SEC Form 20-F filed by Global Internet of People Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report:

For the transition period from _________ to _____________.

Commission file number: 001-40008

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

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

None

(Title of Class)

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

None

(Title of Class)

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

An aggregate of 24,528,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per share, as of December 31, 2021.

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 and posted 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 and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

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

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

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

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

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. ☐

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with no material operations of our own. We are not a Chinese operating company. Investors of our Ordinary Shares do not own any equity interests in the VIE, but instead own shares of a Cayman Islands holding company. Unless otherwise stated, as used in this annual report and in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, “we,” “us,” “Company,” “GIOP”, or “our,” refers to Global Internet of People, Inc., a Cayman Islands holding company, and “VIE” refers to the variable interest entity (“VIE”), Global Mentor Board (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., or SDH.

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

As of the date of this annual report, substantially all of our business is conducted by SDH, the Company’s VIE entity in the PRC, and its subsidiaries, using RMB, the currency of China. Our consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars or US$. In this annual report, we refer to assets, obligations, commitments and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements in United States dollars or US$. These US$ references are based on the exchange rate of RMB to United States dollars, determined as of a specific date or for a specific period. Changes in the exchange rate will affect the amount of our obligations and the value of our assets in terms of United States dollars which may result in an increase or decrease in the amount of our obligations and the value of our assets, including accounts receivable.

Unless expressly indicated herein to the contrary, all references to share amounts in this annual report give retroactive effect to share consolidations, the last of which was effected on April 24, 2020.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This annual report on Form 20-F contains ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors,” may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the 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 some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:

These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations. Other sections of this annual report include additional factors that 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 read thoroughly this annual report and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from, or worse than, what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

This annual report contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. The insurance industry may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. Failure of this market to grow at the projected rate may have a material and adverse effect on our business and the market price of the Ordinary Shares. In addition, the rapidly evolving nature of this industry results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

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

PART I

We are a Cayman Islands holding company conducting a substantial portion of our operations in China through Global Mentor Board (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and its subsidiaries. Investors of our Ordinary Shares are not investing in the VIE. Neither we nor our subsidiaries own any shares in the VIE. Instead, for accounting purposes, we control and receive the economic benefits of the VIE’s business operation through a series of contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, dated June 10, 2019, which enable us to consolidate the financial results of the VIE and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP. As a result of these contractual arrangements, which have not been tested in a court of law, under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), the assets and liabilities of the VIE are treated as our assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the VIE are treated in all aspects as if they were the results of our operations. PRC laws, regulations, and rules restrict and impose conditions on direct foreign investment in certain types of business, and we therefore operate these businesses in China through the VIE. We have evaluated the guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 810 and determined that we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of the VIE for accounting purposes, as a result of our direct ownership in WFOE and the provisions of the VIE Agreements. See “Item 3. Key Information — Contractual Agreements among WFOE, SDH and Its Shareholders” for a summary of these VIE Agreements.

We are subject to risks due to uncertainty of the interpretation and the application of the PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to the validity and enforcement of the VIE Agreements. We are also subject to the risks of uncertainty about any future actions of the PRC government in this regard. The VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over the VIE. The VIE structure is used to replicate foreign investment in China-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in the operating companies. As a result, you will never directly hold equity interests in our PRC operating entities. We may also be subject to sanctions imposed by PRC regulatory agencies including Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission if we fail to comply with their rules and regulations. We may also be subject to PRC laws relating to, among others, data security and restrictions over foreign investments due to the complexity of the regulatory regime in China, and the recent statements and regulatory actions by the PRC government relating to data security may affect our remaining business operations in China or even our ability to offer securities in the United States. We are also subject to the risks and uncertainties about any future actions of the PRC government that could disallow the VIE structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”

Item 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not Applicable.

Item 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not Applicable.

Item 3. KEY INFORMATION

We are a Cayman Islands holding company conducting a substantial portion of our operations in China through the VIE and its subsidiaries. Investors of our Ordinary Shares are investing in Global Internet of People, Inc., the holding company, and are not investing in the VIE in which the Company’s operations are conducted. Neither we nor our subsidiaries own any shares in the VIE. Instead, we control and receive the economic benefits of the VIE’s business operation through a series of contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, dated May 14, 2020. As a result of these contractual arrangements, which have not been tested in a court of law, under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), the assets and liabilities of the VIE are treated as our assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the VIE are treated in all aspects as if they were the results of our operations. Below is a summary of the VIE Agreements:

Exclusive Technical and Consulting Services Agreement

Pursuant to the Exclusive Technical and Consulting Services Agreement between SDH and WFOE (the “Exclusive Service Agreement”), WFOE provides SDH with technical support, consulting services, business support and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, human resources, and information. For services rendered to SDH by WFOE under the Exclusive Service Agreement, WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee approximately equal to SDH’s earnings before corporate income tax, i.e., SDH’s revenue after deduction of operating costs, expenses and other taxes, subject to adjustment based on services rendered and SDH’s operation needs.

This agreement became effective on June 10, 2019 and will remain effective unless otherwise terminated as required by laws or regulations, or by relevant governmental or regulatory authorities. Nevertheless, this agreement shall be terminated after all the equity interest in SDH held by its shareholders and/or all the assets of SDH have been legally transferred to WFOE and/or its designee in accordance with the Exclusive Option Agreement.

The CEO of WFOE, Mr. Haiping Hu, is currently managing SDH pursuant to the terms of the Exclusive Service Agreement. The Exclusive Service Agreement does not prohibit related party transactions. The Company’s audit committee is required to review and approve in advance any related party transactions, including transactions involving WFOE or SDH.

Equity Pledge Agreement

Under the Equity Pledge Agreement between WFOE, and shareholders of SDH, together holding 100% of the shares of SDH (“SDH Shareholders”), the SDH Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in SDH to WFOE to guarantee the performance of SDH’s obligations under the Exclusive Service Agreement. Under the terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement, in the event that SDH or the SDH Shareholders breach their respective contractual obligations under the Exclusive Service Agreement, WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to collect dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The SDH Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Equity Pledge Agreement, WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interests in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The SDH Shareholders further agreed not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice WFOE’s interests without the prior written consent of WFOE.

The Equity Pledge Agreement is effective until: (1) the secured debt in the scope of pledge is cleared off; and (2) Pledgers transfer all the pledged equity interests to Pledgees according to the Exclusive Option Agreement, or other entity or individual designated by it.

The purposes of the Equity Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of SDH’s obligations under the Exclusive Service Agreement; (2) make sure the SDH Shareholders do not transfer or assign the pledged equity interests, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice WFOE’s interests without WFOE’s prior written consent. In the event SDH breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Service Agreement, WFOE will be entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interests.

Exclusive Option Agreement

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the SDH Shareholders irrevocably granted WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, part or all of their equity interests in SDH or the assets of SDH. The option price to be paid by WFOE to each shareholder of SDH is RMB10 (approximately US$1.47) or the minimum amount to the extent permitted under PRC law at the time when such transfer occurs.

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, WFOE may at any time under any circumstances, purchase, or have its designee purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the SDH Shareholders’ equity interests in SDH or the assets of SDH. The Exclusive Option Agreement, together with the Equity Pledge Agreement, the Exclusive Service Agreement, and Powers of Attorney, enable WFOE to exercise effective control over SDH.

The Exclusive Option Agreement remains effective until all the equity or assets of SDH is legally transferred under the name of WFOE and/or other entity or individual designated by it, or unilaterally terminated by WFOE with a 30-day written notice.

Powers of Attorney

Under each of the Powers of Attorney, the SDH Shareholders authorized WFOE to act on their behalf as their exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all rights as shareholders, including, but not limited to: (a) attending shareholders’ meetings; (b) exercising all the shareholder’s rights, including voting, that shareholders are entitled to under the laws of China and the Articles of Association, including, but not limited to, the sale or transfer or pledge or disposition of shares in part or in whole; and (c) designating and appointing on behalf of shareholders the legal representative, the executive director, supervisor, the chief executive officer, and other senior management members of SDH.

The Powers of Attorney are irrevocable and continuously valid from the date of execution of the Powers of Attorney, so long as the SDH Shareholders own the equity interests of SDH.

Spousal Consent

Pursuant to the Spousal Consent, each spouse of the individual shareholders of SDH irrevocably agreed that the equity interest in SDH held by their respective spouses would be disposed of pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement, and the Powers of Attorney. Each spouse of the shareholders agreed not to assert any rights over the equity interest in SDH held by their respective spouses. In addition, in the event that any spouse obtains any equity interest in SDH through the respective shareholder for any reason, he or she agreed to be bound by the contractual arrangements.

We have relied and expect to continue to rely on the VIE Agreements to control and operate the business of the VIE. The VIE Agreements, however, may not be as effective in providing us with the necessary control over the VIE and its operations. For example, the VIE and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of the VIE, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of the VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. Under the current VIE Agreements, however, we rely on the performance by the VIE and its shareholders of their respective obligations under the contracts to exercise control over the VIE. We are also subject to the risks of uncertainty about any future actions of the PRC government in this regard. Because of our corporate structure, we are subject to risks due to uncertainty of the interpretation and the application of the PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to the validity and enforcement of the VIE Agreements. The VIE Agreements may not be effective in providing control over the VIE. We may be also subject to sanctions imposed by PRC regulatory agencies including Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission if we fail to comply with their rules and regulations. We may also be subject to PRC laws relating to, among others, data security and restrictions over foreign investments due to the complexity of the regulatory regime in China, and the recent statements and regulatory actions by the PRC government relating to data security may affect our remaining business operations in China or even our ability to offer securities in the United States.  From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, however, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy in the PRC legal system than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies, internal rules, and regulations (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect and may change quickly with little advance notice. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainties over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property), and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China,” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the VIE accounted for an aggregate of 51.21% and 99.65%, respectively, of our consolidated total assets, 99% and100% respectively, of our consolidated total liabilities, and100% and 99.68% respectively, of our consolidated total net revenues. See our consolidated financial statements and the related notes in this annual report.

Our ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our operating entities. If the operating entity incurs debt on its own behalf, the instruments governing its debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to us.

The operating entity in China will be permitted to pay dividends to us only out of its retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standards for Business Enterprise as promulgated by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC, or PRC GAAP. In accordance with PRC company laws, any consolidated VIEs in China must make appropriations from its after-tax profits to non-distributable reserve funds including (i) statutory surplus fund and (ii) discretionary surplus fund. The appropriation to the statutory surplus fund must be at least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the statutory surplus fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the consolidated VIEs. Appropriation to discretionary surplus fund will be made at the discretion of the consolidated VIEs.

Pursuant to the law applicable to China’s foreign investment enterprises, an operating entity that is a foreign investment enterprise in the PRC has to make appropriation from its after-tax profit, as determined under PRC GAAP, to reserve funds including (i) general reserve fund, (ii) enterprise expansion fund and (iii) staff bonus and welfare fund. The appropriation to the general reserve fund must be at least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the reserve fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the operating company. Appropriation to the other two reserve funds is at the discretion of the operating company in China.

As a Cayman Islands holding company, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding from the proceeds of our offshore fund-raising activities to the operating entities (as a subsidiary) in China only through loans or capital contributions, and to the consolidated affiliated entity only through loans, in each case subject to the satisfaction of the applicable government registration and approval requirements. Before providing loans to the onshore entities (i.e. the PRC subsidiaries and VIE entities), we are required to make filings about details of the loans with SAFE in accordance with relevant PRC laws and regulations. The PRC subsidiaries and VIE entities that receive the loans are only allowed to use the loans for the purposes set forth in these laws and regulations. We are also subject to restrictions and limitations on our ability to distribute earnings from our businesses, including subsidiaries and/or consolidated VIEs, to our holding company and U.S. investors as well as the ability to settle amounts owed under the VIE agreements.

A. [Reserved]

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors 

An investment in our Ordinary Shares involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our Ordinary Shares, you should consider carefully the risks described below, together with all of the other information set forth in this annual report. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected, which could cause the trading price of our Ordinary Shares to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. The risks described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business. You should only consider investing in our Ordinary Shares if you can bear the risk of loss of your entire investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

We have a limited operating history and are subject to the risks encountered by development-stage companies.

We have been in business since December 2014 as a consulting company, and our APP was released to the public in 2016. As a development-stage company, our business strategies and model are constantly being tested by the market and operating results, and we adjust allocation of our resources accordingly. As such, our business may be subject to significant fluctuations in operating results in terms of amounts of revenues and percentages of total with respect to the business segments.

We are, and expect for the foreseeable future to be, subject to all the risks and uncertainties, inherent in a development-stage business. As a result, we must establish many functions necessary to operate a business, including expanding our managerial and administrative structure, assessing and implementing our marketing program, implementing financial systems and controls and personnel recruitment. Accordingly, you should consider our prospects in light of the costs, uncertainties, delays and difficulties frequently encountered by companies with a limited operating history. These risks and challenges are, among other things:

Our future growth will depend substantially on our ability to address these and the other risks described in this annual report. If we do not successfully address these risks, our business would be significantly harmed.

Our historical financial results may not be indicative of our future performance.

Our net revenue was $17,925,476, $23,181,084 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, respectively. Our net income was $9,380,768, $11,957,287 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively. However, our net revenue decreased to $7,409,272 and we incurred a net loss of $8,714,332 for the year ended December 31, 2021. As such, our limited history of operation makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects. We may not be able to sustain growth or may not be able to grow our business at all.

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

We intend to continue to expand our services and operations. In April 2022, we entered into an investment agreement with certain partners to form a joint venture dedicated to the production of high-grade lithium-ion power battery anode materials. Such expansion has placed, and will continue to place, substantial demands on our managerial, operational, technological and other resources. Our planned expansion will also place significant demands on us to maintain the quality of our services to ensure that our brand does not suffer as a result of any deviations, whether actual or perceived, in the quality of our services. In order to manage and support our growth, we must continue to improve our existing operational and administrative systems and our quality control, and recruit, train and retain additional qualified professionals as well as other administrative and sales and marketing personnel, particularly as we expand into new business ventures and launch new business initiatives. 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.

We may not be successful in implementing important new strategic initiatives, which may have an adverse impact on our business and financial results.

There is no assurance that we will be able to implement important strategic initiatives in accordance with our expectations, which may result in an adverse impact on our business and financial results. For example, our latest strategic initiative, Yilong Projet, is designed to create growth, improve our results of operations and drive long-term shareholders value; however, our management may lack required experience, knowledge, insight, or human and capital resources to carry out the effective implementation to expand into new spaces outside of our current focuses. As such, we may not be able to realize our expected growth, and our business and financial results will be adversely impacted.

If we are not successful in selling inventory, we may have to sell the inventory at significantly reduced prices or may not be able to sell the inventory at all.

In late 2019, we started selling merchandises obtained through (1) fee exchange arrangements, through which we receive products in exchange for collection of membership fees and consulting fees earned from our customers, and (2) direct purchases from our customers and third parties based on market trend and demand. Our profitability in sale of merchandises depends on our ability to manage inventory levels and respond to shifts in consumer demand patterns. Overestimating customer demand for merchandises will likely result in the need to record inventory markdowns and sell excess inventory at clearance prices which would negatively impact our gross margins and operating results. Underestimating customer demand for merchandises can lead to inventory shortages, missed sales opportunities and negative customer experiences. Our gross margins could suffer if we are unable to effectively manage our inventory and sell merchandises at a significantly reduced price, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. 

Increasing competition within our industries could have an impact on our business prospects.

The enterprise service and knowledge sharing are industries where new competitors can easily enter into since there are no significant barriers to entry. We also face many competitors in the knowledge sharing industry where a number of competitors have been in business longer than us. Competing companies may have significantly greater financial and other resources than we have and may offer services that are more attractive to prospective clients; increased competition would have a negative impact on both our revenues and our profit margins.

Interruption or failure of our own information technology and communication systems or those of third-party service providers we rely upon could impair our ability to provide products and services, which could damage our reputation and harm our results of operations.

Our ability to provide products and services, both online and offline, depends on the continuing operation of our information technology and communication systems. Any damage to or failure of our systems could interrupt our services. Service interruptions could reduce our revenue and profit and damage our brand if our systems are perceived to be unreliable. Our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption as a result of terrorist attacks, wars, earthquakes, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunication failures, undetected errors or “bugs” in our software, computer viruses, interruptions in access to our platform through the use of “denial of service” or similar attacks, hacking or other attempts to harm our systems, and similar events. Some of our systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning does not account for all possible scenarios.

Our servers, which are hosted at third-party or our own internet data centers, are vulnerable to break-ins, sabotage and vandalism. The occurrence of natural disasters or closure of an internet data center by a third-party provider without adequate notice could result in lengthy service interruptions. In addition, our domain names are resolved into internet protocol (IP) addresses by systems of third-party domain name registrars and registries. Any interruptions or failures of those service providers’ systems, which are beyond our control, could significantly disrupt our own services. If we experience frequent or persistent system failures on our platform, whether due to interruptions and failures of our own information technology and communications systems or those of third-party service providers that we rely upon, our reputation and brand could be severely harmed. The steps we take to increase the reliability and redundancy of our systems may cause us to incur heavy costs and reduce our operating margin, and may not be successful in reducing the frequency or duration of service interruptions.

We may be required to obtain and maintain additional approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business, including our online business, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

Our business is subject to governmental supervision and regulation by the relevant PRC governmental authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, the National Radio and Television Administration or NRTA, and other governmental authorities in charge of the relevant categories of services offered by us. Together, these government authorities promulgate and enforce regulations that cover many aspects of the operation of online services we provide on our APP, including entry into this online service industry, the scope of permissible business activities, licenses and permits for various business activities, and foreign investment.

We currently hold an ICP License (the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the Internet Measures, promulgated by the State Council requires commercial internet content-related services operators to obtain a VATS (“value added telecommunications service”) License for internet content provision business, or the ICP License), and an Internet Culture Business Operating License. Although we do not currently believe we are required to hold any other licenses, we may be required to obtain additional licenses, permits or approval, given the significant uncertainties of the interpretation and implementation of certain regulatory requirements applicable to our business. See “Regulations— Regulations Related to Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs.”

As the internet industry in China is still at a relatively early stage of development, new laws and regulations may be adopted from time to time to address new issues that come to the authorities’ attention. Considerable uncertainties still exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of existing and future laws and regulations governing our business activities. As of the date of this annual report, we are not aware of any other approvals, licenses, or permits that are material to our business operations that we have not, but may be required to, obtain; nor have we received any notice of warning or been subject to penalties or other disciplinary action from the relevant governmental authorities for lack of approvals and permits or noncompliance with regulations related to our current licenses. However, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any warning, investigations or penalties in the future. If the PRC government deems us as operating without proper approvals, licenses or permits, promulgates new laws and regulations that require additional approvals or licenses or impose additional restrictions on the operation of any part of our business, we may be required to apply for additional approvals, license or permits, or be subject to various penalties, including fines, termination or restrictions of the part of our business or revoking of our business licenses, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

The successful operation of our online service depends upon the performance and reliability of the internet infrastructure and fixed telecommunication networks in China.

Our online service depends on the performance and reliability of the internet infrastructure in China. Almost all access to the internet is maintained through state-owned 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 the only channels through which a domestic user can connect to the internet. It is unpredictable whether 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 rely on China Telecommunications Corporation, or China Telecom, and China United Network Communications Group Company Limited, or China Unicom, to provide us with network services and data center hosting services. We have limited access to alternative services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with the fixed telecommunications networks of these companies, or if these companies otherwise fail to provide the services. Any unscheduled service interruption could damage our reputation and result in a decrease in our revenues. Furthermore, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by these telecommunication companies. If the prices that we pay for telecommunications and internet services rise significantly, our gross margins could be adversely affected. In addition, if internet access fees or other charges to internet users increase, our user traffic may decrease, which in turn may harm our revenues.

Security breaches and improper access to or disclosure of our data or user data, or any system failure or compromise of our security, could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business.

