerce services in 2020, 2021 and 2022 were $547.9 million, $411.1 million and $278.5 million, respectively, representing 76.2%, 77.0% and 81.1%, respectively, of our total revenues for those periods.

O2O Services for New Residential Properties

Our O2O offering includes selling discount coupons for new residential properties. Our O2O services can be accessed by prospective purchasers through the real estate website of SINA which we operate and our website, leju.com, as well as through our mobile applications. Prospective purchasers can also access our services at show houses for new residential properties and through real estate developers.

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Discount Coupons. A discount coupon entitles a purchaser to purchase a property from the property developer at a particular development at a discount from the advertised price. Discount coupons can be purchased by prospective property purchasers online at leju.com and house.sina.com.cn, and their respective local websites as well as offline in showrooms for new property developments. We enter into arrangements with developers whereby we offer O2O services, including the sale of discount coupons, to promote and facilitate property sales. Each such arrangement is specific to a particular development. The arrangement may terminate at a pre-agreed date or continue until all properties at the development have been sold, as agreed in advance by the developer and us. Coupons may expire on a stated expiry date, typically at the end of a promotional period, or when all properties at the development to which the coupon relates have been sold. When a prospective property purchaser purchases a discount coupon as part of our O2O services, the purchaser remits the payment for the coupon to an account maintained by the purchaser with an independent payment platform provider or to Leju’s Alipay or Weixin pay accounts directly. Upon confirmation from a purchaser that a discount coupon is redeemed to purchase property, the payment for the discount coupon is transferred to us. However, if for any reason the coupon is not redeemed, the payment is refunded to the purchaser and we do not earn revenue from the transaction.

Commission coupons. We issue commission coupons and provide an information platform to individual brokers on which they can refer potential individual property buyers to real estate developers with whom we work to earn commission for the successful referrals. As long as the potential buyer who is referred by the individual broker completes a specific sale transaction with the real estate developer, the individual broker will redeem the commission coupon for the successful referral, and we can earn the commission from the developer for the successful referral. We will recognize service revenue at a certain point in time when the obligations were fulfilled which were confirmed by real estate developers. At the same time, the payment for the commission coupons by individual brokers is transferred to us. However, if for any reason the coupon is not redeemed, the payment will be refunded to the individual broker. Any commissions and other payments received in advance will be deferred until the obligations are fulfilled. We will pay commissions for the individual brokers’ successful referrals only after the redemption of the commission coupons and the confirmation of the successful referrals from real estate developers. In order to promote the commission coupon business, we issued a majority of the commission coupons in 2022 for free or with small considerations.

The following table sets forth certain operating metrics with respect to our sales of coupons for the periods specified.

Note:

We have entered into arrangements with China Unionpay to use its payment platform to collect payments for discount coupons. The term of this agreement has been extended to 2025. Either party may terminate the agreement upon 30 days written notice to the other party. Under the agreement, China Unionpay provides customers with the ability to make online or on-site payments.

Online Advertising

The majority of our online advertising revenues are generated from sale of advertising on real estate and home furnishing websites to advertisers including real estate developers and home furnishing suppliers. Since the second quarter of 2016, we started to generate advertising revenues from our contractor platform 7gz. com. Our revenues generated from advertising services in 2020, 2021 and 2022 were $170.8 million, $122.5 million and $64.7 million, respectively, representing 23.7%, 22.9% and 18.9%, respectively, of our total revenues for those periods.

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We operate the SINA real estate website, house.sina.com.cn, and the SINA home furnishings website, jiaju.sina.com.cn, and we are entitled to all advertising revenues from these websites. In addition, pursuant to an agency agreement with SINA, we are the exclusive advertising agent of the SINA homepage and non-real estate websites, for advertising sold to advertisers, including real estate developers and home furnishing suppliers. We are entitled to 85% of the revenue derived from advertising on these other websites. Leveraging SINA’s strong brand recognition, market influence in China’s online space and its large user base, we help real estate advertisers reach their target audiences in many of China’s major cities. Real estate advertisers primarily include real estate developers, agents and brokers as well as suppliers and providers of home furnishing and improvement products and services.

Furthermore, as the exclusive real estate advertising agency for SINA non-real estate websites, we facilitate advertising by our real estate advertising clients on the SINA real estate websites as well as non-real estate websites. Real estate advertising offerings on SINA websites include online advertising and sponsorship arrangements. Online advertising arrangements allow advertisers to place advertisements on particular areas of SINA websites, in particular formats, such as banners and text links, and over particular periods of time. Sponsorship arrangements allow advertisers to sponsor a particular area on SINA websites in exchange for a fixed payment over the contract period. Real estate advertising on SINA websites also includes revenue from outsourcing arrangements with local business partners. Revenues from outsourcing arrangements are on a fixed fee and recognized ratably over the term of the contract.

We and SINA have entered into a number of agreements governing our relationship with SINA, including an advertising inventory agency agreement, an amended and restated domain name and content license agreement, an amended and restated trademark license agreement and an amended and restated software license and support services agreement. For descriptions of these agreements, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Transactions and Agreements with SINA”.

In 2019, we entered into a series of advertising agency agreements with Tencent, pursuant to which we are the real property advertising agent of Tencent, including having exclusive advertising rights in certain areas of China. We also generated advertising revenues from various other websites and mobile applications such as Weixin, Weibo, Toutiao and UC Web from 2019 to 2021. We earn revenue from the sale of online advertising on each of these websites. Revenues for online advertising are typically based on a fixed fee for the period of the advertising and are recognized ratably.

Listing

We offer online residential listing services for sales and leases of existing residential properties. Our revenues generated from online listing services in 2020, 2021 and 2022 were $0.8 million, $0.5 million and $11,274, respectively. Real estate brokers use our listing services. Payment of the listing fees entitles them to post multiple listings for properties over the subscription period. Our listing subscription contracts are typically for a term of up to one year with fixed fees payable on a monthly basis. The subscription fees are generally fixed and vary from city to city. Our listing customers submit property listings by logging on to our platform directly. Once a listing has been uploaded to our website, it can be viewed for free by visitors to our website. All visitors to our website have access to listing information free of charge, 24-hours a day. With respect to listings submitted by agents or brokers, the name of the agent or broker appears as a link, offering viewers access to additional listings promoted by the same agent or broker.

Brand Promotion

We employ a variety of marketing and brand promotion methods to enhance our brand recognition and attract developer clients and real estate purchasers, including advertising arrangements and the Leju Membership Club. Membership in the Leju Membership Club is free. Users can sign up to join the Leju Membership Club online at our website, leju.com, and become members following email or phone number confirmation through text message.

We conduct advertising activities in 74 cities where we directly operate local websites through promotional events for developers and other industry participants, including industry award ceremonies, panel discussions and similar events.

Sales and Marketing

Most of our new home advertising revenue and home furnishing advertising revenue is derived from our direct sales force. We also derive new home and home furnishing advertising revenue from sales through third party advertising agencies.

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We have built a sales and marketing team that is experienced in the online advertising, internet and real estate industries. Our sales and marketing team comprised 336 personnel as of December 31, 2022. Our sales and marketing personnel work closely with our customers in local markets and help us gain insight into developments in these local markets, the competitive landscape and new market opportunities, which help us set our prices and strategies for each locality.

To motivate our sales and marketing personnel, a majority of their compensation consists of performance incentives such as commissions and bonuses. Sales quotas are assigned to all sales personnel according to monthly, quarterly and annual sales plans. In addition, we have adopted a merit-based promotion system to motivate our sales personnel.

Seasonality

The real estate sector in China is characterized by seasonal fluctuations, which may cause our revenues to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. The first quarter of each year generally contributes the smallest portion of our annual revenues due to reduced real estate transactions, advertising and marketing activities of our customers in the PRC real estate industry during and around the Chinese New Year holiday, which generally occurs in January or February of each year and due to the cold winter weather in northern China. In contrast, the third and fourth quarters of each year generally contribute a larger portion of our annual revenues due to increased real estate transaction, advertising and marketing activity during the months of September and October.

Competition

We face competition from other companies in each of our primary business activities. We compete with these companies primarily on our ability to attract consumers to our websites. We compete for consumers principally on the basis of the quality and quantity of real estate listings and other information content and services. We also compete for developers’ business on the basis on website traffic volume, consumer loyalty, geographic coverage and service offerings. We also compete for qualified employees with skills and experience related to sales, real estate services, advertising, technology and the internet industry. We face various competitors with whom we may compete on one or more lines of business. For example, we compete with fang.com, formerly soufun.com, a leading real estate internet portal in China and compete with anjuke.com, which is operated by 58.com, a major online real estate listing platform in China. In addition, we also compete with mobile-based providers of news, such as toutiao.com, for our online advertising business. Our competitors may have more established brand names, larger visitor numbers and more extensive distribution channels than we do, either overall, or in specific regions in which we operate. We also compete with traditional advertising media such as general-purpose and real estate-focused newspapers, magazines, television and outdoor advertising that compete for spending on real estate advertising and listings.

Some of our competitors may have greater access to capital markets, more financial and other resources and a longer operating history than us. For instance, major general-purpose websites, which provide real estate and real estate-related information services, may have an advantage over us due to their more established brand name, larger user base and extensive internet distribution channels.

Technology

To better serve our customers, we have utilized our key proprietary technologies and developed a technology infrastructure that is specifically used for our real estate and home related internet website services. The key components of our technology platform include:

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We maintain our servers and backup servers in Beijing. We believe our server hosting partners provide significant operating advantages, including high-quality bandwidth, constant room temperature and an enhanced ability to protect our systems from power loss, break-ins and other external causes of service interruption. We have not experienced any material system failures.

Insurance

We maintain property insurance to cover potential damages to a portion of our property. In addition, we provide medical, unemployment and other insurance to our employees in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. We do not maintain insurance policies covering losses relating to our systems and do not have business interruption insurance.

Regulation

We are subject to a number of laws and regulations in China relating to real estate service companies. This section summarizes the principal PRC laws and regulations that are currently applicable to our business and operations.

General

The telecommunications industry, including internet information services, is highly regulated by the PRC government. Regulations issued or implemented by the State Council, the MIIT and other relevant government authorities cover virtually every aspect of telecommunications network operations, including entry into the telecommunications industry, the scope of permissible business activities, tariff policy and foreign investment.

The MIIT, under the leadership of the State Council, is responsible for, among other things:

In addition to the regulations promulgated by the central PRC government, some local governments have also promulgated local rules applicable to internet companies operating within their respective jurisdictions.

In 1994, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Advertising Law, which was amended in October 2018 and April 2021. In addition, the SAMR and other ministries and agencies have issued regulations that further regulate our advertising business, as discussed below.

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Restrictions on Foreign Investment in the Value-Added Telecommunication Industry

In September 2000, the State Council promulgated the Telecommunications Regulations, as amended in July 2014 and February 2016, which categorize all telecommunications businesses in China as either basic telecommunications businesses or value-added telecommunications businesses. According to the Classification of Telecommunications Business effective March 1, 2016 and amended on June 6, 2019, internet information services are classified as value-added telecommunications businesses.

The State Council promulgated the Administrative Rules on Foreign-invested Telecommunications Enterprises in December 2001, as amended in September 2008, February 2016 and March 2022 and became effective in May 1, 2022, or the FITE Regulations. The FITE Regulations set forth detailed requirements with respect to capitalization, investor qualifications and application procedures in connection with the establishment of a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise. Pursuant to these administrative rules, the ultimate capital contribution ratio of the foreign investor or investors in a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise that aims to provide value-added telecommunications services may not exceed 50.0%. In addition, pursuant to the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment (Edition 2021) promulgated by the National Development and Reform Commission (the “NDRC”) and the MOC on December 27, 2021 and the Catalog of Industries for Encouraging Foreign Investment (2022 Version) which was promulgated on October 26, 2022 and became effective on January 1, 2023, other than E-commerce, domestic multiparty communication, store and forward, and call center services, the permitted foreign investment in value-added telecommunications service providers may not be more than 50%. However, for a foreign investor to acquire any equity interest in a value-added telecommunications business in China, it must satisfy a number of stringent performance and operational experience requirements, including demonstrating a track record and experience in operating a value-added telecommunications business overseas. Moreover, foreign investors that meet these requirements must obtain approvals from the MIIT or its authorized local counterparts, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals.

