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TABLE OF CONTENTS
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 6, 2021
Registration No. 333-251461
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM F-1
Amendment No. 1
to
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Kuke Music Holding Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
8200
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Building 96
4 San Jian Fang South Block
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100024
People's Republic of China
+86-010-6561 0392
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Cogency Global Inc.
122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10168
(800) 221-0102
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
copies to: | ||||
David T. Zhang, Esq. Amanda Mi Tang, Esq. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP c/o 26th Floor, Gloucester Tower The Landmark 15 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong +852 3761-3318 |
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Steve Lin, Esq. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP 29th Floor, China World Office 2 No. 1 Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue Chaoyang District, Beijing 100004 People's Republic of China +86 10 5737-9315 |
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James C. Lin, Esq. Li He, Esq. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP c/o 18/F, The Hong Kong Club Building 3A Chater Road, Central Hong Kong +852 2533-3300 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
as soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ý
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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of each class of securities
to be registered |
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering price(2)(3) |
Amount of
registration fee |
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Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share(1) |
US$50,000,000 | US$6,273 | ||
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion), Dated January 6, 2021
5,000,000 American Depositary Shares
Kuke Music Holding Limited
Representing 5,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares
This is an initial public offering of American depositary shares, or ADSs, by Kuke Music Holding Limited.
We are offering 5,000,000 ADSs. Each ADS represents one of our Class A ordinary share, par value US$0.001 per share. We anticipate the initial public offering price per ADS will be between US$10.00 and US$12.00.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares. We have applied for the listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "KUKE." We are an "emerging growth company" under the applicable U.S. federal securities laws and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements.
Upon the completion of this offering, we will be a "controlled company" as defined under the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. Mr. He Yu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, will hold more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors, immediately upon the completion of this offering. See "Principal Shareholders."
Following the completion of this offering, our outstanding share capital will consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Mr. He Yu and Mr. Lung Yu will beneficially own all of our issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares. These Class B ordinary shares will constitute approximately 28.0% of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares and 79.6% of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote and is not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Each Class B ordinary share is entitled to ten votes and is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof.
Certain existing shareholders, their affiliates and third-party investors, have indicated their interest in subscribing for an aggregate of up to US$26.0 million worth of the ADSs being offered in this offering, including (i) up to US$20.0 million from Da Hua Group Hong Kong Investments, an affiliate of our existing shareholder Huaqiang Capital Limited, (ii) up to US$3.0 million from Eichent Limited, our existing shareholder, and (iii) up to US$3.0 million from CITIC Capital Holdings Limited (or its subsidiary). The subscriptions for ADSs will be at the initial public offering price and on the same terms as the other ADSs being offered in this offering. Assuming an initial public offering price of US$11.00 per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range, the number of ADSs to be purchased by these investors would be up to 2,363,636 ADSs, representing approximately 47.3% of the ADSs being offered in this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. However, because the indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, such investors may determine to purchase more, fewer or no ADSs in this offering, and we and the underwriters are under no obligation to sell ADSs to them. The underwriters will receive the same underwriting discounts and commissions on any ADSs purchased by such investors as they will on any other ADSs sold to the public in this offering.
See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 15 for factors you should consider before investing in the ADSs.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Price to Public
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Underwriting
Discounts and Commissions(1) |
Proceeds, before
Expenses |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Per ADS |
US$ | US$ | US$ | |||
Total |
US$ | US$ | US$ | |||
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The underwriters have an option to purchase up to 750,000 additional ADSs from us at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus.
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs to purchasers on or about , 2021.
Deutsche Bank Securities | Tiger Brokers | AMTD | China Securities International | |||
Valuable Capital |
Prospectus dated January 6, 2021
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any related free-writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus or in any related free-writing prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the ADSs offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the ADSs.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters have taken any action that would permit a public offering of the ADSs outside the United States or permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus or any related free-writing prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus or any related free-writing prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of the prospectus outside the United States.
Until , 2021 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade ADSs, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
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The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information, financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in the ADSs discussed under "Risk Factors," before deciding whether to buy the ADSs. This prospectus contains certain estimates and information from an industry report, or the Frost & Sullivan Report, commissioned by us and prepared by Frost & Sullivan, an independent market research firm, regarding our industries and our market position in China. Unless otherwise specified, industry and market data contained in this prospectus are quoted from the Frost & Sullivan Report.
Our Mission
Our mission is to amplify the impact of classical music in China.
Overview
We are a leading provider of classical music licensing, subscription and education services in China. Powered by our rich and diverse content offerings, we were the largest classical music licensing service provider and the second largest online classical music subscription service provider in China in 2019, according to Frost & Sullivan, representing 46.6% and 13.8%, respectively, of the market share in terms of revenue. Leveraging our extensive content library and deep expertise in music education, we are also a leading smart music education service provider in China. According to Frost & Sullivan, we ranked first in smart piano wholesale revenue, with a 20.4% market share, and second in both sales revenue of smart pianos and smart piano education services and number of music students using our smart pianos, with a 20.5% and 20.4% market share, respectively, in 2019. In addition, following our acquisition of BMF in February 2020, we are one of the few companies in China with the experience and scale to organize large-scale live classical music events. With nearly twenty years of experience in the music industry, we have devoted ourselves to making classical music more accessible in China.
The classical music market in China has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by the rising popularity of classical music, the digitization of classical music content and favorable government policies. We identified this significant market opportunity early and we were one of the first classical music licensing and subscription service providers in China. Leveraging our long-standing relationships with world-renowned music labels and publishers, especially Naxos and years of music production and content acquisition efforts, we have built the largest library of classical music content in China as of December 31, 2019, according to Frost & Sullivan, which consisted of approximately 1.8 million music tracks, including 1.6 million tracks of traditional classical music and 220,000 tracks of jazz, world, folk and other genres of music that in aggregate covered approximately 42,000 musicians, 2,000 musical instruments and 160 countries and regions, as well as 1,900 video titles, 250,000 spoken content tracks and 5,750 volumes of sheet music. The vast majority of our content offerings have been licensed to us on an exclusive basis.
We license our music content primarily to online music entertainment platforms, such as Tencent Music Entertainment Group, digital music service providers, such as NetEase Cloud Music, as well as film and TV production companies, airlines and smart hardware companies. As of September 30, 2020, we licensed approximately 800,000 tracks of classical music from over 200 music labels to our licensees. Our music subscription service provides users with high-quality online and offline streaming access to our content library. Users can access our platform from our website, mobile app and smart music devices. As our encyclopedic catalog is especially suitable for educational and professional use, we have attracted a large number of universities, music conservatories, public libraries and individuals to subscribe to our service over the years. As of September 30, 2020, we had 743 institutional subscribers, including 444 universities and music conservatories and 299 public libraries, spread across all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, except Tibet.
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Through our licensing and subscription services, we have brought high-quality classical music into more people's lives, enabling them to enjoy classical music in a more convenient, enriching and affordable way. However, our passion for classical music does not stop there. To us, a more fundamental way to amplify the impact of classical music is through music education. Towards that end and in an effort to address the underserved needs in China's music education market, we launched our smart music education business in October 2015, offering students and schools innovative and efficient smart music education solutions. Compared to traditional music education, we believe that our standardized course offerings and data analytics capability effectively reduce reliance on music teachers, ensure consistent teaching quality, broaden the accessibility of high-quality music education and enhance the scalability of our business model.
Our smart music education solutions primarily comprise the offering of our proprietary Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and Kukey courses. In the earlier stage of our smart music education business, we focused on selling Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems to primary and secondary schools through distributors. Our Kuke smart music teaching system, which is pre-installed in our Kuke smart pianos, contains a comprehensive array of classical music content and offers real-time, individualized feedback on student performance as they practice. Since July 2019, given the vast growth potential of the smart piano education market targeting young children, we have shifted the focus of our smart music education business to offering Kukey courses in collaboration with kindergartens. Kukey courses are typically small-group, beginner-level piano lessons offered through our Kuke smart pianos. We place Kuke smart pianos at the kindergartens without charge, utilize kindergarten teachers to deliver our Kukey courses and collect tuition directly from enrolled students. As of September 30, 2020, we had over 10,200 student enrollments from 1,300 kindergartens across 161 cities in China, placed over 6,800 Kuke smart pianos at these kindergartens and sold over 10,000 Kuke smart pianos and 1,900 Kuke smart music teaching systems to other educational institutions through distributors.
Finally, as appreciation for classical music grows in China, there has been a growing interest in experiencing live classical music. To address this growing opportunity, we acquired BMF, which organizes the Beijing Music Festival and other influential classical music events in China. With twenty-two years of history, the Beijing Music Festival has played an indispensable role in bringing world-class classical musicians to China and offering Chinese audiences the opportunity to enjoy masterful performances in person. We believe that our live classical music events business effectively complements our music content and education businesses, further enhances our brand awareness and positions us well to continuously offer differentiated value propositions to our customers through a thriving content-centric ecosystem.
Our pro forma total revenue in 2019 (including the impact of the acquisition of BMF) was RMB206.9 million (US$29.7 million), of which music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events accounted for 44.8%, 31.0% and 24.2%, respectively. On a non-pro forma basis, our total revenue decreased by 4.1% from RMB152.2 million in 2018 to RMB146.1 million (US$21.0 million) in 2019 and our profit for the year increased by 40.3% from RMB40.5 million in 2018 to RMB56.8 million (US$8.2 million) in 2019; BMF's revenue increased by 148.3% from 24.6 million in 2018 to RMB61.2 million (US$8.8 million) in 2019 and its profit for the year increased significantly from RMB0.6 million in 2018 to RMB12.5 million (US$1.8 million) in 2019. Our total revenue decreased by 14.6% from RMB40.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB34.9 million (US$5.0 million) for the same period in 2020. Music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events accounted for 86.6%, 12.3% and 1.1%, respectively, of our total revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. We had a loss of RMB0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and RMB59.4 million (US$8.5 million) for the same period in 2020.
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Our Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths contribute to our success and differentiate us from our competitors:
Our Strategies
We plan to pursue the following strategies to achieve our mission:
Our Challenges
Our ability to achieve our mission is subject to risks and uncertainties, including those relating to our ability to:
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus before making an investment in the ADSs. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under relevant headings. These risks are discussed more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors."
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Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
Risks and uncertainties relating to our business and industry include, but are not limited to, the following:
Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure
Risks and uncertainties relating to our corporate structure include, but are not limited to, the following:
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
We are also subject to risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China in general, including, but are not limited to, the following:
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Risks Relating to the ADS and This Offering
In addition to the risks described above, we are subject to risks relating to the ADS and this offering, including, but not limited to, the following:
Recent Developments
As of December 31, 2020, we had over 30,000 student enrollments, which is nearly three times the number of student enrollments as of September 30, 2020, from 1,618 kindergartens across 172 cities in China, placed over 8,000 Kuke smart pianos at these kindergartens and sold over 13,000 Kuke smart pianos and 2,200 Kuke smart music teaching systems to other educational institutions through distributors. Institutional subscribers of our classical music subscription services also increased from 743 as of September 30, 2020 to 766 as of December 31, 2020, including 455 universities and music conservatories and 311 public libraries, spread across all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, except Tibet.
Corporate History and Structure
We commenced our operations in October 2002 when Mr. He Yu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, acquired control of Beijing Cathay Orient Information Technology Company Limited, a classical music licensing and subscription service provider and the predecessor of Beijing Kuke Music.
In January 2016, Beijing Kuke Music and Naxos International established Naxos China, a PRC limited liability company. Naxos China was held by Beijing Kuke Music and Naxos International as to 51% and 49%, respectively.
In September 2017, we established Kuke Music Holding Limited as our holding company in the Cayman Islands. In the same month, Kuke Music Holding Limited established Rococo Holding Limited in the British Virgin Islands, as its wholly-owned subsidiary. In October 2017, Rococo Holding Limited established Gauguin Limited in Hong Kong, as its wholly-owned subsidiary. In December 2017, Gauguin Limited established Kuke International, as its wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC.
In January 2018, Beijing Kuke Music transferred its equity interest in Naxos China to Kuke International.
Due to restrictions imposed by PRC laws and regulations on foreign ownership of companies that engage in Internet and other related business, Kuke International entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Beijing Kuke Music and its shareholders in February 2018, pursuant to which Kuke International acquired effective control over Beijing Kuke Music. For more details, please see "Corporate History and StructureContractual Arrangements with Our VIEs and Their Respective Shareholders."
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In February 2020, through a share swap transaction, Kuke Music Holding Limited acquired 100% equity interest in Rosenkavalier Limited, a British Virgin Islands company that indirectly owns 100% equity interest in Beijing Lecheng, which has effective control over BMF Culture through a series of contractual arrangements with BMF Culture and its shareholders. For more details, please see "Corporate History and StructureContractual Arrangements with Our VIEs and Their Respective Shareholders."
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including the names, places of incorporation and the proportion of ownership interests in our significant subsidiaries and VIEs as of the date of this prospectus.
Notes:
Corporate Information
Our principal executive office is located at Building 96, 4 San Jian Fang South Block, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86-10-65610392. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168.
We are a foreign private issuer under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities laws and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our
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ADSs and This OfferingWe are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies."