Our business is prone to cyber-attacks seeking unauthorized access to our data or user data or to disrupt our ability to provide services. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches and improper access to or disclosure of our data or user data, such as personal information, names, accounts, user IDs and passwords, and payment or transaction related information, could result in the loss or misuse of such data, which could cause a loss or give rise to liabilities to the owners of confidential information, such as our Users, Members, Experts, and Mentors. We also have encountered attempts to create false or undesirable user accounts, or take other actions on our platform for purposes such as spamming, spreading misinformation, or other objectionable ends. Such attacks may cause interruptions to the services we provide, degrade the user experience, cause users to lose confidence and trust in our products and services, impair our internal systems, or result in financial harm to us.

Affected users could initiate legal or regulatory actions against us in connection with any actual or perceived security breaches or improper disclosure of data, which could cause us to incur significant expense and liabilities or result in orders or consent decrees forcing us to modify our business practices. Such incidents or our efforts to remediate such incidents may also result in a decline in our user base or engagement levels. Any of these events could have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation, or results of operations.

If we fail to hire, train or retain qualified managerial and other employees, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We place substantial reliance on the knowledge sharing and enterprise service industry experience and knowledge of our senior management team as well as their relationships with other industry participants. The loss of the services of one or more members of our senior management 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, and competition for such personnel of similar experience is intense. If we fail to retain our senior management, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our personnel are critical to maintaining the quality and consistency of our services, brand and reputation. It is important for us to attract qualified managerial and other employees who have experience in consulting services and are committed to our service approach. There may be a limited supply of such qualified individuals. 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. We must also provide continuous 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 decrease, which in turn, may cause a negative perception of our brand and adversely affect our business.

If we fail to attract or retain qualified service providers, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Our core strength is the knowledge brought by our service providers, highlighted by their experiences, wisdom, industry know-how, and social connections. We rely heavily on the expertise of our service providers, including Mentors, Experts, and our consultants to maintain our core competence. As of March 2022, we had 739 Mentors, 1,176 Experts, and a team of full-time consultants as our knowledge sharing providers. Many of our Mentors are experienced leaders of successful and well-known corporations. Likewise, our Experts are outstanding professionals in their specialized fields, and our team of consultants is professionals with industrial experiences of more than five years. As our business scope increases, we expect to continue to invest significant resources in attracting and retaining service providers. Our ability to sustain our growth will depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified service providers. If we fail to attract or retain qualified service providers, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

If we were to lose our certification as a National High Tech Enterprise, we could face higher tax rates than we currently pay for much of our revenues.

In October 2017, SDH was approved as a National High Tech Enterprise, which certificate was renewed in December 2020 and is valid for three years. This certification entitles SDH to a favorable tax rates of 15%, rather than the unified rate of 25% if it was not so certified. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the total taxes payable by SDH would have increased by $620,936 if SDH was not certified as a National High Tech Enterprise. In the event SDH were to lose the benefit of the favorable tax rate in the future, we could see significant increases in the amount of taxes we pay, meaning that our operating results could be materially harmed, even in the absence of a decrease in our operations.

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

We believe our SDH (“师董会”) brand is associated with a well-recognized knowledge sharing and enterprise services provider in the markets that we operate with online and offline services designed to suit our clients’ needs. Our brand is integral to our sales and marketing efforts. We have obtained trademark registrations for our brand SDH in the PRC. Our continued success in maintaining and enhancing our brand 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 are unable to satisfy clients’ needs or if our public image or reputation were otherwise diminished, our business transactions with our clients may decline, which could in turn adversely affect our results of operations.

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

We believe our key trademark, “师董会,” for which we have obtained trademark protection in China, and 35 computer software copyrights and one artwork copyright, for which we have obtained protection with the Copyright Protection Centre of China (CPCC), and other intellectual property rights are critical to our success. Any unauthorized use of our trademarks or other intellectual property rights could harm our competitive advantages and business. Historically, China has not protected intellectual property rights to the same extent as the United States, and infringement of intellectual property rights continues to pose a serious risk of doing business in China. Monitoring and preventing unauthorized use are difficult. The measures we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate. Furthermore, the application of laws governing intellectual property rights in China and abroad is uncertain and evolving, and could involve substantial risks to us. 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.

As internet domain name rights are not rigorously regulated or enforced in China, other companies may incorporate in their domain names elements similar in writing or pronunciation to the “师董会” trademarks or their Chinese equivalents. 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.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

We control and receive the economic benefits of the business operations of the VIE through the VIE Agreements solely because we met the conditions for consolidation of the VIE under the U.S. GAAP for accounting purpose; however, the VIE Agreements have not been tested in a court of law and are subject to significant risks, as set forth in the following risk factors. For a description of these VIE Agreements, see “ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY — C. Organizational Structure”.

If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our businesses in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

Foreign ownership of certain parts of our businesses including the value-added telecommunications services, or the VATS, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. For example, the ultimate foreign equity ownership in a VATS provider may not exceed 50%. Also, for a foreign investor contemplating to acquire any equity interest in a VATS business in China, it must satisfy a number of stringent performance and operational experience requirements. In addition, to conduct any VATS business in China, foreign investors have to set up foreign-invested enterprises and obtain a relevant telecommunications business operating license. See “Regulations—Regulations Related to Foreign Investment.”

In light of the above restrictions and requirements, we currently operate our knowledge sharing and enterprise service platform through SDH, a VIE entity, through a series of contractual arrangements, as a result of which, under United States generally accepted accounting principles, the assets and liabilities of SDH are treated as our assets and liabilities and the results of operations of SDH are treated in all aspects as if they were the results of our operations. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Business—Contractual Arrangements between WFOE, SDH and Its Shareholders” and “Related Party Transactions—Contractual Arrangements with WFOE, SDH and Its Shareholders.”

In the opinion of our PRC legal counsel, Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm (“JT&N”), based on its understandings of the relevant PRC laws and regulations, (i) the ownership structures of SDH in China and WFOE are not in violation of applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect; and (ii) each contracts among WFOE, SDH and its shareholders is legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms and applicable PRC laws. However, our PRC legal counsel has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may ultimately take a view contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. 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 SDH are found to be in violation of any PRC laws or regulations, if the contractual arrangements among WFOE, SDH and its shareholders are determined as illegal or invalid by the PRC court, arbitral tribunal or regulatory authorities, or if we or SDH 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, including:

The imposition of any of these penalties would result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. In addition, it is unclear what impact the PRC government actions would have on us and on our ability to consolidate the financial results of SDH in our consolidated financial statements, if the PRC government authorities were to find our legal structure and contractual arrangements to be in violation of PRC laws and regulations. If the imposition of any of these government actions causes us to lose our right to direct the activities of SDH or our right to receive substantially all the economic benefits and residual returns from SDH and we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a satisfactory manner, we would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of SDH in our consolidated financial statements. Either of these results, or any other significant penalties that might be imposed on us in this event, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on contractual arrangements with SDH, a VIE entity, and its subsidiaries and shareholders for our China operations, which may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership.

We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with SDH, its subsidiaries and shareholders to operate our business in China. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Business—Contractual Arrangements between WFOE, SDH and Its Shareholders” and “Related Party Transactions— Contractual Arrangements with WFOE, SDH and Its Shareholders.” These contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing us with control over SDH and its subsidiaries as direct ownership. We have no direct or indirect equity interests in SDH or any of its subsidiaries.

If we had direct ownership of SDH and its subsidiaries, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of SDH and its subsidiaries, which in turn could effect changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management level. But under the current contractual arrangements, as a legal matter, if SDH or any of its subsidiaries and shareholders fails to perform their obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements and rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief and claiming damages, which may not be effective. For example, if the shareholders of SDH were to refuse to transfer their equity interest in SDH to us or our designee when we exercise the call option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal action to compel them to fulfill their contractual obligations.

Many of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our affiliated entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.

The contractual arrangements we have entered into with SDH and its shareholders, and any other arrangements and transactions among related parties that we currently have or will have in future may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we owe additional taxes, which could substantially reduce our consolidated net income and the value of your investment.

Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the transactions are conducted. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the VIE contractual arrangements were not entered into on an arm’s-length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust the income of SDH 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 SDH for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase its tax liabilities without reducing WFOE’s tax expenses. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on SDH for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if SDH’s tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.

Because we are a Cayman Islands holding company and conduct our business through the VIE in China, if we fail to comply with applicable PRC law, we could be subject to severe penalties and our business could be adversely affected.

We are a Cayman Islands holding company and operate a substantial portion of our business through the VIE in China through VIE Agreements, as a result of which, under United States generally accepted accounting principles, the assets and liabilities of the VIE are treated as our assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the VIE are treated in all respects as if they were the results of our operations. There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to the laws, rules and regulations governing the validity and enforcement of the VIE Agreements between WFOE and the VIE.

The Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Projects by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”) requires an overseas special purpose vehicle that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies using shares of such special purpose vehicle or held by its shareholders as considerations to obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. However, the application of the M&A Rules remains unclear. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for such an offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.

Furthermore, on July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) publicly issued the Measures for Cybersecurity Censorship (Revised Draft for Comments) aiming to, upon its enactment, replace the existing Measures for Cybersecurity Censorship. The draft measures extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews to data processing operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security, including listing in a foreign country. If the enacted version of the draft measures mandates clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be completed by companies, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance is required for our offerings and whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all.

If WFOE, the VIE or their ownership structure or the VIE Agreements are determined to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws, rules or regulations, or WFOE or the VIE fail to obtain or maintain any of the required governmental permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:

We cannot assure you that the PRC courts or regulatory authorities may not determine that our corporate structure and VIE Agreements violate PRC laws, rules or regulations. If the PRC courts or regulatory authorities determine that our contractual arrangements are in violation of applicable PRC laws, rules or regulations, the VIE Agreements will become invalid or unenforceable, and the VIE will not be treated as VIE entities and we will not be entitled to treat the VIE’s assets, liabilities and results of operations as our assets, liabilities and results of operations, which could effectively eliminate the assets, revenue and net income of the VIE from our balance sheet, which would most likely require us to cease conducting our business and would result in the delisting of our ordinary shares from the Nasdaq Capital Market and a significant impairment in the market value of our ordinary shares.

The shareholders of SDH may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Almost all of our beneficiary owners hold equity interests in SDH. They may have conflicts of interest with us. Conflicts of interest may arise between the dual roles of them who are both shareholders of our Company and shareholders of SDH, the VIE. These shareholders may breach, or cause SDH to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and SDH, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control SDH and receive economic benefits from it. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with SDH to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our Company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and our Company, except that we could exercise our purchase option under the exclusive option agreements with these shareholders to request them to transfer all of their equity interests in SDH to a PRC entity or individual designated by us, to the extent permitted by PRC law. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and those individuals, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which may materially disrupt our business. There is also substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceeding.

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

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which has come 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 VIE Agreements as a form of foreign investment, there is no assurance that operation conducted by foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises 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 VIE Agreements as a form of foreign investment. In any of these cases, it will be uncertain whether the VIE Agreements 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 VIE Agreements, 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.

Our executive officers, directors and affiliates own a significant percentage of our shares and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to shareholder approval. 

As of the date of this annual report, our executive officers, directors and affiliates beneficially own approximately 42% of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. Therefore, these stockholders will have the ability to influence us through their ownership positions. Further, our CEO and majority shareholder, Mr. Haiping Hu, has beneficial ownership of 6,820,887 Ordinary Shares. These shares represent ownership of approximately 28% of our Ordinary Shares as of the date of this annual report. These shareholders may be able to determine all matters requiring shareholder approval. For example, these shareholders, acting together, may be able to control elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transaction. This may prevent or discourage unsolicited transaction proposals or offers for our Ordinary Shares that you may believe are in your best interest as one of our shareholders.

We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by SDH that are material to the operation of certain portion of our business if SDH goes bankrupt or become subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.

As part of our contractual arrangements with SDH, SDH and its subsidiaries hold certain assets that are material to the operation of certain portion of our business, including intellectual property and licenses. If SDH goes bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Under the contractual arrangements, SDH may not, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose of their assets or legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. If SDH undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, independent third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Because we are a Cayman Island company and all of our business is conducted in the PRC, you may be unable to bring an action against us or our officers and directors or to enforce any judgment you may obtain.

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands and conduct our operations primarily in China. Substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, the majority of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe we have violated your rights, either under United States federal or state securities laws or otherwise, or if you have a claim against us. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may not permit you to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers.

The SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice and other U.S. authorities may also have difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against us or our directors or executive officers in the PRC. The SEC has stated that there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for investigations or litigation in China. China has recently adopted a revised securities law, and Article 177 of which provides, among other things, that no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without governmental approval in China, no entity or individual in China may provide documents and information relating to securities business activities to overseas regulators when it is under direct investigation or evidence discovery conducted by overseas regulators, which could present significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for investigations and litigation conducted in China.

As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with such corporate governance listing standards.

As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq listing standards. However, the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Currently, we rely on home country practice with respect to certain aspects of our corporate governance. See “Item 16G. Corporate Governance.” Our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would otherwise enjoy under the Nasdaq listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers given our reliance on the home country practice exception.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business, and may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and, and cause the value of our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or be worthless.

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

Furthermore, given recent statements by the Chinese government indicating an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas, although we are currently not required to obtain permission from any of the PRC federal or local government authorities and have not received any denial to list on the U.S. exchange, it is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on U.S. exchanges in the future, and even when such permission is obtained, whether it will be denied or rescinded, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

Recent greater oversight by the Cyberspace Administration of China over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, could adversely impact our business and our securities.

On December 28, 2021, 13 governmental departments of the PRC, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, issued the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which became effective on February 15, 2022. The Cybersecurity Review Measures provide that, in addition to critical information infrastructure operators (“CIIOs”) that intend to purchase Internet products and services, online platform operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security must be subject to cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office of the PRC. According to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, a cybersecurity review assesses potential national security risks that may be brought about by any procurement, data processing, or overseas listing. The Cybersecurity Review Measures require that an online platform operator which possesses the personal information of at least one million users must apply for a cybersecurity review by the CAC if it intends to be listed in foreign countries.

On November 14, 2021, the CAC published draft Regulations on the Network Data Security Administration (Draft for Comments) (the “Security Administration Draft”), which provides that data processing operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security must be subject to network data security review by the relevant Cyberspace Administration of the PRC. According to the Security Administration Draft, data processing operators who possess personal data of at least one million users or collect data that affects or may affect national security must be subject to network data security review by the relevant Cyberspace Administration of the PRC. The deadline for public comments on the Security Administration Draft was December 13, 2021.

As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any notice from any authorities identifying our PRC subsidiaries, or the VIE and its subsidiaries as CIIOs, or requiring us to go through cybersecurity review or network data security review by the CAC. According to the Cybersecurity Review Measures and if the Security Administration Draft is enacted as proposed, we believe that the operations of our PRC subsidiaries, the VIE and its will not be affected and that we will not be subject to cybersecurity review and network data security review by the CAC, given that: (i) the VIE and its subsidiaries mainly provide business-oriented consulting services to small and medium-sized enterprises in the PRC, therefore are unlikely to be classified as CIIOs by the PRC regulatory agencies; (ii) according to the interpretation of the relevant laws by the CAC, for online platform operators who have listed in foreign countries before the effective date of Cybersecurity Review Measures, and who are not seeking a new listing (such as a secondary or dual listing) in foreign countries, a cybersecurity review is not required; (iii) since the VIE and its subsidiaries operate in the enterprise consulting industry, data processed in its business is unlikely to have a bearing on national security and therefore is unlikely to be classified as core or important data by the authorities. However, there remains uncertainty, as to how the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft will be interpreted or implemented by the authorities and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft in the future. If any such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation come into effect, we will take all reasonable measures and actions to comply with and to mitigate any adverse effect of such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation on us. We cannot guarantee, however, that we will not be subject to cybersecurity review and network data security review in the future. During such reviews, if required, our operations could be suspended or experience other disruptions. Further, cybersecurity review and network data security review could also result in negative publicity with respect to our Company and diversion of our managerial and financial resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial conditions, and results of operations.

The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings were released by the CSRC for public comments; while such rules have not yet come into effect, the Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over overseas public offerings conducted by China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer our Ordinary Shares to investors and could cause the value of our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or become worthless.

On December 24, 2021, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, and relevant departments of the State Council issued the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, which aim to regulate overseas securities offerings and listings by China-based companies, for public consultation. The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing aim to lay out the filing regulation arrangement for both direct and indirect overseas listing and clarify the determination criteria for indirect overseas listing in overseas markers. Where an enterprise whose principal business activities are conducted in the PRC seeks to issue and list its shares in the name of an overseas enterprise based on equity, assets, income, or other similar rights and interests of the relevant PRC domestic enterprise, such activities are deemed an indirect overseas issuance and listing. According to the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, among other things, after making initial applications with overseas stock markets for initial public offerings or listings, or after the completion of issuance of overseas listed securities by the overseas listed issuer, all China-based companies shall file the required filing materials with the CSRC within three working days. See “Regulations—Regulations Related to Mergers and Acquisitions and Overseas Listings.” In addition, overseas offerings and listings may be prohibited for such China-based companies when any of the following applies: (i) if the intended securities offerings and listings are specifically prohibited by the laws, regulations, or provision of the PRC; (ii) if the intended securities offerings and listings may constitute a threat to, or endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with laws; (iii) if there are material ownership disputes over applicants’ equity interests, major assets, core technologies, or the others; (iv) if, in the past three years, applicants’ domestic enterprises, controlling shareholders, or de facto 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 the past three years, any directors, supervisors, or senior executives of applicants 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; or (vi) other circumstances as prescribed by the State Council. The Draft Administrative Provisions further stipulate that a fine between RMB1 million and RMB10 million may be imposed if an applicant fails to fulfill the filing requirements with the CSRC or conducts an overseas offering or listing in violation of the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, and in cases of severe violations, a parallel order to suspend relevant businesses or halt operations for rectification may be issued, and relevant business permits or operational license revoked.

As of the date of this annual report, the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings have been released for public comments only and have not been formally promulgated, and neither we nor our PRC subsidiaries, or the VIE and its subsidiaries have been required to complete the filing procedures. However, uncertainties remain as to its enactment or future interpretations and implementations. Our PRC counsel has advised us that, even if the final rules are promulgated as proposed in the current Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, none of the situations that would clearly prohibit overseas offering and listings would apply to us. In addition, we would only need to submit the filing materials and no CSRC approval would be required under the proposed rules. Notwithstanding the above, our PRC counsel has further advised us that uncertainties still exist as to whether we, our PRC subsidiaries, or the VIE and its subsidiaries are required to obtain permissions from the Chinese government that is required to approve of our operations. In the event that we, our PRC subsidiaries, or the VIE and its subsidiaries are subject to the compliance requirements, we cannot assure you that any of these entities will be able to receive clearance for such compliance requirements in a timely manner, or at all. Any failure of our Company, our PRC subsidiaries, or the VIE and its subsidiaries to fully comply with new regulatory requirements may subject us to regulatory actions, such as fines, relevant businesses or operations suspension for rectification, revocation of relevant business permits or operational license, or other sanctions, which may significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our Ordinary Shares, cause significant disruptions to our business operations, severely damage our reputation, materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless.

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

Although the Chinese economy expanded well in the last two decades, the rapid growth of the Chinese economy has slowed down since 2012, and there is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the People’s Bank of China and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China. There have been concerns over unrest and terrorist threats in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in oil and other markets. There have also been concerns on the relationship among China and other Asian countries, which may result in or intensify potential conflicts in relation to territorial disputes. 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.