In July 2006, the MIIT publicly released the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in Operating Value-added Telecommunications Business, or the MIIT Notice, which reiterates certain provisions under the FITE Regulations. According to the MIIT Notice, if any foreign investor intends to invest in a PRC telecommunications business, a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise must be established and such enterprise must apply for the relevant telecommunications business licenses. Under the MIIT Notice, domestic telecommunications enterprises are prohibited from renting, transferring or selling a telecommunications license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any resources, premises, facilities and other assistance in any form to foreign investors for their illegal operation of any telecommunications business in China.

Regulations relating to Internet Information Services

General

The provision of real estate and home-related and other content on internet websites is subject to applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations relating to the telecommunications industry and the internet, and regulated by various government authorities, including the MIIT and the SAMR. Under the applicable regulations, internet information services are classified as value-added telecommunications businesses, and a commercial operator must obtain an ICP license from the MIIT or its relevant provincial counterparts in order to carry out commercial internet information service operations in China. If an internet information service provider is not engaged in commercial internet information service, it is only required to file a record with the MIIT or its relevant provincial counterparts. In addition, the regulations also provide that operators involved in internet content provision in sensitive and strategic sectors, including news, publishing, education, health care, medicine and medical devices, must obtain additional approvals from the relevant authorities in relation to those sectors.

In compliance with these laws and regulations, Beijing Leju, the variable interest entity, Beijing Yisheng Leju Internet Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the variable interest entity Beijing Jiajujiu, and Leju Hao Fang, the variable interest entity, each hold a valid ICP license issued by the local provincial branch of the MIIT for the operation of our value-added telecommunication business.

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The MIIT Notice requires that a value-added telecommunications business operator (or its shareholders) must own domain names and trademarks used by it in the value-added telecommunications business, and have premises and facilities appropriate for such business. To comply with the MIIT Notice, Beijing Leju, a consolidated variable interest entity, has been registered as the owner or is applying to be the owner of the Chinese and English dual-language “Leju” trademark in several categories and has obtained the domain names of leju.com and leju.cn. Beijing Yisheng Leju Online Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the variable interest entity Beijing Jiajujiu, has registered the domain name of jiaju.com.

On December 31, 2022, CAC and three other authorities issued Administrative Provisions on Algorithm Recommendation for Internet Information Services, which became effective on March 1, 2022, or the Algorithm Provisions. Pursuant to the Algorithm Provisions, Algorithm recommendation service providers shall not take advantage of algorithm recommendation services to engage in activities prohibited by laws and administrative regulations, such as endangering the national security and public interests, disturbing the economic order and social order and infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of others, and shall not take advantage of algorithm recommendation services to disseminate information prohibited by laws and administrative regulations. Instead, algorithm recommendation service providers shall take measures to prevent and reject the dissemination of adverse information. In Addition, algorithm recommendation service providers shall fulfill their responsibilities as subjects for algorithm security, establish and improve the management systems and technical measures for algorithm mechanism and principle review, scientific and technological ethics review, user registration, information release review, data security and personal information protection, anti-telecommunications and Internet fraud, security assessment and monitoring, and security incident emergency response, formulate and disclose the relevant rules for algorithm recommendation services, and be equipped with professional staff and technical support appropriate to the scale of the algorithm recommendation service.

Network Publication Service License

According to the Provisions on Network Publication Service Administration, jointly issued by the GAPPRFT and the MIIT in February 2016, all entities that are engaged in network publication service in China must obtain the Network Publication Service License from the GAPPRFT. Network publication service is broadly defined in the Provisions on Network Publication Service Administration Regulation as the use of information networks to provide the public with digital works that have characteristics of publication such as editing, creation or processing. The variable interest entities and their subsidiaries do not have network publication licenses. For content which we believe are subject to the requirements of these licenses, such content is hosted by SINA through our contractual arrangement with SINA. In the case that SINA does not possess the necessary licenses and permits, our content hosted by SINA is subject to the risk of being suspended by government authorities. Moreover, we cannot assure you that government would not require us to obtain these licenses separately for operation of our own websites and those websites licensed to us even if the underlying hosting of the relevant content is provided by a qualified third party. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks related to Our Business—If we fail to obtain or keep licenses, permits or approvals applicable to the various online real estate services provided by us, we may incur significant financial penalties and other government sanctions”.

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Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs

The GAPPRFT and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Internet Audio-visual Program Service, or the Audiovisual Program Provisions, effective January 2008 and amended in August 2015. The Audio-visual Program Provisions apply to the provision of audio-visual program services to the public via internet (including mobile network) within the territory of China. Providers of internet audio-visual program services are required to obtain a License for Online Transmission of Audio-visual Programs issued by the GAPPRFT or complete certain registration procedures with the GAPPRFT. Providers of internet audio-visual program services are generally required to be either state-owned or state-controlled by the PRC government, and the business to be carried out by such providers must satisfy the overall planning and guidance catalog for internet audio-visual program services determined by the GAPPRFT. In May 2008, the GAPPRFT issued a Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Application and Approval of License for Online Transmission of Audio-visual Programs, as amended in August 2015, which further sets forth detailed provisions concerning the application and approval process regarding the License for Online Transmission of Audio-visual Programs. The notice also provides that providers of internet audio-visual program services who engaged in such services prior to the promulgation of the Audio-visual Program Provisions shall also be eligible to apply for the license so long as their violation of the laws and regulations (if any) is minor and can be rectified timely and they have no record of violation during the latest three months prior to the promulgation of the Audio-visual Program Provisions. In April 2010, the GAPPRFT issued the Internet Audio/Visual Program Services Categories (Provisional), as amended in March 2017, which classified internet audio-visual programs into four categories. The variable interest entities and their subsidiaries do not have Licenses for Online Transmission of Audio-visual Programs. For content which we believe is subject to the requirements of these licenses, such content is hosted by SINA through our contractual arrangement with SINA. In the case that SINA does not possess the necessary licenses and permits, our content hosted by SINA is subject to the risk of being suspended by government authorities. Moreover, we cannot assure you that government would not require us to obtain these licenses separately for operation of our own websites and those websites licensed to us even if the underlying hosting of the relevant content is provided by a qualified third party. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks related to Our Business—If we fail to obtain or keep licenses, permits or approvals applicable to the various online real estate services provided by us, we may incur significant financial penalties and other government sanctions”.

Regulations relating to Mobile Internet Application Information Services

According to the Provisions on Administration of Mobile Internet Application Information Services promulgated by the Cyberspace Administration of China on June 29, 2016, which was amended and became effective on August 1, 2022, entities providing information services through mobile internet application shall obtain relevant qualifications according to laws and regulations. Mobile internet application provider shall not use mobile internet application program to carry out activities prohibited by laws and regulations, such as endangering national security, disturbing public orders, and infringing other’s legal rights and interests, or use mobile internet applications to produce, copy, publish and spread illegal information prohibited by laws and regulations. The Cyberspace Administration of China shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of information on mobile internet applications. The local cyberspace administrations shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of information on mobile internet application program within the administrative regions.

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Regulations Relating to Internet Privacy

The PRC Constitution states that PRC law protects the freedom and privacy of communications of citizens and prohibits infringement of these rights. In recent years, PRC government authorities have enacted legislation on internet use to protect personal information from any unauthorized disclosure. The Network Information Protection Decision provides that electronic information that identifies a citizen or involves privacy of any citizen is protected by law and must not be unlawfully collected or provided to others. ICP operators collecting or using personal electronic information of citizens must specify the purposes, manners and scopes of information collection and uses, obtain consent of the relevant citizens, and keep the collected personal information confidential. ICP operators are prohibited from disclosing, tampering with, damaging, selling or illegally providing others with, collected personal information. ICP operators are required to take technical and other measures to prevent the collected personal information from any unauthorized disclosure, damage or loss. The Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services prohibit an ICP operator from insulting or slandering a third party or infringing upon the lawful rights and interests of a third party. According to the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users, which was promulgated by MIIT and became effective in September 2013, telecommunication business operators and ICP operators are responsible for the security of the personal information of users they collect or use in the course of their provision of services. Without obtaining the consent from the users, telecommunication business operators and ICP operators may not collect or use the users’ personal information. The personal information collected or used in the course of provision of services by the telecommunication business operators or ICP operators must be kept in strict confidence, and may not be divulged, tampered with or damaged, and may not be sold or illegally provided to others. The ICP operators are required to take certain measures to prevent any divulgence of, damage to, tampering with or loss of users’ personal information. In accordance with the Cyber Security Law, network operators are required to collect and use personal information in compliance with the principles of legitimacy, properness and necessity, and strictly within the scope of authorization by the subject of personal information unless otherwise prescribed by laws or regulations. In the event of any unauthorized disclosure, damage or loss of collected personal information, network operators must take immediate remedial measures, notify the affected users and report the incidents to the relevant authorities in a timely manner. If any user knows that a network operator illegally collects and uses his or her personal information in violation of laws, regulations or any agreement with the user, or the collected and stored personal information is inaccurate or wrong, the user has the right to request the network operator to delete or correct the relevant collected personal information.

The relevant telecommunications authorities are further authorized to order ICP operators to rectify unauthorized disclosure. ICP operators are subject to legal liability, including warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses or filings, closing of the relevant websites, administrative punishment, criminal liabilities, or civil liabilities, if they violate relevant provisions on internet privacy. Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law issued by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in August 2015 and becoming effective in November 2015, the standards of crime of infringing citizens’ personal information were amended accordingly and the criminal culpability of unlawful collection, transaction, and provision of personal information has been reinforced. In addition, any ICP provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon orders, will be subject to criminal liability for (i) any dissemination of illegal information in large scale; (ii) any severe effect due to the leakage of the client’s information; (iii) any serious loss of evidence of criminal activities; or (iv) other severe situations, and any individual or entity that (x) sells or provides personal information to others unlawfully, or (y) steals or illegally obtains any personal information, will be subject to criminal liability in severe situations. In addition, the Interpretations of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the PRC on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Handling Criminal Cases of Infringing Personal Information, effective in June 2017, have clarified certain standards for the conviction and sentencing in relation to personal information infringement. The PRC government has the power and authority to order ICP operators to turn over personal information if an internet user posts any prohibited content or engages in illegal activities on the internet. The Civil Code further provides in a stand-alone chapter of right of personality and reiterate that the personal information of a natural person shall be protected by the law. Any organization or individual shall legitimately obtain such personal information of others in due course on a need-to-know basis and ensure the safety and privacy of such information, and refrain from excessively handling or using such information.

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With respect to the security of information collected and used by mobile apps, pursuant to the Announcement of Conducting Special Supervision against the Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information by Apps, which was issued on January 23, 2019, app operators should collect and use personal information in compliance with the Cyber Security Law and should be responsible for the security of personal information obtained from users and take effective measures to strengthen the personal information protection. Furthermore, app operators should not force their users to make authorization by means of bundling, suspending installation or in other default forms and should not collect personal information in violation of laws, regulations or breach of user agreements. Such regulatory requirements were emphasized by the Notice on the Special Rectification of Apps Infringing upon User’s Personal Rights and Interests, which was issued by MIIT on October 31, 2019. On November 28, 2019, the CAC, the MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security and the SAMR jointly issued the Methods of Identifying Illegal Acts of Apps to Collect and Use Personal Information. This regulation further illustrates certain commonly-seen illegal practices of apps operators in terms of personal information protection, including “failure to publicize rules for collecting and using personal information”, “failure to expressly state the purpose, manner and scope of collecting and using personal information”, “collection and use of personal information without consent of users of such App”, “collecting personal information irrelevant to the services provided by such app in violation of the principle of necessity”, “provision of personal information to others without users’ consent”, “failure to provide the function of deleting or correcting personal information as required by laws” and “failure to publish information such as methods for complaints and reporting”. Among others, any of the following acts of an app operator will constitute “collection and use of personal information without consent of users”: (i) collecting an user’s personal information or activating the permission for collecting any user’s personal information without obtaining such user’s consent; (ii) collecting personal information or activating the permission for collecting the personal information of any user who explicitly refuses such collection, or repeatedly seeking for user’s consent such that the user’s normal use of such app is disturbed; (iii) any user’s personal information which has been actually collected by the app operator or the permission for collecting any user’s personal information activated by the app operator is beyond the scope of personal information which such user authorizes such app operator to collect; (iv) seeking for any user’s consent in a non-explicit manner; (v) modifying any user’s settings for activating the permission for collecting any personal information without such user’s consent; (vi) using users’ personal information and any algorithms to directionally push any information, without providing the option of non-directed pushing such information; (vii) misleading users to permit collecting their personal information or activating the permission for collecting such users’ personal information by improper methods such as fraud and deception; (viii) failing to provide users with the means and methods to withdraw their permission of collecting personal information; and (ix) collecting and using personal information in violation of the rules for collecting and using personal information promulgated by such app operator.