Investors should contact us for any inquiries through the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices. Our corporate website is www.kuke.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements compared to those that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards and acknowledge such election is irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenue of at least US$1.07 billion; (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (c) the date on which we have, during the preceding three-year period, issued more than US$1.07 billion in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a "large accelerated filer" under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.
Implication of Being a Controlled Company
Upon the completion of this offering, Mr. He Yu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, will beneficially own 24.5% of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing 58.1% of our total voting power, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs, or 23.9% of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing 57.7% of the voting power, assuming the option to purchase additional ADSs is exercised in full. As a result, we will be a "controlled company" as defined under the NYSE Listed Company Manual because Mr. Yu will hold more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors. As a "controlled company," we are permitted to elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements. We intend to rely on the exemptions with respect to the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors and the requirement to establish a nominating committee and a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.
Conventions That Apply to This Prospectus
Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus reflects no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to 750,000 additional ADSs representing 750,000 Class A ordinary shares from us.
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Except where the context otherwise requires:
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Our reporting currency is the Renminbi. This prospectus also contains translations of certain foreign currency amounts into U.S. dollars for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB in this prospectus were made at a rate of RMB6.9618 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on December 31, 2019.
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The following assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in the offering, unless otherwise indicated.
Offering price |
We expect that the initial public offering price will be between US$10.00 and US$12.00 per ADS. | |
ADSs offered by us |
5,000,000 ADSs (or 5,750,000 ADSs if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full). |
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ADSs outstanding immediately after this offering |
5,000,000 ADSs (or 5,750,000 ADSs if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full). |
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Ordinary shares outstanding immediately after this offering |
29,566,723 ordinary shares, comprised of 21,285,625 Class A ordinary shares and 8,281,098 Class B ordinary shares (or 30,316,723 ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, comprised of 22,035,625 Class A ordinary shares and 8,281,098 Class B ordinary shares). |
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The ADSs |
Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share. |
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The depositary will hold the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and you will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement. |
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We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. If, however, we declare dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our Class A ordinary shares, after deducting its fees and expenses. |
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You may turn in your ADSs to the depositary in exchange for Class A ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any exchange. We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. |
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To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the "Description of American Depositary Shares" section of this prospectus. You should also read the deposit agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. |
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Option to purchase additional ADSs |
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 750,000 additional ADSs. |
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Use of proceeds |
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$45.7 million (or US$53.4 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full), after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming an initial public offering price of US$11.00 per ADS, being the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus. |
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We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for the following purposes: (i) approximately 70% to enhance and diversify our smart music education service offerings, expand the geographic coverage of our smart music education services and strengthen our technological capabilities; (ii) approximately 15% to enrich our content offerings, reinforce our content leadership and explore additional content monetization opportunities; (iii) approximately 10% for potential acquisitions and strategic investments; and (iv) approximately 5% for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds" for additional information. |
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Lock-up |
We, our directors, executive officers, existing shareholders holding substantially all of our issued ordinary shares prior to this offering and holders of share-based awards have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any ADSs, ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares or ADSs for a period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting" for more information. |
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Indication of interest |
Certain existing shareholders, their affiliates and third-party investors, have indicated their interest in subscribing for an aggregate of up to US$26.0 million worth of the ADSs being offered in this offering, including (i) up to US$20.0 million from Da Hua Group Hong Kong Investments, an affiliate of our existing shareholder Huaqiang Capital Limited, (ii) up to US$3.0 million from Eichent Limited, our existing shareholder, and (iii) up to US$3.0 million from CITIC Capital Holdings Limited (or its subsidiary). The subscriptions for ADSs will be at the initial public offering price and on the same terms as the other ADSs being offered in this offering. Assuming an initial public offering price of US$11.00 per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range, the number of ADSs to be purchased by these investors would be up to 2,363,636 ADSs, representing approximately 47.3% of the ADSs being offered in this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. However, because the indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, such investors may determine to purchase more, fewer or no ADSs in this offering, and we and the underwriters are under no obligation to sell ADSs to them. The underwriters will receive the same underwriting discounts and commissions on any ADSs purchased by such investors as they will on any other ADSs sold to the public in this offering. |
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Risk factors |
See "Risk Factors" and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of the risks you should carefully consider before investing in the ADSs. |
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Depositary |
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas |
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Listing |
We will apply to have the ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KUKE." Our ADSs and shares will not be listed on any other stock exchange or traded on any automated quotation system. |
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Payment and settlement |
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company on , 2021. |
The number of ordinary shares that will be outstanding immediately after this offering:
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, summary consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, and summary consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, summary consolidated statements of financial position as of September 30, 2020, and summary consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 have been derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
In February 2020, we acquired 100% equity interest in BMF through a share swap transaction. The following tables also set forth the summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information based on our historical consolidated financial statements and BMF's historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus as adjusted to give effect to the Acquisition. Unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 gives effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 gives effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on December 31, 2019.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. The pro forma adjustments are based upon currently available information and certain assumptions that are factually supportable and that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The pro forma financial information does not purport to present what our actual consolidated results of operations would have been had the Acquisition occurred on the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future period. You should read this "Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data" section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Note:
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The following table presents our summary consolidated statement of financial position as of the dates indicated:
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As of December 31, |
As of
September 30, |
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2018 | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kuke
Music |
BMF | Kuke Music | BMF | Kuke Music | ||||||||||||||||||||
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RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||
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(in thousands)
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Summary Consolidated Statement of Financial Position |
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Assets: |
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Total non-current assets |
167,451 | 12,008 | 281,015 | 40,365 | 25,908 | 3,722 | 569,498 | 81,803 | |||||||||||||||||
Total current assets |
193,097 | 9,227 | 222,611 | 31,976 | 26,875 | 3,860 | 217,609 | 31,258 | |||||||||||||||||
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Total assets |
360,548 | 21,235 | 503,626 | 72,341 | 52,783 | 7,582 | 787,107 | 113,061 | |||||||||||||||||
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Liabilities: |
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Total non-current liability |
1,097 | 16 | 41,632 | 5,980 | 1,930 | 277 | 19,767 | 2,839 | |||||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
133,642 | 20,293 | 179,433 | 25,774 | 7,445 | 1,070 | 169,742 | 24,382 | |||||||||||||||||
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Total liabilities |
134,739 | 20,309 | 221,065 | 31,754 | 9,375 | 1,347 | 189,509 | 27,221 | |||||||||||||||||
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Total equity |
225,809 | 926 | 282,561 | 40,587 | 43,408 | 6,235 | 597,598 | 85,840 | |||||||||||||||||
Total equity and liabilities |
360,548 | 21,235 | 503,626 | 72,341 | 52,783 | 7,582 | 787,107 | 113,061 | |||||||||||||||||
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The following table presents our summary consolidated cash flow data for the periods indicated:
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For the Year Ended
December 31, |
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, |
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2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
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RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
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(in thousands)
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Summary Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: |
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Net cash flows from/(used in) operating activities |
41,218 | 17,388 | 2,498 | (7,696 | ) | (33,695 | ) | (4,840 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities |
(131,312 | ) | (37,308 | ) | (5,359 | ) | 8,280 | (63,264 | ) | (9,087 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash flows from/(used in) financing activities |
107,526 | 11,802 | 1,695 | 12,589 | 88,419 | 12,700 | |||||||||||||
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Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
17,432 | (8,118 | ) | (1,166 | ) | 13,173 | (8,540 | ) | (1,227 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year/period |
13,696 | 31,128 | 4,471 | 31,128 | 23,010 | 3,305 | |||||||||||||
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Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year/period |
31,128 | 23,010 | 3,305 | 44,301 | 14,470 | 2,078 | |||||||||||||
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Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We may not be able to maintain or expand our content offerings.
Our ability to maintain diverse and appealing content offerings hinges primarily on our relationships with content providers and our understanding of the changing tastes and preferences of existing and perspective customers. If we fail to maintain the attractiveness of our content offerings or continue to expand the breadth and diversity of our content offerings, we may lose customers and our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
We rely on third-party record labels, music publishers, publishing houses, artists and various other rights holders, over whom we have no or limited control, for the vast majority of our content offerings. In particular, content licensed from Naxos, our largest content provider, accounted for over 95% of our content offerings as of September 30, 2020. Despite our long-standing business relationship with Naxos, we cannot assure you that Naxos will not terminate our agreements with them before expiry or attempt to take advantage of its market position to seek onerous financial terms from us, or that our agreements with Naxos will be renewed upon expiry on terms acceptable to us, or at all. The lack of renewal, or early termination, of one or more of these license agreements, or the renewal of a license agreement on less favorable terms, could adversely affect the breadth or quality of our content offerings and may cause our content acquisition costs to increase. Any adverse changes to, or loss of, our relationships with one or more of our main content providers could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. There is no guarantee that the licenses available to us now will continue to be available in the future at rates and on terms that are favorable or commercially reasonable, or at all. The terms of our license agreements with these rights holders, including the royalty rates that we are required to pay, may change as a result of various reasons beyond our control, such as changes in our bargaining power, industry landscape, regulatory environment and overall economic conditions.
Furthermore, our ability to predict and adapt to changing consumer tastes in music, adjust our content offerings accordingly and provide our customers with customized content offerings could significantly affect our subscription revenue, licensing revenue, ticket sales and corporate sponsorship. In addition, any decline in consumers' interest in, and spending on, classical music in general could lower the demand for our products and services, which may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We may not be able to effectively execute our growth strategies and manage the increasing complexity of our business, which could negatively impact our business, financial performance and prospects.
Our business has grown steadily over the years. In particular, the offering of our Kukey courses had experienced high growth from July 2019, when we started to engage distributors to establish collaboration with kindergartens, until the outbreak of COVID-19. There are significant risks associated with our ability to continue to grow and our growth rates may decline for reasons that are beyond our control, such as changing consumer needs and preferences, evolving industry standards and competitive landscape, emergence of alternative business models, the continued effects of COVID-19, actions taken by governments, businesses and individuals in response to COVID-19 or other pandemics, or adverse changes in laws, regulations, government policies and general economic conditions. Therefore, there is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our historical growth rates in future periods, and our historical operating and financial results may not be indicative of our future performance.
In addition, the complexity of our business model requires us to be highly adaptive to the changing market conditions with respect to classical music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events. As we continue to grow rapidly, the complexity of our operations may further increase and we may encounter greater challenges in implementing our managerial, operating and
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financial strategies in order to keep up with our growth. The major challenges in managing our business growth include, among other things:
All efforts to address the challenges of our growth require significant managerial, financial and human resources. Our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to support our future operations. If we cannot manage our growth or execute our strategies effectively, we may not continue to achieve the growth we expect and our business prospects and financial conditions may be materially and adversely affected.
We have a limited operating history in smart music education and live classical music events, which makes it difficult to predict our future business prospects and financial performance.
The smart music education industry and live classical music performance industry in China are both relatively new and rapidly evolving. We launched our smart music education business in October 2015 and started to focus on offering Kukey courses in collaboration with kindergartens in July 2019. Given our limited operating experiences in smart music education and a relatively short track record in developing our course offering model, we cannot assure you that our business model will be successful or that we will be able to promptly adjust our operating model from time to time. In addition, we acquired BMF, which organizes the Beijing Music Festival and other influential classical music events in China, in February 2020, and do not have any prior experience operating the live classical music events business. As such, we may not be able to successfully address the challenges of operating in China's relatively new live classical music performance market. In light of our limited operating history in these markets, our ability to forecast future operating results is limited and subject to risks and uncertainties. We may have limited insights into trends that affect our business and may make mistakes in predicting and reacting to market trends or the evolving needs of our customers. Our complex and innovative business model further increases the difficulty in evaluating our business and future prospects based on our historical operational or financial results. If we cannot successfully overcome these difficulties or effectively address these risks and uncertainties, our operating and financial results could differ materially from our expectations and our business could suffer. As a result, our operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
If we fail to control our content costs, our business, operating results and profitability will be materially and adversely affected.
Quality content is the foundation of our business. Content costs, including (i) license fees, either on a fixed amount or revenue-sharing basis, and (ii) amortization of copyrights we acquired or licensed with one-off payments, have historically accounted for a significant portion of our cost of sales, and increases in content costs may directly affect our financial condition and profitability. For example, as the competition for high-quality content intensifies and rights holders experience greater financial pressure due to COVID-19, some of our content providers may ask for higher license fees for the content they provide. In
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addition, our license agreement with Naxos requires us to pay Naxos a minimum license fee that increases annually over the term of the license period. In addition, as some of our content providers are located or incorporated in the United States, the increasing tension between the United States and China surrounding trade policies, as well as the potential further escalation of such tension, also create significant uncertainties on our ability to control our content costs. If any new tariffs, legislation or regulations are implemented, or if existing trade agreements are renegotiated, such changes could significantly increase our content costs. Any failure to control our content costs could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If our efforts to attract and retain licensees and subscribers are not successful, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Our ability to attract and retain licensees and subscribers and increase their spending is critical to the continued success and growth of our business. We compete with other classical music licensing and subscription service providers in China for customers primarily based on our content offerings, service quality and pricing. If we are unable to offer attractive content offerings, continue to expand our content offerings or provide satisfactory services to our licensees and subscribers at competitive pricing, the number of our licensees and subscribers may decrease and our music licensing and subscription revenue may suffer.