We face risks related to health epidemics such as the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak first identified in Wuhan city at the end of 2019, and other outbreaks, which significantly disrupted our operations and may continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business has been significantly disrupted and may continue be materially and adversely affected by health epidemics such as the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak first identified in Wuhan city at the end of 2019 and other outbreaks affecting the PRC. Our business operations depend on China’s overall economy and demand for our service, which could be disrupted by health epidemics. Prior to June 2020, due to the government restrictions, we were prevented from arranging offline activities, resulting in cancellations or postponements of study tours, forums and sponsorship advertising events, which adversely impacted the performance of our member services and enterprise services during the lock-down. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the revenues generated from our core businesses (member services, enterprise services and online services) decreased by approximately 76%, compared to the same period of the last year. A prolonged outbreak of the coronavirus or other adverse public health developments in China would likely have a material adverse effect on our business operations as such outbreak or other development could significantly impact the Chinese economy and our industry, disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company is operating in a rapidly changing environment so the extent to which COVID-19 may impact its business, operations and financial results from this point forward will depend on numerous evolving factors that the Company cannot accurately predict. Those factors include the following: the duration and scope of the pandemic, and governmental, business and individuals’ actions that have been and continue to be taken in response to the pandemic.

Because our business is dependent upon government policies that encourage a market-based economy, change in the political or economic climate in the PRC may impair our ability to operate profitably, if at all.

Although the PRC government has been pursuing a number of economic reform policies for more than two decades, the PRC government continues to exercise significant control over economic growth in the PRC. Because of the nature of our business, we are dependent upon the PRC government pursuing policies that encourage private ownership of businesses. We cannot assure you that the PRC government will pursue policies favoring a market-oriented economy or that existing policies will not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or other circumstances affecting political, economic and social life in the PRC.

PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain and any changes in such laws and regulations may materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business and the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in certain circumstances. The laws and regulations are sometimes vague and may be subject to future changes, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. In fact, the PRC legal system is evolving rapidly, and the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules may contain inconsistencies and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties. The effectiveness and interpretation of newly enacted laws or regulations, including amendments to existing laws and regulations, may be delayed, and our business may be affected if we rely on laws and regulations which are subsequently adopted or interpreted in a manner different from our understanding of these laws and regulations. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. Furthermore, if China adopts more stringent standards with respect to environmental protection or social issues, which are increasingly becoming the focus globally, we may incur increased compliance cost or become subject to additional restrictions in our operations. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our business.

From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy in the PRC legal system than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainties over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.

For example, on July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued an announcement to crack down on illegal activities in the securities market and promote the high-quality development of the capital market, which, among other things, requires the relevant governmental authorities to strengthen cross-border oversight of law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to enhance supervision over China-based companies listed overseas, and to establish and improve the system of extraterritorial application of the PRC securities laws. Since this announcement is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on companies like us.

Because our business is conducted in RMB and the price of our Ordinary Shares is quoted in United States dollars, changes in currency conversion rates may affect the value of your investments.

Our business is conducted in the PRC, our books and records are maintained in RMB, which is the currency of the PRC, and the financial statements that we file with the SEC and provide to our shareholders are presented in United States dollars. Changes in the exchange rate between the RMB and dollar affect the value of our assets and the results of our operations in United States dollars. The value of the RMB against the United States dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in the PRC’s political and economic conditions and perceived changes in the economy of the PRC and the United States. Any significant revaluation of the RMB may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenue and financial condition. Further, our Ordinary Shares offered by this annual report are denominated in United States dollars, we will need to convert the net proceeds we receive into RMB in order to use the funds for our business. Changes in the conversion rate between the United States dollar and the RMB will affect that amount of proceeds we will have available for our business.

Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China, which could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.

The EIT Law and its implementing rules provide that enterprises established outside of China whose “de facto management bodies” are located in China are considered “resident enterprises” under PRC tax laws. The implementing rules promulgated under the EIT Law define the term “de facto management bodies” as a management body which substantially manages, or has control over the business, personnel, finance and assets of an enterprise. In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, issued the Circular on Issues Concerning the Identification of Chinese-Controlled Overseas Registered Enterprises as Resident Enterprises in Accordance With the Actual Standards of Organizational Management, known as SAT Circular 82, which has been revised by the Decision of the State Administration of Taxation on Issuing the Lists of Invalid and Abolished Tax Departmental Rules and Taxation Normative Documents on December 29, 2017 and by the Decision of the State Council on Cancellation and Delegation of a Batch of Administrative Examination and Approval Items on November 8, 2013. Circular 82 has provided certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management bodies” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT’s general position on how the “de facto management body” text should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to SAT Circular 82, a Chinese-controlled offshore incorporated enterprise will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having a “de facto management body” in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its worldwide income only if all of the following criteria are met: (i) the places where senior management and senior management departments that are responsible for daily production, operation and management of the enterprise perform their duties are mainly located within the territory of China; (ii) financial decisions (such as money borrowing, lending, financing and financial risk management) and personnel decisions (such as appointment, dismissal, salary and wages) are made or need to be made by organizations or persons located within the territory of China; (iii) main property, accounting books, corporate seal, the board of directors and files of the minutes of shareholders’ meetings of the enterprise are located or preserved within the territory of China; and (iv) one half (or more) of the directors or senior management staff having the right to vote habitually reside within the territory of China.

We believe that GIOP is not a resident enterprise for PRC tax purpose. GIOP is not controlled by a PRC enterprise or PRC enterprise group and we do not meet some of the conditions outlined in the immediately preceding paragraph. For example, as a holding company, the key assets and records of GIOP, including the resolutions and meeting minutes of our board of directors and the resolutions and meeting minutes of our shareholders, are located and maintained outside the PRC. In addition, we are not aware of any offshore holding companies with a corporate structure similar to ours that has been deemed a PRC “resident enterprise” by the PRC tax authorities. However, as the tax residency status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body”.

If we are deemed as a PRC “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on our worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%, although dividends distributed to us from our existing PRC subsidiaries and any other PRC subsidiaries which we may establish from time to time could be exempt from the PRC dividend withholding tax due to our PRC “resident recipient” status. This could have a material and adverse effect on our overall effective tax rate, our income tax expenses and our net income. Furthermore, dividends, if any, paid to our shareholders may be decreased as a result of the decrease in distributable profits. In addition, if we were considered a PRC “resident enterprise”, any dividends we pay to our non-PRC investors, and the gains realized from the transfer of our Ordinary Shares may be considered income derived from sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty). It is unclear whether holders of our Ordinary Shares would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. This could have a material and adverse effect on the value of your investment in us and the price of our Ordinary Shares.

There are significant uncertainties under the EIT Law relating to the withholding tax liabilities of our PRC subsidiaries, and dividends payable by our PRC subsidiaries to our offshore subsidiaries may not qualify to enjoy certain treaty benefits.

Under the EIT Law and its implementation rules, the profits of a foreign invested enterprise generated through operations, which are distributed to its immediate holding company outside the PRC, will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%. Pursuant to the Arrangement between the Mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion on Income, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, a withholding tax rate of 10% may be lowered to 5% if the PRC enterprise is at least 25% held by a Hong Kong enterprise for at least 12 consecutive months prior to distribution of the dividends and is determined by the relevant PRC tax authority to have satisfied other conditions and requirements under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable PRC laws.

However, based on the Circular on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, or the SAT Circular 81, which became effective on February 20, 2009, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment. According to Circular on Several Issues regarding the “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which became effective as of April 1, 2018, when determining an applicant’s status as the “beneficial owner” regarding tax treatments in connection with dividends, interests, or royalties in the tax treaties, several factors will be taken into account. Such factors include whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes actual business activities, and whether the counterparty country or region to the tax treaties does not levy any tax, grant tax exemption on relevant incomes, or levy tax at an extremely low rate. This circular further requires any applicant who intends to be proved of being the “beneficial owner” to file relevant documents with the relevant tax authorities. Our PRC subsidiaries is wholly owned by their respective HK based parent companies. However, we cannot assure you that our determination regarding our qualification to enjoy the preferential tax treatment will not be challenged by the relevant PRC tax authority or we will be able to complete the necessary filings with the relevant PRC tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our HK subsidiaries, in which case, we would be subject to the higher withdrawing tax rate of 10% on dividends received.

PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, the VIE and its subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.  

We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries, the VIE and its subsidiaries. We may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries, the VIE and its subsidiaries, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. Any capital contributions or loans that we, as an offshore entity, make to our PRC subsidiaries, are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans to our PRC subsidiaries cannot exceed statutory limits and are subject to foreign exchange loan registrations. Our capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries must be registered with the MOFCOM or its local counterpart. For more details, see “Regulation—Regulations Related to Foreign Debt.” and “Regulation—Regulations Related to Foreign Exchange.”

In light of the various requirements imposed by of 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 or filings on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries or the VIE or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals on a timely basis or at all, our ability to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.

Government control in currency conversion may adversely affect our financial condition, our ability to remit dividends, and 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. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company may rely on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have.

Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, Renminbi cannot be freely converted into any foreign currency, and conversion and remittance of foreign currencies are subject to PRC foreign exchange regulations. It cannot be guaranteed that under a certain exchange rate, we will have sufficient foreign exchange to meet our foreign exchange requirements. Under the current PRC foreign exchange control system, foreign exchange transactions under the current account conducted by us, including the payment of dividends, do not require advance approval from SAFE, but we are required to present documentary evidence of such transactions and conduct such transactions at designated foreign exchange banks within China that have the licenses to carry out foreign exchange business. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account conducted by us, however, must be approved in advance by SAFE.

Under existing foreign exchange regulations, we will be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, we cannot assure you that these foreign exchange policies regarding payment of dividends in foreign currencies will continue in the future.

In fact, in light of the flood of capital outflows of China in 2016 due to the weakening Renminbi, the PRC government has imposed more restrictive foreign exchange policies and stepped up scrutiny of major outbound capital movement including overseas direct investment. More restrictions and substantial vetting process are put in place by SAFE to regulate cross-border transactions falling under the capital account. If any of our shareholders regulated by such policies fails to satisfy the applicable overseas direct investment filing or approval requirement timely or at all, it may be subject to penalties from the relevant PRC authorities. The PRC government may at its discretion further restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of the Ordinary Shares. Our capital expenditure plans and our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

If we become directly subject to the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, stock price and reputation.

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

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

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

The newly enacted Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act passed by the U.S. Senate, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States (the “PCAOB”). These developments could add uncertainties to our offering and listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and Nasdaq may determine to delist our securities if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor.

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

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

On December 18, 2020, the “Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act” was signed by President Donald Trump and became law. This legislation requires certain issuers of securities to establish that they are not owned or controlled by a foreign government. Specifically, an issuer must make this certification if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the issuer has retained a foreign public accounting firm not subject to inspection by the PCAOB. Furthermore, if the PCAOB is unable to inspect the issuer’s public accounting firm for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, the issuer’s securities are banned from trade on a national exchange or through other methods.

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the “Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act”, which, if passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law by the President, would decrease the number of non-inspection years for foreign companies to comply with PCAOB audits from three to two years, thus reducing the time period before their securities may be prohibited from trading or delisted.

On November 5, 2021, the SEC approved the PCAOB’s Rule 6100, Board Determinations Under the “Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act”. Rule 6100 provides a framework for the PCAOB to use to determine whether it is unable to inspect or investigate registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction. On December 2, 2021, The SEC adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (HFCAA). The rules apply to registrants the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate.

On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determinations that the Board is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions (the “Determination”). The Board made these determinations pursuant to PCAOB Rule 6100, which provides a framework for how the PCAOB fulfills its responsibilities under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (HFCAA).

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

Our auditor, Friedman LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this annual report, is headquartered in Manhattan, New York and registered with the PCAOB. Our auditor is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess our auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards, and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis, with the last inspection in June 2018.  As such, as of the date of this annual report, our auditor is not subject to the Determinations announced by the PCAOB and our listing is not affected by the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations. However, the recent developments would add uncertainties to our listing and we cannot assure you whether Nasdaq or regulatory authorities would apply additional and more stringent criteria to us after considering the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures and quality control procedures, adequacy of personnel and training, or sufficiency of resources, geographic reach or experience as related to the audit of our financial statements. Furthermore, there is a risk that our auditor cannot be inspected by the PCAOB in the future. The lack of inspection could cause trading in our securities to be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and, as a result, Nasdaq may determine to delist our securities, which may cause the value of our securities to decline or become worthless.

The failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to mergers and acquisitions of domestic entities by offshore special purpose vehicles may subject us to severe fines or penalties and create other regulatory uncertainties regarding our corporate structure.

On August 8, 2006, MOFCOM, joined by the CSRC, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the SAT, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (the “SAIC”, currently known as the PRC State Administration for Market Regulation, or the SAMR), and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), jointly promulgated regulations entitled the Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Entities by Foreign Investors (the “M&A Rules”), which took effect as of September 8, 2006, and as amended on June 22, 2009. These regulations, among other things, have certain provisions that require offshore special purpose vehicles formed for the purpose of acquiring PRC domestic companies and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC individuals and companies, to obtain the approval of MOFCOM prior to engaging in such acquisitions and to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock market. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website a notice specifying the documents and materials that are required to be submitted for obtaining CSRC approval. The application of the M&A Rules with respect to our corporate structure remains unclear, with no current consensus existing among leading PRC law firms regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules. 

If the CSRC, MOFCOM, or another PRC regulatory agency determines that government approval was required for the VIE arrangement between WFOE and SDH, or if prior CSRC approval for overseas financings is required and not obtained, we may face severe regulatory actions or other sanctions from MOFCOM, the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. In such event, these regulatory agencies may impose fines or other penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from overseas financings into the PRC, restrict or prohibit payment or remittance of dividends to us or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our Ordinary Shares. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to delay or cancel overseas financings, to restructure our current corporate structure, or to seek regulatory approvals that may be difficult or costly to obtain.

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 its registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.

On July 4, 2014, SAFE issued the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37, which became effective as of July 4, 2014 and has replaced the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Residents’ Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles (“SAFE Circular 75”). According to SAFE Circular 37, prior registration with the local SAFE branch is required for PRC residents, including PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities as well as foreign individuals that are deemed as PRC residents for foreign exchange administration purpose, in connection with their direct or indirect contribution of domestic assets or interests to offshore companies, known as SPVs. SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the SAFE registrations in the event of any changes with respect to the basic information of the offshore special purpose vehicle, such as change of a PRC individual shareholder, name and operation term, or any significant changes with respect to the offshore special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contribution, share transfer or exchange, or mergers or divisions. SAFE Circular 37 is applicable to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future. In February 2015, SAFE promulgated a Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Foreign Exchange Administration Policy on Direct Investment, or SAFE Notice 13, effective June 2015. Under SAFE Notice 13, applications for foreign exchange registration of inbound foreign direct investments and outbound overseas direct investments, including those required under SAFE Circular 37, will be filed with qualified banks instead of SAFE. The qualified banks will directly examine the applications and accept registrations under the supervision of SAFE.

In addition to SAFE Circular 37 and SAFE Notice 13, our ability to conduct foreign exchange activities in China may be subject to the interpretation and enforcement of the Implementation Rules of the Administrative Measures for Individual Foreign Exchange promulgated by SAFE in January 2007 (as amended and supplemented, the “Individual Foreign Exchange Rules”). Under the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules, any PRC individual seeking to make a direct investment overseas or engage in the issuance or trading of negotiable securities or derivatives overseas must make the appropriate registrations in accordance with SAFE provisions, the failure of which may subject such PRC individual to warnings, fines or other liabilities.

All of our shareholders who are subject to the SAFE Circular 37 and Individual Foreign Exchange Rules have completed the initial registrations with the qualified banks as required by the regulations. However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents holding direct or indirect interest in our company, and we have no control over any of our beneficial owners. Thus, we cannot provide any assurance that our current or future PRC resident beneficial owners will comply with our request to make or obtain any applicable registrations or continuously comply with all registration procedures set forth in these SAFE regulations. Such failure or inability of our PRC residents beneficial owners to comply with these SAFE regulations may subject us or our PRC residents beneficial owners to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our cross-border investment activities, or limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute dividends to, or obtain foreign-exchange-dominated loans from, our company, or prevent us from being able to make distributions or pay dividends, as a result of which our business operations and our ability to distribute profits to you could be materially adversely affected.

Our contractual arrangements with SDH are governed by the laws of the PRC and we may have difficulty in enforcing any rights we may have under these contractual arrangements.

As all of our contractual arrangements with SDH are governed by the PRC laws and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. Disputes arising from these contractual arrangements between us and SDH will be resolved through arbitration in China, although these disputes do not include claims arising under the United States federal securities law and thus do not prevent you from pursuing claims under the United States federal securities law. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could further limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements, through arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings remain in China, which could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements and exert effective control over SDH. Furthermore, these contracts may not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts take a view that such contracts contravene PRC laws and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over SDH, and our ability to conduct our business may be materially and adversely affected.

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

China’s economy has experienced increases in labor costs in recent years, which is 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 stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and childbearing insurance to designated government agencies for the benefits of our employees. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law, or the Labor Contract Law, that became effective in January 2008 and its implementing rules that became effective in September 2008 and its amendments that became effective in July 2013, employers are subject to stricter requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

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.

We may be involved from time to time in legal proceedings and commercial or contractual disputes, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

From time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings and commercial disputes. Such proceedings or disputes are typically claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, commercial or contractual disputes, and other disputes with customers and suppliers, intellectual property matters, tax matters and employment matters. There can be no assurance that such proceedings and claims, should they arise, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

U.S. regulatory bodies may be limited in their ability to conduct investigations or inspections of our operations in China.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the U.S. Department of Justice and other U.S. authorities may also have difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against us or our directors or executive officers in the PRC. The SEC has stated that there are significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for investigations or litigation in 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 Hong Kong or other jurisdictions may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, China has recently adopted a revised securities law that became effective on March 1, 2020, Article 177 of which provides, among other things, that no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without governmental approval in China, no entity or individual in China may provide documents and information relating to securities business activities to overseas regulators when it is under direct investigation or evidence discovery conducted by overseas regulators. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, it could present significant legal and other obstacles to obtaining information needed for investigations and litigation conducted outside of China, which may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests.

Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and the Trading Market

If we are a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, United States holders of our Ordinary Shares could be subject to adverse United States federal income tax consequences.

A non-United States corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income for such taxable year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. Based on the current and anticipated value of our assets and the composition of our income and assets, we do not expect to be a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for our current taxable year or in the foreseeable future. However, the determination of whether or not we are a PFIC according to the PFIC rules is made on an annual basis and will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time. Therefore, changes in the composition of our income or assets or the value of our assets may cause us to become a PFIC. The determination of the value of our assets (including goodwill not reflected on our balance sheet) may be based, in part, on the quarterly market value of our Ordinary Shares, which is subject to change and may be volatile. It is possible that, for any subsequent year, more than 50% of our assets may be assets which produce passive income. We will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year.

Although the U.S. tax law with regards to VIEs is unclear, we are treating SDH as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, not only because we control their management decisions, but also because we are entitled to the economic benefits associated with SDH, and as a result, we are treating SDH as our wholly-owned subsidiary for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For purposes of the PFIC analysis, in general, according to Section 1297(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), a non-U.S. corporation is deemed to own its pro rata share of the gross income and assets of any entity in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the equity by value. Although our Company does not technically own any stock in SDH there are numerous factors that give rise to a strong conclusion that its control of management decisions, the entitlement to economic benefits associated with SDH, and the inclusion of SDH as part of the consolidated group (Under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, “Consolidation,” VIEs are generally consolidated with other related entities under common control) is so akin to our Company holding a stock interest in SDH that it is reasonable and consistent to consider our Company’s interest in SDH as a deemed stock interest. Therefore, the income and assets of SDH should be included in the determination of whether or not we are a PFIC in any taxable year. It is important to emphasize that there is little to no guidance other than the statute itself (Internal Revenue Code Section 1297(c)) and analogous portions of the code, treasury regulations and other accepted authorities and as such it is possible for the IRS to challenge the argument that the look through rule would apply in this case, especially since the statute explicitly says “stock”.