On August 22, 2019, the CAC promulgated the Children Information Protection Provisions, which took effect on October 1, 2019, requiring that before collecting, using, transferring or disclosing the personal information of a child, the Internet service operator should inform the child’s guardians in a noticeable and clear manner and obtain their consents. Meanwhile, internet service operators should take measures like encryption when storing children’s personal information. On March 12, 2021, the CAC and three other authorities jointly issued the Rules on the Scope of Necessary Personal Information for Common Types of Mobile Internet Applications. The Rules specifies the scope of necessary personal information to be collected each for a variety of common mobile internet applications, such as maps and navigation apps, online ride-hailing apps, instant messaging apps, online community apps. Operators of such apps shall not refuse to provide basic services to users on the ground of users’ refusal to provide their personal non-essential information. On April 26, 2021, the MIIT issued the Interim Administrative Provisions on Personal Information Protection in Internet Mobile Applications (Draft for Comment). The draft of the Interim Administrative Provisions on Personal Information Protection in Internet Mobile Applications sets forth two principles of collection and utilization of personal information, namely “explicit consent” and “minimum necessity.”

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On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the Personal Information Protection Law which took effect on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law requires, among others, that (i) the processing of personal information should have a clear and reasonable purpose which should be directly related to the processing purpose, in a method that has the least impact on personal rights and interests, and (ii) the collection of personal information should be limited to the minimum scope necessary to achieve the processing purpose to avoid the excessive collection of personal information. Different types of personal information and personal information processing will be subject to various rules on consent, transfer, and security. Entities handling personal information shall bear responsibilities for their personal information handling activities, and adopt necessary measures to safeguard the security of the personal information they handle. The entities failing to comply could be ordered to correct, suspend or terminate the provision of services, and face confiscation of illegal income, fines or other penalties. On June 7, 2022, the Measures on Security Assessment of Cross-Border Transfer of Data was released by the CAC, which became effective on September 1, 2022, stipulating that before cross-border data transfer under certain circumstances, data processors shall make self-assessment of the risks, and shall apply for security assessment. These laws and regulations require, among others, that the personal information and important data generated and collected during the operations in the PRC should be stored within the PRC unless, prior to the intended data transfer, certain specified criteria have been satisfied, such as a completed official security assessment carried out by the PRC government authorities.

Regulations on Overseas Offering and Listing

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.

On December 27, 2021, the NDRC and the MOC jointly issued the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (2021 Version), or the 2021 Negative List, which became effective on January 1, 2022. Pursuant to such Special Administrative Measures, if a domestic company engaging in the prohibited business stipulated in the 2021 Negative List seeks an overseas offering and listing, it shall obtain the approval from the competent governmental authorities. Besides, the foreign investors of the company shall not be involved in the company’s operation and management, and their shareholding percentage shall be subject, mutatis mutandis, to the relevant regulations on the domestic securities investments by foreign investors.

On December 24, 2021, the State Council issued a draft of the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Draft Provisions, and the CSRC issued a draft of Administration Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Draft Administration Measures, for public comments. According to the Draft Provisions and the Draft Administration Measures, the overseas offering and listing by a domestic company, whether directly or indirectly, shall be filed with the CSRC. Specifically, the determination of an indirect offering and listing will be conducted on a “substance over form” basis, and an offering and listing shall be considered as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company if the issuer meets the following conditions: (i) the operating income, gross profit, total assets, or net assets of the domestic enterprise in the most recent fiscal year was more than 50% of the relevant line item in the issuer's audited consolidated financial statement for that year; and (ii) senior management personnel responsible for business operations and management are mostly PRC citizens or are ordinarily resident in the PRC, and the main place of business is in the PRC or carried out in the PRC. According to the Draft Administration Measures, an overseas offering and listing is prohibited under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the intended securities offering and listing is specifically prohibited by national laws and regulations and relevant provisions; (ii) if the intended securities offering and listing may constitute a threat to or endangers national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with law; (iii) if there are material ownership disputes over the equity, major assets, and core technology, etc. of the issuer; (iv) if, in the past three years, the domestic enterprise or its controlling shareholders or actual controllers have committed corruption, bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or other criminal offenses disruptive to the order of the socialist market economy, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (v) if, in past three years, directors, supervisors, or senior executives have been subject to administrative punishments for severe violations, or are currently under judicial investigation for suspicion of criminal offenses, or are under investigation for suspicion of major violations; (vi) other circumstances as prescribed by the State Council.

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According to the Draft Administration Measures, the issuer or its affiliated domestic company, as the case may be, shall file with the CSRC (i) with respect to its initial public offering and listing within three business days, after its initial filing of the listing application to the regulator in the place of the intended listing, (ii) with respect to its follow-on offering within three business days after completion of the follow-on offering, (iii) with respect to its follow-on offering for purpose of acquiring specific assets, within three business days after the first public announcement of the transaction, and (iv) with respect to listing by means of reverse takeover, share swap, acquisition and similar transactions, within three business days after its initial filing of the listing application or the first public announcement of the transaction, as the case may be. Non-compliance with the Draft Administration Measures or an overseas listing completed in breach of Draft Administration Measures may result in a warning on the relevant domestic companies or a fine of 1-10 million RMB on them. If the circumstances are serious, they may be ordered to suspend their business or suspend their business pending rectification, or their permits or businesses license may be revoked. Furthermore, the controlling shareholder, actual controllers, directors, supervisors, and other legally appointed persons of the domestic enterprises may be warned, or fined between 500,000 - 5 million RMB either individually or collectively.

On February 17, 2023, the CSRC released the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, (1) domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, should fulfill the filing procedure and report relevant information to the CSRC; if a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedure or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as order to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines; (2) if the issuer meets both of the following conditions, the overseas offering and listing shall be determined as an indirect overseas offering and listing by a domestic company: (i) any of the total assets, net assets, revenues or profits of the domestic operating entities of the issuer in the most recent accounting year accounts for more than 50% of the corresponding figure in the issuer’s audited consolidated financial statements for the same period; (ii) its major operational activities are carried out in China or its main places of business are located in China, or the senior managers in charge of operation and management of the issuer are mostly Chinese citizens or are domiciled in China; and (3) where a domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity responsible for all filing procedures with the CSRC, and where an issuer makes an application for listing in an overseas market, the issuer shall submit filings with the CSRC within three business days after such application is submitted.

On the same day, the CSRC also held a press conference for the release of the Overseas Listing Trial Measures and issued the Notice on Administration for the Filing of Overseas Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, which, among others, clarifies that the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas on or before the effective date of the Overseas Listing Trial Measures (i.e., March 31, 2023) shall be deemed as existing issuers, or the Existing Issuers. Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filling procedures, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC when subsequent matters such as refinancing are involved.

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According to the Overseas Listing Trial Measures, an overseas listed company shall file with the CSRC within three business days after the completion of its subsequent securities offering on the same market, and an overseas listed company shall file with the CSRC within three business days after its application of offering and listing on a different market. If an overseas listed company purchases PRC domestic assets through a single or multiple acquisitions, share swaps, shares transfers or other means, and such purchase constitutes direct or indirect listing of PRC domestic assets, a filing with the CSRC is also required. In addition, an overseas listed company is required to report to the CSRC the occurrence of any of the following material events within three business days after the occurrence and announcement thereof: (i) a change of control of the listed company; (ii) the investigation, sanction or other measures undertaken by any foreign securities regulatory agencies or relevant competent authorities in respect of the listed company; (iii) a change of listing status or transfer of listing segment; and (iv) the voluntary or mandatory delisting of the listed company. If there is any material change of the principal business of the listed company after the overseas offering and listing so that the listed company is no longer required to file with the CSRC, it shall file a specific report and a legal opinion issued by a domestic law firm to the CSRC within three business days after the occurrence hereof.

Regulations relating to Information Content and Confidentiality of User Identity and Information

Internet content in China is also regulated and restricted from a state security standpoint. Pursuant to the Decision Regarding the Protection of Internet Security enacted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, any effort to undertake the following actions may be subject to criminal punishment in China:

The Ministry of Public Security has also promulgated measures that prohibit the use of the internet in ways that, among other things, result in the leakage of government secrets or the spread of socially destabilizing content. The Ministry of Public Security and its local counterparts have supervision and inspection powers in this regard, and we may be subject to the jurisdiction of the local security bureaus. If an internet information service provider violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its license and shut down its website.

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On December 15, 2019, the Cyberspace Administration of China promulgated the Provisions of Ecological Governance of Network Information Content, which came into effect on 1 March 2020. According to the Provisions, a network information content producer shall not make, copy or publish any illegal information containing: (i) violation the fundamental principles set forth in the Constitution; (ii) jeopardizing national security, divulging state secrets, subverting the state power, or undermining the national unity; (iii) damaging the reputation or interests of the state; (iv) infringing name, portrait, reputation or honor of a hero or a martyr; (v) advocating terrorism or extremism; (vi) inciting ethnic hatred or discrimination to undermine ethnic solidarity; (vii) detrimental to state religious policies, propagating heretical or superstitious ideas; (viii) spreading rumors to disturb economic and social order; (ix) disseminating obscenity, pornography, force, brutality and terror or crime-abetting; (x) humiliating or defaming others or infringing upon their reputation, privacy and other legitimate rights and interests. In addition, a network information content platform shall set up the censorship and management mechanism of network information content, and develop relevant detailed rule. The platform shall set up the person in charge, equip itself with the professional personnel commensurate with the business scope and service scale, strengthen training and examination and improve the quality of practitioners, set up convenient channels for filing complaints and reports in prominent places and publish the ways of filing complaints and reports, and compile an annual report. If a network information content producer violates the provisions, the network information content platform shall take disposal measures including warning for rectification, restricting functions, suspending updates and closing accounts, eliminate illegal information and contents in a timely manner, keep relevant records and report to the relevant competent authorities. If a network information content platform violates the provisions, the cyberspace authorities shall hold interviews, give warnings, order it to suspend information update, take measures including restricting it from engaging in network information services, and impose online behavior restrictions and industry bans. The Measures for Cyber Security Review was promulgated on April 13, 2020 and became effective on June 1, 2020, and was amended on December 28, 2021 and became effective on February 15, 2022, which repealed the Measures for Security Reviews of Network Products and Services. According to the Measures for Cyber Security Review, a critical information infrastructure operator, before purchasing network products and services, shall prejudge the national security risks that may arise after the products and services are put into use. If such products and services will or may affect national security, the operator shall apply to the cyber security review office for cyber security review. In Addition, the Measures for Cyber Security Review as amended in 2021 has inserted the procedures for additional oversight of "foreign" listings in relation to cyber security. Critical information infrastructure operators and data processors that possess the personal data of at least one million users must apply for a cybersecurity review by the Cyber Security Review Office, if they plan listing of companies in foreign countries. The Cybersecurity Review Office may voluntarily conduct cyber security review if any network products and services, activities of data process or listing of companies overseas affects or may affect national security. Pursuant to the Measures for Cyber Security Review, any violation shall be punished in accordance with the Cybersecurity Law and the Data Security Law of the PRC, the sanctions under which include, among others, government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension of our non-compliant operations.

To comply with these laws and regulations, we require our users to accept the user terms or service agreement for registration with, and use of, our websites, whereby they agree to comply with the applicable PRC laws and regulations in using our websites, and we also maintain constant surveillance and monitoring on the information posted on our websites. However, the measures we take may not be adequate to ensure that all the information posted on our websites are in compliance with these laws and regulations. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks related to Our Business—We are required to comply with PRC and other applicable laws relating to privacy and cybersecurity. The improper use or disclosure of data could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects”.