For our music licensing business, substantially all of our license agreements are nonexclusive and therefore our licensees are free to enter into similar agreements with third parties, including our competitors. There can be no assurance that we will be able to renew license agreements with existing licensees or enter into license agreements with any new licensees, and failure to do so may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. For our music subscription business, public universities, music conservatories and public libraries make up most of our music subscription venue and these entities typically reply on government funding to support their discretionary spending. As such, our music subscription revenue also hinges on the level of government funding available to these entities and the amount of discretion they have in allocating such funding, both of which may have become more limited due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and its severe negative effect on the Chinese economy. Any deterioration of the Chinese economy, employment levels, disposable income and consumer confidence could also have a negative impact on the demand of our licensees and individual subscribers for, and their spending on, our services.
If we fail to attract and retain customers of our smart music education business or increase their spending, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
The smart music education market in China is rapidly evolving and highly competitive. We compete with other smart music education service providers for sales of our Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and Kukey courses based on a variety of factors, including user experience, the perceived effectiveness of our smart music education solutions and our educational content offerings, technology infrastructure, data analytics capabilities, brand recognition and pricing. If we are unable to adequately and promptly address the needs of music students and educators, the sales of our smart music education solutions may decline and we may not be able to maintain or increase the price of these products and services.
Kukey students may decide not to continue taking our courses after the subscription period, or choose to withdraw and receive full refunds within two weeks of the payment date, due to a perceived lack of improvement in their performance, general dissatisfaction with our courses, how our Kukey courses are delivered at their kindergartens or public safety concerns. Because we do not recruit instructors on our own but instead rely on employees of collaborating kindergartens, with whom we do not have any contractual relationship, to instruct students through our Kukey courses, we do not have control over these instructors. While we offer extensive training to these instructors and provide them with detailed
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instructions, we cannot assure you that the instructors at these kindergartens will be able to utilize our Kuke smart pianos and smart music teaching systems correctly so as to provide satisfactory instructions for our students. In addition, while we recommend kindergartens to schedule two piano lessons per week, kindergartens have full discretion with lesson scheduling. As such, students may not be able to take as many piano lessons as they wish during the subscription period and may decide not to renew their subscriptions as a result. Failure to retain students may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Furthermore, any adverse changes in the financial conditions and spending power of the schools that purchase our Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems or the parents of our enrolled or perspective students may also have a material adverse effect on our revenue growth and operating results.
The recent global COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant disruptions to our business, which we expect will materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. In order to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Chinese government took a number of actions, including mandatory quarantine requirements, travel restrictions, postponed school and kindergarten reopenings and resumption of business operations and prohibition of public gatherings. As a result of these measures and other precautionary actions taken by our existing and perspective customers in response, our business operations have been significantly disrupted. For example, as many government-affiliated entities, such as public schools, universities and libraries, are required to hold a public bidding process in order to purchase music subscription services, Kuke smart pianos or Kuke smart music teaching systems, they were not able to make such purchase from us or our distributors during shutdowns, resulting in decreased sales of institutional music subscription services, Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems. The closure of kindergartens has also made it more difficult for us to establish new collaboration and recruit new students to enroll in our Kukey courses, which has caused the sales of Kukey courses to decline significantly. While sales of Kukey courses, Kuke smart pianos or Kuke smart music teaching systems and institutional music subscription services have recovered since September 2020 as kindergartens and schools re-opened, there are significant uncertainties as to whether our collaborating kindergartens will stay open if new cases of COVID-19 are reported. In addition, due to restrictions on public gatherings, travel bans and the general population's fears regarding contracting COVID-19, we had to cancel the production of many on-ground, live classical music events and, for this year's Beijing Music Festival, which was held in October 2020, we were not able to organize as many live classical music performances or invite as many performing artists as we had been able to, which has led to decreased ticket sales and related sponsorship fees. In an effort to reach a broader audience and attract more sponsors, we have started streaming more live classical music performances, which requires additional investments in our IT infrastructure and has subjected us to higher content costs. Furthermore, COVID-19 has also had a severe negative impact on many of our content providers, resulting in the cancellation of music recording activities and live classical music performances, which has created significant uncertainties for our ability to cost-effectively maintain and expand our content offerings.
Moreover, COVID-19 had a severe and negative impact on the Chinese and the global economy in the first half of 2020. Whether this will lead to a prolonged downturn in the economy is still unknown. The economic disruption caused by COVID-19 has adversely affected, and could continue to adversely affect, the level of consumer spending on discretionary items, as well as the advertising budgets of our sponsors, especially those who are located in countries and regions severely affected by COVID-19. For example, some of our subscribers, licensees and sponsors adversely affected by COVID-19 have not renewed their agreements with us. In addition, subscribers, licensees and smart music education service customers adversely affected by COVID-19 may require additional time to pay us, which could temporarily increase the amount of trade receivables and negatively affect our cash flows. Additionally, the volatilities in and damage to the global financial markets caused by COVID-19 could adversely affect our ability to access capital markets, if and when required. Substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the potential
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downturn brought by, and the duration of, the COVID-19 outbreak. All of the above could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition in the near term. If the outbreak persists or escalates, our business operations and financial condition may be subject to further negative impact.
We may not be successful in introducing new products or services or adopting new technologies, or enhancing our existing products and services.
We plan to introduce new products and services and continue to enhance our existing products and services in order to attract more customers and further grow our revenue. For example, we plan to update our course offerings, introduce new versions of the Kuke smart music teaching system, offer additional value-added services to Kukey students, launch new products featuring other types of musical instruments, stream more live classical music events and offer more classical music educational programs. If these new products and services fail to gain market acceptance or meet our profitability expectations, either as a result of our lack of experience and expertise or for any other reason, we may fail to generate sufficient revenue and profit to justify our investments. If we are unable to achieve the expected results with respect to offering new products and services and optimizing our existing products and services, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Our recent or future acquisitions or strategic investments may fail, which may materially and adversely affect our business.
As part of our business growth strategy, we have in the past acquired and may in the future invest in, merge with or acquire business that we believe can expand or complement our business. For instance, we acquired BMF in February 2020, through which we operate our live classical music events business. Our ability to implement our acquisition strategy will depend on our ability to identify suitable targets, correctly value the targets, reach agreements with them on commercially reasonable terms, secure financing and obtain any required shareholder or government approvals. Our future strategic investments or mergers and acquisitions could subject us to uncertainties and risks, including:
We also face challenges regarding the integration of BMF with our existing business, including, among others, limited operating experience with respect to organizing on-ground, live classical music events, and we cannot assure you that the operations of BMF can be smoothly or successfully integrated into our existing operations in a cost-effective manner or that they will effectively generate synergies with our classical music licensing and subscription business and smart music education business.
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As a result, our recent or future acquisitions or strategic investments as well as post-acquisition management may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, operating results and financial condition.
Our business is dependent on the strengths and market perception of our brands, and any failure to maintain, protect and strengthen our brand would hurt our business and prospects.
We have developed strong brands that are essential to the success of our business. Maintaining, protecting and enhancing our brands, including but not limited to Kuke, Kukey, BMF and Beijing Music Festival, is critical to expanding our customer base and market share. Our brands may be impaired by a number of factors, including, among others, failure to maintain customer satisfaction or keep pace with technological advances, decline in the quality or quantity of our content offerings, alleged misconduct or other improper activities by our employees, customers, users, sponsors, distributors and other business partners, negative publicity about us and the industries in which we operate, failure to protect our intellectual property rights, or any alleged rights infringement or violations of laws, regulations, public policies or contractual obligations. We have not historically been required to expend considerable resources to establish and maintain our brands. However, we may be required to expend greater resources on advertising, marketing and other brand-building efforts to preserve and enhance our brand awareness, which could adversely affect our operating results and may not be effective. If we are unable to maintain strong brands or further enhance our brand recognition, our business prospects, operational results and financial conditions may be materially and adversely affected.
We compete with other classical music licensing and subscription service providers, smart music education service providers and live classical music event organizers for customers.
We face competition from other classical music licensing service providers for licensees, other online classical music subscription service providers for subscribers, other smart music education service providers for student enrollment and the sale of our Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems, and other live classical music event organizers for audience and sponsorship. We compete primarily on the basis of service quality, user experience, content offerings, brand recognition and pricing. Some of our competitors may have greater financial, technical and other resources, stronger brand awareness, or more experience than we do. It is also possible that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share. These competitors may engage in more extensive development efforts, undertake more far-reaching marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, introduce more appealing products or services and respond more quickly to market needs or new technologies. These competitors may also compete with us for key employees and relationships with key industry stakeholders. If we are unable to compete successfully against our current or future competitors, we may be required to lower our tuition fees and the price of our other products and services in order to retain or attract customers. If we lose market share or fail to effectively respond to competitive pressure, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
We may not have obtained complete licenses with respect to certain content we offer.
There is no guarantee that we have all of the licenses for the content available on our platform, as accurate and comprehensive information necessary to identify or verify the copyright ownership of the music content offered on our platform is not always available and may be difficult or even impossible for us to obtain. For example, such information may be withheld by the owners or administrators of such rights. Failure to obtain accurate and comprehensive information necessary to identify the copyright ownership of the content we offer may adversely affect our ability to identify the appropriate copyright owners from which to obtain necessary or commercially viable licenses or to whom to pay royalties. Moreover, while we only enter into license agreements with licensors who are able to provide documents evidencing their right to license the content and whose right to license the content is, to the best of our knowledge, not subject to
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any dispute, there is no guarantee that our licensors have the rights to license the copyright underlying all the music content covered by our license agreements. If we do not obtain necessary and commercially viable licenses from copyright owners, whether due to the inability to identify or verify the appropriate copyright owners or for any other reason, we may be found to have infringed on the copyrights of others, be subject to claims for monetary damages, government fines and penalties, or be required to remove certain content from our platform, all of which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Failure to maintain, protect or enforce our intellectual property could substantially harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain, protect and enforce our copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights. We rely upon a combination of copyright, software copyright, patent, trademark and other intellectual property laws, trade secrets, confidentiality policies, nondisclosure and other contractual arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite our efforts, the measures that we take to maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights, including, if necessary, litigation or proceedings before governmental authorities and administrative bodies, may not be adequate to prevent or deter the infringement or other misappropriation of our intellectual property by our customers, users, competitors, former employees or other third parties. For example, while we typically require our employees and business partners who are involved in the development of intellectual property to execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to us, we may be unsuccessful in executing or enforcing such agreements. In addition, the measures that we take to maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management time, which could substantially harm our operating results. Furthermore, changes in laws or their interpretation, as well as technological developments that facilitate the piracy of our music and programming, such as Internet peer-to-peer file sharing, may also adversely affect our ability to maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights. Failure to maintain, protect or enforce our intellectual property rights could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Assertions by third parties of infringement or other violation by us of their intellectual property rights could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
From time to time, assertions by third parties that we have infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated their copyright or other intellectual property rights may arise. Given the volume of content available on our platform, it is nearly impossible to identify and promptly remove all alleged infringing content that may exist. In addition, location-based controls and technology we use to prevent all or a portion of our services and content from being accessed outside of the PRC may be breached, causing our content to be accessed from geographic locations beyond the scope of our license agreements with certain rights holders, regardless of whether there is any fault and/or negligence involved on our part. Moreover, while we require our licensees and subscribers to comply with the terms of our agreements with them and applicable copyright laws and regulations, there is no guarantee that our licensees, subscribers or their users will comply with the terms of these arrangements or all the applicable copyright laws and regulations.
Third parties may take action against us if they believe that certain content available on our platform violates their copyright or other intellectual property rights. As our business expands and we continue to introduce new products and services, the likelihood of intellectual property rights claims against us also increases. If we are forced to defend against any infringement or misappropriation claims, whether they are with or without merit, are settled out of court, or are determined in our favor, we may be required to expend significant time and financial resources on the defense of such claims. Furthermore, an adverse outcome of a dispute may damage our reputation, force us to adjust our business practices, or require us to pay significant damages, government fines and penalties, cease providing content that we were previously
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providing, and/or take other actions that may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our license agreements are complex and impose numerous obligations on us. Any breach or perceived breach of such agreements could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Many of our license agreements with licensors are complex and impose numerous obligations on us, including obligations to, among other things, pay minimum license fees, calculate and make payments based on complex revenue sharing structures, deny user access from outside mainland China, comply with certain marketing restrictions, obtain license from relevant authorities, and defend, indemnify or hold harmless the licensors from and against certain third-party claims and actions. Some of our license agreements also grant the licensor the right to audit our compliance with the terms and conditions of such agreements. Failure to accurately pay royalties may also adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Underpayment could result in unexpected payment of additional royalties in material amounts and damage our business relationships with licensors. If we overpay royalties, we may be unable to reclaim such overpayments and our profits will suffer. If we materially breach any of the obligations set forth in any of our license agreements, or if we use content in ways that are found to exceed the scope of such agreements, we could be subject to monetary penalties and our rights under such license agreements could be terminated, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Minimum guarantees required under certain of our license agreements may limit our operating flexibility and may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Approximately 15% of our license agreements as of the date of this prospectus require that we make minimum guarantee payments to the licensors. The amount of minimum guarantee payments required varies under different license agreements, ranging from RMB3,000 per agreement to US$1,674,000 per year depending on the market position of the licensor and the nature of licensed content. We rely on assumptions of the competitiveness of our service offerings and the extent to which we can monetize our content to estimate whether such minimum guarantees could be recouped against the content acquisition costs we incur over the duration of the license agreement. To the extent our revenues do not meet our expectations, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected as a result of such minimum guarantees. In addition, the fixed cost nature of these minimum guarantees may limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the markets in which we operate.