The classification of certain of our income as active or passive, and certain of our assets as producing active or passive income, and hence whether we are or will become a PFIC, depends on the interpretation of certain United States Treasury Regulations as well as certain IRS guidance relating to the classification of assets as producing active or passive income. Such regulations and guidance are potentially subject to different interpretations. If due to different interpretations of such regulations and guidance the percentage of our passive income or the percentage of our assets treated as producing passive income increases, we may be a PFIC in one or more taxable years.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a United States person holds Ordinary Shares, certain adverse United States federal income tax consequences could apply to such United States person.

For a more detailed discussion of the application of the PFIC rules to us and the consequences to U.S. taxpayers if we were or are determined to be a PFIC, see “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS ABOUT THE PFIC RULES, THE POTENTIAL APPLICABILITY OF THESE RULES TO THE COMPANY CURRENTLY AND IN THE FUTURE, AND THEIR FILING OBLIGATIONS IF THE COMPANY IS A PFIC. 

We have identified several control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report on such company’s internal controls over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting when the Company no longer qualifies as an emerging company. Our reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future.

During the course of preparing our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021, we identified a number of control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Many of the deficiencies noted below were communicated to us from our independent registered public accounting firm as observations, which stemmed from their audit. The deficiencies identified include: (1) a lack of formal internal controls over financial closing and reporting processes; (2) a lack of a formal risk assessment process; and (3) a lack of accounting policies and procedures manual that covers U.S. GAAP and SEC financial reporting requirements. As a result of the above, our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.

We are taking a number of measures to tackle the control deficiencies identified, including: (1) preparing a comprehensive accounting policies and procedures manual that covers U.S. GAAP and SEC financial reporting requirements, and ensuring that accounting personnel are familiar with and follow the manual; (2) establishing a risk assessment process that complies with the framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission; and (3) hiring additional personnel with external reporting experience, including knowledge of the SEC reporting requirements and U.S. GAAP, and investor relations personnel. 

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent fraud. As a result, our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the trading price of our Ordinary Shares. Furthermore, we anticipate that we will incur considerable costs and devote significant management time and efforts and other resources to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment in our Ordinary Shares if the market price of our Ordinary Shares increases. 

The market price of our Ordinary Shares may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.

The market price of our Ordinary Shares may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. Stock prices of many companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, shareholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business, and adversely affect our business.

As a foreign private issuer, we are not subject to certain U.S. securities law disclosure requirements that apply to a domestic U.S. issuer, and are exempt from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. issuers, which may limit the information publicly available to our investors and afford them less protection than if we were an U.S issuer.

Nasdaq listing rules require listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of its board members be independent. As a foreign private issuer, however, we are permitted to, and we may follow home country practice in lieu of the above requirements, or we may choose to comply with the above requirement within one year of listing. The corporate governance practice in our home country, the Cayman Islands, does not require a majority of our board to consist of independent directors. Thus, although a director must act in the best interests of the Company, it is possible that fewer board members will be exercising independent judgment and the level of independent board oversight of the management of our company may decrease as a result. In addition, Nasdaq listing rules also require U.S. domestic issuers to have a compensation committee, a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors, and an audit committee with a minimum of three members. Furthermore, Cayman law does not require that we obtain shareholder approval to issue 20% or more of our outstanding Ordinary Shares in a private offering.

As a foreign private issuer we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and therefore there may be less publicly available information about us than if we were a U.S. domestic issuer. 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:

We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

Anti-takeover provisions in our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control.

Some provisions in our memorandum and articles of association, may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including, among other things, the following:

If we cannot satisfy the listing requirements and other rules of Nasdaq Capital Market, our securities may be delisted, which could negatively impact the price of our securities and your ability to sell them.

In order to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we are required to comply with certain rules of Nasdaq Capital Market, including those regarding minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price and certain corporate governance requirements. Even if we initially meet the listing requirements and other applicable rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, we may not be able to continue to satisfy these requirements and applicable rules. If we are unable to satisfy the Nasdaq Capital Market criteria for maintaining our listing, our securities could be subject to delisting.

If the Nasdaq Capital Market delists our securities from trading, we could face significant consequences, including:

You may be unable to present proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by shareholders.

Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association and have been provided for in the amended articles and memorandum of association of the Company, subject to the restrictions described therein. Advance notice of at least twenty-one clear days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting and at least 14 clear days’ notice any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy, representing not less than one-third in nominal value of the total issued voting shares in the Company. To the extent that shareholders hold in aggregate less than thirty percent (30%) of the outstanding voting shares in the Company, they cannot (a) call general meetings or annual general meetings; and (b) Include matters for consideration at shareholder meetings.

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 

A. History and Development of the Company 

We, a Cayman holding company, operate a knowledge sharing and enterprise service platform through the VIE, or SDH, and its subsidiaries in the PRC, which we control via a series of contractual arrangements between WFOE and SDH. SDH (formerly known as Beijing Huatai Yihe Co., Ltd.) was established in 2014 as a limited company pursuant to PRC laws for the purpose of providing corporate consulting services.

SDH established a wholly owned subsidiary, GMB Hangzhou, on November 1, 2017 pursuant to PRC laws.

In 2017 and 2018, SDH also established three subsidiaries pursuant to PRC laws, which were GMB (Beijing), GMB Culture, GMB Consulting. SDH owns 51% of the equity interest of each of these three subsidiaries. Additionally, GMB Culture has a subsidiary Mentor Board Voice of Seeding (Shanghai) Cultural Technology Co., Ltd., and owns 60% of its equity interest.

On February 22, 2019, the holding company, GIOP, was established under the laws of the Cayman Islands. GIOP owns 100% of GMB HK, a Hong Kong company incorporated on March 22, 2019.

On June 3, 2019, GIOP BJ, or WFOE, was incorporated pursuant to PRC laws as a wholly foreign owned enterprise. GMB HK holds 100% of the equity interest in WFOE.

On October 16, 2020, SDH established another wholly owned subsidiary, Zibo Shidong, pursuant to PRC laws. See “Item 4C.  Organizational Structure for a chart of our current structure.”

On February 11, 2021, the Company closed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of 6,720,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Ordinary Shares”). The Ordinary Shares were priced at $4.00 per share, before underwriting discounts and offering expenses, resulting in gross proceeds of $26,880,000. The offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. The Ordinary Shares commenced trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “SDH” on February 9, 2021.

On February 19, 2021, ViewTrade Securities, Inc., as the representative of the underwriters in the initial public offering (“IPO”) of Global Internet of People, Inc. (the “Company”), exercised in full its option to purchase an additional 1,008,000 ordinary shares at a price of $4.00 per share. As a result, the Company raised gross proceeds of approximately $4,032,000, in addition to the previously announced IPO gross proceeds of approximately $26.88 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses.

On February 11, 2021, our ordinary shares commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SDH.”

On October 8, 2021, GIOP established a wholly-owned-subsidiary, SDH New Energy, pursuant to Hong Kong laws.

On October 5, 2021, SDH New Energy established a wholly-owned-subsidiary, Zhuhai Zibo, pursuant to PRC laws.

On November 23, 2021, SDH New Energy established a wholly-owned-subsidiary, Zhuhai Guizhou, pursuant to PRC laws.

On November 8, 2021, Zhuhai Zibo established a 51%-owned subsidiary, Sunrise Guizhou.

Pursuant to PRC laws, each entity formed under PRC law shall have certain business scopes as submitted to the Administration of Industry and Commerce or its local counterpart. Pursuant to specific business scopes, approval by the relevant competent regulatory agencies may be required prior to commencement of business operations. As such, WFOE’s business scope is to primarily engage in: technology development, technology promotion, technology transfer, technical consultation, technical services; sales of self-developed products; business management consulting; corporate planning; conference services, organization of cultural and artistic exchange activities (excluding commercial performances); economic and trade consulting. Since the sole business of WFOE is to provide SDH with technical support, consulting services and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management in exchange for a service fee approximately equal to SDH’s earnings before corporate income tax, i.e., SDH’s revenue after deduction of operating costs, expenses and other taxes, subject to adjustment based on services rendered and SDH’s operation needs, such business scope is necessary and appropriate under PRC laws. SDH, on the other hand, is also able to, pursuant to its business scope, provide a platform for our Members to obtain practical corporate guidance, financing sources, resource joining, assistance with corporate emergencies, support with public listings and other mutual assistance services.

We control SDH through contractual arrangements, which are described under “Business — Contractual Arrangements between WFOE, SDH and Its Shareholders.” GIOP is a holdings company with no business operation other than holding the shares in GMB HK, which is also a pass-through entity with no business operation.

Our principal executive offices are located at (1) Room 350, 3rd Floor,Building 6,Yard 1, Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing and (2) 25th Floor, YiBai Shanshan Building, No.985 Dongfang Road, Pudong, Shanghai, and our phone number is +86 10-82967728 for the Beijing office and +86 21-68828790 for the Shanghai office. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, PO Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands, and the phone number of our registered office is +1 345 945 3901. We maintain a corporate website at www.sdh365.com.

Investor inquiries should be directed to us at the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices set forth above. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168.

The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC using its EDGAR system.

See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Expenditures” for a discussion of our capital expenditures.

B. Business

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with no material operations of our own. We are not a Chinese operating company. Investors of our Ordinary Shares do not own any equity interests in the VIE, but instead own shares of a Cayman Islands holding company. The knowledge sharing and enterprise service platform operations are conducted in China by the VIE and its subsidiaries. We do not have any equity ownership of the VIE, instead, we control and receive the economic benefits of the VIE’s business operations through contractual arrangements, or “VIE Agreements” entered into among WFOE, SDH and SDH’s shareholders. The VIE Agreements are used to provide contractual exposure to foreign investment in China-based companies where Chinese law prohibits direct foreign investment in Chinese operating companies.

Under United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), the Company is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in, and be the primary beneficiary of, the VIE for accounting purposes, because such contractual arrangements are designed so that the operations of the VIE are solely for the benefit of WFOE and, ultimately, the Company. As such, the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE for accounting purposes and must consolidate the VIE. The VIE Agreements have not been tested in a court of law and may not be effective in providing control over the VIE, and we are subject to risks due to the uncertainty of the interpretation and application of the laws and regulations of the PRC, regarding the VIE, and the VIE structure, including, but not limited to, regulatory review of overseas listing of PRC companies through a special purpose vehicle, and the validity and enforcement of the contractual arrangements with the VIE. We are also subject to the risk that the PRC government could disallow the VIE structure, which would likely result in a material change in our operations and, as a result, the value of our Ordinary Shares may depreciate significantly or become worthless. For a description of our corporate structure and VIE contractual arrangements, see “Corporate History and Structure.” See also “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”

We are also subject to legal and operational risks associated with being based in and having the majority of the Company’s operations in China. These risks may result in a material change in our operations, or a complete hindrance of our ability to offer or continue to offer our securities to investors, and could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless. Recently, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and guidelines to regulate business operations in China with little advance notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. As of the date of this annual report, neither we nor our PRC subsidiaries, or the VIE and its subsidiaries have been involved in any investigations on cybersecurity review initiated by any PRC regulatory authority, nor has any of them received any inquiry, notice, or sanction. As confirmed by our PRC counsel, as of the date of this annual report, we are not subject to cybersecurity review or network data security review by the CAC, when the Cybersecurity Review Measures became effective on February 15, 2022, or if the Security Administration Draft are enacted as proposed, since (i) the VIE and its subsidiaries mainly provide business-oriented consulting services to small and medium-sized enterprises in the PRC, therefore are unlikely to be classified as CIIOs by the PRC regulatory agencies; (ii) according to the interpretation of the CAC, for online platform operators who have listed in foreign countries before the effective date of Cybersecurity Review Measures, and who are not seeking a new listing (such as a secondary or dual listing) in foreign countries, a cybersecurity review is not required; (iii) since we are in the enterprise consulting industry, data processed in our business is unlikely to have a bearing on national security and therefore is unlikely to be classified as core or important data by the authorities. However, there remains uncertainty, as to how the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft will be interpreted or implemented by the authorities and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft in the future. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Recent greater oversight by the CAC over data security, particularly for companies seeking to list on a foreign exchange, could adversely impact our business and our securities.”

Our securities may be prohibited from trading on a national exchange or over-the-counter trading market in the United States under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditors for three consecutive years beginning in 2021. As a result, Nasdaq may determine to delist our securities and cause our securities’ value to decline or become worthless. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which, if passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law, would decrease the number of non-inspection years for foreign companies to comply with PCAOB audits from three to two, thus reducing the time period before their securities may be prohibited from trading or delisted. On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report on its determination that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely PCAOB-registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), because of positions taken by PRC authorities in those jurisdictions (the “Determinations”). Our auditor, Friedman LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this annual report, is a PCAOB-registered public accounting firm headquartered in Manhattan, New York. Our auditor is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess an auditor’s compliance with the applicable professional standards, and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis, with the last inspection in June 2018.  As such, as of the date of this annual report, our auditor is not subject to the Determinations and our listing is not affected by the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and related regulations. However, there is a risk that our auditor cannot be inspected by the PCAOB in the future. The lack of inspection could cause trading in our securities to be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and, as a result, Nasdaq may determine to delist our securities, which may cause the value of our securities to decline or become worthless. See “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in China - The newly enacted Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act passed by the U.S. Senate, all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States. These developments could add uncertainties to our offering and listing on Nasdaq Capital Market, and Nasdaq may determine to delist our securities if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditor

As of the date of this annual report, we have not paid any dividends or made any distributions to our shareholders. We intend to keep any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid in the foreseeable future. Under Cayman Islands law, the Company may pay dividends on its shares out of either profit or share premium amounts, provided that in no circumstance may a dividend be paid if such payment would result in the Company being unable to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business. If in the future we determine to pay dividends, in the absence of available profits or share premium, as a holding company, we will be dependent on receipt of funds from our HK subsidiaries, which will be dependent on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries. WFOE, in particular, will be dependent on payments from the VIE pursuant to the VIE Agreements for services rendered to the VIE under the Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. However, the VIE Agreements have not been tested in a court of law and may not be effective in providing control over the VIE, and we are subject to risks due to the uncertainty of the interpretation and application of the laws and regulations of the PRC. For restrictions and limitations on our ability to settle amounts with the VIE under the VIE Agreements, please see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure.”

Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to our HK subsidiaries only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. Cash dividends, if any, on our Ordinary Shares would be paid in U.S. dollars. The PRC government also imposes control on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE in the PRC as long as certain procedural requirements are met. Approval from appropriate government authorities is required if RMB is converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may, at its discretion, impose restrictions on access to foreign currencies for current account transactions and if this occurs in the future, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders. Furthermore, if our PRC entities incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. Due to the above restrictions, if we are unable to receive payments from our PRC operating entities, we will not be able to pay dividends to our investors, should we desire to do so in the future. For further details, see “Risk Factors - Government control in currency conversion may adversely affect our financial condition, our ability to remit dividends, and the value of your investment”, and “Risk Factors - PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, the VIE and its subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.” In contrast, there is presently no foreign exchange control or restrictions on capital flows into and out of Hong Kong. Hence, our HK subsidiaries are able to transfer cash without any limitation to our Cayman Islands holding company under normal circumstances. Cash proceeds raised from overseas financing activities, including the cash proceeds from our public offerings, may be transferred by us through our HK subsidiaries to our PRC subsidiaries via capital contribution and loans subject to applicable regulatory approvals, as the case may be. WFOE then may transfer funds to the VIE to meet the capital needs of its business operations.

Selected Condensed Consolidated Financial Schedule of GIOP and Its Subsidiaries and VIE

The following tables present selected condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income and selected condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and selected condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, of GIOP, its subsidiaries, the VIE and its subsidiaries, elimination, and consolidated information.

Selected consolidated statements of operations data

Selected consolidated balance sheets data

Selected consolidated statements of cash flows data

Transfer of Cash within Our Organization

Prior to the completion of our initial public offering in February 2021, the sources of funding of GIOP, its subsidiaries and the VIE primarily consisted of capital injection by shareholders and cash generated from operations.

After the completion of our initial public offering, GIOP made capital contributions to its subsidiaries.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, GIOP transferred the proceeds from its initial public offering in the amount of $15,000,000 to its subsidiary, Zhuhai Zibo, and the VIE provided interest-free loans of $90,000 to GIOP for professional fees related to the initial public offering.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the VIE provided interest-free loans of $128,282 to GIOP for professional fees related to the initial public offering.

Overview

The VIE, or SDH, started as a consulting company providing enterprise services to small and medium-sized enterprises in the PRC in December 2014, and launched a peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and enterprise service platform in May 2016. Since then, SDH has continued to expand and improve its platform, where knowledge is shared, and services are requested and provided, both online, via a mobile application “Shidonghui App” (the “APP”), and offline, through local offices directly operated by us in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, as well as 51 local centers operated by some of SDH’s Members in 35 cities and 21 provinces throughout the PRC as of the date of this annual report. Our mission is to become a worldwide leading knowledge sharing and enterprise service platform.

According to the International Monetary Fund, the nominal GDP per capita in the PRC rose from $7,701 in 2014 to $ 12,363 in 2021, representing a CAGR of approximately 7%.A growing economy and generally positive market environment have created many entrepreneurial and high-growth enterprises, many of which need corporate services such as financial consulting and management training. In line with the trend of nominal GDP, the disposable income of urban residents in the PRC recorded an increase from 2014 to 2021, as there was a rise in overall household spending capabilities due the blooming economy. According to the National Bureau of Statistic of the PRC, the per capita disposable income of urban residents in the PRC increased from $4,305 in 2014 to $7,230 in 2021, representing a CAGR of 7.7%. Previously, our platform focused on providing enterprise services to enterprises and entrepreneurs, but we are actively expanding our service to individuals and families that seek advice and services relating to health, beauty, travel, fashion, housing, etc.

When SDH first launched its services, the aim was not only to continue providing enterprise services to PRC’s growing business communities, but also create a marketplace where qualified entities (individuals and enterprises) have opportunities to serve as providers, and receive rewards by sharing their knowledge with others on the platform. As of March 2022, our knowledge sharing and enterprise service ecosystem had 739 Mentors, 1,176 Experts, 1,551 Members, and 5.50 million Users. In addition to serving Users and Members, SDH continues to provide enterprise services to small and medium-sized enterprises in China through a dedicated team with seven full-time professional consultants, as well as Mentors and Experts. The providers (Mentors, Experts and consultants) are successful entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, and professionals with qualifications and achievements in major industries such as finance, energy, health care, technology, manufacturing and academia. Our core strength is the knowledge brought by our providers, highlighted by their experiences, wisdom, industry know-how, and social connections.

SDH offers online services to Users on the APP, which was released to the public in May 2016, and offline services to Members. The number of Users, measured as the total of unique individuals who downloaded and registered to use our APP on their mobile devices, has increased from approximately 800,000 in December 2017 to approximately 5.5 million in March 2022. The number of Members, measured as the total number of active subscribers of the three annual memberships (platinum, diamond and protégé), has increased from 139 in May 2016 to 1,551 in March 2022. “Active subscribers” are those who signed on and made full payment to receive yearly Member services that were in effect (within the year period) at the time of measurement.

All of the Members are encouraged to become Users by downloading and registering on the APP to enjoy free online services, some Users also become Members in order to have access to our offline services. The services SDH currently offers to Users are (1) Questions and Answers (Q &A) Sessions and (2) streaming of audio and video courses and programs. The offline services SDH offers to Members are study tours and forums.

In late 2019, taking advantage of our knowledge of market demand and trends, as well as access to resources afforded to us by our knowledge sharing platform, SDH started procuring and offering merchandises for sale through its platform to clients and the general public. The merchandises are obtained through: (1) fee exchange arrangement, through which SDH receives products in exchange for collection of membership fees and consulting fees earned from customers at SDH’s discretion, and (2) direct purchases from customers and third parties based on market trend and demand. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, $2,500,481 or 76% of the merchandises for sale were obtained through our fee exchange arrangement with our customers, and $786,791 or 24% were through direct purchases from our customers and third parties. For the year ended December 31, 2020, $2,302,274 or 85.05% of the merchandises for sale were obtained through our fee exchange arrangement with our customers, and $404,622 or 14.95% were through direct purchases from our customers and third parties. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, $1,938,381 or 62.41% of the merchandises for sale were obtained through our fee exchange arrangement with our customers, and $1,167,292 or 37.59% were through direct purchases from our customers and third parties.