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The security and confidentiality of information on the identity of internet users are also regulated in China. The Internet Information Service Administrative Measures promulgated by the PRC State Council require internet information service providers to maintain an adequate system that protects the security of user information. In December 2005, the Ministry of Public Security promulgated the Regulations on Technical Measures of Internet Security Protection, requiring internet service providers to utilize standard technical measures for internet security protection. Moreover, the Rules for Regulating the Market Order of Internet Content Services enhance the protection of internet users’ personal information by prohibiting internet information service providers from unauthorized collection, disclosure or use of personal information of their users. In December 2012, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed the Decision on Strengthening Internet Information Protection, which provides that all internet service providers in China, including internet information service providers, should require their users to provide real identity information when entering into service agreements or providing services to the users. In July 2013, the MIIT issued Provisions on Protecting Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users, under which Internet information service providers are subject to strict requirements to protect personal information of internet users. The internet information service providers are prohibited from collecting personal information of internet users without obtaining consent from the users. Personal information collected shall be used only in connection with the services to be provided by Internet information service providers to such users and shall be kept in strict confidence. To comply with these laws and regulations, we require our users to accept the user terms or service agreement for registration with and use of our websites whereby they agree to provide certain personal information to us and agree to our use of their provided personal information under certain agreed circumstances, and we have established information security systems to protect users’ privacy. In May 2017, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate released the Interpretations of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Handling of Criminal Cases Involving Infringement of Citizens’ Personal Information, or the Interpretations, effective June 2017. The Interpretations provide more practical conviction and sentencing criteria for the infringement to citizens’ personal information.

On December 8, 2022, the MIIT issued the Measures for Data Security Administration in the Industry and Information Technology Field (Trial Implementation) which became effective on January 1, 2023, or the Data Security Measures. In accordance with the Data Security Measures, the industrial and telecommunication data processors shall classify data firstly based on the data’s category and then based on its security level on a regular basis, to classify and identify data based on the industry requirements, business needs, data sources and purposes and other factors, and to make a data classification list. In addition, the industrial and telecommunication data processors shall establish and improve a sound data classification management system, file the important data and core data catalog with the local industry regulatory department, and implement the protection with the highest level of requirement if different levels of data are processed at the same time and it is difficult to take separate protective measures. The Data Security Measures also impose certain obligations on industrial and telecommunication data processors in relation to, among others, implementation of data security work system, administration of key management, data collection, data storage, data usage, data transmission, provision of data, publicity of data, data destruction, safety audit and emergency plans, etc.

On September 15, 2021, the CAC promulgated the Opinions on Further Enforcing Responsibilities on Website Platforms as the Main Responsible Party for Information Content Management. In accordance with the Opinions, website platforms are required to perform specific responsibilities as the main responsible party for information content management, including, among others, enhancing the platform community rules, strengthening the regulation and management of accounts, improving the content vetting mechanism, improving the quality of information content, managing the dissemination of information content, and strengthening the management of key functions.

On October 26, 2021, CAC issued the Regulations on the Management of Internet User Account Name Information (Draft for comments) for public comment, or the Account Name Regulations. The Account Name Regulations provide that the Internet user account service platform shall, in accordance with the principle of "background real name and foreground voluntary", require internet user account users to provide real identity information when registering an account. The Internet user account service platform shall take necessary measures to ensure the security of the personal information and account name information it collects and stores, and prevent unauthorized access and information disclosure, tampering and loss; Personal information and account name information shall not be collected, stored, used, processed, transmitted, provided or disclosed without the authorization and consent of the user of the Internet user account. No illegal trading of Internet user account name information is allowed. After the Internet user account user cancels his/her account, the Internet user account service platform shall delete his personal information and account name information according to law.

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Regulations Relating to Information Security

The National People's Congress has enacted legislation that prohibits use of the internet that breaches the public security, disseminates socially destabilizing content or leaks state secrets. Breach of public security includes breach of national security and infringement on legal rights and interests of the state, society or citizens. Socially destabilizing content includes any content that incites defiance or violations of PRC laws or regulations or subversion of the PRC government or its political system, spreads socially disruptive rumors or involves cult activities, superstition, obscenities, pornography, gambling or violence. State secrets are defined broadly to include information concerning PRC national defense, state affairs and other matters as determined by the PRC authorities.

Pursuant to applicable regulations, ICP operators must complete mandatory security filing procedures and regularly update information security and monitoring systems for their websites with local public security authorities, and must also report any public dissemination of prohibited content.

In December 2015, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress promulgated the Anti-Terrorism Law of the PRC, or the Anti-Terrorism Law, which took effect on January 1, 2016 and was amended on April 27, 2018. According to the Anti-Terrorism Law, telecommunication service operators or internet service providers shall (i) carry out pertinent anti-terrorism publicity and education to society; (ii) provide technical interfaces, decryption and other technical support and assistance for the competent departments to prevent and investigate terrorist activities; (iii) implement network security and information monitoring systems as well as safety and technical prevention measures to avoid the dissemination of terrorism information, delete the terrorism information, immediately halt its dissemination, keep relevant records and report to the competent departments once the terrorism information is discovered; and (iv) examine customer identities before providing services. Any violation of the Anti-Terrorism Law may result in severe penalties, including substantial fines.

In November 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Cyber Security Law of the PRC, or the Cyber Security Law, which took effect on June 1, 2017. In accordance with the Cyber Security Law, network operators must comply with applicable laws and regulations and fulfill their obligations to safeguard network security in conducting business and providing services. Network service providers must take technical and other necessary measures as required by laws, regulations and mandatory requirements to safeguard the operation of networks, respond to network security effectively, prevent illegal and criminal activities, and maintain the integrity, confidentiality and usability of network data. On September 12, 2022, the CAC proposed a series of draft amendments to the PRC Cybersecurity Law, which impose more stringent legal liabilities for certain violations. Such draft amendments were released for soliciting public comments and its final form, interpretation and implementation remain substantially uncertain. On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples’ Congress promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law, which integrates the scattered rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection.

For the further purposes of regulating data processing activities, safeguarding data security, promoting data development and utilization, protecting the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and maintaining national sovereignty, security, and development interests, on June 10, 2021, Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress published the Data Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, which took effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law requires data processing, which includes the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, publication of data, to be conducted in a legitimate and proper manner. The Data Security Law provides for data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities. The Data Security Law also introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it may cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations if such data are tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or illegally used. The appropriate level of protection measures is required to be taken for each respective category of data. For example, a processor of important data is required to designate the personnel and the management body responsible for data security, carry out risk assessments of its data processing activities and file the risk assessment reports with the competent authorities. State core data, i.e. data having a bearing on national security, the lifelines of national economy, people’s key livelihood and major public interests, shall be subject to stricter management system. Moreover, the Data Security Law provides a national security review procedure for those data activities which affect or may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information. In addition, the Data Security Law also provides that any organization or individual within the territory of the PRC shall not provide any foreign judicial body and law enforcement body with any data without the approval of the competent PRC governmental authorities. As the Data Security Law was recently promulgated, we may be required to make further adjustments to our business practices to comply with this law, as well as any adjustments that may be required by the ultimate Personal Information Protection Law.

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On July 6, 2021, certain PRC regulatory authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, which, among others, provides for improving relevant laws and regulations on data security, cross-border data transmission, and confidential information management. It provided that efforts will be made to revise the regulations on strengthening the confidentiality and file management relating to the offering and listing of securities overseas, to implement the responsibility on information security of overseas listed companies, and to strengthen the standardized management of cross-border information provision mechanisms and procedures.

On December 28, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China amended the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, or the Amended Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022. The scope of review under the Amended Measures extends to critical information infrastructure operators that intend to purchase internet products and services and data processing operators engaging in data processing activities, which affect or may affect national security. According to Article 7 of the Amended Measures, operators who possess personal information of over a million users shall apply to the Cybersecurity Review Office for cybersecurity reviews before listing in a foreign country. Besides, the Amended Measures also provides that if the relevant authorities consider that certain network products and services, data processing activities and listings in foreign countries affect or may affect national security, the authorities may initiate a cybersecurity review even if the operators do not have an obligation to report for a cybersecurity review under such circumstances. The Amended Measures also elaborated the factors to be considered when assessing the national security risks of the relevant activities, including among others, risks of core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, and illegally used or exited the country and risks of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data or a large amount of personal information data being affected, controlled and maliciously used by foreign governments in a foreign listing.

On November 14, 2021, the CAC released the Regulations on the Network Data Security (Draft for Comments), or the Draft Regulations. The Draft Regulations provide that data processors refer to individuals or organizations that autonomously determine the purpose and the manner of processing data. In accordance with the Draft Regulations, data processors shall apply for a cybersecurity review for the following activities: (i) merger, reorganization or division of Internet platform operators that have acquired a large number of data resources related to national security, economic development or public interests to the extent that affects or may affect national security; (ii) listing abroad of data processors which process over one million users’ personal information; (iii) listing in Hong Kong which affects or may affect national security; or (iv) other data processing activities that affect or may affect national security. Besides, data processors that are listed overseas shall carry out an annual data security assessment. The Draft Regulations remain unclear on whether the relevant requirements will be applicable to companies that have been listed in the United States and Hong Kong, such as us. We cannot predict the impact of the Draft Regulations, if any, at this stage, and we will closely monitor and assess any development in the rule-making process. If the enacted versions of the Draft Regulations mandate clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be completed by China-based companies listed on a U.S. stock exchange and Hong Kong Exchanges, such as us, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all. In addition, if a final version of the Draft Regulations is adopted, we may be subject to review when conducting data processing activities and annual data security assessment and may face challenges in addressing its requirements and make necessary changes to our internal policies and practices in data processing. Based on the foregoing, our PRC legal counsel does not expect that, as of the date of this annual report, the current applicable PRC laws on cybersecurity would have a material adverse impact on our business.

On July 30, 2021, the State Council issued the Regulations on Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, or the Regulations. Pursuant to the Regulations, critical information infrastructure shall mean the important network facilities or information systems of key industries or fields such as public communication and information service, energy, transportation, water conservation, finance, public services, e-government affairs and national defense science, and important network facilities or information systems which may endanger national security, people’s livelihood and public interest once there occur damage, malfunctioning or data leakage to them. The Regulations provide that no individual or organization may carry out any illegal activity of intruding into, interfering with, or sabotaging any critical information infrastructures, or endanger the security of any critical information infrastructures. The Regulations also require that critical information infrastructure operators shall establish a cybersecurity protection system and accountability system, and that the main responsible person of a critical information infrastructure operator shall take full responsibility for the security protection of the critical information infrastructures operated by it. In addition, relevant administration departments of each important industry and sector shall be responsible for formulating the rule of critical information infrastructure determination applicable to their respective industry or sector, and determine the critical information infrastructure operators in their industry or sector.

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On July 12, 2021, the MIIT and two other authorities jointly issued the Provisions on the Administration of Security Vulnerabilities of Network Products, or the Provisions. The Provisions state that, no organization or individual may abuse the security vulnerabilities of network products to engage in activities that endanger network security, or to illegally collect, sell, or publish the information on such security vulnerabilities. Anyone who is aware of the aforesaid offences shall not provide technical support, advertising, payment settlement and other assistance to the relevant offenders. According to the Provisions, network product providers, network operators, and platforms collecting network product security vulnerabilities shall establish and improve channels for receiving network product security vulnerability information and keep such channels available, and retain network product security vulnerability information reception logs for at least six months. The Provisions also ban provision of undisclosed vulnerabilities to overseas organizations or individuals other than to the product providers.

On July 7, 2022, the CAC issued the Measures for Security Assessment of Cross-border Data Transfer, or the Security Assessment Measures, which came into effect on September 1, 2022. Pursuant to the Security Assessment Measures, a data processor shall apply to competent authorities for security assessment prior to transferring any data abroad if the transfer involves (i) important data; (ii) personal information transferred overseas by a CIIO and a data processor that has processed personal information of more than one million individuals; (iii) personal information transferred overseas by a data processor who has already provided personal information of 100,000 persons or sensitive personal information of 100,000 persons overseas since January 1 of the previous year; or (iv) other circumstances as requested by the CAC. Furthermore, on August 31, 2022, the CAC promulgated the Guidelines for filing the Outbound Data Transfer Security Assessment (Version 1), which provides that acts of outbound data transfer include (i) overseas transmission and storage by data processors of data generated during PRC domestic operations; (ii) the access to, use, download or export of the data collected and generated by data processors and stored in the PRC by overseas institutions, organizations or individuals; and (iii) other acts as specified by the CAC. As of the date of this annual report, we do not transfer any users’ personal information or important data outside of China.