Failure to be paid sufficiently for the content we license may have a material adverse effect on our business.
We charge licensing fees either on a fixed-payment basis where we grant licensees the perpetual right to use the licensed content or a minimum guarantee plus revenue-sharing basis where we grant licensees the right to use the licensed content for a certain period. Royalties that we are entitled to receive under the minimum guarantee plus revenue-sharing model are based on complex structures that require tracking the usage of our content on the platforms of our licensees. We may not have access to accurate or complete metadata necessary for such calculation, despite our inspection rights under the license agreements and our licensees' contractual undertaking to provide us such data. Moreover, if our licensees fail to include our music in their curated playlists or algorithm-based recommendations or give us less favorable marketing space, our royalty income could also decline, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We face risks, such as unforeseen costs and potential liability, in connection with content we produce.
We contract with third parties to develop and produce original music recordings and other original content. As we have limited control over these third parties, we may not be able to complete these projects on time and the end product may not measure up to our expectations in terms of quality and popularity.
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We may also incur costs greater than what we had expected and may not be able to cover the expenses required to produce such content, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, we may face potential liability or suffer losses in connection with these arrangements, including, but not limited to, if such third parties breach their contractual obligations to us, violate applicable laws, engage in fraudulent behavior or become insolvent. To the extent we do not accurately anticipate such costs or mitigate such risks, our business may suffer.
Certain of our content offerings may be found objectionable by the PRC government, which may subject us to penalties and other regulatory or administrative actions.
As an Internet content provider, we are subject to PRC laws and regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of music, music videos and other forms of content over the Internet. See "RegulationsRegulations on Internet information services, Internet culture services, Internet publication services, online audio-visual products and other related value-added telecommunications services." These laws and regulations prohibit Internet content providers and Internet publishers from posting on the Internet any content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China or public interest, or is obscene, superstitious, frightening, gruesome, offensive, fraudulent or defamatory. We have employed content reviewers who are licensed by relevant government agencies to review online content to ensure that the content we offer on our platform and license to third parties is compliant with relevant PRC laws and regulations. However, PRC government has wide discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations and may find certain content on our platform to be objectionable. In that case, the PRC regulatory authorities may require us to remove or limit the dissemination of such content on our platform. Failure to comply with these requirements may also result in legal and administrative liabilities, government sanctions, monetary penalties, loss of licenses and/or permits or reputational harm, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We face risks in relation to the package bidding process required by certain government-affiliated institutional subscribers.
We are occasionally required by government-affiliated institutional subscribers to include certain education-related products offered by other companies in our bids to them. After winning the bid, we will then purchase these products or services and resell them to these government-affiliated institutional subscribers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify third-party suppliers that meet the requirements of these government-affiliated institutional subscribers or procure such products or services in a timely manner or on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to do so may cause us to lose revenue, subject us to contractual liabilities and damages and harm our customer relationships, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We rely on distributors to sell and market our institutional music subscription services, Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems and to establish collaboration with kindergartens.
We rely on third-party distributors in various aspects of our business lines. For the sale of our institutional music subscription services, Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems, we largely rely on distributors help us identify potential end customers and promote our products and services. For the offering of our Kukey courses, we do not contract with kindergartens directly but rely on distributors to establish collaboration with kindergartens, promote our Kukey courses and assist us in providing training and operational support to collaborating kindergartens. The sales performance of these distributors directly affects our business prospects, operating results and financial condition. However, we do not have day-to-day control over the activities of these distributors. If our distributors fail to identify or establish relationships with kindergartens that have a large student body or strong demand for our smart music education solutions, or fail to maintain relationships with their end customers or collaborating kindergartens, our ability to grow our customer base and expand our kindergarten network may be materially and adversely affected.
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In line with industry practice, we generally do not enter into long-term agreements with distributors. We cannot assure you that all of our distributors will renew their agreements with us on terms acceptable or favorable to us or otherwise continue their business relationships with us. Distributors with strong sales performance may request for more favorable contract terms in cooperating with us. If we fail to establish and maintain satisfactory relationships with our existing distributors or effectively expand our distributor network, or if our distributors fail to meet our sales quotas or other terms in our distribution agreements, we may not be able to find suitable replacements on a timely basis and our selling and distribution expenses may increase, which could materially and adversely affect our business prospects, operating results and financial condition.
We are dependent on a limited number of third-party suppliers and contract manufacturers for the manufacturing of Kuke smart pianos and other smart music devices.
We depend on a limited number of third-party suppliers and contract manufacturers for the manufacturing of Kuke smart pianos and other smart music devices, and we have limited control over them. If any of these parties fails to perform its obligations to us, we may be unable to deliver these products to customers or place Kuke smart pianos at collaborating kindergartens in a timely manner. We are also subject to the risk of industry-wide shortages, price fluctuations and long lead times in components supply and manufacturing. Further, we do not have long-term contracts with these suppliers and manufacturers, and there can be no assurance that they will continue to take purchase orders from us on favorable terms, or at all. If one or more of our suppliers and contract manufacturers were to go out of business or discontinue their service to us, we may not be able to find a suitable replacement in time. In the event we are unable to obtain components in sufficient quantities on a timely basis and on commercially reasonable terms, or if our contract manufacturer is unable to manufacture these products in the quantities required on time or to our specifications, our reputation, business prospects and operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unable to accurately anticipate the market demand for our smart music education solutions, we may have difficulty managing our production and inventory and our operating results could be harmed.
We source the main components of Kuke smart pianos from several suppliers and engage selected contract manufacturers to manufacture Kuke smart pianos. We place orders with our suppliers and contract manufacturers based on our forecasts of the demand for our smart music education services. Our ability to accurately forecast production and inventory needs in advance could be affected by many factors, including changes in customer demand, expansion of our distribution network, new product introductions, sales promotions and general economic conditions. If demand exceeds our forecast and we do not have sufficient inventory to meet this demand on a timely basis, we would have to rapidly increase production, which may result in reduced manufacturing quality and customer satisfaction, as well as higher supply and manufacturing costs that would lower our gross margin. We may also have to forego revenue opportunities, lose market share and damage our customer relationships if we underestimate customer demand. Conversely, if we overestimate customer demand, excess product inventory could force us to write down or write off inventory, which could cause our gross margin to suffer and impair the strength of our brand. Any of these scenarios could adversely impact our operating results and financial condition.
Accidents, injuries or other harm suffered in relation to our Kuke smart pianos may adversely affect our reputation, subject us to liability and cause us to incur substantial expenses.
We could be held liable for accidents that occur in relation to our Kuke smart pianos, such as electricity leakage, fire and injuries caused by product malfunctions, defects or improper installation. In the event of personal injuries or other accidents suffered by students or instructors using our Kuke smart pianos or other people working at or visiting the premises, we could face claims alleging that we should be liable for the accidents or injuries. A material liability claim against us could adversely affect our
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reputation, enrollment and revenues. Even if unsuccessful, such a claim could create unfavorable publicity, cause us to incur substantial expenses and divert the time and attention of our management.
We may be subject to product liability or warranty claims that could harm our business, reputation and operating results.
We provide a one-year warranty to purchasers of Kuke smart pianos. We may face product liability or warranty claims in the event that the use of our Kuke smart pianos results in injuries, whether by product malfunctions, defects, improper installation or other causes. These claims, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, could result in significant legal defense costs, high monetary damage payments and negative publicity. We currently do not have product liability insurance and cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain sufficient product liability insurance in the future at an acceptable cost to protect against potential product liability claims. As a result, any imposition of product liability could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
There is the risk of personal injuries and accidents in connection with our live music events, which could subject us to personal injury or other claims, increase our expenses and reduce attendance at our live music events, causing a decrease in our revenue.
There are inherent risks in live music events, particularly those that involve complex staging and special effects. Injuries and accidents occurring in connection with our live music events could subject us to claims and liabilities, harm our reputation with artists and fans and make it more difficult for us to attract sponsors. News of any such incident or accident could also reduce attendance at our events, or lead to the cancellation of all or part of an event or festival, in each case leading to a decrease in our revenue. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain adequate levels of insurance to protect against lawsuits and judgments in connection with accidents or other disasters that may occur. We would be responsible for any liabilities not covered by our insurance policies, which would negatively impact our cash flows and operating results.
If we are unable to lease venues on acceptable terms, our operating results could be adversely affected.
We lease venues from third parties to host our live music events. Our long-term success in the live classical music events business will depend in part on the availability of venues at commercially reasonable terms. Our ability to lease venues on favorable terms depends on a number of factors, such as national and local business conditions and competition from other event organizers. As we have little or no control over venue operators, we may be unable to lease desirable venues from them on acceptable terms, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Failure to obtain or renew licenses, permits or approvals or respond to any changes in government policies, laws or regulations may affect our ability to conduct or expand our business.
China's Internet, private education and music licensing industries are highly regulated. We are required under PRC laws and regulations to obtain various government approvals, licenses and permits in connection with the provision of our services. Applicable laws and regulations may be tightened and new laws or regulations may be introduced to impose additional government approval, license and permit requirements. In particular, uncertainties exist in relation to regulatory requirements regarding private education and music licensing. For example, under certain policies, we may be required to lower the tuition of our Kukey courses in order to offer Kukey courses to the students of our collaborating kindergartens. If we fail to obtain and maintain approvals, licenses or permits required for our business or respond to changes in the regulatory environment, we could be subject to liabilities, penalties and operational disruption, which may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
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Misconduct, non-compliance or other improper activities by our employees, customers, users, sponsors, collaborating kindergartens, distributors and other business partners could disrupt our business, damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We are exposed to various operational risks related to misconduct, non-compliance or other improper activities by our employees, customers, sponsors, collaborating kindergartens, distributors and other business partners. It is not always possible to identify and deter such misconduct, non-compliance or improper activities, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent these activities may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses. For our music licensing and subscription business, our licensees and subscribers may violate their contractual obligations to us or otherwise infringe on our intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of our content providers. For our smart music education business, we enter into user agreements with the parents of enrolled students and do not contract directly with kindergartens, their employees, schools that purchased our Kuke smart pianos and/or Kuke smart music teaching systems from our distributors, or users of our Kuke smart music teaching systems at these schools. Since we have limited or, in some cases, no control over these parties, we cannot assure you that these parties will not violate our intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of our content providers, damage our reputation, engage in acts of deception or otherwise act in bad faith. For example, enrolled students may share their user accounts with other students who did not pay for our courses, and kindergartens may allow students who have not paid for our courses to use our Kuke smart pianos. For our live classical music events business, any misconduct or improper activities by or any regulatory investigation into our sponsors, performers, co-production partners or any other party associated with our live music events may result in negative publicity. Any of these occurrences could harm our ability to attract customers, damage our reputation and the public perception of our brand, or subject us to civil liabilities and regulatory actions and penalties. As a result, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Inability to collect our trade receivables on a timely basis, if at all, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity and operating results.
We are subject to risks of not collecting our trade receivables on a timely basis, if at all. As of September 30, 2020, our trade receivables amounted to RMB158.0 million (US$22.7 million). In addition, trade receivables due from one customer accounted for 8.6% of our total trade receivables as of September 30, 2020. There can be no assurance that we will be able to collect our trade receivables on a timely basis, and our trade receivable turnover days may increase, especially those involving customers that have been severely affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. Our liquidity and cash flows from operations may be materially and adversely affected if our receivable cycles or collection periods lengthen further or if we encounter a material increase in defaults of payment or an increase in provisions for impairment of our receivables from customers. Should these events occur, we may be required to obtain working capital from other sources, such as third-party financing, in order to maintain our daily operations, and such financing may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, or at all.
The discontinuation of any of the preferential tax treatments currently available to us could adversely affect our overall operating results.
Under PRC tax laws and regulations, Beijing Kuke Music, one of our VIEs, is qualified to enjoy a reduced enterprise income tax rate of 15% and certain other preferential tax benefits available to "high and new technology enterprises," or HNTE. According to the relevant administrative measures, in order to qualify as an HNTE, Beijing Kuke Music must meet certain financial and non-financial criteria and complete verification procedures with the administrative authorities. Continued qualification as an HNTE is subject to a three-year review by the relevant government authorities in China, and in practice certain local tax authorities also require annual evaluation of the qualification. We cannot assure you that Beijing Kuke Music will continue to qualify for preferential tax treatments in the future. In the event the
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preferential tax treatments for Beijing Kuke Music are discontinued, it will become subject to the standard enterprise income tax rate of 25% and lose other preferential tax benefits it currently enjoys, which could adversely affect our overall operating results.
We may be exposed to liabilities under the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and Chinese anti-corruption laws, and any determination that we have violated these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business or our reputation.