We generated net revenues of $17,925,476, $23,181,084 and $7,409,272 for the fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. Our revenues were generated from the following:

Recent Development

On April 2, 2022, Zhuhai Zibo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GIOP, entered into an investment agreement (the “Agreement”) with the following parties to form a joint venture (the “JV”) dedicated to the production of high-grade lithium-ion power battery anode materials: Shanghai Huiyang Investment Co., Ltd. (“Huiyang”),  Haicheng Shenhe Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shenhe”), Guizhou Yilong New Area Industrial Development Investment Guizhou Guangyao Management Partnership (“Guangyao”),Co., Ltd. (“Yilong Investment”), Hainan Fuhe Investment Management Partnership (“Fuhe”), and eight individuals who will be appointed to various management positions at the JV. Pursuant to the Agreement, Zhuhai Zibo owns 51% equity interest in the JV, and Huiyang, Shenhe, Yilong Investment, Guangyao and Fuhe each owns a stake of 12.50%, 12.50%, 4%, 10% and 5% in the JV, respectively. The eight individual shareholders of the JV together own an aggregated 5% equity interest in the JV. The Agreement and related transactions were approved by GIOP’s shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on April 1, 2022.

The JV, Sunrise Guizhou, has been established in the New Materials Industrial Park of Yilong District, Xingyi City of Guizhou Province, with a total investment amount of up to RMB620 million ($98.13 million) and a total land area of approximately 266,800 square meters, for the production of high-grade lithium-iron power battery anode materials. Construction of the production facilities at the site is expected to be completed within 15 months after the JV obtains regulatory approvals for the construction of the production facilities. Zhuhai will be responsible for the operation of the JV, with the assistance and support of other shareholders of the JV. Yilong Investment is obliged to use reasonable efforts to obtain, on behalf of the JV, national-level tax incentives and favorable government treatments, and will coordinate with local financial institutions to provide financing to the JV. Yilong Investment shall also ensure that the production facilities have enough power supply in the form of clean energy, and will assist the JV in obtaining the required regulatory approvals for the construction and operation of the production facilities.

Knowledge Sharing and Enterprise Service Platform Ecosystem

Members and Users

Members

Members can choose from three annual membership plans: Platinum, Diamond, and Protégé. Members enjoy services included in their respective membership plans. The following table presents the annual membership fees and the number of Members for each of the membership tiers, as of March 31, 2022:

Users

The APP is available in the PRC and elsewhere in the world where potential Users can access on the internet the http hyper-link provided for downloading/installing the APP on their mobile devices; anyone over the age of 18, with a mobile phone (IOS or Android) can download the APP and complete an online registration process to become a User. Currently, although SDH does not charge any fee to register for the APP, SDH does require Users to obtain a verification code via their mobile devices to register. Additionally, Users must agree to the Terms of Use in the form of a user agreement, which can be completed and submitted to us on the APP.

Since the inception of the APP in May 2016, the number of Users has increased steadily from year to year. As of March 31, 2022, SDH had approximately 5.5 million APP Users.

Mentors and Experts

Mentors

Mentors are leaders in their respective professional fields, all of them enjoy strong social influence due to their professional achievements and social status in China. The majority of Mentors are successful well-known entrepreneurs, executive officers of public companies, PE/VC partners, doctors, and artists, in a wide range of industries including academia, health care, financial service, energy, technology, manufacturing, etc. As of March 31, 2022, we had 739 Mentors, and all of them were hand-picked and invited by our management to join our platform.

Below are some of the representative Mentors (not in any particular order):

Experts

Experts are skilled and qualified in their specialized fields to provide advice and guidance to Users. Persons can become Experts through a certification process either on the APP or in-person at SDH’s local offices and centers. The certification process consists of three steps: (1) an applicant is required to demonstrate his or her expertise and qualifications by submitting an application along with supporting documents such as resume, publications, and school transcripts; (2) our team reviews and verifies the applicant’s qualifications and background information, based on which we make a determination on whether to approve the application; and (3) SDH enters into a service agreement with the approved applicant. As of March 31, 2022, we had 1,176 Experts.

Service Agreements with Our Mentors and Experts

Each of the Mentors and Experts, as a service provider on our platform, must enter into a service agreement with us that governs the rights and obligations of each party. The term of the service agreement is open and can be terminated by either party without any cause, and the services they provide to our Users and Members must be given exclusively on our platform, either online or offline, for which the fees generated are shared between SDH and the providers, usually at a 30/70 split, that is, we receive 30% and providers receive 70% of the fees. Under certain circumstances where providers generate additional fees such as registering new members, the providers will be entitled to a larger percentage of the fees generated, as decided between the parties on a case-by-case basis.

Local Centers

In order to better assist and service Members as well as promote its business, SDH established a number of local centers in major cities in China, predominant in the provinces in the Southern and Eastern China, where there are more economic activities. The local centers are used for business development and communications where local Members gather to share information, promote businesses, and organize events such as product promotions and lectures. The local centers are operated under our supervision by Diamond and Protégé Members, who must have access to office spaces of at least twenty square meters, and whose qualifications must be pre-approved by our management. SDH also enters into a service agreement with each of the local center operators. Currently, SDH does not pay any fees to the Members who operate local centers. As of March 31, 2022, SDH had 51 local centers located in 35 cities and 21 provinces.

Enterprise Service Consultants

SDH has a professional consulting team with seven full-time employees, who have at least five years of experience in their respective fields of professions, including finance, capital markets, marketing, public relations, sales, etc. The majority of our team previously worked in the technology or finance industries. See “Consulting” below.

Enterprise Service Clients

The majority of the Enterprise Service Clients are small and medium-sized enterprises located in the following provinces: Zhejiang, Shanxi, Guangdong, Shandong and Liaoning, as well as Shanghai City. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, 2020, or 2021, no client accounted for more than 10% of our revenues.

Services

Member Service

The chart below summarizes the services Members receive:

During each of the study tours and forums, a number of Mentors and Experts, along with other business leaders, are invited to attend, give speeches and host discussion sessions at these activities. SDH compensates the attending Mentors and Experts with fees ranging from RMB5,000 (approximately US$725) to RMB20,000 (approximately US$2,899) depending on factors such as the size of the audience, the location of the activity and qualifications of the attending Mentors and Experts.

Member activities are open to non-members, who pay RMB3,000 (approximately US$427) for each activity. For the fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021, we generated fees from non-members in the amount of $113,845, $90,116, and $ 13,965 respectively.

Study Tours

Beginning in 2016, SDH started organizing study tours for our Members, and offered thirteen, four, and one study tours in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. The number or the study tours in 2020 decreased because of restrictions imposed by the government due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These restrictions eased in the second half 2020 when SDH was able to resume study tours. The study tours are designed to provide trainings on real world business skills for entrepreneurs and executives. Each study tour generally lasts two days, in which a day and a half are dedicated to classroom style lecturing and discussions, while the remaining half day is spent on visiting the headquarters or facilities of successful enterprises. All participants are responsible for their own food, traveling and living accommodations throughout the study tours.

Below are some of our study tours given in the past:

Forums

SDH organizes large-scale forums (with more than 1,000 attendees) that last two to three days. The purpose of the forums is to share business intelligence with small and medium-sized enterprises and help them develop business plans and strategies. The themes of the forums are usually related to interpretation of newly published governmental policies, sharing of industry opportunities and perspectives on corporate transformation and growth. SDH held two large-scale forums in 2019, one in 2020. No large-scale forum was held due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Enterprise Service

In addition to providing services to Users and Members, SDH has been providing customized enterprise service to small and medium-sized enterprises in the PRC since its inception in 2014. Enterprise service is an integral part of its platform, and a number of the Enterprise Service Clients are also Members and Users.

Below are the three main enterprise services we provide:

Comprehensive Tailored Services

Comprehensive Tailored Service are geared towards small and medium-sized businesses, to provide tailored packaged services including conference and salon organizations, booth exhibition services, guidance by Mentors and Experts, and other value-added services, for the purpose of promoting and growing their businesses. Clients are required to enter into service agreements with us, which are individually negotiated based on the services and resources we provide. For 2019, the comprehensive enterprise service generated revenue in the amount of US$5,733,342 from 89 clients. For 2020, the comprehensive enterprise service generated revenue in the amount of US$13,345,880 from 80 clients. For 2021, the comprehensive enterprise service generated revenue in the amount of US$1,433,847 from 80 clients.

Consulting

A team of professional consultants provides enterprise consulting services and develops strategies and solutions for corporate reorganization, product promotion and marketing, industry supply chain integration, corporate governance, financing and capital structure, etc. the consulting services are customized to meet each client’s specific needs and requirements. The fees and payment structures are based on the specifics of the services we provide, such as the time and efforts required, the duration of the service, and are usually in the range of RMB20,000 (approximately US$2,898) to RMB80,000 (approximately US$11,594) for a one-time service charge, or monthly fees in the amounts of RMB10,000 (approximately US$1,449) to RMB20,000 (approximately US$2,898) for continued services.

Sponsorship Advertising

Sponsorship advertising is a special form of advertising, generally referring to a publicity strategy adopted by enterprises in order to enhance their corporate and product image, as well as brand awareness and influence. SDH provides sponsorship advertising services for enterprise clients at various events, such as forums and study tours, in the following forms:

The fees we charge for sponsorship advertising is in the range of RMB500,000 (approximately US$72,463) to RMB2,000,000 (approximately US$289,855) per engagement, depending on several specific factors, such as the number of the participants, the location, and popularity of an event.

Sale of Merchandises

In late 2019, SDH started procuring and offering merchandises for sale through its platform to clients and the general public. The merchandises include Chinese tea, red wine, wellness products, gift cards, and others. Some of the merchandises for sale are obtained from Members and enterprise service clients through exchange for collection of membership fees and consulting fees. Such exchanges are non-routine and made at our discretion, based on a number of factors, including but not limited to, the market trend and demand for such merchandises, the profit margin expected to be realized from the sale of such merchandises, and the credit-worthiness of and the relationship with these clients. Other merchandises are sourced and purchased from customers directly at preferred prices or from third parties, based on our knowledge of current market trend and demand generated from our platform. We expect to continue to offer certain customers the option to exchange merchandises in lieu of membership fees and consulting fees at our discretion, which practice we believe is a win-win for us and our clients, though it will only serve as a non-routine practice that is supplemental to our business operation.

Online Service

SDH provides Users two services on the APP: (1) Question and Answer (Q&A) Sessions and (2) Online Streaming of Courses and Programs. In addition, our APP has a community building function that facilitates relationship building on our platform. For example, our APP allows Users to share their “moments,” such as pictures and videos of their life experiences, via instant messaging, with other Users on the APP. Users may also “like” and/or comment on other User’s “moments.” In addition, Users may establish their own communities by creating and inviting other Users to join his or her group.

The APP

The APP was launched in May 2016, and runs on both IOS and Android devices. SDH strives to provide Users superb experiences on the APP and have established an in-house Information Technology team of eight employees dedicated to the development and support of our system. To date, SDH has registered 35 computer software copyrights with the Copyright Protection Centre of China (CPCC), in connection with the development of the APP. In October 2017, as a result of its efforts, SDH was certified by the State Intellectual Property Office (“SIPO”) as a national high-tech enterprise, which affords SDH a favorable tax rate of 15%, rather than the unified rate of 25% for the duration of the certification. The certification lasts for three years, and was renewed in 2020. As of March 31, 2022, the APP has been downloaded by approximately 5.5 million Users. The number of average monthly active Users was approximately 87,899 in 2020 and approximately 1,104 in 2021.

Questions and Answers (Q &A) Session

Mentors and Experts, as providers, are available to answer questions and share valuable personalized guidance and advice in a wide range of fields, including business management, health care, beauty, financial services, education, etc. Through a Q&A session, a User can submit questions on our APP to a chosen provider, who are listed on the APP under their specializing sectors, and receive a response within 72-hours. When a User submits a question on our APP, our customer service representatives and the chosen provider receive a text notification from our system immediately. Upon receipt of the text notification, a provider is required to respond within 72-hours, although most of the time the responses are provided in a much shorter time frame. If the response is delayed or unsatisfactory to the User, he or she may notify our customer service representatives who will contact the provider to follow-up with the User.

Users must purchase top-up credits on our APP to pay for Q&A sessions. Providers set their own fees for Q&A sessions. At present, the average fee for a Q&A session is RMB31 (approximately US$4.38), which translates to 31 APP top-up credits. After each session concludes, credits are automatically awarded to the provider’s APP account and can be used for services on our APP or converted to RMB and paid out to the provider’s bank account linked with our APP. When submitting a question in a Q&A session, a User can also choose to share the Q&A session on the APP for a fee of one to five credits and earn credits when other Users access the shared Q&A session. The credits earned from the shared Q&A sessions are to be split 50/50 between the Users and us.

As of March 31, 2022, our APP completed a total of 9,864 Q&A sessions, and had about 941 daily accesses to shared Q&A sessions. Our providers generate about an average of RMB1,975 from answering questions in the Q&A sessions per month for the 24 months ended March 31, 2022. 

Online Streaming of Video & Audio Courses and Programs

SDH provides video and audio courses and programs on the APP for on-demand and live streaming. At present, the APP has approximately 4,806 audio and 5,279 video courses and programs available for streaming. The majority of the courses and programs are business-oriented, which cover subjects such as entrepreneurship development, financial service, corporate governance, team management, marketing strategy, etc. We also provide some focused courses and programs that target special audience groups, such as parent-child education for new parents, and business school selection programs for graduate students. The majority of the online courses are sourced from third party content providers including professional content production companies and individuals.  

At present, we release an average of 200 to 220 online courses and programs each month and have 2 to 3 online streaming sessions every week. As of March 31, 2022, approximately 39% of the courses and programs were produced and owned by our subsidiary, GMB Culture. We produce in-house video and audio courses and programs for streaming on our APP and several other internet content providers in China, such as Tencent, iQiyi, Youku, and Himalaya FM.

The other content on the APP were produced by third party content providers, including (1) approximately 42% by Beijing Winning at the Frontlines Cultural Exchange Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Winning”), (2) approximately 13% by individual content providers, such as our Mentors and Experts, and (3) the remaining 45% by other third party production companies including Beijing Binbin Youli Network Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Maokong Information Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Friendship Culture Communication Co., Ltd., Asia United Education Technology Co., Ltd., Xiameng Xingfujia Co., Ltd., and Wuxi Ruijian Times Co., Ltd.

All content on the APP is copyrighted. SDH enters into licensing agreements with the third party content providers and has full rights to use and distribute the content on our APP. On May 30, 2016, SDH entered into a strategic cooperation agreement and a copyright authorization agreement, both for a term of five-years, with our main third party content provider, Beijing Winning. Pursuant to the agreements, SDH had non-exclusive right to use and distribute Beijing Winning’s productions on our platform without paying any upfront fee, and Beijing Winning had the right to all derivative profits, including consulting and speaking fees generated from engagements made with our Users. On November 2, 2019, SDH entered into an intangible assets purchase agreement with Beijing Winning to acquire 3,104 episodes of “Big Lecture Hall of Winner business management TV program” owned by Beijing Winning for a total price of RMB36,000,000 (approximately US$5,097,345). We agreed to pay the purchase price to Beijing Winning in seven installments from November 19, 2019 to February 2, 2020, and the full ownership of the purchased assets was transferred to us on November 19, 2019.

The agreements with the other third party content providers, including both individuals and professional production companies, grant us non-exclusive right to use and distribute the third party content in exchange for a specified percentage of profits generated by such content on our platform.

Prior to 2019, most of the online content was free for Users to enjoy because SDH mainly focused on growing the online knowledge sharing community. In November 2019, SDH started to implement a new fee structure for the online content. As of the date of this annual report, approximately 89%, or 9,026 online courses and programs require fees to access; while the remaining 1,059, or 11%, are still available for our Users to enjoy without any fees. Under the new fee structure, there are two paid content categories: (1) a la carte: Users are charged from RMB 9.9 to 299 per course or program; and (2) VIP annual subscription: Users are charged a yearly access fee of RMB299 for all of the VIP courses and programs. As of the date of the annual report, there are approximately 5,269 a la carte courses and programs, and 3,757 VIP courses and programs.

Other Services

Member activities, including study tours and forums, are also open to non-members, who pays a fixed fee of RMB3,000 (approximately US$427) for each activity. Fees are usually collected on site on the date of each activity. For the fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021, we generated fees from non-members in the amount of $113,845, $90,116 and $13,965, respectively.

Regulation

This section set forth a summary of the principal PRC laws and regulations relevant to our business and operations in China.

Regulations Related to Internet Information Services

Among all of the applicable laws and regulations, the Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC, or the Telecom Regulations, promulgated by the PRC State Council on September 25, 2000 and most recently amended on February 6, 2016, is the primary governing law, which sets out the general framework for the provision of telecommunications services by domestic PRC companies. Under the Telecom Regulations, telecommunications service providers are required to procure operating licenses prior to their commencement of operations. The Telecom Regulations distinguish “basic telecommunications services” from VATS. VATS are defined as telecommunications and information services provided through public networks. The Telecom Catalogue was issued as an attachment to the Telecom Regulations to categorize telecommunications services as either basic or value-added. In February 2003, December 2015, and June 2019, the Telecom Catalogue was updated respectively, categorizing information services provided via fixed network, mobile network among others, as VATS.

The Administrative Measures on Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses was promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on March 1, 2009 and most recently amended on July 3, 2017, which set forth more specific provisions regarding the types of licenses required to operate VATS, the qualifications and procedures for obtaining such licenses and the administration and supervision of such licenses. Under these regulations, a commercial operator of VATS must first obtain a VATS License, from the MIIT or its provincial level counterparts, otherwise such operator might be subject to sanctions including corrective orders and warnings from the competent administration authority, fines and confiscation of illegal gains and, in the case of significant infringements, the websites may be ordered to close.

In September 2000, the State Council promulgated the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the Internet Measures, which was most recently amended on January 8, 2011. Under the Internet Measures, commercial internet content-related services operators shall obtain a VATS License for internet content provision business, or the ICP License, from the relevant government authorities before engaging in any commercial internet content-related services operations within China.

The VIE obtained the ICP License on July 2, 2019, which will remain effective for 5 years.

Regulations Related to Foreign Investment

Guidance Catalogue of Industries for Foreign Investment

Investment activities in the PRC by foreign investors are principally governed by the Guidance Catalogue of Industries for Foreign Investment, or the Guidance Catalog, which was promulgated and is amended from time to time by Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, and the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC. The Guidance Catalog lays out the basic framework for foreign investment in China, classifying businesses into three categories with regard to foreign investment: “encourage,” “restricted” and “prohibited.” Industries not listed in the catalog are generally deemed as falling into a fourth category “permitted” unless specifically restricted by other PRC laws.

In addition, in June 2018 the MOFCOM and the NDRC promulgated the Special Management Measures (Negative List) for the Access of Foreign Investment, or the Negative List, which was most recently amended on December 27, 2021 and effective on January 1, 2022. The value-added telecommunications services (except for e-commerce, domestic conferencing, store-and-forward, and call center services), or the VATS, fall within the Negative List.

Pursuant to the Provisions on Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises promulgated by the State Council in December 2001 and most recently amended in March 29, 2022, or the FITE Regulations, the ultimate foreign equity ownership in a VATS provider may not exceed 50%. Moreover, for a foreign investor contemplating to acquire any equity interest in a VATS business in China, it must satisfy a number of stringent performance and operational experience requirements, including demonstrating good track records and experience in operating VATS business overseas.