On August 20, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China promulgated the Personal Information Protection Law, which integrates the scattered rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection and took effect on November 1, 2021. The Personal Information Protection Law requires, among others, that (i) the processing of personal information should have a clear and reasonable purpose which should be directly related to the processing purpose and should be conducted in a method that has the minimum impact on personal rights and interests, and (ii) the collection of personal information should be limited to the minimum scope as necessary to achieve the processing purpose and avoid the excessive collection of personal information. Personal information processors shall adopt necessary measures to safeguard the security of the personal information they handle. The offending entities could be ordered to correct, or to suspend or terminate the provision of services, and face confiscation of illegal income, fines or other penalties.

In addition, the State Secrecy Bureau has issued provisions authorizing the blocking of access to any website it deems to be leaking state secrets or failing to comply with the relevant legislation regarding the protection of state secrets during online information distribution. Specifically, internet companies in the PRC with bulletin boards, chat rooms or similar services must apply for specific approval prior to operating such services.

Furthermore, the Provisions on Technological Measures for Internet Security Protection, promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security and became effective in March 2006, require all ICP operators to keep records of certain information about its users (including user registration information, log-in and log-out time, IP address, content and time of posts by users) for at least 60 days and submit the above information as required by laws and regulations. The Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection, or the Network Information Protection Decision, which was promulgated by the PRC National People’s Congress in December 2012, states that ICP operators must request identity information from users when ICP operators provide information publication services to the users. If ICP operators come across prohibited information, they must immediately cease the transmission of such information, delete the information, keep relevant records, and report to relevant government authorities.

On October 21, 2019, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the PRC jointly issued the Interpretations on Certain Issues Regarding the Applicable of Law in the Handling of Criminal Case Involving Illegal Use of Information Networks and Assisting Committing Internet Crimes, which came into effect on November 1, 2019, and further clarifies the meaning of Internet service provider and the severe situations of the relevant crimes.

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Regulations on Anti-Monopoly Matters related to Internet Platform Companies

The PRC Anti-monopoly Law, which took effect on August 1, 2008, prohibits monopolistic conduct such as entering into monopoly agreements, abusing market dominance and concentration of undertakings that may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competition. On June 24, 2022, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress amended the Anti-Monopoly Law, which became effective on August 1, 2022, which stipulates that the fines for illegal concentration of business operators has been increased to “no more than ten percent of its preceding year’s sales revenue if the concentration of business operator has or may have an effect of excluding or limiting competition; or a fine of up to RMB5 million if the concentration of business operator does not have an effect of excluding or limiting competition.” The amended Anti-monopoly Law also stipulates that the relevant authority has the right to investigate transaction where there is evidence that the concentration has or may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competition, even if such concentration does not reach the filing threshold.

On February 7, 2021, the Anti-monopoly Commission of the State Council officially promulgated the Guidelines to Anti-Monopoly in the Field of Internet Platforms, or the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms. Pursuant to an official interpretation from the Anti-monopoly Commission of the State Council, the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms mainly covers five aspects, including general provisions, monopoly agreements, abusing market dominance, concentration of undertakings, and abusing of administrative powers eliminating or restricting competition. The Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms prohibits certain monopolistic acts of internet platforms so as to protect market competition and safeguard interests of users and undertakings participating in internet platform economy, including, without limitation, prohibiting platforms with dominant position from abusing their market dominance (such as discriminating customers in terms of pricing and other transactional conditions using big data and analytics, coercing counterparties into exclusivity arrangements, using technology means to block competitors’ interface, favorable positioning in search results of goods displays, using bundle services to sell services or products, compulsory collection of unnecessary user data). In addition, the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms also reinforces antitrust merger review for internet platform related transactions to safeguard market competition. On August 17, 2021, the SMAR issued the Provisions on Prohibition of Unfair Competition on the Internet (Draft for Comments), which prohibits business operators from using data, algorithms and other technical means to commit traffic hijacking, interference, malicious incompatibility and other improprieties to influence user choices or hinder or damage the normal operation of network products or services offered by other business operators.

Regulations relating to Advertising Services

The SAMR is responsible for regulating advertising activities in China. Pursuant to applicable regulations, companies that engage in advertising activities in China must obtain from the SAMR or its local branches a business license which specifically includes operating an advertising business within its business scope. Companies conducting advertising activities without such a license may be subject to penalties, including fines, confiscation of illegal revenues and orders to cease advertising operations. The business license of an advertising company is valid for the duration of its existence, unless the license is suspended or revoked due to a violation of any relevant law or regulation.

The business scope of the business licenses of Beijing Leju and its subsidiaries includes operating an advertising business, which allows them to engage in the advertising business.

PRC advertising laws and regulations also set forth certain content requirements for advertisements in China including, among other things, prohibitions on false or misleading content, superlative wording, socially destabilizing content or content involving obscenities, superstition, violence, discrimination or infringement of the public interest. Advertisers, advertising agencies, and advertising distributors are required by PRC advertising laws and regulations to ensure that the content of the advertisements they prepare or distribute is true and in full compliance with applicable law. In providing advertising services, advertising operators and advertising distributors must review the supporting documents provided by advertisers for advertisements and verify that the content of the advertisements complies with applicable PRC laws and regulations. Prior to distributing advertisements that are subject to government censorship and approval, advertising distributors are obligated to verify that such censorship has been performed and approval has been obtained. Violation of these regulations may result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of advertising income, orders to cease dissemination of the advertisements and orders to publish an advertisement correcting the misleading information. In circumstances involving serious violations, the SAMR or its local branches may revoke violators’ licenses. To comply with these laws and regulations, we maintain a task force to review the advertising materials to ensure the content does not violate the relevant laws and regulations before displaying such advertisements, and we also request relevant advertisers to provide proof of governmental approval if an advertisement is subject to special government review.

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The Provisions on the Release of Real Estate Advertisements issued in December 2015 and amended in April 2021 require that real estate advertisements must be truthful, legal, scientific and accurate, and must not deceive or mislead consumers, and make detailed provisions for the specific requirements of real estate advertisements by real estate agencies and brokers.

On February 25, 2023, SAMR issued the Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising which will come into effect on May 1, 2023. The Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising requires that advertisers shall be responsible for the authenticity and legality of the content of Internet advertisements. In addition, the Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising also requires that operators and publishers of Internet advertisements comply with the following provisions: (i) establish and improve the Internet advertising business to undertake registration, audit, file management system in accordance with relevant state regulations; (ii) review, check and register the advertiser's name, address, effective contact information and other information, record and save the relevant electronic data of advertising activities, establish registration files and verify and update them regularly. The storage time of relevant files shall not be less than three years from the date of termination of advertising release; (iii) check the relevant advertising supporting documents and verify the advertising contents. For advertisements with inconsistent contents, no administrative license where required, or lacking other supporting documents, Internet advertising operators shall not provide design, production and agency services, and Internet advertising publishers shall not publish them; (iv) be equipped with advertising reviewers who are familiar with advertising laws and regulations, and if conditions permit, to set up a special agency to be responsible for reviewing Internet advertisements; (v) participate in statistical surveys of the advertising industry in accordance with the law, and provide statistical data in a true, accurate, complete and timely manner.

Regulations relating to Real Estate Brokerage Business

The principal regulations governing the real estate brokerage business in China include the Law on Administration of the Urban Real Estate issued by the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress in July 1994 and was latest revised in August 2019, and the Administrative Measures for Real Estate Brokerage issued in January 2011 and amended in March 2016. Pursuant to these laws, a company must register with local offices of the SAMR in each locality where it does business in order to operate real estate brokerage business. In addition, a real estate brokerage company and its branches shall file with the local real estate administrative authority within 30 days after it obtains the business license.

The previous Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue issued in 2011 classified the real estate agency and brokerage services within the restricted category for foreign investment. Accordingly, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China was required to obtain approval from the MOC or its local counterpart in order to establish or invest in any subsidiary to engage real estate agency and brokerage services. The NDRC and the MOC issued a new Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue, effective April 2015. The new Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue removed the real estate agency and brokerage services from the restricted category. The Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue as amended in June 2017 and the subsequent updates of Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access did not cover real estate agency and brokerage services. Accordingly, the establishment of or the investment in a subsidiary to engage in real estate agency and brokerage services is no longer subject to the approval of the MOC or its local counterparts.

On July 13, 2021, certain PRC authorities promulgated Notice on the Continuous Rectification and Regulation of the Real Estate Market Order, which provides for intensified punishment by local authorities for real estate agencies violating laws and regulations, including warning and interview, suspension of business for rectification, revocation of business license and qualification certificate, exposure to the public, and reference to security and judicial authorities for investigation and punishment in the case of criminal offence.

We mainly use the VIEs and their subsidiaries to provide support for our e-commerce business. Each subsidiary of the VIEs engaged in real estate agency and brokerage business has obtained and maintained a business license with such business scope, and 32 of our PRC operating entities have completed the filing with the competent local real estate administrative authorities. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Failure to obtain the approvals or complete the filings required for our real estate agency and brokerage business in China may limit our ability to provide real estate agency and brokerage services or establish new PRC operating entities”.

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Regulations relating to E-commerce

On August 31, 2018, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the E-Commerce Law, which became effective on January 1, 2019. The E-Commerce Law sets forth a series of requirements on e-commerce platform operators. According to the E-Commerce Law, e-commerce platform operators shall verify and register platform merchants, and cooperate with the market regulatory administrative department and tax administrative department to conduct industry and commerce registrations and tax registrations for merchants. The e-commerce platform operators shall also prepare a contingency plan for cybersecurity events and take technological measures and other measures to prevent online illegal and criminal activities. The E-Commerce Law also expressly requires platform operators to take necessary actions to ensure fair dealing on their platforms to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, including to prepare platform service agreements and transaction information record-keeping and transaction rules, to prominently display such documents on the platform’s website, and to keep such information for no less than three years following the completion of a transaction. To legally handle intellectual property infringement disputes, upon receipt of the notice specifying preliminary evidence for alleged infringement, the platform operators are required to take necessary measures in a timely manner, such as deleting, blocking and disconnecting the hyperlinks, terminating transactions and services, and to forward notices to merchants on its platform. If an e-commerce platform operator fails to take necessary measures when it knows or should have known that a merchant on the platform infringes any third-party intellectual property rights, products or services provided by a merchant on its platform do not meet the requirements regarding personal or property safety, or any merchant otherwise impairs the lawful rights and interests of consumers, the e-commerce platform operator will be held jointly liable with the merchants on its platform.

Moreover, the E-Commerce Law imposes a requirement on operators of e-commerce platforms to assist in tax collection with respect to income generated by sellers from transactions conducted on e-commerce platforms, including among others, submitting to the tax authority information on the identities of sellers on e-commerce platforms and other information relating to tax payment. Failure to comply with the requirement may result in operators of e-commerce platform being subject to fines and, in severe circumstances, suspension of business operations of e-commerce platforms.

Regulations relating to Trademarks

Both the PRC Trademark Law and the Implementation Regulation of the PRC Trademark Law, as currently in effect, provide protection to the holders of registered trademarks and trade names. The PRC Trademark Office handles trademark registrations and grants a renewable term of rights of ten years to registered trademarks. In addition, trademark license agreements must be filed with the PRC Trademark Office.

After receiving a trademark registration application, the PRC Trademark Office will make a public announcement with respect to the proposed trademark registration application if the relevant trademark passes the preliminary examination. Any person may, within three months after such public announcement, object to such trademark application. The PRC Trademark Office will then decide who is entitled to the trademark registration, and its decisions may be appealed to the PRC Trademark Review and Adjudication Board, whose decision may be further appealed through judicial proceedings. If no objection is filed within three months after the public announcement period or if the objection has been overruled, the PRC Trademark Office will approve the registration and issue a registration certificate, upon which the trademark is registered and will be effective for a renewable ten-year period, unless otherwise revoked. As of March 31, 2023, we owned or licensed 333 registered trademarks in China, and had 29 trademark applications in various industry categories pending with the China Trademark Office.