Our customers include many state-owned or state-affiliated enterprises, and we may be required to engage with Chinese officials or persons of equivalent status during the ordinary course of our business. As such, we face risks with respect to the FCPA, which generally prohibits us from making improper payments to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, and anti-bribery laws of China. We do not fully control over the interactions that our employees and distributors have with those officials or persons, and they may try to increase our sales through means that constitute violations of the FCPA, the PRC anti-bribery laws or other related laws. If we, due to either our own deliberate or inadvertent acts or those of others, fail to comply with applicable anti-bribery laws, our reputation could be harmed and we could incur criminal or civil penalties, other sanctions and/or significant expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We may require additional capital to support business growth and objectives, which might not be available in a timely manner or on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.
Historically, we have financed our operations primarily with operating cash flows and shareholder contributions. As part of our growth strategies, we plan to continue to require substantial capital through additional debt or equity financing in the future to cover our costs and expenses. However, we may be unable to obtain additional capital in a timely manner or on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. Our ability to obtain additional financing in the future is subject to a number of uncertainties, including those relating to:
In particular, recent global financial market turbulences caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 may adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets to meet our liquidity needs.
To the extent we engage in debt financing, the incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt servicing obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that may, among other things, restrict our operational flexibility or our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to service the debt obligations or are unable to comply with such debt covenants, we could be in default under the relevant debt obligations and our liquidity and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. To the extent that we raise additional financing by issuance of additional equity or equity-linked securities, our shareholders may experience dilution. In the event that financing is not available or is not available on terms commercially acceptable to us, our business, operating results and growth prospects may be adversely affected.
We depend on our senior management and highly skilled personnel. If we are unable to attract, retain and motivate a sufficient number of them, our ability to grow our business could be harmed.
We believe that our future success depends significantly on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate our senior management and a sufficient number of experienced and skilled employees. Qualified
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individuals in the industries in which we operate are in high demand, and we may have to incur significant costs to attract and retain them. In particular, we cannot ensure that we will be able to retain the services of our senior management and key executive officers. The loss of any key management or executive could be highly disruptive and adversely affect our business operations and future growth. Moreover, if any of these individuals joins a competitor or forms a competing business, we may lose crucial business secrets, technological know-how and other valuable resources. Although our senior management and executive officers have non-competition agreements with us, we cannot assure you that they will comply with such agreements or that we will be able to effectively enforce such agreements.
Our principal shareholders have substantial influence over our company and their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.
Our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders together beneficially own approximately 88.3% of our outstanding ordinary shares on an as-converted basis prior to this offering. Upon the completion of this offering, our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders together will beneficially own approximately 73.5% of our total outstanding ordinary shares and 92.5% of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. The interests of our directors, officers and principal shareholders could differ from the interests of our other shareholders, and they may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders, even if these actions are opposed by our other shareholders. As a result of the concentration of ownership, our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders could have significant influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to our shareholders for approval, such as mergers, consolidations and election of directors, and would also have the power to discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company. This significant concentration of share ownership and voting power may also adversely affect or reduce the trading price of our ADSs because investors often perceive a disadvantage in owning shares in a company with a small number of controlling shareholders. For more information regarding our principal shareholders and their affiliated entities, see "Principal Shareholders."
If we are unable to improve or maintain our sales and marketing efficiency, our business and operating results may be materially and adversely affected.
We incurred RMB21.5 million and RMB18.3 million (US$2.6 million) in selling and distribution expenses in 2018 and 2019, respectively. We believe that we have been able to promote our products and services and strengthen our brand recognition cost-effectively. However, our sales and marketing activities may not be well received by the market and may not result in the levels of sales that we anticipate. We also may not be able to retain or recruit a sufficient number of experienced sales and marketing personnel, or to train newly hired sales and marketing personnel. Further, we must continually enhance our sales and marketing approaches and experiment with new methods to keep pace with industry developments and customer preferences. Failure to engage in sales and marketing activities in a cost-effective manner may reduce our market share, cause our profitability to decline and materially harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
We may from time to time become a party to litigation, legal disputes, claims or administrative proceedings that may materially and adversely affect us.
From time to time, we may be subject to lawsuits brought by our competitors or other individuals and entities against us or administrative proceedings. The outcomes of these actions may not be successful or favorable to us. We may need to pay damages or settle these actions with a substantial amount of cash. In addition to the related costs, such actions can significantly divert our management's attention from operating our business and generate negative publicity that significantly harms our reputation and
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customer relationships. While we do not believe that there are currently any pending proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on us, if there were adverse determinations in legal proceedings against us, we could be required to pay substantial monetary damages or adjust our business practices, which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We use open source software in our products, which could negatively affect our ability to offer our products and subject us to litigation or other actions.
We use open source software in connection with our products. From time to time, companies that incorporate open source software into their products have faced claims challenging the ownership of open source software and/or compliance with open source license terms. Therefore, we could be subject to lawsuits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source software or non-compliance with open source licensing terms. Some open source software licenses require users who distribute or make available open source software as part of their software to publicly disclose all or part of the source code to such software and/or make available any derivative works of the open source code on unfavorable terms or at no cost. While we monitor our use of open source software and try to ensure that none is used in a manner that would require us to disclose the source code or that would otherwise breach the terms of an open source agreement, such use could nevertheless occur and we may be required to release our proprietary source code, pay damages for breach of contract, re-engineer our applications, discontinue sales in the event re-engineering cannot be accomplished on a timely basis or take other remedial action that may divert resources away from our development efforts. As a result, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Any significant disruption to or failure of our information technology systems, including events beyond our control, could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
The performance and reliability of our information technology system is critical to our operations and reputation. Our operations depend on our information technology service providers' ability to protect their and our system in their facilities against damage or interruption from events beyond our control, such as natural disasters, power or telecommunications failures, air quality issues, environmental conditions, computer viruses, attempts to harm our systems, criminal acts and similar events. If our arrangement with these service providers is terminated or if there is a lapse of service or damage to their facilities, we could experience interruptions in our services. Any interruptions in the accessibility of or deterioration in the quality of access to our system could reduce customer satisfaction and the attractiveness of our service offerings, which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Privacy concerns or security breaches relating to our platform could result in economic loss, damage our reputation and expose us to civil liability.
As part of our operations, we collect data from our licensees, subscribers, enrolled students, their parents and our business partners, such as practice data, usage data, personally identifiable information and other confidential information. Unauthorized parties may attempt to gain access to our systems or facilities by, among other things, hacking into our systems or facilities or through fraud or other means of deception. In addition, hardware, software or applications we develop or obtain from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. The techniques used to gain such access to our information technology systems, our data or our customers' data, disable or degrade our service or sabotage our systems are constantly evolving, may be difficult to detect quickly and often are not recognized until launched against a target. We have implemented systems and processes intended to secure our information technology systems and prevent unauthorized access to or loss of sensitive data, but these security measures may not be sufficient for all eventualities and there is no guarantee that they will be adequate to safeguard against all data security breaches, system compromises or misuses of data. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to maintain the
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security of our customer data or to comply with privacy or data security laws, regulations, policies, legal obligations or industry standards may result in governmental enforcement actions and investigations, litigation or adverse publicity. This may expose us to potential administrative inquiries, penalties and legal liability and may require us to expend significant resources in responding to and defending allegations and claims. In addition, evolving laws and regulations concerning data privacy may result in increased regulation and different industry standards, which could increase the costs of operations or limit our activities. Moreover, claims or allegations that we have violated laws and regulations relating to privacy and data security, or have failed to adequately protect data, may result in damage to our reputation and a loss of confidence in us by our customers or business partners, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. If the third parties we work with violate applicable laws or contractual obligations or suffer a security breach, such circumstances also may put us in breach of our obligations under privacy laws and regulations and could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business.
We rely on certain third-party mobile app distribution channels, payment solution providers, streaming service providers, bandwidth providers and a cloud data storage service to conduct our business.
We rely on third-party mobile application distribution channels such as Apple's App Store, various Android App Stores and other channels to distribute our Kuke Music and BMF Club mobile Apps. We expect a substantial number of downloads of our mobile Apps will continue to be derived from these distribution channels. As such, the promotion, distribution and operation of our mobile Apps are subject to such distribution platforms' standard terms and policies for application developers, which are subject to the interpretation of, and frequent changes by, these distribution channels. If Apple's App Store or any other major distribution channels interpret or change their standard terms and conditions in a manner that is detrimental to us, or terminate their existing relationship with us, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Our customers pay for our service through a variety of third-party payment channels. Acceptance and processing of these payment methods are subject to certain rules and regulations and require payment of interchange and other fees. To the extent there are increases in payment processing fees, material changes in the payment network, such as delays in receiving payments from processors, and/or changes in the rules or regulations concerning payment processing, our ability to provide convenient payment options to our customers may be undermined, and our revenue, operating expenses and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
We also rely upon third-party streaming services, bandwidth providers and a cloud data storage service in China to operate certain aspects of our business and to transmit or store our content and data. Any disruption of or interference with our use of these service providers could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. We cannot assure you that these service providers and the underlying Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China will be able to support increased demand arising from our continued business expansion.
Our operating results and cash flows may fluctuate significantly from period to period.
We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, seasonal fluctuations in our operating results. We often receive orders from digital music service providers, institutional subscribers and distributors of our Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems in the second half of the year, and we generate ticket sales for the Beijing Music Festival every October. In addition, we expect to have higher student enrollment around the beginning of every semester and to recognize a substantial portion of our licensing revenue when we deliver the licensed content at our licensees' request, the timing of which is not within our control. As a result, we believe that the comparison of our operating results over any interim periods in the past may not be an accurate indicator of our future performance. Overall, the historical seasonality of our business has been relatively mild but seasonality may increase in the future
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along with the expansion of our business. In addition, the seasonal trends that we have experienced in the past may not apply to, or be indicative of, our future operating results.
We have not recognized any share-based compensation expense to date but will recognize a substantial amount of share-based compensation expense upon the completion of this offering, which may result in increased share-based compensation expenses.
We believe the granting of share-based compensation is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key employees, directors and consultants. In October 2020, we adopted a share incentive plan, or the 2020 Plan, to provide incentives to our employees, directors and consultants. The maximum aggregate number of Class A ordinary shares that may be issued under the 2020 Plan is 1,227,000. As of the date of this prospectus, 1,125,334 share options and 101,666 restricted shares have been granted and outstanding. We are required to account for share-based compensation in accordance with IFRS 2Share-based Payment, which generally requires a company to recognize, as an expense, the fair value of share options and other equity incentives to employees based on the fair value of the equity awards on the date of the grant, with the compensation expense recognized over the period in which the recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the equity award. See "Note 29Share-based payments" of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information. Because the incentives granted are subject to the condition of us completing an IPO, among other performance and service conditions, we have not previously recognized any share-based compensation expenses for such options. If we grant additional share options or other equity incentives in the future, our expenses associated with share-based compensation may further increase, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our strategies focusing on rapid innovation and long-term goals over short-term financial results may yield results of operations that do not align with investors' expectations.
Our business is growing and increasingly complex, and our success depends on our ability to quickly develop and launch new and innovative products and services. This business strategy could result in unintended outcomes or decisions that are poorly received by our customers or business partners. Our culture also prioritizes long-term strategic goals over short-term financial condition or operating results. We may make decisions that may reduce our short-term revenue or profitability if we believe that the decisions will improve our long-term financial performance. These decisions may not produce the long-term benefits that we expect, in which case our customer base, our relationships with our business partners, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our management team has limited experience managing a public company.
Our management team has limited experience managing a public company, interacting with public company investors or complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies. Our management team may not successfully or efficiently manage our transition to becoming a public company that is subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under federal securities laws and the continuous scrutiny of securities analysts and investors. These new obligations and constituents will require significant attention from our senior management, particularly from our executive officers, and could divert their attention away from the day-to-day management of our business, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
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International expansion of our business could expose us to business, regulatory, political, operational, financial and economic risks associated with doing business outside of China.
We currently do not have international operations, but our long-term business strategy incorporates potential international expansion. Doing business internationally involves a number of risks, including:
Any of these factors could significantly harm our future international expansion and operations and, consequently, our revenue and operating results.
We may face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations.
In addition to COVID-19, our business could be materially and adversely affected by natural disasters, such as snowstorms, earthquakes, fires or floods, the outbreak of other widespread health epidemics, such as swine flu, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS, Ebola, Zika, or other events, such as wars, acts of terrorism, environmental accidents, power shortages or communication interruptions. Any of these natural disasters, health epidemics and events and their effect on the Chinese or global economy in general could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our revenue and profitability could be materially reduced due to the effect of such events on our customers, suppliers or other business partners. For example, our contract manufacturers may be required by the local or national government to shut down production under any of the aforementioned circumstances, which could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to fulfill our contractual obligations, increase sales or expand our network of collaborating kindergartens.
We have limited insurance coverage with respect to our business and operations, which could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.
We do not maintain business interruption insurance or general third-party liability insurance, nor do we maintain property insurance, product liability insurance or key-man insurance. We consider this practice to be reasonable in light of the nature of our business and consistent with the practices of other companies of similar sizes in the same industries in China. Any uninsured risks may result in substantial costs and the diversion of our resources, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
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We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data, estimates and projections in this prospectus that we obtained from third-party sources, and such information involves assumptions and limitations.