In July 2006, Ministry of Information Industry, or the MII (the predecessor of the MIIT), released the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in and the Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Business, or the MII Notice, which requires foreign investors to set up foreign-invested enterprises and obtain a relevant telecommunications business operating license, to conduct any VATS business in China. Furthermore, under the MII Notice, domestic telecommunication enterprises may not rent, transfer or sell a telecommunications business operating license to foreign investors in any form, nor may they provide any resources, premises, facilities and other assistance in any form to foreign investors for their illegal operation of any telecommunications business in China. In addition, under the MII Notice, the relevant trademarks and domain names used by a foreign-invested VATS operator shall be legally owned by that operator (or its shareholders).

The Company engages in business activities that are VATS, and in light of the above restrictions and requirements, the Company relies on contractual arrangements between the WFOE and VIE to operate its business in China.

Foreign Investment Law

On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, or 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 of the PRC, the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law of the PRC and the Wholly Foreign-invested Enterprise Law of the PRC, together with their implementation rules and ancillary regulations. The organization form, organization and activities of foreign-invested enterprises shall be governed, among others, by the PRC Company Law and the PRC Partnership Enterprise Law. Foreign-invested enterprises established before the implementation of the Foreign Investment Law may retain the original business organization and so on within five years after the implementation of this Law.

The Foreign Investment Law is formulated to further expand opening-up, vigorously promote foreign investment and protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors. According to the Foreign Investment Law, foreign investments are entitled to pre-entry national treatment and are subject to negative list management system. The pre-entry national treatment means that the treatment given to foreign investors and their investments at the stage of investment access shall not be less favorable than that of domestic investors and their investments. The negative list management system means that the state implements special administrative measures for access of foreign investment in specific fields. The Foreign Investment Law does not mention the relevant concept and regulatory regime of VIE structures. However, since it is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation and implementation of the newly enacted PRC Foreign Investment Law and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.”

Foreign investors’ investment, earnings and other legitimate rights and interests within the territory of China shall be protected in accordance with the law, and all national policies on supporting the development of enterprises shall equally apply to foreign-invested enterprises. Among others, the state guarantees that foreign-invested enterprises participate in the formulation of standards in an equal manner and that foreign-invested enterprises participate in government procurement activities through fair competition in accordance with the law. Further, the state shall not expropriate any foreign investment except under special circumstances. In special circumstances, the state may levy or expropriate the investment of foreign investors in accordance with the law for the needs of the public interest. The expropriation and requisition shall be conducted in accordance with legal procedures and timely and reasonable compensation shall be given. In carrying out business activities, foreign-invested enterprises shall comply with relevant provisions on labor protection. 

The Implementation Regulations of Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, adopted by the State Council on December 26, 2019 and came into effect on January 1, 2020, provides implementing measures and detailed rules to ensure the effective implementation of the Foreign Investment Law.

Regulations Related to Mobile Internet Applications Information Services

In addition to the telecommunications regulations and other regulations above, mobile Internet applications and application stores are specifically regulated by the Administrative Provisions on Mobile Internet Applications Information Services, or the App Provisions, which were promulgated by the Cyberspace Administration of China, or the CAC, on June 28, 2016, and became effective on August 1, 2016. Pursuant to the App Provisions, application information service providers shall obtain the relevant qualifications prescribed by laws and regulations, strictly implement their information security management responsibilities and carry out certain duties, including establishing and completing user information security protection mechanism and information content inspection and management mechanisms, protect users’ right to know and to choose in the process of usage, and to record and preserve users’ daily usage information for at least 60 days. Furthermore, internet application store service providers and internet application information service providers shall sign service agreements to determinate both sides’ rights and obligations.

In addition, on December 16, 2016, the MIIT promulgated the Interim Measures on the Administration of Pre-Installation and Distribution of Applications for Mobile Smart Terminals, or the App Interim Measures, which took effect on July 1, 2017. The App Interim Measures requires, among others, that internet information service providers must ensure that a mobile application, as well as its ancillary resource files, configuration files and user data can be uninstalled by a user on a convenient basis, unless it is a basic function software, which refers to a software that supports the normal functioning of hardware and operating system of a mobile smart device.

Neither the App Provisions nor the App Interim Measures, however, has further clarified the scope of “information services,” neither do they specify what “relevant qualification(s)” that an app owner/operator must obtain. In practice, operational activities of a company conducted through an app is currently subject to the supervisions of local departments of the Information Communications Administration, and often, the local departments differentiate the operational activities conducted through websites and through apps.

To comply with these laws and regulations, the VIE obtained the ICP License on July 2, 2019, which will remain effective for 5 years, we have also adopted and implemented strict information security policies and measures to protect our cyber security systems and customer information.

Regulations Related to Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs

On April 13, 2005, the State Council promulgated the Certain Decisions on the Entry of the Non-state-owned Capital into the Cultural Industry. On July 6, 2005, five PRC governmental authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, or the MOC, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or the SARFT (the predecessor of the National Radio and Television Administration, or NRTA), the General Administration of Press and Publication, or the GAPP, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC and the MOFCOM, jointly adopted the Several Opinions on Canvassing Foreign Investment into the Cultural Sector. Under these provisions, non-state owned capital and foreign investors are prohibited from engaging in the business of distributing audio-visual programs through information networks.

To further regulate the provision of audio-visual program services to the public via the internet, including through mobile networks, within the territory of the PRC, the SARFT and the MIIT jointly promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Internet Audio-Visual Program Service, or the Audio-Visual Program Provisions, on December 20, 2007, which took effect on January 31, 2008 and subsequently amended on August 28, 2015. Pursuant to the Audio-Visual Program Provisions, Internet audio-visual program services refer to activities of making, redacting and integrating audio-visual programs, providing them to the general public via the Internet, and providing platforms for uploading and spreading audio-visual programs. Providers of internet audio-visual program services are required to obtain the Audio-Visual License issued by SARFT, or complete certain registration procedures with SARFT. In general, providers of internet audio-visual program services must be either state-owned or state-controlled entities, and the business to be carried out by such providers must satisfy the overall planning and guidance catalog for internet audio-visual program service determined by SARFT. The VIE is neither state-owned nor state-controlled, therefore it is unlikely that it will be able to obtain the Audio-Visual License if required to do so. Whoever engages in Internet audio-visual program service without the license or registration, the competent authorities shall give it/him an admonition and order it/him to correct, and may impose a fine of not more than RMB30,000 (approximately US$4,348); if the circumstances are serious, a punishment shall be imposed in accordance with the provision of Article 47 of the Radio and Television Administration Regulation.

On May 21, 2008, SARFT issued a Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Application and Approval of License for the Online Transmission of Audio-Visual Programs, as amended on August 28, 2015, which further set out detailed provisions concerning the application and approval process regarding the Audio-Visual License. Further, on March 31, 2009, SARFT promulgated the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of the Content of Internet Audio-Visual Programs, which reiterates the pre-approval requirements for the audio-visual programs transmitted via the internet, including through mobile networks, where applicable, and prohibits certain types of internet audio-visual programs containing violence, pornography, gambling, terrorism, superstition or other similarly prohibited elements.

On March 17, 2010, the SARFT issued the Internet Audio-visual Program Services Categories (Provisional), or the Provisional Categories, as amended on March 10, 2017. According to the Provisional Categories, there are four categories of internet audio-visual program services which are further divided into seventeen sub-categories. The third sub-category to the second category covers the making and editing of certain specialized audio-visual programs concerning, among other things, finance and educational content, and broadcasting such content to the general public online. However, there are still significant uncertainties relating to the interpretation and implementation of the Audio-Visual Program Provisions, in particular, the scope of “internet audio-visual programs”.

In addition, the Notice concerning Strengthening the Administration of the Streaming Service of Online Audio-Visual Programs promulgated by the State Administration of Press and Publication Radio, Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT (the predecessor of NRTA) on September 2, 2016 emphasizes that, unless a specific license is granted, audio-visual programs service provider is forbidden from engaging in live streaming on major political, military, economic, social, cultural and sports events. On November 4, 2016, the State Internet Information Office promulgated the Administrative Provisions on Internet Live-Streaming Services, or Internet Live-Streaming Services Provisions, which came into effect on December 1, 2016. According to the Internet Live-Streaming Services Provisions, an internet live-streaming service provider shall (a) establish a live-streaming content review platform; (b) conduct authentication registration of internet live-streaming issuers based on their identity certificates, business licenses and organization code certificates; and (c) enter into a service agreement with internet live-streaming services user to specify both parties’ rights and obligations.

On March 16, 2018, the SAPPRFT issued the Notice on Further Regulating the Transmission Order of Internet Audio-Visual Programs, which requires that, among others, audio-visual platforms shall: (i) not produce or transmit programs intended to parody or denigrate classic works, (ii) not re-edit, re-dub, re-caption or otherwise

On July 22, 2019, in the Beijing Municipal Radio and Television Bureau’s Q&A section of its official website, the Bureau responded to an inquiry submitted by an online education service provider, and confirmed that the offering of online audio and video courses or programs on websites or mobile applications for the purpose of improving the professional qualifications/skills of target audiences, does not fall into the activities regulated by the PRC Administrative Provisions on Internet Audio-Visual Program Services; therefore, the service provider is not required to obtain an Audio-Visual License. Currently, all of our online content on our APP are educational and training video and audio courses targeting specific groups of audiences, such as small and medium enterprise owners and graduate students, who use our online courses and programs to improve their professional qualifications and skills. Accordingly, based on the Bureau’s published interpretation, we believe we are not required to obtain an Audio-Visual License. However, given the significant uncertainties of the interpretation and implementation of Internet related regulations in the PRC, we cannot assure you that the competent PRC authorities will not ultimately take a view contrary to our opinion. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business— We may be required to obtain and maintain additional approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business, including our online business, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial conditions and results of operations.”

Regulations Related to Information Security

Internet content in China is regulated and restricted from a state security standpoint. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or the SCNPC, enacted the Decisions on the Maintenance of Internet Security on December 28, 2000, which was amended on August 27, 2009, that may subject persons to criminal liabilities in China for any attempt to: (i) gain improper entry to a computer or system of strategic importance; (ii) disseminate politically disruptive information; (iii) leak state secrets; (iv) spread false commercial information or (v) infringe upon intellectual property rights. In 1997, Ministry of Public Security, or the MPS, issued the Administration Measures on the Security Protection of Computer Information Network with International Connections, which were amended by the State Council on January 8, 2011 and prohibit using the Internet in ways which, among others, result in a leakage of state secrets or a spread of socially destabilizing content. The MPS has supervision and inspection powers in this regard, and relevant local security bureaus may also have jurisdiction. On December 13, 2005, the MPS promulgated Regulations on Technological Measures for Internet Security Protection, or the Internet Protection Measures, which took effect on March 1, 2006 and requires internet service providers to take proper measures including anti-virus, data back-up and other related measures, 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 to detect illegal information, stop transmission of such information, and keep relevant records. If an ICP License holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP License and shut down its websites.

In November 2016, the SCNPC promulgated the Cyber Security Law of the PRC, or the Cyber Security Law, which became effective on June 1, 2017 and requires network operators to perform certain functions related to cyber security protection and the strengthening of network information management. For instance, under the Cyber Security Law, network operators of key information infrastructure shall store within the territory of the PRC all the personal information and important data collected and produced within the territory of PRC and their purchase of network products and services that may affect national securities shall be subject to national cybersecurity review. On April 13, 2020, the CAC and other 11 Commissions, Ministries and Administrations, jointly issued the Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which took effect on June 1, 2020, to provide for more detailed rules regarding cybersecurity review requirements.

On March 13, 2019, the SAMR and the CAC jointly promulgated the Announcement on the Implementation of App Security Certification, or the Implementation Announcement, according to which, the China Cyber Security Review Technology and Certification Center shall be responsible for app security certification work, and app operators are encouraged to undergo such security certification voluntarily; search engines, app stores, among others, are encouraged to clearly mark and give priority to recommend certified apps. As an attachment to the Implementation Announcement, the Implementation Rules of App Security Certification, which came into effect on March 15, 2019, stipulated specific certification procedures, post-certification supervision and management of app security certifications.

On June 10, 2021, the SCNPR promulgated the Data Security Law of the PRC, or the Data Security Law, which took effect on September 1, 2021. Under the Data Security Law, data refers to any record of information that is kept electronically or otherwise, and data processing includes the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, and disclosure of data. Pursuant to the Data Security Law, any individual or entity shall only collect data in a legitimate and proper manner. A data security review mechanism will be established by the State, and any data processing activity that endangers or may endanger national security shall be subject to national security review. The security management for the cross-border transfer of important data collected and produced during operation by CIIOs or other data processors within the territory of the PRC shall be subject to the Cyber Security Law and other regulations and rules that promulgated by the CAC and the State Council. In case of any non-compliance under the Data Security Law, a data processor may be ordered to make corrections, and under certain serious circumstances, such as severe data divulgence, may be subject to penalties, including the revocation of business license or other permits.

On December 28, 2021, 13 PRC authorities, including the NDRC, the MOFCOM, the MIIT, the CAC, and several other authorities jointly promulgated the revised Cybersecurity Review Measures, which came into effect on February 15, 2022. The Cybersecurity Review Measures provide that, in addition to CIIOs that intend to purchase Internet products and services, online platform operators engaging in data processing activities that affect or may affect national security must be subject to cybersecurity review by the Cybersecurity Review Office of the PRC. According to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, a cybersecurity review assesses potential national security risks that may be brought about by any procurement, data processing, or overseas listing. The Cybersecurity Review Measures require that an online platform operator which possesses the personal information of at least one million users must apply for a cybersecurity review by the CAC if it intends to be listed in foreign countries.

To comply with these laws and regulations, we have adopted security policies and measures to protect our cyber system and customer information.

Regulations Related to Internet Privacy Protection

Pursuant to the Internet Protection Measures, Internet services providers are prohibited from unauthorized disclosure of users’ information to any third parties unless such disclosure is required by the laws and regulations. They are further required to establish management systems and take technological measures to safeguard the freedom and secrecy of the users’ correspondences.

On December 28, 2012, the SCNPC promulgated the Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection, which took into effect on the same date, to enhance the legal protection of information security and privacy on the internet. On July 16, 2013, the MIIT promulgated the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users, which took into effect on September 1, 2013, to regulate the collection and use of users’ personal information in the provision of telecommunication services and internet information services in China and the personal information includes a user’s name, birth date, identification card number, address, phone number, account name, password and other information that can be used independently or in combination with other information for identifying a user.

On December 29, 2011, the MIIT promulgated the Several Provisions on Regulation of the Order of Internet Information Service Market, which took into effect on March 15, 2012. The Provisions stipulate that without the consent of users, internet information service providers shall not collect information relevant to the users that can lead to the recognition of the identity of the users independently or in combination with other information, nor shall they provide the information to others, unless otherwise provided by laws and administrative regulations.

On May 8, 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, which took into effect on June 1, 2017. The Interpretations clarify several concepts regarding the crime of “infringement of citizens’ personal information” stipulated by Article 253A of the Criminal Law of the PRC, including “citizen’s personal information”, “provision”, and “unlawful acquisition”. Also, the Interpretations specify the standards for determining “serious circumstances” and “particularly serious circumstances” of this crime.

On January 23, 2019, the CAC, the MIIT, the MPS and the SAMR jointly issued the Notice on Special Governance of Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information via Apps, which restates the requirement of legal collection and use of personal information, encourages app operators to conduct security certifications, and encourages search engines and app stores to clearly mark and recommend those certified apps.

On November 28, 2019, the CAC, MIIT, MPS and SAMR jointly issued the Measures to Identify Illegal Collection and Usage of Personal Information by APPs, which lists six types of illegal collection and usage of personal information, including “not publishing rules on the collection and usage of personal information” and “not providing privacy rules.”

On May 28, 2020, the NPC adopted the Civil Code of the PRC, or the Civil Code, which became effective on January 1, 2021 and abolished the General Rules of the Civil Law of the PRC. Pursuant to the Civil Code, the collection, storage, use, process, transmission, provision and disclosure of personal information should follow the principles of legitimacy, properness and necessity.

On March 12, 2021, the CAC, the MIIT, the MPS and the SAMR jointly promulgated the Regulations on the Scope of Necessary Personal Information for Common Types of Mobile Internet Apps, which will become effective on May 1, 2021. According to these regulations, an app may not refuse a user from using its basic functional services if the user disagrees to provide unnecessary personal information. In particular, basic functional services of job hunting and recruitment applications are the "exchange of job hunting and recruitment information," and the necessary personal information includes mobile phone numbers of registered users and resumes provided by job seekers. Additionally, the regulations also apply to mini programs, which are apps developed and based on open platform interfaces and available to users without installation.

On August 20, 2021, the SCNPC adopted the Personal Information Protection Law of the PRC, or the PIP Law, which took effect on November 1, 2021. The PIP Law includes the basic rules for personal information processing, the rules for cross-border provision of personal information, the rights of individuals in personal information processing activities, the obligations of personal information processors, and the legal responsibilities for illegal collection, processing, and use of personal information. As the first systematic and comprehensive law specifically for the protection of personal information in the PRC, the PIP Law provides, among others, that (i) an individual’s consent shall be obtained to use sensitive personal information, such as biometric characteristics and individual location tracking, (ii) personal information operators using sensitive personal information shall notify individuals of the necessity of such use and impact on the individual’s rights, and (iii) where personal information operators reject an individual’s request to exercise his or her rights, the individual may file a lawsuit with a People’s Court.

To comply with these laws and regulations, we have required our customers to consent to our collecting and using of their personal information in order to receive our services, and established information security systems to protect customers’ privacy.

Regulations Related to Internet Culture Activities

On February 17, 2011, the MOC promulgated the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture, or the Internet Culture Provisions, which became effective on April1, 2011 and was amended on December 15, 2017. The Internet Culture Provisions require ICP services providers engaging in commercial “internet culture activities” to obtain an Internet Culture Business Operating License from the MOC. “Internet cultural activity” is defined in the Internet Culture Provisions as an act of provision of internet cultural products and related services, which includes (i) the production, duplication, importation, and broadcasting of the internet cultural products; (ii) the online dissemination whereby cultural products are posted on the internet or transmitted via the internet to end-users, such as computers, fixed-line telephones, mobile phones, television sets and games machines, for online users’ browsing, use or downloading; and (iii) the exhibition and comparison of the internet cultural products. In addition, “internet cultural products” is defined in the Internet Culture Provisions as cultural products produced, broadcast and disseminated via the internet, which mainly include internet cultural products specially produced for the internet, such as online music entertainment, online games, online shows and plays (programs), online performances, online works of art and online cartoons, and internet cultural products produced from cultural products such as music entertainment, games, shows and plays (programs), performances, works of art, and cartoons through certain techniques and duplicating those to internet for dissemination.

The VIE obtained an Internet Culture Business Operating License on February 3, 2019, which was updated on July 17, 2020 to cover the operation of online performances. The Internet Culture Business Operating License is effective for three years and SDH is currently in the process of renewing the license.

Regulations Related to Consumer Rights Protection

The Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law of the PRC, or the Consumer Protection Law, promulgated by the SCNPC on October 31, 1993 and most recently amended on October 25, 2013 (effective as of March 15, 2014), and the Online Trading Measures issued by the SAIC on January 26, 2014 (effective as of March 15, 2014), set out the obligations of business operators and the rights and interests of the customers. For example, business operators must guarantee the quality, function, usage, term of validity, personal or property safety requirement of the goods and services and provide customers with authentic information about the goods and services. Consumer whose legitimate rights and interests are harmed in the purchase of goods or receipt of services rendered through an online trading platform may seek compensation from the seller or the service provider.

On March 15, 2021, the SAMR promulgated the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Trading, or New Online Trading Measures, which will come into effect on May 1, 2021 and replace the above original Online Trading Measure. The New Online Trading Measures also apply to all online commerce business conducted through information networks in general, with particular emphasis on transactions through online social networking and online live streaming. Under the New Online Trading Measures, online trading operators shall perform relevant compliance obligations, such as registration with the SAMR, protection of customers’ personal information and fair competition.