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Regulations relating to Employment

Under the PRC Labor Law, PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementing rules, employers must enter into written labor contracts with full-time employees. All employers must compensate their employees with wages equal to at least the local minimum wage standards. Employers in China are required to provide employees with welfare schemes covering pension insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance and housing funds. Pursuant to the Reform Plan for Collection and Management System of National and Local Taxes released by General Office of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on July 20, 2018, all social insurance premiums, such as basic pension insurance premium, basic medical insurance premium, unemployment insurance premium, work-related injury insurance premium and maternity insurance premium, shall be collected uniformly by the relevant tax authorities starting from January 1, 2019. Employers in most cases are also required to provide a severance payment to their employees after their employment relationships are terminated. We have caused all of our full-time employees to enter into written labor contracts with us and provide our employees with the proper welfare and employment benefits.

Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law and its amendments, dispatched employees are intended to be a supplementary form of employment and shall only apply to provisional, auxiliary or substitutive positions, and the fundamental form should be direct employment by enterprises and organizations that require employees. It is expressly stated that the number of dispatched employees an employer uses may not exceed a “certain percentage” of its total labor force. The Interim Provisions on Labor Dispatch effective March 2014, further set such percentage at 10% and provide a two-year transitional period for compliance with such requirement. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in orders of rectification and imposition of fines. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Increases in labor costs in China may adversely affect our business and our profitability”.

Regulations relating to Foreign Investment

On March 15, 2019, the PRC National People’s Congress adopted the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, which became effective on January 1, 2020. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, China grants national treatment to foreign invested entities, except for those foreign-invested entities that operate in “restricted” or “prohibited” industries prescribed in the “negative list”, which shall be released by or approved by the State Council.

On December 30, 2019, MOC and SAMR jointly promulgated the Measures for Reporting of Foreign Investment Information, which became effective on January 1, 2020. According to the Measures for the Reporting of Foreign Investment Information, where foreign investors carry out investment activities directly or indirectly within China, foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall report investment information to commerce departments in accordance with these Measures. A foreign investor who establishes a foreign-invested enterprise within China shall submit an initial report through the enterprise registration system when undergoing formation registration of the foreign-invested enterprise. In the case of any modification of the information in the initial report, which involves the enterprise’s modification registration (recordation), the foreign-invested enterprise shall submit the modification report through the enterprise registration system when undergoing the enterprise’s modification registration (recordation).

On December 19, 2020, the NDRC and the MOC promulgated Measures for Security Review of Foreign Investment, which became effective on January 18, 2021. The foreign investment security review mechanism, or the security review mechanism, in charge of organization, coordination and guidance of foreign investment security review is thereunder established. A working mechanism office shall be established under the NDRC and led by the NDRC and the MOC to undertake routine work on the security review of foreign investment. According to the Measures for Security Review of Foreign Investment, before making investment in important cultural products and services, important information technologies and Internet products and services, important financial services, key technologies or any other important field related to national security, resulting in the foreign investor’s acquisition of actual control of the enterprise invested in, the foreign investor or relevant parties shall proactively report to the working mechanism office.

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Regulations relating to Foreign Exchange Control and Administration

Foreign Exchange Administration

The principal regulation governing foreign currency exchange in China is the Regulations of the PRC on Foreign Exchange Administration, as amended in August 2008. Under the Regulations of the PRC on Foreign Exchange Administration and other relevant PRC regulations and rules, the Renminbi is convertible into other currencies for the purpose of current account transactions, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions. The conversion of the Renminbi into other currencies and remittance of the converted foreign currency outside China for capital account transactions, such as capital injections, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside China, requires the prior approval from, or registration with, SAFE or its local branches.

As an offshore holding company with PRC subsidiaries, Leju may (i) make additional capital contributions to its PRC subsidiaries; (ii) establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries; (iii) make loans to its PRC subsidiaries or consolidated variable interest entities; or (iv) acquire offshore entities with business operations in China in an offshore transaction. However, most of these uses are subject to PRC regulations and approvals, such as:

Under SAFE Circular 19, effective June 2015, a foreign-invested enterprise may choose to convert its registered capital from foreign currency to Renminbi on a self-discretionary basis, and the Renminbi capital converted can be used for equity investments within China, which will be regarded as the reinvestment of foreign-invested enterprise. In addition, SAFE Circular 19 prohibits a foreign-invested enterprise from using Renminbi funds converted from its foreign currency registered capital to provide entrustment loans or repay loans borrowed from nonfinancial enterprises. Violation of these circulars could result in severe penalties, including heavy fines. These circulars may limit our ability to transfer funds to the variable interest entities and the subsidiaries of our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China, and we may not be able to convert foreign currency-denominated funds into Renminbi to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies, or establish other consolidated variable interest entities in China. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries”.

In November 2012, SAFE promulgated the Circular of Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Foreign Direct Investment, or SAFE Circular 59, as amended in October 2018 and December 2019, which substantially amends and simplifies the then current foreign exchange procedures. Under SAFE Circular 59, the opening of various special purpose foreign exchange accounts (e.g. pre-establishment expenses account, foreign exchange capital account, guarantee account) no longer requires approval by SAFE. Reinvestment of Renminbi proceeds by foreign investors in China no longer requires SAFE approval or verification.

In May 2013, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Printing and Distributing the Provisions on Foreign Exchange Administration over Domestic Direct Investment by Foreign Investors and the Supporting Documents as amended in December 2019, which specifies that the administration by SAFE or its local branches over direct investment by foreign investors in China shall be conducted by way of registration. Institutions and individuals shall register with SAFE and/or its local branches for their direct investment in China. Banks shall process foreign exchange business relating to the direct investment in China based on the registration information provided by SAFE and its branches.

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In February 2015, SAFE promulgated the Circular of Further Simplifying and Improving the Policies of Foreign Exchange Administration Applicable to Direct Investment, or SAFE Circular 13, effective June 2015 and amended in December 2019. Under SAFE Circular 13, the current foreign exchange procedures will be further simplified, and foreign exchange registrations of direct investment will be handled by banks instead of SAFE and its branches.

In January 2017, SAFE promulgated SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures on the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including: (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks must check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, original version of tax filing records and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities must hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits.

On April 10, 2020, SAFE promulgated the Notice of the SAFE on Optimizing Foreign Exchange Administration to Support the Development of Foreign-related Business, or SAFE Circular 8, which provides that under the condition that the use of the funds is genuine and compliant with current administrative provisions regarding the use of income relating to capital account, enterprises are allowed to use income under capital account such as capital funds, foreign debts and overseas listings for domestic payment, without submission of materials evidencing the veracity of such payment to the bank prior to each transaction.

Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investments by PRC Residents

SAFE Circular 75 requires PRC residents to register with the relevant local branch of SAFE before establishing or controlling any company outside China, referred to as an offshore special purpose company, for the purpose of raising funds from overseas to acquire or exchange the assets of, or acquiring equity interests in, PRC entities held by such PRC residents and to update such registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to that offshore company. SAFE promulgated SAFE Circular 37 in July 2014, which replaced SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle”. The term “control” under SAFE Circular 37 is broadly defined as the operation rights, beneficiary rights or decision-making rights acquired by the PRC residents in the offshore special purpose vehicles by such means as acquisition, trust, proxy, voting rights, repurchase, convertible bonds or other arrangements. SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any changes with respect to the basic information of the special purpose vehicle, such as changes in a PRC resident individual shareholder, name or operation period; or any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. If the shareholders of the offshore holding company who are PRC residents do not complete their registration with the local SAFE branches, the PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the offshore company, and the offshore company may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital to its PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.

We have requested our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to make the necessary applications, filings and amendments required by SAFE. However, we cannot provide any assurances that all of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents will continue to make, obtain or amend any applicable registrations or approvals required by these SAFE regulations. The failure or inability of our PRC resident beneficial owners to comply with the registration procedures set forth therein may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, or limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to our company or otherwise adversely affect our business. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of foreign exchange restrictions.

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Foreign Exchange Registration of Employee Stock Incentive Plans

In February 2012, SAFE issued the Stock Option Rules, which replaced the Application Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Ownership Plans or Stock Option Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies issued by SAFE in March 2007. Under the Stock Option Rules, a PRC entity’s directors, supervisors, senior management officers, other staff or individuals who have an employment or labor relationship with a PRC entity and are granted stock options by an overseas publicly listed company are required, through a qualified PRC domestic agent which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly listed company, to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures. Such PRC resident participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of stock options, purchase and sale of corresponding stocks or interests, and fund transfer. The PRC agent shall, among other things, file on behalf of such PRC resident participants an application with SAFE to conduct the SAFE registration with respect to such stock incentive plan and obtain approval for an annual allowance with respect to the purchase of foreign exchange in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options or stock such participants hold. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the stock incentive plan if there is any material change to the stock incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material aspects. Such participating PRC residents’ foreign exchange income received from the sale of stock and dividends distributed by the overseas publicly-listed company must be fully remitted into a PRC collective foreign currency account opened and managed by the PRC agent before distribution to such participants. We and our PRC resident employees who have been granted stock options or other share-based incentives of our company are subject to the Stock Option Rules as our company has become an overseas listed company upon the completion of initial public offering. If we or our PRC resident participants fail to comply with these regulations in the future, we and/or our PRC resident participants may be subject to fines and legal sanctions.

Regulations relating to Dividend Distributions

Under applicable regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until its cumulative total reserve funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. These reserve funds, however, may not be distributed as cash dividends.

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C.Organizational Structure

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our principal subsidiaries and variable interest entities as of the date of this annual report:

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Notes:

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PRC laws and regulations currently prohibit foreign investors from holding more than 50% of a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise that provides commercial internet information services, which are one type of value-added telecommunications services. Because of such restriction, our internet information services are conducted through consolidated variable interest entities in China, namely Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu, or the variable interest entities.

We have entered into, through our PRC subsidiaries, Shanghai SINA Leju, Shanghai Yi Yue and Beijing Maiteng, a series of contractual arrangements with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu and their respective shareholders. These contractual arrangements enable us to (i) direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang, Beijing Jiajujiu and their subsidiaries and branches; (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits from the three consolidated variable interest entities and their subsidiaries in consideration for the services provided by our PRC subsidiaries; and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in the variable interest entities, when and to the extent permitted by PRC law, or request any existing shareholder of the variable interest entities to transfer all or part of the equity interest in the variable interest entities to another PRC person or entity designated by us at any time in our discretion.

As a result of these contractual arrangements, we, through our PRC subsidiaries, have become the primary beneficiary of these PRC entities and account for them as variable interest entities, and consolidate the financial results of these entities into our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Substantially all of our revenues are derived from the variable interest entities and we rely on dividends and service fees paid to us by our PRC subsidiaries and the variable interest entities in China. Entities apart from the variable interest entities contributed in aggregate 0.1%, 0.1% and 0.0% of our total net revenues in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Our operations not conducted through contractual arrangements with the variable interest entities primarily consist of outsourcing arrangements business, support services for online advertising business and agency services included with our e-commerce business. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, the total amount of service fees that our PRC subsidiaries received from the variable interest entities under all the service agreements between our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities was $20.1 million, $17.5 million and $29.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the amount of service fees payable to us by the variable interest entities was $20.2 million.

In November 2020, the contractual arrangements with Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang and Beijing Jiajujiu were amended and restated by new sets of VIE contractual arrangements, more details of which are summarized below.

The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements relating to the variable interest entities:

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Agreements that Provide Us with Effective Control over the variable interest entities

Exclusive Call Option Agreement. Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Shanghai SINA Leju, has entered into an exclusive option agreement with the variable interest entity, Beijing Leju, and its shareholders. Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Shanghai Yi Yue, has entered into an exclusive call option agreement with the variable interest entity, Leju Hao Fang, and its shareholders. Our PRC subsidiary, Beijing Maiteng, has entered into an exclusive option agreement with the variable interest entity, Beijing Jiajujiu, and its shareholders. In each case, under the exclusive call option agreement each PRC subsidiary of our Company has the rights to require shareholders of the applicable variable interest entity to transfer any or all their equity interests in the applicable variable interest entity to the respective PRC subsidiary of our Company and/or a third party designated by it, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, for considerations equivalent to the respectively outstanding loans owed to applicable shareholders of the variable interest entity (or part of the loan amounts in proportion to the equity interests being transferred) or, if applicable, for a nominal price, unless the relevant government authorities or the China laws request that another amount be used as the purchase price, in which case the purchase price shall be the lowest amount under such request. Each exclusive call option agreement shall remain effective unless terminated in the event that the entire equity interests held by shareholders in the applicable variable interest entity have been transferred to the applicable PRC subsidiary of our Company or their appointee(s).