Certain facts, forecasts and other statistics relating to the industries in which we operate contained in this prospectus have been derived from various public data sources and a commissioned third-party industry report. Industry data and projections involve a number of assumptions and limitations. Any discrepancy in the interpretation of such data could lead to measurements and projections that are different from the actual results. While we generally believe such data sources to be reliable, we have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of such information. The report may have not been prepared on a comparable basis or may not be consistent with other sources.
If our internal control and procedures over financial reporting are not effective, we may be unable to accurately report our operating results, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.
Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified one material weakness as of December 31, 2019 in accordance with the standards established by the PCAOB, which relates to the lack of sufficient accounting and financial reporting personnel with the requisite knowledge and experience in the application of IFRS and SEC rules. As defined in standards established by the PCAOB, a "material weakness" is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness, if not remediated timely, may lead to material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements in the future. To remedy our identified material weakness, we are in the process of adopting several measures that are expected to improve our internal control over financial reporting. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsInternal Control over Financial Reporting." However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address these deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting.
After we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, resources and systems for the foreseeable future. Upon the completion of this offering, we will become subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or Section 404, will require that we include a report from management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our second annual report after becoming a public company. In addition, once we cease to be an "emerging growth company," as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective and may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and make required remediation. In addition, as the applicable standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404.
If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access
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to capital markets, harm our operating results and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our financial statements for prior periods.
We face risks from various proceedings and legislative and regulatory developments related to China-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm.
Our independent registered public accounting firm is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the PRC authorities, our auditor is not currently inspected by the PCAOB. In December 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement highlighting continued challenges faced by U.S. regulators in their oversight of financial statement audits of U.S.-listed companies with significant operations in China. On April 21, 2020, the Chairman of the SEC, Chairman of the PCAOB and certain other SEC divisional heads jointly issued a public statement, reminding investors that, with respect to investments in companies that are based in or have substantial operations in many emerging markets, including China, there is substantially greater risk of incomplete or misleading disclosures and, in the event of investor harm, substantially less recourse, in comparison to U.S. domestic companies. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors' audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to PCAOB inspections. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspection and lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures and the quality of our financial statements.
Furthermore, as part of a continued regulatory focus in the United States on access to audit and other information currently protected by national law, in particular China's. On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable (HFCA) Act, which requires the SEC to adopt rules that would prohibit a foreign company to trade its securities on a national exchange or in OTC market if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate the auditors for three consecutive years because of restriction imposed by non-U.S. authorities. On July 21, 2020, the House of Representatives passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions similar to the HFCA Act. The HFCA Act was passed by the Senate on May 20, 2020 and by the House of Representatives on December 2, 2020. These legislations or other efforts to increase U.S. regulatory access to audit information could cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, U.S.-listed companies, and the market price of our ADSs could be adversely affected.
In addition to legislative actions, on June 4, 2020, President Trump issued a memorandum directing the President's Working Group on Financial Markets to discuss and make recommendations regarding the risks faced by U.S. investors from Chinese companies and companies with significant operations in China that are listed on U.S. stock exchanges. In a letter dated July 24, 2020 and released on August 7, 2020, the PWG responded to the president's request with a report which recommends enhanced listing standards on U.S. stock exchanges. This would require that the PCAOB have access to work papers of the principal audit firm for the audit of the listed company or, for companies that are unable to satisfy this work papers access standard as a result of governmental restrictions in NCJs, they could instead provide a co-audit from a U.S. PCAOB-registered audit firm where the PCAOB determines it has sufficient access to audit work papers and practices to conduct an appropriate inspection of the co-audit firm. However, because Chinese law prohibits audit firms that operate in China and Hong Kong from releasing certain documentation of Chinese companies without explicit government permission, it is unclear if these requirements would be consistent with Chinese law.
Future developments in respect of the issues discussed above are uncertain, largely because the legislative developments are subject to the legislative process and the regulatory developments are subject
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to the rule-making process and other administrative procedures. However, if any of the administrative proceedings, legislative actions or regulatory changes discussed above were to proceed in ways that are detrimental to China-based issuers, it could cause us to fail to be in compliance with U.S. securities laws and regulations, we could cease to be listed on a U.S. securities exchange, and U.S. trading of our shares and ADSs could be prohibited. Any of these actions, or uncertainties in the market about the possibility of such actions, could adversely affect our access to the U.S. capital markets and the price of our ADSs and Class A ordinary shares.
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 applicable PRC laws and regulations, or if these laws and regulations or their interpretations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions and prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in Internet and other related businesses. The Special Administrative Measures for Entrance of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2020 Version) provides that foreign investors are generally not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunication service provider other than an e-commerce service provider, among others, and the Provisions on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises (2016 Revision) requires that the major foreign investor in a value-added telecommunication service provider in China must have experience in providing value-added telecommunications services overseas and maintain a good track record.
To ensure compliance with the PRC laws and regulations, our wholly owned subsidiaries, or WFOEs, conduct our business in China mainly through our VIEs based on a series of contractual arrangements by and among our WFOEs, our VIEs and the respective shareholders of our VIEs, which enable us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIEs, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIEs, and (iii) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests and assets in our VIEs when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we have control over and are the primary beneficiary of our VIEs and hence consolidate their financial results into our consolidated financial statements under IFRS. See "Corporate History and Structure" for further details. In the opinion of our PRC counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, each of these contractual arrangements is currently valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms. However, we have been further advised by our PRC counsel that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations and that the PRC government may ultimately take a view contrary to the opinion of our PRC counsel.
If the contractual arrangements among our WFOEs, our VIEs and their respective shareholders are determined to be illegal or invalid, or if we or our VIEs fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations or failures, including:
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The imposition of any of these penalties could cause us to lose our right to direct the activities of our VIEs or our right to receive substantially all of the economic benefits and residual returns from our VIEs and result in a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. In addition, it is unclear what impact these actions would have on us and on our ability to consolidate the financial results of our VIEs 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 we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a manner satisfactory to relevant PRC regulatory authorities, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their shareholders for our operations in the PRC, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.
We have relied and expect to continue to rely on contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their shareholders to conduct certain of our key businesses. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our VIEs. If we had direct ownership of our VIEs, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of our VIEs, which in turn could implement changes at the management and operational level. Under the current contractual arrangements, however, we rely on the performance by our VIEs and their respective shareholders of their contractual obligations to exercise control over our VIEs. Our VIEs and their shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations in an acceptable manner, taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests or refusing to renew their existing contractual arrangements with us. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portions of our business through the contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their shareholders. Therefore, our contractual arrangements with our VIEs and their shareholders may not be as effective in ensuring our control over the relevant portion of our business operations as direct ownership would be.
If our VIEs or their shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief and claiming damages. All the agreements we have with our VIEs and their shareholders are governed by PRC law. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in jurisdictions such as the United States and there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. In addition, under PRC law, arbitral rulings are final as parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing party fails to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time period, the prevailing party may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delays or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our VIEs, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.
The shareholders of our VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The shareholders of our VIEs may have potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may, or cause our VIEs to, breach or refuse to renew our contractual arrangements with them, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively control our VIEs and receive substantially
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all of the economic benefits from our VIEs. For example, these shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with our VIEs to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to make payments that are due to us under the contractual arrangements 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 arrangements in place to address the potential conflicts of interest that these shareholders may have. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and these shareholders, we would have to rely on legal proceedings to enforce our rights, which involve substantial uncertainty and may materially disrupt our business.
We may lose the ability to use, or otherwise benefit from, the licenses, permits and assets held by our VIEs that are material to the operation of our business.
As part of our contractual arrangements with our VIEs, our VIEs hold certain assets, licenses and permits that are material to our business operations. The contractual arrangements contain terms that specifically obligate our VIEs' shareholders to ensure the valid existence of the VIEs and restrict the disposal of material assets of the VIEs. However, if our VIEs' shareholders breach the terms of these contractual arrangements, or if any of our VIEs undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors or are otherwise disposed of or encumbered without our consent, we may be unable to conduct certain of our business operations or otherwise benefit from the assets held by the VIEs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Substantial 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, business operations and financial results.
On March 15, 2019, the National People's Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Foreign Owned Enterprise Law as the legal basis for foreign investment in the PRC. The Foreign Investment Law defines the "foreign investment" as investment activities in China conducted directly or indirectly by foreign investors in the following manners: (i) the foreign investor, by itself or together with other investors, establishes a foreign invested enterprise in China; (ii) the foreign investor acquires shares, equities, asset tranches, or similar rights and interests of enterprises in China; (iii) the foreign investor, by itself or together with other investors, invests in and establishes new projects in China; or (iv) the foreign investor invests through other approaches as stipulated by laws, administrative regulations or as otherwise regulated by the State Council. However, since the Foreign Investment Law is relatively new, uncertainties still exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. While the Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, it is possible that foreign investment via contractual arrangements may be interpreted as a type of indirect foreign investment activity that falls within the definition of "foreign investment" or future laws, administrative regulations or provisions promulgated by the State Council.
In any of these cases, our contractual arrangements may be deemed to be in violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment under the PRC laws and regulations. Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions prescribed by the State Council mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure and business operations.
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Cayman Islands economic substance requirements may adversely affect our business and operations.
Pursuant to the International Tax Cooperation (Economic Substance) Act (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, or the ES Act, that first came into force on January 1, 2019, a "relevant entity" is required to satisfy the economic substance test set out in the ES Act. A "relevant entity" includes an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as is our company. Based on the current interpretation of the ES Act, we believe that our company is a pure equity holding company since it only holds equity participation in other entities and only earns dividends and capital gains. Accordingly, for so long as our company is a "pure equity holding company," it is only subject to the minimum substance requirements, which require us to (i) comply with all applicable filing requirements under the Companies Act, Cap. 22 (Act 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands; and (ii) have adequate human resources and adequate premises in the Cayman Islands for holding and managing equity participations in other entities. However, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to more requirements under the ES Act. Uncertainties over the interpretation and implementation of the ES Act may have an adverse impact on our business and operations.
Our contractual arrangements with our VIEs may result in adverse tax consequences to us.
Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by PRC tax authorities. We could face material adverse tax consequences if PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements between us and our VIEs 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 our VIEs in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by our VIEs for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase their tax liabilities. In addition, PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on our VIEs for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our VIEs' tax liabilities increase or if any of our VIEs is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.
PRC laws and regulations over direct investment in and loans to PRC entities by offshore companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans to our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Under PRC laws and regulations, any transfer of funds by us to our PRC subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or through injection of registered capital, are subject to approval by or registration or filing with relevant governmental authorities in China. Currently, there is no statutory limit to the amount of funding that we can provide to our PRC subsidiaries through capital contributions, because there is no statutory limit on the amount of registered capital for our PRC subsidiaries and we are allowed to make capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries by subscribing for their registered capital, provided that the PRC subsidiaries complete the relevant filing and registration procedures. According to relevant PRC regulations on foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs, capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries are subject to filing with the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or the MOC, in its foreign investment comprehensive management information system and registration with other governmental authorities in China. Based on the current registered capital of our PRC subsidiaries and the amount of funding we have contributed, without increasing the registered capital of our PRC subsidiaries, the amount of funding we can provide to our PRC subsidiaries through injection of registered capital is US$1,840 million. In addition, under the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, and the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, FIEs are prohibited from using Renminbi
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fund converted from their foreign exchange capitals for expenditures beyond their business scopes or using such Renminbi fund to provide loans to persons other than their affiliates, unless that is within their business scope.
Any foreign loan procured by our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs is also required to be registered with the SAFE or its local branches or be filed with the SAFE in its information system, and each of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs may not procure loans which exceed either (i) the amount of the difference between their respective registered total investment amount and registered capital, or the Total Investment and Registered Capital Balance, or (ii) two times, or the then-applicable statutory multiple, the amount of their respective audited net assets, calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP, or the Net Assets Limit, at our election. Increasing the Total Investment and Registered Capital Balance of our PRC subsidiaries is subject to governmental approval and may require a PRC subsidiary to increase its registered capital at the same time. If we choose to make a loan to a PRC entity based on its Net Assets Limit, the maximum amount that we would be able to loan to the relevant PRC entity would depend on the relevant entity's net assets and the applicable statutory multiple at the time of the calculation. The maximum amount of the loans that our PRC entities can obtain from outside China as of December 31, 2019 is approximately RMB733.3 million (US$105.3 million). Any medium- or long-term loan to be provided by us to our VIEs must also be approved by the National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC. Please see "RegulationsRegulations on Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investment by PRC Residents."