Additionally, the Civil Code, which became effective on January 1, 2021 and replaced the Tort Liability Law of the PRC, provides that both internet users and internet service providers may be liable for the wrongful acts of users who infringe the lawful rights of other parties. If an internet user utilizes internet services to commit a tortious act, the party whose rights are infringed may request the internet service provider to take measures, such as removing or blocking the content, or disabling the links thereto, to prevent or stop the infringement. If the internet service provider does not take necessary measures after receiving such notice, it shall be jointly liable for any further damages suffered by the rights holder. Furthermore, if an internet service provider fails to take necessary measures when it knows that an internet user utilizes its internet services to infringe the lawful rights and interests of other parties, it shall be jointly liable with the internet user for damages resulting from the infringement.

Regulations Related to Intellectual Property Rights

Copyright

The Copyright Law of the PRC, or the Copyright Law, which took effect on June 1, 1991, was amended in 2001, 2010 and 2020. The latest version will come into effect on June 1, 2021. Under the currently effective Copyright Law and its implementing regulations adopted in 2002 and amended in 2011 and 2013, Chinese citizens, legal persons, or other organizations will, whether published or not, enjoy copyright provides that Chinese citizens, legal persons, or other organizations shall, whether published or not, own copyright in their copyrightable works, which include, among others, works of literature, art, natural science, social science, engineering technology and computer software. Copyright owners enjoy certain legal rights, including right of publication, right of authorship and right of reproduction. The Copyright Law extends copyright protection to Internet activities, products disseminated over the Internet and software products. In addition, the Copyright Law provides for a voluntary registration system administered by the China Copyright Protection Center, or the CPCC. According to the Copyright Law, an infringer of the copyrights shall be subject to various civil liabilities, which include ceasing infringement activities, apologizing to the copyright owners and compensating the loss of copyright owner. Infringers of copyright may also subject to fines and/or administrative or criminal liabilities in severe situations.

Pursuant to the Computer Software Copyright Protection Regulations promulgated by the State Council in 1991 and amended in 2001, 2011 and 2013 respectively, Chinese citizens, legal persons and other organizations shall enjoy copyright on software they develop, regardless of whether the software is released publicly. Software copyright commences from the date on which the development of the software is completed. The protection period for software copyright of a legal person or other organizations shall be 50 years, concluding on December 31 of the 50th year after the software’s initial release. The software copyright owner may go through the registration formalities with a software registration authority recognized by the State Council’s copyright administrative department. The software copyright owner may authorize others to exercise that copyright, and is entitled to receive remuneration.

Trademark

Trademarks are protected by the Trademark Law of the PRC, which was adopted in 1982 and subsequently amended in 1993, 2001, 2013 and 2019 as well as by the Implementation Regulations of the PRC Trademark Law adopted by the State Council in 1983 and as most recently amended on April 29, 2014. The Trademark Office under the SAIC handles trademark registrations. The Trademark Office grants a 10-year term to registered trademarks and the term may be renewed for another 10-year period upon request by the trademark owner. A trademark registrant may license its registered trademarks to another party by entering into trademark license agreements, which must be filed with the Trademark Office for its record. As with patents, the Trademark Law has adopted a first-to-file principle with respect to trademark registration. If a trademark applied for is identical or similar to another trademark which has already been registered or subject to a preliminary examination and approval for use on the same or similar kinds of products or services, such trademark application may be rejected. Any person applying for the registration of a trademark may not injure existing trademark rights first obtained by others, nor may any person register in advance a trademark that has already been used by another party and has already gained a “sufficient degree of reputation” through such party’s use.

Domain name

The domain names are protected under the Administrative Measures on the Internet Domain Names, or the Domain Name Measures, which was promulgated by the MIIT and became effective in November 2017. The MIIT is the major regulatory body responsible for the administration of the PRC internet domain names, under supervision of which China Internet Network Information Center, or the CNNIC, is responsible for the daily administration of CN domain names and PRC domain names. Pursuant to the Domain Name Measures, the registration of domain names adopts the “first to file” principle and the registrant shall complete the registration via the domain name registration service institutions. In the event of a domain name dispute, the disputed parties may lodge a complaint to the designated domain name dispute resolution institution to trigger the domain name dispute resolution procedure in accordance with the CNNIC Measures on Resolution of the Domain Name Disputes, file a suit to the People’s Court, or initiate an arbitration procedure.

Regulations Related to Foreign Exchange

The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, promulgated by the State Council in 1996 and most recently amended in 2008. Under the PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from State Administration of Foreign Exchange or SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. By contrast, approval from or registration with appropriate governmental authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of foreign currency-denominated loans.

In November 2012, SAFE promulgated the Circular of Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Foreign Direct Investment, or SAFE Circular 59, which was most recently amended in 2015 and substantially amends and simplifies the current foreign exchange procedures. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 59, the opening of various special purpose foreign exchange accounts, such as pre-establishment expenses accounts, foreign exchange capital accounts, and guarantee accounts, the reinvestment of Renminbi proceeds derived by foreign investors in China, and remittance of foreign exchange profits and dividends by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign shareholders no longer require the approval or verification of SAFE, and multiple capital accounts for the same entity may be opened in different provinces, which was not possible previously.

In February 2015, SAFE promulgated the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving the Administration of the Foreign Exchange Concerning Direct Investment, or SAFE Circular 13, pursuant to which, instead of applying for approval regarding foreign exchange registrations of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment from SAFE, entities and individuals may apply for such foreign exchange registrations from qualified banks. The qualified banks, under the supervision of SAFE, may directly review the applications and conduct the registration.

In March 2015, SAFE issued the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 19, a foreign-invested enterprise may, according to its actual business needs, settle with a bank the portion of the foreign exchange capital in its capital account for which the relevant foreign exchange administration has confirmed monetary capital contribution rights and interests (or for which the bank has registered the injection of the monetary capital contribution into the account). In addition, for the time being, foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to settle 100% of their foreign exchange capital on a discretionary basis. A foreign-invested enterprise shall truthfully use its capital for its own operational purposes within the scope of business. Where an ordinary foreign-invested enterprise makes domestic equity investment with the amount of foreign exchanges settled, the invested enterprise must first go through domestic re-investment registration and open a corresponding account for foreign exchange settlement pending payment with the foreign exchange administration or the bank at the place where it is registered.

In June 2016, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or SAFE Circular 16, pursuant to which, in addition to foreign currency capital, enterprises registered in China may also convert their foreign debts, as well as repatriated fund raised through overseas listing, from foreign currency to Renminbi on a discretional basis. SAFE Circular 16 also reiterates that the use of capital so converted shall follow “the principle of authenticity and self-use” within the business scope of the enterprise. According to SAFE Circular 16, the Renminbi funds so converted shall not be used for the purposes of, whether directly or indirectly, (i) paying expenditures beyond the business scope of the enterprises or prohibited by laws and regulations; (ii) making securities investment or other investments (except for banks’ principal-secured products); (iii) granting loans to non-affiliated enterprises, except as expressly permitted in the business license; and (iv) purchasing non-self-used real estate (except for the foreign-invested real estate enterprises).

In January 2017, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Further Improving Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration and Optimizing Genuineness and Compliance Verification, or SAFE Circular 3, which stipulates several capital control measures with respect to the outbound remittance of profit from domestic entities to offshore entities, including (i) under the principle of genuine transaction, banks shall check board resolutions regarding profit distribution, the original version of tax filing records, and audited financial statements; and (ii) domestic entities shall hold income to account for previous years’ losses before remitting the profits. Further, pursuant to SAFE Circular 3, domestic entities shall make detailed explanations of the sources of capital and utilization arrangements, and provide board resolutions, contracts and other proof when completing the registration procedures in connection with an outbound investment.

On October 23, 2019, SAFE issued the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or SAFE Circular 28, which allows non-investment foreign-invested enterprises to make domestic equity investment with their capital funds in accordance with the law under the premise that such investment does not violate the existing special administrative measures (negative list) for foreign investment and the project invested in China is authentic and compliant. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 28, upon receiving the payment of consideration from a foreign investor for the equity transfer under foreign direct investment, the domestic transferor, with relevant registration certificates, can process the formalities for account opening, fund receipt, and foreign exchange settlement and use directly at the bank. The foreign investor’s deposit remitted from overseas or transferred from domestic accounts can be directly used for its lawful domestic capital contribution as well as domestic and overseas payment after the transaction is concluded.

On April 10, 2020, SAFE issued the Circular on Optimizing Administration of Foreign Exchange to Support the Development of Foreign-related Business, or SAFE Circular 8, pursuant to which, eligible enterprises are allowed to use the income under capital account, from such sources as capital funds, foreign debt and overseas listing, for domestic payment without having to provide supporting authentication materials to the banks for every transaction in advance, but the use of funds shall be true and compliant as well as conform to the existing administration regulations regarding use of income under capital account. The concerned bank shall conduct spot checking in accordance with the relevant requirements.

Regulations Related to Dividend Distribution

The principal regulations governing the distribution of dividends paid by WFOEs include the Company Law of PRC, which applies to both PRC domestic companies and foreign-invested companies, and the Foreign Investment Law and its implementing rules, which apply to foreign-invested companies. Under these regulations, WFOEs 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 WFOE in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits 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.

Regulations Related to Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investment by PRC Residents

In July 2014, SAFE issued the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues concerning Foreign Exchange Administration over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Round-trip Investment by Domestic Residents via Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37 which was most recently amended on June 15, 2018 and has replaced the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Residents’ Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles (known as Circular 75). SAFE Circular 37 regulates foreign exchange matters in relation to the use of special purpose vehicles, or “SPVs,” by PRC residents or entities to seek offshore investment and financing or conduct round trip investment in China. Under SAFE Circular 37, an SPV refers to an offshore entity established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by PRC residents or entities for the purpose of seeking offshore financing or making offshore investment, using legitimate domestic or offshore assets or interests, while “round trip investment” refers to the direct investment in China by PRC residents or entities through SPVs, namely, establishing foreign-invested enterprises to obtain the ownership, control rights and management rights. Circular 37 requires that, before making contribution into an SPV, PRC residents or entities are required to complete foreign exchange registration with SAFE or its local branch.

In February 2015, SAFE promulgated the SAFE Circular 13. SAFE Circular 13 has amended SAFE Circular 37 by requiring PRC residents or entities to register with qualified banks instead of SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment of an SPV.

In addition, pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, an amendment to registration or subsequent filing with qualified banks by such PRC resident is also required if there is a material change with respect to the capital of the offshore company, such as any change of basic information (including change of such PRC residents, change of name and operation term of the SPV), increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, or mergers or divisions. Failure to comply with the registration requirements as set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and SAFE Circular 13, misrepresent on or failure to disclose controllers of foreign-invested enterprises that are established by round-trip investment may result in bans on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant onshore company, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent or affiliates, and may also subject relevant PRC residents to penalties under the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations of the PRC.

Regulations Related to Foreign Debt

As an offshore holding company, we may make additional capital contributions to WFOE subject to approval from the local department of commerce and the SAFE, with no limitation on the amount of capital contributions. We may also make loans to WFOE subject to the approval from SAFE or its local office and the limitation on the amount of loans.

By means of making loans, WFOE is subject to the relevant PRC laws and regulation relating to foreign debts. On January 8, 2003, the State Development Planning Commission, SAFE, and Ministry of Finance, or MOF, jointly promulgated the Circular on the Interim Provisions on the Management of Foreign Debts, or the Foreign Debts Provisions, which became effective on March 1, 2003, and was partially abolished on May 10, 2015. Pursuant to Foreign Debts Provisions, the total amount of foreign loans received by a foreign-invested company shall not exceed the difference between the total investment in projects as approved by the MOFCOM or its local counterpart and the amount of registered capital of such foreign-invested company. In addition, on January 12, 2017, the People’s Bank of China, or PBOC, issued the Circular on Full-Coverage Macro-Prudent Management of Cross-Border Financing, or the PBOC Circular 9, which sets out the statutory upper limit on the foreign debts for PRC non-financial entities, including both foreign-invested companies and domestic-invested companies, and the macro-prudential adjustment parameter is 1. Pursuant to the PBOC Circular 9, the foreign debt upper limit for both foreign-invested companies and domestic-invested companies is calculated as twice the net asset of such companies. As to net assets, the companies shall take the net assets value stated in their latest audited financial statement. On March 11, 2020, the PBOC and SAFE promulgated the Circular of the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Adjusting the Macro-prudential Regulation Parameter for Full-covered Cross-border Financing, which provides that based on the current macro economy and international balance of payments, the macro-prudential regulation parameter as set forth in the PBOC Circular 9 is updated from 1 to 1.25.

The PBOC Circular 9 does not supersede the Foreign Debts Provisions. It provides a one-year transitional period from January 11, 2017, for foreign-invested companies, during which foreign-invested companies, such as WFOE, could adopt their calculation method of foreign debt upper limit based on either the Foreign Debts Provisions or the PBOC Circular 9. The transitional period ended on January 11, 2018. Upon its expiry, pursuant to the PBOC Circular 9, PBOC and SAFE shall reevaluate the calculation method for foreign-invested companies and determine what the applicable calculation method would be. As of the date of this annual report, neither the PBOC nor SAFE has promulgated and made public any further rules, regulations, notices, or circulars in this regard.

Regulations Related to Tax

Enterprise Income Tax

On March 16, 2007, the SCNPC promulgated the EIT Law, which was recently amended on December 29, 2018. On December 6, 2007, the State Council enacted the Regulations for the Implementation of the Enterprise Income Tax Law, which was amended on April 23, 2019. Under the EIT Law and relevant implementation regulations, both resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises are subject to the enterprise income tax so long as their income is generated within the territory of PRC. “Resident enterprises” are defined as enterprises that are established in China in accordance with PRC laws, or that are established in accordance with the laws of foreign countries but are actually or in effect controlled from within the PRC. “Non-resident enterprises” are defined as enterprises that are organized under the laws of foreign countries and whose actual management is conducted outside the PRC, but have established institutions or premises in the PRC, or have no such established institutions or premises but have income generated from inside the PRC. Under the EIT Law and relevant implementing regulations, a uniform corporate income tax rate of 25% is applied. If non-resident enterprises have not formed permanent establishments or premises in the PRC, or if they have formed permanent establishment or premises in the PRC but there is no actual relationship between the relevant income derived in the PRC and the established institutions or premises set up by them, however, enterprise income tax is set at the rate of 10% with respect to their income sourced from inside the PRC.

The EIT Law and its implementation rules permit certain “high and new technology enterprises strongly supported by the state” that independently own core intellectual property and meet statutory criteria, to enjoy a reduced 15% enterprise income tax rate.

According to the Administrative Rules for the Certification of High Tech Enterprises, effective on January 1, 2008 and amended on January 29, 2016 (effective as of January 1, 2016), for each entity accredited as High Tech Enterprise, such status is valid for three years if it meets the qualifications for High Tech Enterprise on a continuing basis during such period.

Value-Added Tax (“VAT”)

The Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax was promulgated by the State Council on December 13, 1993, and most recently amended on November 19, 2017. The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Value-added Tax (Revised in 2011) were promulgated by the MOF on December 25, 1993, and were recently amended on October 28, 2011 (collectively with the VAT Regulations, the VAT Law). On April 4, 2018, MOF and SAT jointly promulgated the Circular on Adjustment of Value-Added Tax Rates, or MOF and SAT Circular 32. On March 20, 2019, MOF, SAT and General Administration of Customs, or GAC, jointly issued a Circular on Relevant Polices for Deepening Value-added Tax Reform, or MOF, SAT and GAC Circular 39, which became effective from April 1, 2019. According to the abovementioned laws and circulars, all enterprises and individuals engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of processing, repair and replacement services, sales of services, intangible assets, real property and the importation of goods within the territory of the PRC are the taxpayers of VAT. The VAT tax rates generally applicable are simplified as 13%, 9%, 6% and 0%, and the VAT tax rate applicable to the small-scale taxpayers is 3%.

Withholding Tax

The Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC provides that since January 1, 2008, an income tax rate of 10% will normally be applicable to dividends declared to non-PRC resident investors which do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, or which have such establishment or place of business but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC.

Pursuant to an Arrangement Between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Incomes, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the competent PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under such Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5%. Based on the Circular on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, or the SAT Circular 81, issued on February 20, 2009, by the SAT, however, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment. According to the Circular on Several Questions regarding the “Beneficial Owner” in Tax Treaties, which was issued on February 3, 2018, by the SAT and took effect on April 1, 2018, when determining the applicant’s status of the “beneficial owner” regarding tax treatments in connection with dividends, interests or royalties in the tax treaties, several factors, including without limitation, whether the applicant is obligated to pay more than 50% of his or her income in 12 months to residents in third country or region, whether the business operated by the applicant constitutes the actual business activities, and whether the counterparty country or region to the tax treaties does not levy any tax or grant tax exemption on relevant incomes or levy tax at an extremely low rate, will be taken into account, and it will be analyzed according to the actual circumstances of the specific cases. This circular further provides that applicants who intend to prove his or her status of the “beneficial owner” shall submit the relevant documents to the relevant tax bureau according to the Announcement on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Non-Resident Taxpayers’ Enjoyment of the Treatment under Tax Agreements.

Tax on Indirect Transfer

On February 3, 2015, the SAT issued the Circular on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 7. Pursuant to SAT Circular 7, an “indirect transfer” of assets, 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 arrangement does not have 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. When determining whether there is a “reasonable commercial purpose” of the transaction arrangement, features to be taken into consideration include, inter alia, whether the main value of the equity interest of the relevant offshore enterprise derives directly or indirectly from PRC taxable assets; whether the assets of the relevant offshore enterprise mainly consist of direct or indirect investment in China or if its income is mainly derived from China; and whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding PRC taxable assets have real commercial nature which is evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure. According to SAT Circular 7, where the transferee fails to withhold any or sufficient tax, the transferor shall declare and pay such tax to the tax authority by itself within the statutory time limit. Late payment of applicable tax will subject the transferor to default interest. SAT Circular 7 does not apply to transactions of sale of shares by investors through a public stock exchange where such shares were acquired on a public stock exchange. On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Circular on Issues of Tax Withholding regarding Non-PRC Resident Enterprise Income Tax, or SAT Circular 37, which further elaborates the relevant implemental rules regarding the calculation, reporting and payment obligations of the withholding tax by the non-resident enterprises. Nonetheless, there remain uncertainties as to the interpretation and application of SAT Circular 7. SAT Circular 7 may be determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to our offshore transactions or sale of our shares or those of our offshore subsidiaries where non-resident enterprises, being the transferors, were involved.

Regulations Related to Employment and Social Welfare

Employment

The Labor Law of the PRC, which was promulgated on July 5, 1994, effective since January 1, 1995, and most recently amended on December 29, 2018, the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which was promulgated on June 29, 2007, and amended on December 28, 2012, and the Implementation Regulations of the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which was promulgated on September 18, 2008, are the principal regulations that govern employment and labor matters in the PRC. Under the above regulations, labor contracts shall be concluded in writing if labor relationships are to be or have been established between employers and the employees. Employers are prohibited from forcing employees to work above certain time limit and employers shall pay employees for overtime work in accordance to national regulations. In addition, wages may not be lower than the local minimum wage. Employers must establish a system for labor safety and sanitation, strictly abide by state standards, and provide relevant education to its employees. Employees are also required to work in safe and sanitary conditions.

Social Insurance and Housing Fund

Under the Social Insurance Law of the PRC that was promulgated by the SCNPC on October 28, 2010, and came into force as of July 1, 2011, and was most recently amended on December 29, 2018 (also the effective date), together with other laws and regulations, employers are required to pay basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance, basic medical insurance, employment injury insurance, maternity insurance, and other social insurance for its employees at specified percentages of the salaries of the employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government regulations from time to time. When an employer fails to fully pay social insurance premiums, relevant social insurance collection agency shall order it to make up for any shortfall within a prescribed time limit, and may impose a late payment fee at the rate of 0.05% per day of the outstanding amount from the due date. If such employer still fails to make up for the shortfalls within the prescribed time limit, the relevant administrative authorities shall impose a fine of one to three times the outstanding amount upon such employer.