Loan Agreement. Pursuant to a loan agreement among Shanghai SINA Leju, Mr. Xudong Zhu and Mr. Yinyu He, Shanghai SINA Leju granted an interest-free loan of RMB8.0 million to Mr. Xudong Zhu and RMB2.0 million to Mr. Yinyu He, respectively, solely for their investment in Beijing Leju. Pursuant to a loan agreement among Shanghai Yi Yue, Mr. Yinyu He and Mr. Weijie Ma, Shanghai Yi Yue granted an interest-free loan of RMB10.5 million to Yinyu He and RMB4.5 million to Weijie Ma, respectively, solely for their investment in Leju Hao Fang. Pursuant to a loan agreement among Beijing Maiteng, Mr. Yinyu He and Mr. Weijie Ma, Beijing Maiteng granted an interest-free loan of RMB10.5 million to Yinyu He and RMB4.5 million to Weijie Ma, respectively, solely for their investment in Beijing Jiajujiu.

The term of each loan commences from the date of the agreement and ends on the date the lender exercises its exclusive call option under the relevant exclusive call option agreement, or when certain defined termination events occur, such as if the lender sends a written notice demanding repayment to the borrower, or upon the default of the borrower, whichever is earlier.

After the lender exercises his exclusive call option, the borrower may repay the loan by transferring all of its equity interest in the relevant variable interest entity to the lender, or a person or entity nominated by the lender, and use the proceeds of such transfer as repayment of the loan. If the proceeds of such transfer is equal to or less than the principal of the loan under the relevant loan agreement, the loan is considered interest-free. If the proceeds of such transfer is higher than the principal of the loan under the relevant loan agreement, any surplus is considered interest for the loan under the relevant loan agreement.

Powers of Attorney. Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Shanghai SINA Leju, has entered into a powers of attorney with the variable interest entity, Beijing Leju, and its shareholders. Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Shanghai Yi Yue, has entered into a powers of attorney with the variable interest entity, Leju Hao Fang, and its shareholders. Our PRC subsidiary, Beijing Maiteng, has entered into a powers of attorney with the variable interest entity, Beijing Jiajujiu, and its shareholders.

Under each powers of attorney, the shareholders of each variable interest entity irrevocably appointed the applicable PRC subsidiary of our Company and its designated persons (including but not limited to directors and their successors and liquidators replacing the directors but excluding those non-independent or who may give rise to conflict of interest) as their attorneys-in-fact to exercise on their behalf, and agreed and undertook not to exercise without such attorneys-in-fact’s prior written consent, any and all right that they have in respect of their equity interests in the applicable variable interest entity.

Each powers of attorney shall remain effective for so long as each shareholder holds equity interest in the applicable variable interest entity.

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Equity Pledge Agreement. Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Shanghai SINA Leju, has entered into an equity pledge agreement with the variable interest entity, Beijing Leju, and its shareholders. Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Shanghai Yi Yue, has entered into an equity pledge agreement with the variable interest entity, Leju Hao Fang, and its shareholders. Our PRC subsidiary, Beijing Maiteng, has entered into an equity pledge agreement with the variable interest entity, Beijing Jiajujiu, and its shareholders. Under each such equity pledge agreement, shareholders of each variable interest entity agreed to pledge all their respective equity interests in the applicable variable interest entity that they own, including any interest or dividend paid for the shares, to the applicable PRC subsidiary of our Company as a security interest to guarantee the performance of the contractual obligations and the payment of outstanding debts. The pledge in respect of the applicable variable interest entity takes effect upon the completion of registration with the relevant administration for industry and commerce and shall remain valid until after all the contractual obligations of the applicable variable interest entity and its shareholders under the relevant contractual arrangements have been fully performed and all the outstanding debts of the applicable variable interest entity and its shareholders under the relevant contractual arrangements have been fully paid.

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default (as defined in each equity pledge agreement), each PRC subsidiary of our Company shall have the right to require the applicable variable interest entity’s shareholders to immediately pay any amount payable by the applicable variable interest entity under the relevant exclusive business cooperation agreement, repay any loans and pay any other due payments, and each PRC subsidiary of our Company shall have the right to exercise all such rights as a secured party under any applicable China law and the applicable equity pledge agreement, including without limitations, being paid in priority with the equity interests based on the monetary valuation that such equity interests are converted into or from the proceeds from auction or sale of the equity interest upon written notice to the shareholders of the applicable variable interest entity.

The registration of each equity pledge agreement as required by the relevant laws and regulations will be completed in accordance with the terms of the equity pledge agreement and China laws and regulations.

Others. Each of the shareholders of variable interest entities has confirmed to the effect that: (i) his spouse does not have the right to claim any interests in the respective variable interest entity (together with any other interests therein) or exert influence on the day-to-day management of the respective variable interest entity; and (ii) in the event of his death, incapacity, divorce or any other event which causes his inability to exercise his rights as a shareholder of the respective variable interest entity, he will take necessary actions to safeguard his interests in the respective variable interest entity (together with any other interests therein) and his successors (including his spouse) will not claim any interests in the respective variable interest entity (together with any other interests therein) to the effect that the shareholders’ interests in the respective variable interest entity shall not be affected.

The spouse of each of the shareholders of variable interest entities, where applicable, has signed an undertaking to the effect that (i) the respective shareholder’s interests in the respective variable interest entity (together with any other interests therein) do not fall within the scope of communal properties, and (ii) she has no right to or control over such interests of the respective shareholder and will not have any claim on such interests.

Agreements that Transfer Economic Benefits of the variable interest entities to Us

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Shanghai SINA Leju, has entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement with the variable interest entity, Beijing Leju. Our wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Shanghai Yi Yue, has entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement with the variable interest entity, Leju Hao Fang. Our PRC subsidiary, Beijing Maiteng, has entered into an exclusive business cooperation agreement with the variable interest entity, Beijing Jiajujiu.

Pursuant to each such exclusive business cooperation agreement the applicable PRC subsidiary of our Company provides the applicable variable interest entity with a series of technical support, consultation and other services, the services fee shall consist of 100% of the total consolidated profit of the applicable variable interest entity after the deduction of any accumulated deficit of the variable interest entities in respect of the preceding financial year(s), operating costs, expenses, taxes and other statutory contributions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each PRC subsidiary of our Company may adjust the scope and amount of services fees according to China tax law and tax practices, and the applicable variable interest entity will accept such adjustments. The PRC subsidiary of our Company shall calculate the service fee on a monthly basis and issue a corresponding invoice to the applicable variable interest entity. Notwithstanding the payment arrangements in each exclusive business cooperation agreements, the PRC subsidiary of our Company may adjust the payment time and payment method, and the applicable variable interest entity will accept any such adjustment.

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In addition, absent the prior written consent of each PRC subsidiary of our Company, during the term of the applicable exclusive business cooperation agreement, with respect to the services subject to the exclusive business cooperation agreement and other matters, the applicable variable interest entity shall not directly or indirectly accept the same or any similar services provided by any third party and shall not establish cooperation relationships similar to that formed by the applicable exclusive business cooperation agreement with any third party. Each PRC subsidiary of our Company may appoint other parties, who may enter into certain agreements with the applicable variable interest entity, to provide the applicable variable interest entity with the services under the applicable exclusive business cooperation agreement.

Each exclusive business cooperation agreement also provides that the applicable PRC subsidiary of our Company has the exclusive proprietary rights and interests in any and all intellectual property rights developed or created by the applicable variable interest entity during the performance of the applicable exclusive business cooperation agreement.

Each exclusive business cooperation agreement shall remain effective unless terminated (a) in accordance with the provisions of the applicable exclusive business cooperation agreement; (b) in writing by the applicable PRC subsidiary of our Company; or (c) renewal of the expired business period of either the applicable PRC subsidiary of our Company or the applicable variable interest entity is denied by relevant government authorities, at which time the applicable exclusive business cooperation agreement will terminate upon termination of that business period.

In the opinion of Fangda Partners, our PRC legal counsel:

However, as advised by Fangda Partners, our PRC legal counsel, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws, rules and regulations, and accordingly, there can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view from that of our PRC legal counsel. We have been further advised by our PRC legal counsel that if the PRC regulatory authorities determine that our contractual arrangements for operating our internet and advertising business in China do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in such industries, we could be subject to severe penalties. See “Item 3. Key Information —D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our advertising services business and real estate online business in China do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in the advertising industry or the internet information service industry, we could be subject to severe penalties.” and “—Our ability to enforce the equity pledge agreements between us and the shareholders of Beijing Leju, Leju Hao Fang or Beijing Jiajujiu may be subject to limitations based on PRC laws and regulations”. In addition, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business In China—Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations”.

D.Property, Plants and Equipment

Our principal executive offices are located at Level G of Building G, Building H and Building J, No.8 Dongfeng South Road, with approximately 11,200 square meters of office space. As of March 31, 2023, we leased properties with an aggregate gross floor area of approximately 24,000 square meters for our 41 local offices across China and at our Hong Kong office. Our leased properties mainly consist of office premises, a portion of which are leased from related parties. We believe our existing leased premises are adequate for our current business operations and that additional space can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms to meet our future requirements.

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The PRC internet industry

We are an internet company and a majority of our revenue is generated from our e-commerce and online advertising services provided on our websites. Therefore, our results of operations are heavily dependent on the continued development of China’s internet industry. The internet has emerged as an increasingly attractive and cost-effective advertising channel in China. However, the internet industry in China is heavily regulated. PRC laws, rules and regulations cover virtually every aspect of the internet industry, including entry into the industry, the scope of permissible business activities and foreign investment. Furthermore, the PRC government levies business taxes, value-added taxes, surcharges and cultural construction fees on advertising-related sales in China, such as sales of our e-commerce, online advertising, listing and other value-added services. In addition, because one of our PRC subsidiaries currently qualifies as “high and new technology enterprises,” it enjoys favorable statutory tax rate from the relevant PRC tax authorities or under local governmental policies. The imposition of new laws and regulations, or changes to current laws and regulations, could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Our ability to innovate and market acceptance of our services

We operate in a competitive industry and the extent to which we are able to provide innovative e-commerce and advertising services that are attractive to developers and prospective property purchasers has a material effect on our results of operations. For example, we pioneered e-commerce services in China’s real estate market in April 2011 by offering online auctions as a promotional tool for our partner developers. In early 2012, we introduced property price discount coupons as a means of generating buyers for our partner developers in conjunction with online advertising and offline customer origination. In 2015 and 2016, we continually upgraded the site visit experience of prospective property purchasers by launching new services including site visits through private car or virtual reality technology. In December 2016 we launched new advertising products based on cross-utilizing databases we and our strategic partners have, allowing for more accurate targeting of potential buyers. In 2017, we introduced our new marketing product, Zai Xian Xuan Fang, to simplify the transaction process. During this period, our new suite of big data-empowered advertising products became increasingly popular among our developer clients, and our mobile marketing strategy has started to yield positive results. Our results of operations will continue to be significantly affected by the extent to which our evolving e-commerce and advertising services, including any future innovations that we may introduce, achieve success in the market.

Our ability to maintain and expand our online platform

Consumers are able to access our services through various websites and mobile applications, our telephone call center and at property showrooms and other physical locations. Our internet presence includes local websites across China that we either operate directly or outsource to local outsourcing partners. We operate a variety of websites pursuant to our arrangements with SINA. Since many of our customers in our new home business are one-time property buyers, we depend on our online platform as a key driver for bringing in new business. The costs of maintaining and expanding our online platform in order to continue to reach a broad base of customers, and our ability to maintain our relationships with SINA, has a significant effect on our results of operations.

Our ability to compete effectively

We face competition in each of our main business activities. We compete with other e-commerce providers for market share in key markets, relationships with developers and for the acquisition of web traffic. We compete for talent with other online businesses and to a lesser extent with traditional businesses. Our industry has become increasingly competitive, and such competition may continue to intensify in future periods. As the barriers to entry for establishing internet-based businesses are typically low, it is possible for new entrants to emerge and rapidly scale up their operations. We expect additional companies to enter the online real estate and home-related internet service industry in China and a wider range of online services in this area to be introduced.