In accordance with the Regulations on the Management of Housing Fund which was promulgated by the State Council in 1999 and most recently amended in March 2019 (which became effective as of March 24^th 2019), employers must register at the designated administrative centers and open bank accounts for depositing employees’ housing funds. Employer and employee are also required to pay and deposit housing funds, with an amount no less than 5% of the monthly average salary of the employee in the preceding year in full and on time.

Regulations Related to Mergers and Acquisitions and Overseas Listings

On August 8, 2006, six PRC governmental and regulatory agencies, including MOFCOM and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, promulgated the Rules on Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, governing the mergers and acquisitions of domestic enterprises by foreign investors that became effective on September 8, 2006, and was amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules, among other things, requires that offshore SPVs that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals and that have been formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic interest held by such PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange.

Our PRC counsel has advised us that, based on its understanding of current PRC laws, rules, and regulations, and the M&A Rules, the CSRC approval is not required in the context of this offering because: (i) our PRC subsidiaries were established by means of direct investment rather than by mergers with or acquisitions of any PRC domestic companies as defined under the M&A Rules, and (ii) no explicit provision in the M&A Rules classifies the respective contractual arrangements among WFOE, SDH and its shareholders as a type of acquisition transaction falling under the M&A Rules. Notwithstanding the above opinion, our PRC counsel has further advised us that uncertainties still exist as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted and implemented and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules, and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. If the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies subsequently determine that prior CSRC approval was required, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to mergers and acquisitions of domestic entities by offshore special purpose vehicles may subject us to severe fines or penalties and create other regulatory uncertainties regarding our corporate structure.”

On December 24, 2021, the CSRC and relevant departments of the State Council issued the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, which aim to regulate overseas securities offerings and listings by China-based companies, for public consultation. The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing aim to lay out the filing regulation arrangement for both direct and indirect overseas listing and clarify the determination criteria for indirect overseas listing in overseas markers. Where an enterprise whose principal business activities are conducted in the PRC seeks to issue and list its shares in the name of an overseas enterprise based on equity, assets, income, or other similar rights and interests of the relevant PRC domestic enterprise, such activities are deemed an indirect overseas issuance and listing. According to the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, among other things, after making initial applications with overseas stock markets for initial public offerings or listings, or after the completion of issuance of overseas listed securities by the overseas listed issuer, all China-based companies shall file with the CSRC within three working days. For the initial public offerings or listings applicants, the required filing materials with the CSRC include (without limitation): (i) record-filing reports and related undertakings, (ii) compliance certificates, filing, or approval documents from the primary regulators of the applicants’ businesses (if applicable), (iii) security assessment opinions issued by related departments (if applicable), (iv) PRC legal opinions, and (v) the prospectus; while for overseas listed issuers who issue overseas listed securities, the required filing materials with the CSRC include (without limitation): (i) record-filing reports and related undertakings and (ii) PRC legal opinions. In addition, overseas offerings and listings may be prohibited for such China-based companies when any of the following applies: (i) if the intended securities offerings and listings are specifically prohibited by the laws, regulations or provision of the PRC; (ii) if the intended securities offerings and listings may constitute a threat to, or endanger national security as reviewed and determined by competent authorities under the State Council in accordance with laws; (iii) if there are material ownership disputes over applicants’ equity interests, major assets, core technologies, or the others; (iv) if, in the past three years, applicants’ domestic enterprises, controlling shareholders, or de facto 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 the past three years, any directors, supervisors, or senior executives of applicants 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; or (vi) other circumstances as prescribed by the State Council. The Draft Administrative Provisions further stipulate that a fine between RMB1 million and RMB10 million may be imposed if an applicant fails to fulfill the filing requirements with the CSRC or conducts an overseas offering or listing in violation of the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings, and in cases of severe violations, a parallel order to suspend relevant businesses or halt operations for rectification may be issued, and relevant business permits or operational license revoked. As of the date of this annual report, the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings have been released for public comment only and have not been formally adopted, uncertainties remain as to its enactment or future interpretations and implementations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listings were released by the CSRC for public consultation. While such rules have not yet come into effect, the Chinese government may exert more oversight and control over overseas public offerings conducted by China-based issuers, which could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer our Ordinary Shares to investors and could cause the value of our Ordinary Shares to significantly decline or become worthless.”

C. Organizational Structure

The following diagram illustrates our current corporate structure, which includes our significant subsidiaries as of the date of this annual report: 

Contractual Arrangements among WFOE, SDH and Its Shareholders

Neither we nor our subsidiaries own any equity interest in SDH. Instead, we control and receive the economic benefits of SDH’s business operation through a series of contractual arrangements. WFOE, SDH and its shareholders entered into a series of contractual arrangements, also known as VIE Agreements, in June 2019. Pursuant to the VIE Agreements, WFOE holds the contractual right to control and operate the business of SDH. Therefore, pursuant to ASC 810, SDH has been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since June 2019.

Each of the VIE Agreements is described in detail below:

Exclusive Technical and Consulting Services Agreement

Pursuant to the Exclusive Technical and Consulting Services Agreement between SDH and WFOE (the “Exclusive Service Agreement”), WFOE provides SDH with technical support, consulting services, business support and other management services relating to its day-to-day business operations and management, on an exclusive basis, utilizing its advantages in technology, human resources, and information. For services rendered to SDH by WFOE under the Exclusive Service Agreement, WFOE is entitled to collect a service fee approximately equal to SDH’s earnings before corporate income tax, i.e., SDH’s revenue after deduction of operating costs, expenses and other taxes, subject to adjustment based on services rendered and SDH’s operation needs.

This agreement became effective on June 10, 2019 and will remain effective unless otherwise terminated as required by laws or regulations, or by relevant governmental or regulatory authorities. Nevertheless, this agreement shall be terminated after all the equity interest in SDH held by its shareholders and/or all the assets of SDH have been legally transferred to WFOE and/or its designee in accordance with the Exclusive Option Agreement.

The CEO of WFOE, Mr. Haiping Hu, is currently managing SDH pursuant to the terms of the Exclusive Service Agreement. The Exclusive Service Agreement does not prohibit related party transactions. The Company’s audit committee is required to review and approve in advance any related party transactions, including transactions involving WFOE or SDH.

Equity Pledge Agreement

Under the Equity Pledge Agreement between WFOE, and shareholders of SDH, together holding 100% of the shares of SDH (“SDH Shareholders”), the SDH Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in SDH to WFOE to guarantee the performance of SDH’s obligations under the Exclusive Service Agreement. Under the terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement, in the event that SDH or the SDH Shareholders breach their respective contractual obligations under the Exclusive Service Agreement, WFOE, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including, but not limited to, the right to collect dividends generated by the pledged equity interests. The SDH Shareholders also agreed that upon occurrence of any event of default, as set forth in the Equity Pledge Agreement, WFOE is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interests in accordance with applicable PRC laws. The SDH Shareholders further agreed not to dispose of the pledged equity interests or take any actions that would prejudice WFOE’s interests without the prior written consent of WFOE.

The Equity Pledge Agreement is effective until: (1) the secured debt in the scope of pledge is cleared off; and (2) Pledgers transfer all the pledged equity interests to Pledgees according to the Exclusive Option Agreement, or other entity or individual designated by it.

The purposes of the Equity Pledge Agreement are to (1) guarantee the performance of SDH’s obligations under the Exclusive Service Agreement; (2) make sure the SDH Shareholders do not transfer or assign the pledged equity interests, or create or allow any encumbrance that would prejudice WFOE’s interests without WFOE’s prior written consent. In the event SDH breaches its contractual obligations under the Exclusive Service Agreement, WFOE will be entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interests.

Exclusive Option Agreement

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the SDH Shareholders irrevocably granted WFOE (or its designee) an exclusive option to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, once or at multiple times, at any time, part or all of their equity interests in SDH or the assets of SDH. The option price to be paid by WFOE to each shareholder of SDH is RMB10 (approximately US$1.47) or the minimum amount to the extent permitted under PRC law at the time when such transfer occurs.

Under the Exclusive Option Agreement, WFOE may at any time under any circumstances, purchase, or have its designee purchase, at its discretion, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of the SDH Shareholders’ equity interests in SDH or the assets of SDH. The Exclusive Option Agreement, together with the Equity Pledge Agreement, the Exclusive Service Agreement, and Powers of Attorney, enable WFOE to exercise effective control over SDH.

The Exclusive Option Agreement remains effective until all the equity or assets of SDH is legally transferred under the name of WFOE and/or other entity or individual designated by it, or unilaterally terminated by WFOE with a 30-day written notice.

Powers of Attorney

Under each of the Powers of Attorney, the SDH Shareholders authorized WFOE to act on their behalf as their exclusive agent and attorney with respect to all rights as shareholders, including, but not limited to: (a) attending shareholders’ meetings; (b) exercising all the shareholder’s rights, including voting, that shareholders are entitled to under the laws of China and the Articles of Association, including, but not limited to, the sale or transfer or pledge or disposition of shares in part or in whole; and (c) designating and appointing on behalf of shareholders the legal representative, the executive director, supervisor, the chief executive officer, and other senior management members of SDH.

The Powers of Attorney are irrevocable and continuously valid from the date of execution of the Powers of Attorney, so long as the SDH Shareholders own the equity interests of SDH.

Spousal Consent

Pursuant to the Spousal Consent, each spouse of the individual shareholders of SDH irrevocably agreed that the equity interest in SDH held by their respective spouses would be disposed of pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement, and the Powers of Attorney. Each spouse of the shareholders agreed not to assert any rights over the equity interest in SDH held by their respective spouses. In addition, in the event that any spouse obtains any equity interest in SDH through the respective shareholder for any reason, he or she agreed to be bound by the contractual arrangements.

D.  Property, Plants and Equipment 

We currently maintain our headquarters in Beijing and Shanghai in the PRC. Our total office space is 4,416 square meters including both leased and owned properties. We lease 1,324 square meters of office space under four non-cancelable operating lease agreements with expiration dates through December 31, 2022. Operating lease expense amounted to $244,045, $352,645, and $379,355 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. In December 2019, the Company signed property purchase agreements to acquire four properties in Beijing with approximately an aggregate of 638 square meters of office space for a total consideration of US$2,991,492. The Company paid US$1,204,094 as a prepayment during the year ended December 31, 2019 and paid the rest of the consideration of US$1,787,398 and acquired the ownership of the properties in May 2020.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases were as follows as of December 31, 2021:

ITEM 4.A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 

None.

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS  

The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and their related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. This annual report contains forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Information” in this annual report. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the information provided under the caption “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in this annual report. The Company caution you that its businesses and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.

Overview

The VIE, or SDH started operating as a consulting company providing enterprise services to small and medium-sized enterprises in the PRC in December 2014, and launched its peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and enterprise service platform in May 2016. Since then, SDH has continued to expand and improve its platform, where knowledge is shared and gained, and services are requested and provided. Operating its platform through its PRC operating entity, SDH and its subsidiaries, both on-line, via the mobile application “Shidonghui App” (the “APP”), and off-line, through its local offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, as well as 51 local centers operated by some of its members in 35 cities and 21 provinces throughout the PRC. SDH’s mission is to become a leading knowledge sharing and enterprise service platform in China.

Substantially all of SDH’s operations are conducted in the PRC and all of the revenues are denominated in RMB. Foreign ownership of certain parts of its businesses including the value-added telecommunications services, or the VATS, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. See “Regulations—Regulations Related to Foreign Investment.” We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with SDH, its subsidiaries and shareholders to operate the business in China. For a description of these contractual arrangements and uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations, see “Business—Contractual Arrangements between WFOE, SDH and Its Shareholders.” and “Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our businesses in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.”.

Through the last two decades, a growing economy and a generally positive market environment have created many entrepreneurial and high-growth enterprises, many of which need corporate services such as financial consulting and management training. Likewise, as a result of China’s economic expansion, the Chinese population saw large increases of personal wealth.

When SDH launched its platform, the aim was not only to continue providing enterprise services to PRC’s growing business communities, but also create a marketplace where qualified entities (individuals and enterprises) have opportunities to serve as providers, and receive rewards by sharing their knowledge with others on the platform. As of March 31, 2022, SDH’s knowledge sharing and enterprise service ecosystem had 739 Mentors, 1,176 Experts, 1,551 Members, and approximately 5.50 million Users. In addition to serving the Users and Members, SDH continue to provide enterprise services to small and medium-sized enterprises in China, through a dedicated team with ten full-time professional consultants, as well as the Mentors and Experts. The providers (Mentors, Experts and consultants) are successful entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, and professionals with qualifications and achievements in major industries such as finance, energy, health care, and academia. SDH’s core strength is the knowledge brought by its providers, highlighted by their experiences, knowledge, industry know-how, and social connections.

On April 2, 2022, SDH’s subsidiary, Zhuhai (Zibo) Investment Co., Ltd. (“Zhuhai”) entered into an investment agreement with certain parties to form a joint venture (“JV”) dedicated to the production of high-grade lithium-ion power battery anode materials. The JV is established in the New Materials Industrial Park of Yilong District, Xingyi City of Guizhou Province, with a total investment amount of up to RMB620 million ($98.13 million) and a total land area of approximately 266,800 square meters, for the production of high-grade lithium-iron power battery anode materials.

Key Factors that Affect Operating Results

The Company believes the following key factors may affect the financial condition and results of operations:

SDH’s success depends on the ability to acquire clients effectively

The ability to increase our revenue largely depends on the ability to attract and engage potential clients, which include Users, Members, and Enterprise Service Clients. The sales and marketing efforts include those related to client acquisition and retention, and general marketing. The Company intend to continue to dedicate significant resources to sales and marketing efforts and constantly seek to improve the effectiveness of these efforts to grow the revenues.

The client acquisition channels primarily include sales and marketing campaigns and existing client referrals. In order to acquire clients, the Company has made significant efforts in building mutually beneficial long-term relationships with local government and local business associations. In addition, the Company also market services through the influence of the founder and CEO, Mr. Haiping Hu, who is a well-known entrepreneur in China, and through social media platforms, such as WeChat and Weibo. If any of the current client acquisition channels becomes less effective, or if the Company is unable to continue to use any of these channels, the Company may not be able to attract new clients in a cost-effective manner or convert potential clients into active clients and may even lose the existing clients to the competitors. To the extent that the current client acquisition and retention efforts becomes less effective, service revenue may be significantly impacted, which would have a significant adverse effect on revenues, financial condition and results of operations.

A severe or prolonged slowdown in the global or Chinese economy could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business and the financial condition.

The rapid growth of the Chinese economy has slowed down since 2012 and such slowdown may continue in the future. There is considerable uncertainty over the trade conflicts between the United States and China and the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China; the withdrawal of these expansionary monetary and fiscal policies could lead to a contraction. There continue to be concerns over unrest and terrorist threats in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, which have resulted in volatility in oil and other markets. There are also concerns about the relationship among China and other Asian countries, which may result in or intensify potential conflicts in relation to territorial disputes. The eruption of armed conflict could adversely affect global or Chinese discretionary spending, either of which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operation in financial condition. 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 would likely materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect the Company’s ability to access capital markets to meet liquidity needs.

Ability to attract and retain the Company’s qualified service providers

The Company rely heavily on the expertise of our service providers, including Mentors, Experts, and consultants to maintain the core competence. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had approximately 739 mentors, 1,176 experts, and a team of professional consultants as the Company’s knowledge sharing providers. Many of the mentors are experienced leaders of successful well-known corporations. Likewise, the Company’s experts are outstanding professionals in their specialized fields, the Company’s team of consultants is professionals with an average five years industrial experiences. Under their leadership, the Company had been able to achieve significant growth since it launched the knowledge sharing and enterprise service platform in 2016. As the business scope increases, the Company expect to continue to invest significant resources in hiring and retaining service providers. The ability to sustain growth will depend on the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified service providers.

Impact from COVID-19

In early January of 2020, a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak took place in Wuhan, China. Subsequently, it has spread rapidly to Asia and other parts of the world. The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in widespread economic disruptions in China, as well as stringent government measures by the Chinese government to contain its transmissions including quarantines, travel restrictions, and temporary closures of non-essential businesses in China and elsewhere.

Essentially all of SDH’s revenues and operations are generated in China. Consequently, the results of operations and financial performances have been affected materially for the year ended December 31, 2021. Due to the government restrictions, SDH was prevented from arranging offline activities generally for the year ended December 31, 2021, resulting in cancellations or postponements of study tours, forums and sponsorship advertising events, which adversely impacted the performance of SDH’s member services and enterprise services, especially sponsorship advertising services. In addition, due to widespread economic disruptions during the outbreak, demand for comprehensive tailored services and advertising services were also adversely affected. For the year ended December 31, 2021, SDH’s revenue from comprehensive tailored services decreased by $11,912,033 or 89.26%, revenue from sponsorship advertising services decreased by $4,864,137, or 73.72% as compared to the same period of 2020.

To mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on SDH’s business, SDH managed to hold more small forums and salons to provide consulting services. Since May 2021, the corresponding revenue from consulting services increased by $1,166,949, or 280.09% as compared to the same period of 2020. SDH also continued to expand revenues from the sale of merchandise, which increased by $609,401 or 40.75% from sales of merchandises, as compared to the same period of 2020.

In addition, due to the outbreak of Omicron in early 2022, SDH made further assessment on the financial conditions of its clients, and the economic trends of regions affected by Omicron, such as Shanghai city. After this review, additional provisions were made for doubtful accounts for year ended December 31, 2021, which was $5,744,387, an increase of $3,935,498 or 217.56% as compared to the same period of 2020. 

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of the Company’s operations during the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and provides information regarding the dollar and percentage increase or decrease during such periods.

Revenues

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were derived from the following sources:

Revenues decreased by $15,771,812, or 68.04%, from $23,181,084 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $7,409,272 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Revenues from Member services accounted for 6.73% of net revenues in year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to 3.76% in year ended December 31, 2020. Revenue from enterprise services accounted for 64.13% and 87.84% of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Revenue from sales of merchandises accounted for 28.41% and 6.45% of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in revenues was primarily attributable to the decrease in the revenue generated from comprehensive tailored services, sponsorship advertising services, member services and partially offset by the increase of revenue from consulting services and sales of merchandises.

Revenues from member services

SDH offers three tiers of membership services, Platinum, Diamond and Protégé, which differ in membership fees as well as the level of the services provided. Members pay a fixed fee for exchange of the right to participate in seven activities, including study tours and forums, within a typically one-year membership period.

Revenues from member services decreased by $374,299, or 42.89%, from $872,629 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $498,330 for the year ended December 31, 2021. As the outbreak of the COVID-19, SDH was prevented from offering large offline activities, which resulted in a decreased demand for member services.

Revenues from comprehensive tailored services

There are four major categories of SDH’s comprehensive tailored services. The following table presents the type of tailored services as well as their respective prices:

Revenues from comprehensive tailored services decreased by $11,912,033, or 89.26%, from $13,345,880 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $1,433,847 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the comprehensive tailored service revenues from individual customers and some of the enterprise customers became unstable, and the account receivable of these customers also became harder to collect. In addition, due to the continuous government restrictions on public gatherings in 2021, the demand of comprehensive tailored services for large conference and salon organization decreased.

Revenues from sponsorship advertising service

Sponsorship advertising is a special form of advertising, generally referring to a publicity strategy adopted by enterprises in order to enhance their corporate and product image, as well as brand awareness and influence. SDH provides sponsorship advertising services for enterprise clients at events SDH holds, such as forums and study tours.

Revenues from sponsorship advertising services decreased by $4,864,137, or 73.72% from $6,598,527 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $1,734,390 for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the fact that offline forums and study tours were canceled due to the continuous government restrictions on public gatherings.

Revenues from consulting services