Our ability to expand into new geographic areas in China

A significant portion of our revenues is concentrated in China’s major urban centers. We expect them to continue to represent a significant portion of our revenues in the near term. We also may expand into new geographic areas and sectors and increase our market share in areas and sectors where we currently operate. As of December 31, 2022, we had established real estate-related content, search services, marketing and listing coverage of 400 cities across China. Our ability to succeed in newly penetrated cities and cities where we intend to increase our presence will have a substantial impact on our results of operations, and we may incur significant additional operating expenses, including hiring new sales and other personnel, in order to expand our operations.

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Selected Statement of Operations Items

Revenues

E-commerce of discount coupons. We offer individual property buyers discount coupons that enable them to purchase specified properties from real estate developers at discounts greater than the face value of the fees charged by us. Discount coupons are collected initially upfront from the property buyers and are refundable at any time before they are used to purchase the specified properties. As such, these fees are recorded as advance from customers in our consolidated balance sheets. In this context, we determine our customers to be individual property buyers and have identified one single performance obligation to be the sale of discount coupons. We determine the sale of discount coupons to be satisfied at a point in time only when confirmation letters are obtained from our customers or developers that prove the use of the coupons. The transaction price is the discount coupon fees charged by us which is fixed in the contract with individual property buyers. The E-commerce revenue of discount coupons was $547.9 million, $411.1 million and $183.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

E-commerce of commission coupons. We issue commission coupons and provide an information platform to individual brokers on which they can refer potential individual property buyers to real estate developers with whom we work to earn commissions. As long as the potential buyers who were referred by individual brokers completes a specific transaction with the real estate developer, the individual brokers would redeem the commission coupons for the successful referrals, and we could earn the commission from the developer for the successful referrals. In this case, we have identified our clients as real estate developers and have identified a single performance obligation to provide the developer with successful referrals of the property purchases. We will recognize service revenue at a certain point in time when the obligations were fulfilled which were confirmed by real estate developers. Any commissions and other payments received in advance will be deferred until the obligations are fulfilled. The transaction price is the commission charged by us and is fixed in the confirmation letter. We will pay commissions for the individual brokers’ successful referrals only after the redemption of the commission coupons and the confirmation of the successful referrals of properties from real estate developers. We have the discretion to determine the amount of commission paid for the individual brokers’ successful referrals. The revenue from commission coupon business was nil, nil and $95.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Online advertising. In respect of the online advertising services, we mainly provide comprehensive advertisement placement services to the advertisers (i.e., property developers) through a packaged online cross-media and cross-platform product portfolio, including those owned by us and other independent outlets. We consider we act as principal in this arrangement when we are a contracting party to our advertisers and are primarily responsible for delivering the specified service to the advertisers. We control the specified service before that service is transferred to an advertiser, because (i) we have the discretion to decide which media outlets to use and what type of the advertisements to be placed, (ii) we are subject to certain risk of loss to the extent that the cost paid to the media outlets, which is charged to us based on a number of methodology, including viewership (CPM) or click (CPC) or others, cannot be compensated by the total consideration obtained from the advertisers, and (iii) we have the discretion to determine the fee charged to the advertisers, which affects our margin as the costs incurred might vary. Therefore we report revenue earned from the advertisers and costs paid to media outlets related to these transactions on a gross basis.

In addition, we consider we act as an agent for those arrangements that we only earn agreed rebates from certain media outlets and recognize such rebates as revenue on a net basis. Media outlets grant us rebates in the form of prepayments for the media outlets’ services or cash, mainly based on the gross spending of the advertisers. In some circumstances, we will share with our advertisers certain amount of the rebates earned from the media outlets, which is accounted for as a reduction of the rebates, and we recognize such net amount of rebates as revenue.

Listing. Listing services entitle real estate brokers to post and make changes to information for properties in a particular area on the website for a specified period of time, in exchange for a fixed fee.

In this context, we determine our customers to be real estate brokers and have identified a single performance obligation that is recognized over time on a straight-line basis over the contract period of display and when collection is probable. The transaction price is the fixed fee outlined in the contract. No rebates or discounts are given to the real estate brokers.

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Cost of revenues

Cost of revenue consists of costs associated with the production of websites, which includes fees paid to third parties for internet connection, content and services, editorial personnel related costs, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation associated with website production equipment and fees paid to media outlets for advertising resources.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses comprise marketing expenses, compensation and benefits for personnel other than editorial personnel, expenses of third-party professional services, rental payments relating to office and administrative functions and depreciation of property and equipment used in our corporate offices and other administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses also include amortization of intangible assets that do not relate to internet content, including our license agreement with SINA. Selling general and administrative expenses also include bad debt expenses. Bad debt can result from developer customers not paying amounts owing to us for services rendered and in cases where third parties to whom we outsource certain websites fail to pay fixed fees owed to us.

Marketing and advertising expenses consist primarily of targeted online and offline marketing costs for promoting our e-commerce projects and our own brand building, such as Leju property visit, sponsored marketing campaigns, online or print advertising, public relations and sponsored events. We expense all marketing advertising costs as incurred and record these costs under the item of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations when incurred. Our direct marketing activities are intended to attract subscribers for online advertising and potential property buyers to purchase the discount coupon.

Commissions in relation to the commission coupon business are the fee paid for individual brokers’ successful referrals, upon the redemption of the commission coupons and confirmation from the real estate developer. We expense all real estate agent commissions as incurred and record these costs under the item of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations when incurred. Any fee from the redemption of the commission coupons would be netted with the commissions for individual brokers’ successful referrals on the consolidated statements of operations.

Share-based compensation expenses

In November 2013, we adopted a share incentive plan, or the Leju Plan, which allows us to offer a variety of share-based incentive awards to employees, officers, directors and individual consultants who render services to us. The plan permits the grant of three types of awards: options, restricted shares and restricted share units. The maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the Leju Plan, or the Leju Award Pool, is 10,434,783 ordinary shares initially, and shall be increased automatically by 5% of the then total outstanding shares on an as-converted fully diluted basis on each of the third, sixth and ninth anniversaries of the effective date of the Leju Plan. On December 1, 2016 the Leju Award Pool was automatically increased by 7,553,422 ordinary shares. On December 1, 2019, the Leju Award Pool was automatically increased by 7,833,224 ordinary shares. On December 1, 2022, the Leju Award Pool was automatically increased by 8,020,119 ordinary shares. Accordingly, the size of the Leju Award Pool is currently 33,841,548 ordinary shares.

Pursuant to the Leju Plan, we granted (i) options to certain of our employees for the purchase of 501,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $9.68 per share, on April 28, 2015, (ii) options to certain of our employees for the purchase of 30,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $7.00 per share, on August 7, 2015, (iii) options to certain of our employees and certain of E-House’s employees for the purchase of 1,986,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $5.54 per share, on December 14, 2015. The options expire ten years from the date of grant and vest ratably at each anniversary of the grant date over a period of three years.

On May 28, 2019, we granted 250,000 restricted shares to our employees. The restricted shares vest ratably at each grant date anniversary over a period of three years.

On June 17, 2020, we granted 800,000 restricted shares to our senior management team. The restricted shares vest ratably at each vesting commencement date anniversary over a period of three years.

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On April 23, 2021, we granted to certain of our employees and directors options to purchase an aggregate of 3,667,000 ordinary shares at the exercise price of $1.00 per share and 600,000 ordinary shares at the exercise price of $0.10 per share, pursuant to the Leju Plan. The options expire ten years from the date of grant and vest over a period of three years.

As of March 31, 2023, the aggregate number of our ordinary shares underlying outstanding options granted under the Leju Plan is 14,510,147, and 266,668 restricted shares granted under the Leju Plan are outstanding.

In 2022, we recorded compensation expenses of $1.8 million for the options and restricted shares granted to our employees and directors under the Leju Plan, and nil in dividends to E-House for the options and restricted shares granted to employees and directors of E-House under the Leju Plan. As of December 31, 2022, we had $2.4 million of total unrecognized compensation expenses related to unvested share options and restricted shares granted under the Leju Plan, which we expect to be recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.31 years.

Other operating income

Our other operating income primarily relates to cash subsidies received by our subsidiaries in China from local governments to encourage us to operate in certain local districts.

Interest income, net

We earn interest income primarily from bank deposits and interest income recognized relating to the financing component of the transaction price of the services delivered, net of the interest expenses related to borrowings.

Other income, net

Other income, net relates to realized gain on marketable securities, unrealized gain on marketable securities, foreign exchange loss/(gain), income from sales of properties held for sales and reimbursement from the depositary for our expenses incurred in connection with the establishment and maintenance of the ADS program.

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, while certain of our subsidiaries have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, such as the Renminbi and the Hong Kong dollar. Transactions in other currencies are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing when the transactions occur. Transaction gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Income taxes

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. Payments of dividends and capital in respect of the shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the Shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

All dividends, interest, rents, royalties, compensation and other amounts paid by our subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, or the BVI, to persons who are not resident in the BVI and any capital gains realized with respect to any shares, debt obligations, or other securities of our company by persons who are not resident in the BVI are exempt from all provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance in the BVI.

Our subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to a profit tax at the rate of 16.5% on assessable profit determined under relevant Hong Kong tax regulations.

The EIT Law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, except where a special preferential rate applies. In addition, the EIT Law also provides a five-year transitional period starting from its effective date for those enterprises that were established before March 16, 2007, the date of promulgation of the EIT Law, and that were entitled to preferential income tax rates under the then effective tax laws or regulations.

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Shanghai SINA Leju was granted the high and new technology enterprise (“HNTE”) status. Shanghai SINA Leju renewed its qualification of “high and new technology enterprise” in 2018 and 2021, and is entitled to enjoy a favorable statutory tax rate of 15% from 2018 through 2023.

We have a tax benefit due to losses incurred in past years. Under PRC tax law we are permitted to carry forward losses for up to ten years for entities qualified as a “high and new technology enterprise” and up to five years for entities that do not qualify as a “high and new technology enterprise”. We may have a tax benefit for periods for which we were profitable on a consolidated basis to the extent our consolidated entities that incurred losses during the period were subject to income tax at a higher effective tax rate as compared with consolidated entities that earned profits during the period.

Under the EIT Law, dividends payable to a non-PRC resident enterprise from our PRC subsidiaries are subject to a withholding tax which may be as high as 20%, although under the detailed implementation rules of the EIT Law promulgated by the PRC authorities the effective withholding tax is currently 10%. Dividends of PRC subsidiaries that are directly held by Hong Kong entities may benefit from a reduced withholding tax rate of 5% pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and Hong Kong for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, subject to the approval from the relevant local branch of the SAT in accordance with the Administrative Measures on Tax Treaty Treatment of Nonresidents (Trial) and other relevant tax rules. Our Hong Kong subsidiaries have not sought approval for such preferential withholding tax rate, given that no dividends have been paid by their respective PRC subsidiaries. Dividends from our Hong Kong subsidiaries are exempt from withholding tax. Dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the British Virgin Islands or the Cayman Islands.

Under the EIT Law, enterprises that are established under the laws of foreign countries or regions and whose “de facto management bodies” are located within the PRC territory are considered PRC resident enterprises, and will be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their worldwide income. Under the implementation rules of the EIT Law, “de facto management bodies” are defined as the bodies that have material and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finances and treasury, and acquisition and disposition of properties and other assets of an enterprise. It remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will interpret such a broad definition. We cannot assure you that we will not be deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law and be subject to the PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our worldwide income. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factor—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Dividends payable to us by our PRC subsidiaries may be subject to PRC withholding taxes or we may be subject to PRC taxation on our worldwide income, and dividends distributed to our investors may be subject to PRC withholding taxes under the EIT Law and our investors may be subject to PRC withholding tax on the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs.”

Income/(loss) from equity in affiliates

Affiliate companies are entities over which we have significant influence but do not control. Investment in affiliates is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, our share of the post-acquisition profits or loss of affiliated companies is recognized as income/(loss) from equity in affiliates in the income statement.

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest relates to the minority interest in non-wholly-owned subsidiaries that we consolidate.

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