These PRC laws and regulations may significantly limit our ability to use Renminbi converted from the net proceeds of this offering to fund the establishment of new entities in China by our PRC subsidiaries, to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through our PRC subsidiaries, to fund our existing VIEs or to establish and fund new variable interest entities in China. Moreover, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans to our PRC subsidiaries or VIEs, or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals or if we are found to be in violation of any applicable laws with respect to foreign currency exchange, our ability to use the proceeds we received or expect to receive from our offshore offerings may be negatively affected and we may be subject to penalties, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
A severe or prolonged downturn in the Chinese economy could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our revenues are all sourced from China. Therefore, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by the economic, political and legal developments in China. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, such as the level of government involvement, growth rate and control of foreign exchange. While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in the past 30 years, the growth has been uneven across different periods, regions and among various economic sectors of China, and the rate of growth has slowed down since 2012. In addition, economic conditions in China are also sensitive to global economic conditions. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies that had been adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world's leading economies, including the United States and China, even before 2020. There is also significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. The increasing tension between the United States and China, political unrest, terrorist threats and the potential of war in the Middle East and elsewhere all create significant uncertainty for the Chinese and global economy. Any prolonged slowdown in the Chinese or global economy may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system and changes in laws and regulations in China could adversely affect us.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all and may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such unpredictability towards our contractual, property and procedural rights could adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations. Uncertainties also exist in relation to new legislation or proposed changes in the PRC regulatory requirements.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. Administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of management attention. Since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory provisions 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 than in more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the contracts we have entered into and could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our operations depend on the performance of the Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China, which are in large part operated and maintained by state-owned operators.
The successful operation of our business depends on the performance of the Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China. Almost all access to the Internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunications operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. We have limited access to alternative networks or services in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China's Internet infrastructure or the telecommunications networks provided by telecommunications service providers. Internet traffic in China has experienced significant growth during the past few years. Effective bandwidth and server storage at Internet data centers in large cities such as Beijing are scarce. With the expansion of our business, we may be required to upgrade our technology and infrastructure to keep up with our growing customer base. We cannot assure you that the Internet infrastructure and telecommunications networks in China will be able to support the demands associated with the continued growth in Internet usage. If we were unable to increase our online content and service delivering capacity accordingly, we may not be able to continuously grow our Internet traffic and the adoption of our products and services may be hindered, which could adversely impact our business and our share price.
In addition, we generally have no control over the costs of the services provided by telecommunications service providers. If the prices we pay for telecommunications and Internet services rise significantly, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, and some other regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the in-charge government authority be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC requires that the in-charge
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government authority be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In light of the uncertainties relating to the interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the Anti-Monopoly Law, we cannot assure you that the in-charge anti-monopoly law enforcement agency will not deem our past acquisition or investments to have triggered the filing requirement for anti-trust review. If we are found to have violated the Anti-Monopoly Law for failing to file the notification of concentration and request for review, we could be subject to a fine of up to RMB500,000, and the parts of the transaction causing the prohibited concentration could be ordered to be unwound, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, under applicable laws, mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise "national defense and security" concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise "national security" concerns are subject to strict review by the MOC, and any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement, are prohibited.
In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the MOC or its local counterparts, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject our share incentive plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
In February 2012, the SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Relating to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company, replacing earlier rules promulgated in 2007. Pursuant to these rules, PRC citizens and non-PRC citizens who reside in China for a continuous period of not less than one year and participate in any stock incentive plan of an overseas listed company, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with the SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. In addition, an overseas-entrusted institution must be retained to handle matters in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options and the purchase or sale of shares and interests. Failure to meet these requirements may result in fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries and our PRC subsidiaries' ability to distribute dividends to us. See "RegulationsRegulations on Stock Incentive Plans."
PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders, beneficial owners and PRC subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise adversely affect us.
In July 2014, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents' Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities, as well as foreign individuals that are deemed PRC residents for foreign exchange administration purposes) to register with the SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 further requires the SAFE registrations be updated in the event of any changes with respect to the basic information of the offshore special purpose vehicle, such as change in its name, operation term and PRC resident shareholder, increase or decrease of capital contribution, share transfer or exchange, or mergers or divisions.
We have requested that all of our current shareholders and beneficial owners who are known to us as being PRC residents complete the foreign exchange registrations. However, we may not be informed of the
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identities of all the PRC residents holding direct or indirect interest in our company, and we cannot provide any assurance that these PRC residents will comply with our request to make or obtain the applicable registrations or continuously comply with all the requirements under SAFE Circular 37 or other related rules. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiaries, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock ownership plans or share option plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plans in overseas private special purpose companies shall submit applications to the SAFE or its local branches for the foreign exchange registration. Pursuant to the Circular on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company, or the SAFE Circular 7, promulgated by the SAFE in 2012, grantees of our incentive share awards who are PRC citizens or who are non-PRC residents continuously residing in the PRC for a continuous period of no less than a year shall, subject to limited exceptions, be required to register with the SAFE and complete certain other procedures through a domestic qualified agent and collectively retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters related to the exercise of stock options and the purchase and disposition of related equity interests after our company becomes an overseas listed company upon the completion of the offering. Failure to comply with these SAFE requirements may subject these individuals to fines, and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries and limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to distribute dividends to us.
The PRC State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, has also issued certain circulars concerning equity incentive awards. Under these circulars, our employees working in China who exercise share options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Each of our PRC subsidiaries has obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees. If our employees fail to pay or if we fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities.
If the custodians or authorized users of our corporate chops and seals fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our legal documents for corporate transactions are executed using the chops or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with the relevant branch of the PRC State Administration for Market Regulation.
In order to maintain the physical security of our chops and chops of our PRC entities, we generally store these items in secured locations accessible only by authorized personnel. Although we monitor the activities of such authorized personnel, there is no assurance that such procedures will prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. Accordingly, if any of our authorized personnel misuse or misappropriate our corporate chops or seals, we could encounter difficulties in maintaining control over the relevant entities, experience significant disruption to our operations and incur significant losses. If a designated legal representative obtains control of the chops in an effort to obtain control over any of our PRC subsidiaries
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and VIEs, we or our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs would need to pass a new shareholders or board resolution to designate a new legal representative and we would need to take legal action to seek the return of the chops, apply for new chops with the relevant authorities, or otherwise seek legal redress for the violation of the representative's fiduciary duties to us, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business and operations.
We face certain risks relating to the real properties that we lease and sublease.
We lease our office space from a third party in China and sublease parts of the properties to our WFOEs, VIEs and the Beijing Music Festival Arts Foundation. Our lease agreements for these properties have not been registered with the PRC governmental authorities as required by PRC law due to the property owner's refusal to cooperate with the registration process, despite our efforts. Although the failure to do so does not in itself invalidate the leases, we may be ordered by the PRC government authorities to rectify such noncompliance and, if such non-compliance is not rectified within a given period of time, we may be subject to fines imposed by PRC government authorities ranging from RMB1,000 and RMB10,000 for each unregistered lease agreement. While we intend to continue to seek the property owner's cooperation with the registration process, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully obtain such cooperation. According to our PRC counsel, the maximum penalty for failing to register the leases if required is RMB100,000. In addition, we cannot assure you that our lessor is entitled to lease the relevant real properties to us. If the lessor is not entitled to lease the real properties to us and the owner of such real properties declines to ratify the lease agreement between us and the respective lessor, we may not be able to enforce our rights to lease such properties under the respective lease agreement against the owner. As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any claim or challenge brought by any third parties concerning the use of our leased properties without proper ownership proof. If a lease agreement is claimed as null and void by third parties who is the real owner of such leased real properties, we could be required to vacate the properties, in the event of which we could only initiate the claim against the lessor under the relevant lease agreement for indemnities for their breach of the agreement. We cannot assure you that suitable alternative locations will be readily available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we are unable to relocate our office in a timely manner, our operations may be interrupted.
If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.
Under the PRC EIT Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with the "de facto management body" within China is considered a "resident enterprise" and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income at the rate of 25%. Under relevant implementation rules, the "de facto management body" means the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. According to a circular issued by the SAT in April 2009, or Circular 82, an enterprise incorporated offshore that is controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group may be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its "de facto management body" in China if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of its day-to-day operational management is in China; (ii) decisions relating to its financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in China; (iii) its primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions are located or maintained in China; and (iv) at least 50% of its voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in China.
We believe that we are not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." If PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we could be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide income, which could materially reduce our net income, and we may be
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required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of our ADSs. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including our ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from China. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends payable to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20%, unless a reduced rate is available under an applicable tax treaty between their country of tax residence and the PRC. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.
The approval of the CSRC may be required in connection with this offering, and, if so, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval.
The M&A Rules provide that an overseas special purpose vehicle that is controlled by PRC companies or individuals and formed for the purpose of seeking listing on an overseas stock exchange through the acquisition of PRC domestic company with the shares of such special purpose vehicle as consideration is required to obtain the approval of the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle's securities on an overseas stock exchange. 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, and any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering could subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.
Our PRC counsel has advised us that, based on their understanding of the current PRC laws, rules and regulations, CSRC approval may not be required for the listing and trading of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange in the context of this offering. However, our PRC counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented and its opinion is subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as we do. If it is determined that CSRC approval is required for this offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to seek CSRC approval for this offering. These sanctions may include fines and penalties on our operations in China, limitations on our operations in China, delays in or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our subsidiaries in China, or other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation, prospects and the trading price of our ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before the settlement and delivery of the ADSs that we are offering. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to the settlement and delivery of the ADSs we are offering, you would be doing so at the risk that the settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for this offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver.
We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.
In February 2015, the SAT issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Enterprise Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Resident Enterprises, or SAT Public Notice 7. Under SAT Public Notice 7, pursuant to which a non-resident enterprise conducts an "indirect transfer" by transferring the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise or the PRC entity which directly owns the taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a "substance over form" principle, PRC tax authorities may
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disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such an indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a tax rate of 10% for the transfer. Both the transferor and the transferee may be subject to penalties under PRC tax laws if the transferee fails to withhold the taxes and the transferor fails to pay the taxes. However, PRC tax would not be applicable to the transfer by any non-resident enterprise of our ADSs acquired and sold on public securities markets.
On October 17, 2017, the SAT issued the Public Notice on Issues Relating to Withholding at Source of Income Tax of Non-resident Enterprises, or SAT Public Notice 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017. According to SAT Public Notice 37, where the non-resident enterprise fails to declare its tax payable pursuant to the PRC EIT Law, the tax authority may order it to pay the tax due within a required period, and the non-resident enterprise shall declare and pay the tax within the time specified by the tax authority. If the non-resident enterprise voluntarily declares and pays tax before the tax authority orders it to do so, it shall be deemed that such enterprise has paid its tax payable in time.
We face uncertainties on the reporting and tax consequences of future private equity financing transactions, share exchanges or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises. The PRC tax authorities may pursue such non-resident enterprises with respect to their filing obligations or the transferees with respect to their withholding obligations, and request our PRC subsidiaries to assist in the filing. As a result, we and the non-resident enterprises in such transactions may be subject to filing obligations or tax under SAT Public Notice 7 and SAT Public Notice 37. We may also be required to expend extensive resources to comply with these requirements or to establish that we and the non-resident enterprises should not be taxed under these regulations, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Increases in labor costs and enforcement of stricter labor laws and regulations in China may adversely affect our business and our profitability.
The average wage in China and the average wage level for our employees have increased in recent years and are expected to grow. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to our customers, our 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 funds, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules, employers are subject to strict requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, paying minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employee's probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-efficient 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, our employment practices may violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject us to labor disputes or government investigations. We cannot assure you that we have complied or will be able to comply with all labor-related laws and regulations. If we are deemed to have violated relevant labor laws and regulations, we could be required to provide additional compensation to our employees, pay penalties or incur significant legal fees in connection with such disputes or investigations, and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.
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Our business may be negatively affected by the potential obligations to make additional social insurance and housing fund contributions.
We are required by PRC laws and regulations to pay various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. The relevant government agencies may examine whether an employer has made adequate payments of the requisite statutory employee benefits, and employers who fail to make adequate payments may be subject to late payment fees, fines and/or other penalties. Certain of our VIEs have historically failed to promptly make social insurance and housing fund contributions in full for their employees. With respect to the outstanding social insurance contribution, we may also be subject to a late charge at the rate of 0.05% per day from the day of default and a fine of up to three times of the outstanding contribution if we are unable to make the full payments as requested by the in-charge government authority. We have not received any inquiry from relevant government authorities in this regard but if the relevant PRC authorities determine that we shall make supplemental social insurance and housing fund contributions, we may be subject to fines and legal sanctions and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. In 2018, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we made provisions of RMB2.1 million, RMB1.0 million and nil for the outstanding social insurance and housing fund contribution, respectively.
You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in China against us or our management named in this prospectus based on foreign laws.
We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct substantially all of our operations in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, all of our directors and officers are PRC nationals who reside in China for a significant portion of the year. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon us or those persons inside mainland China. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors as none of them currently resides in the United States or has substantial assets located in the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws.
The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in mainland China are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on the treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other forms of written arrangement with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in the political and economic conditions in China and China's foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. On November 30, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the regular five-year review of the basket of currencies that make up the Special Drawing Right, or the SDR, and decided that starting from October 1, 2016, Renminbi is
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determined to be a freely usable currency and will be included in the SDR basket. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has fluctuated significantly against the U.S. dollar. It is difficult to predict how market forces or policies by the PRC or U.S. government may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future. With the development of the foreign exchange market and progress towards interest rate liberalization and Renminbi internationalization, the PRC government may in the future announce further changes to the exchange rate system and we cannot assure you that the Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future.
Significant revaluation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in U.S. dollars. The appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for capital expenditures and working capital and other business purposes. Conversely, a significant depreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings, which in turn could adversely affect the price of our ADSs and have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs, royalties, strategic acquisitions or investments or for other business purposes.
Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these transactions may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure, or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.
Foreign exchange controls may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.
The PRC government imposes foreign exchange controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive all of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Cayman Islands holding company primarily relies on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of the SAFE provided that certain procedural requirements are met. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of the SAFE, cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries in China may be used to pay dividends to our company. However, approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses, such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain SAFE approval or registration to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs to pay off their respective debt in a currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. 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 and holders of the ADSs.
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Our PRC subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Payment of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries is an important source of income for us to meet our financing need, and such payment is subject to various restrictions. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated after-tax profits upon satisfaction of relevant statutory condition and procedures, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of its registered capital. In addition, the EIT Law and its implementation rules provide that withholding tax at the rate of 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises, unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC-resident enterprises are incorporated. Furthermore, if our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us, which may restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements.
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.-listed companies with 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, lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies and practice, 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, with or without merit, we will have to expend significant resources to engage in the costly and time-consuming exercise of investigating such allegations and defending our company, which could distract our management from growing our business. If we fail to prevail on these matters, our business operations could be severely affected and you could sustain a significant decline in the value of our stock.
Risks Related to Our ADSs and This Offering
There has been no previous public market for our ADSs prior to this offering, and you may not be able to resell our ADSs at or above the price you paid, or at all.
Prior to this initial public offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or ADSs. We have applied to list our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. Our Class A ordinary shares will not be listed on any exchange or quoted for trading on any over-the-counter trading system. If an active trading market for our ADSs does not develop after this offering, the market price and liquidity of our ADSs will be materially and adversely affected.
The initial public offering price for our ADSs will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters, which may bear no relationship to their market price after the initial public offering. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our ADSs will develop or that the market price of our ADSs will not decline below the initial public offering price.
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The trading price of our ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.
The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices or the underperformance or deteriorating financial results of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. The securities of some of these companies have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial decline in the trading prices of their securities. The trading performances of other PRC companies' securities after their offerings may affect investors' attitude toward PRC companies listed in the United States, which consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, any negative news or perception about inadequate corporate governance practices or fraudulent accounting, corporate structure or matters of other PRC companies may also negatively affect investors' attitude towards PRC companies in general, including us, regardless of whether we have conducted any inappropriate activities. Furthermore, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to our operating performance, resulting in a material adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs.
In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our ADSs may be volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:
Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the trading volume and price of the ADSs.
In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management's attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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Our dual-class voting structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.
Our authorized and issued ordinary shares will be divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering. In respect of matters requiring the votes of shareholders, holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares vote together as a single class except as may otherwise be required by law, and holders of Class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share while holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes per share. We will sell ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares in this offering. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity that is not an affiliate of the holder, such Class B ordinary shares are automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A ordinary shares.
Upon the completion of this offering, Mr. He Yu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Lung Yu, our Director, will beneficially own all of our issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares, representing 79.6% of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding ordinary shares due to the disparate voting powers associated with our dual-class voting structure, assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. See "Principal Shareholders." After this offering, holders of our Class B ordinary shares will continue to have considerable influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, such as electing directors and approving material mergers, acquisitions or other business combination transactions. This concentration of ownership will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of our ADSs.
Our dual-class voting structure may render the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares ineligible for inclusion in certain stock market indices, and thus adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the ADSs.
Certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with multi-class share structures in certain of their indices. For example, S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have changed their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of total voting power from being added to such indices. As a result, our dual-class voting structure may prevent the inclusion of the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares in such indices, which could adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our ADSs, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our ADSs or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.
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The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs are voted.
As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders' annual general meetings. Our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) hold each year a general meeting as our annual general meeting. Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our registered shareholders. As a holder of the ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. You will only be able to exercise the voting rights attached to the Class A ordinary shares underlying by your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary, as the holder of the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. Where any matter is to be put to a vote at a general meeting, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try, as far as is practicable, to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs in accordance with your instructions. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs, unless you withdraw the shares and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders to convene a general meeting will be ten days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to withdraw the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective prior to the completion of this offering, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date, so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. If we ask for your instruction, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We have agreed to give the depositary at least 30 business days' prior notice of shareholder meetings. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our ADSs could adversely affect their market price.
Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The ADSs sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and shares held by our existing shareholders may also be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and the applicable lock-up agreements. There will be 5,000,000 ADSs (equivalent to 5,000,000 Class A ordinary shares) outstanding immediately after this offering, or 5,750,000 ADSs (equivalent to 5,750,000 Class A ordinary shares) if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional ADSs in full. In connection with this offering, we, our directors, executive officers, existing shareholders
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holding substantially all of our issued ordinary shares prior to this offering and holders of share-based awards have agreed not to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of our ordinary shares or our ADSs or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares or ADSs or are otherwise subject to similar lockup restrictions for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the representatives of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions. However, the underwriters may release these securities from these restrictions at any time, subject to applicable regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. We cannot predict what effect, if any, the sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our ADSs. See "Underwriting" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a more detailed description of the restrictions on selling our securities after this offering.
Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering, you must rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.
We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on investment in our ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.
Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. Our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare dividends, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.
Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings and you may not receive cash dividends if it is impractical to make them available to you.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States, unless we register both the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not make rights available to you, unless both the rights and the underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are either registered under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective and we may not be able to establish a necessary exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.
You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the
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performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
Your rights to pursue claims against the depositary as a holder of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement.
Under the deposit agreement, any action or proceeding against or involving the depositary arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or by virtue of owning the ADSs, including claims arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and you, as a holder of our ADSs, will have irrevocably waived any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding and irrevocably submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding.
The depositary may, in its sole discretion, require that any dispute or difference arising from the relationship created by the deposit agreement be referred to and finally settled by an arbitration conducted under the terms described in the deposit agreement, which may include claims arising under the federal securities laws, although the arbitration provisions of the deposit agreement do not preclude you from pursuing claims under the the Securities Act or the Exchange Act in state or federal courts. Purchasers of ADSs in secondary transactions will be subject to the arbitration provision to the same extent as purchasers of the ADSs offered in this offering. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs, by us or the depositary of compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The state and federal courts sitting in New York generally respect the contractual decision of the parties to submit their disputes to arbitration and such arbitration provisions are generally enforceable under federal law and the laws of the State of New York, subject to certain exceptions, such as corruption, fraud or undue means. Therefore, we believe that the arbitration provision in the deposit agreement is enforceable under federal law and the laws of the State of New York. See "Description of American Depositary Shares" for more information. As a result of these exclusive jurisdiction provisions and arbitration provisions, investors' ability to bring claims in a judicial forum that they find favorable or convenient may be limited, and investors may have to incur increased costs in order to bring claims against the depositary, both of which could discourage claims against the depositary.
The deposit agreement may be amended or terminated without your consent.
We and the depositary may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. Such amendment or termination may be done in favor of our company. Holders of our ADSs are entitled to prior notice in the event of a materially prejudicial amendment or termination thereof. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. The deposit agreement may be terminated at any time upon a prior written notice. Upon the termination of the deposit agreement, our company will be discharged from all obligations under the deposit agreement, except for our obligations to the depositary thereunder. See "Description of American Depositary Shares" for more information.
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Holders or beneficial owners of the ADSs have limited recourse if we or the depositary fail to meet our respective obligations under the deposit agreement.
The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of us and the depositary. For example, the depositary is not liable if any of us or our respective controlling persons or agents are prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the deposit agreement and any ADR, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States or any state thereof, the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of our memorandum and articles of association or any provision of or governing any deposited securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure). See "Description of American Depositary Shares" for more information. In addition, the depositary and any of its agents also disclaim any liability for (i) any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote or failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable or for allowing any rights to lapse in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, (ii) the failure or timeliness of any notice from us, the content of any information submitted to it by us for distribution to you or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, (iii) any investment risk associated with the acquisition of an interest in the deposited securities, the validity or worth of the deposited securities or the credit-worthiness of any third party, (iv) any tax consequences that may result from ownership of ADSs, ordinary shares or deposited securities, or (v) any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as depositary. These provisions of the deposit agreement will limit the ability of holders or beneficial owners of the ADSs to obtain recourse if we or the depositary fail to meet our respective obligations under the deposit agreement.
ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares provides that, subject to the depositary's right to require a claim to be submitted to arbitration, the federal or state courts in the City of New York have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine claims arising under the deposit agreement and in that regard, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders, including purchasers of ADSs in secondary transactions, waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our Class A ordinary shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.
If we or the depositary oppose a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver is enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable U.S. state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and
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the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.
If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under U.S. federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and/or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us and/or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action. Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not enforced, to the extent a court action proceeds, it would proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs shall relieve us or the depositary from our respective obligations to comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
We believe that there is a substantial risk that we will be a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes, which generally will result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to United States holders of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.
We will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (a) at least 75% of our gross income for such year is passive income or (b) at least 50% of the value of our assets (generally 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. PFIC status is based on an annual determination that cannot be made until the close of a taxable year and involves extensive factual investigation, including ascertaining the fair market value of all of our assets on a quarterly basis and the character of each item of income that we earn during the relevant taxable year. Moreover, the application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects, and we cannot assure you that the United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, will not take a position contrary to any position that we take. Based on the current and projected composition and classification of our income and assets, value of our assets and nature of our business operations, we believe that there is a substantial risk that we will be a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2020, and we may be a PFIC in subsequent taxable years, and we can give no assurances that we are not or will not be a PFIC with respect to our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 or any subsequent taxable year. Accordingly, when making their investment decisions, prospective investors that are United States persons should take into account the potential adverse consequences of owning shares of a PFIC. A United States taxpayer that owns our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares during any year for which we are a PFIC will generally be subject to adverse United States federal income tax consequences. See "TaxationUnited States Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsPassive Foreign Investment Company." Prospective investors that are United States persons should consult their tax advisors concerning our PFIC status for any taxable year and the tax considerations relevant to an investment in a PFIC.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. Our corporate affairs are governed by our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from
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comparatively limited judicial precedents in the Cayman Islands, as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see "Description of Share CapitalDifferences in Corporate Law."
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct our operations outside the United States and all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, all of our directors and executive officers and the experts named in this prospectus reside outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against them in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands, China or other relevant jurisdiction may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China, see "Enforceability of Civil Liabilities."
Shareholder claims, including securities law class actions and fraud claims, are common in the United States and are generally difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicability in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other barriers to obtaining information needed for shareholder investigations or litigation outside China or otherwise with respect to foreign entities. Although the local 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 regulatory cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the United States have not been efficient in the absence of a mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. According to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. Accordingly, without the consent of the competent PRC securities regulators and other relevant authorities, no organization or individual may provide documents and materials relating to securities business activities to overseas parties. See also "You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law."
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We are a "controlled company" within the meaning of NYSE listing rules and, as a result, can rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.
We are a "controlled company" within the meaning of the NYSE listing rules because Mr. He Yu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, beneficially owns more than 50% of the total voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and intend to rely, on certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors or that we have to establish a nominating committee and a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. As a result, you will not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.
Because we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
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 New York Stock Exchange's corporate governance requirements.
As a Cayman Islands exempted company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we are subject to the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. However, the New York Stock Exchange rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. For instance, we are not required to (i) have a majority of the board be independent; (ii) have a compensation committee or a nominating committee consisting entirely of independent directors; or (iii) have regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors are present. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with New York Stock Exchange's corporate governance requirements.
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We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.
We will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$45.7 million, or approximately US$53.4 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds of this offering, and our management will have considerable discretion in deciding how to apply these proceeds. You will not have the opportunity to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately before you make your investment decision. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. We cannot assure you that the net proceeds will be used in a manner that would improve our results of operations or increase our ADS price, nor that these net proceeds will be placed only in investments that generate income or appreciate in value.
The post-offering memorandum and articles of association that we will adopt and will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering will contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us and adversely affect the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs.
We expect to adopt a post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The post-offering memorandum and articles of association contain certain provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders and ADS holders of the opportunity to sell their shares or ADSs at a premium over the prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transactions. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, relative participating, optional or special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our Class A ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.
We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we remain an emerging growth company. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. We do not plan to "opt out" of such exemptions afforded to an emerging growth company. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
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We will incur increased costs and become subject to additional rules and regulations as a result of being a public company.
Upon the completion of this offering, we will be a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we would not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. Our executive officers have little experience in operating a U.S. public company, which makes our ability to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations uncertain. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. After we are no longer an "emerging growth company," we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC.
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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Industry Data
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of current or historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under "Risk Factors," that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "likely to" or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements about:
You should read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. Other sections of this prospectus 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. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
This prospectus also contains statistical data and estimates that we obtained from industry publications and reports generated by government or third-party providers of market intelligence. Although we have not independently verified the data, we believe that the publications and reports are reliable. However, the statistical data and estimates in these publications and reports are based on a number of assumptions and 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. In addition, due to the rapidly evolving nature of the industries in which we operate, projections or estimates about our business and financial prospects involve significant risks and uncertainties.
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We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$45.7 million, or approximately US$53.4 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. These estimates are based upon an assumed initial offering price of US$11.00 per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus. A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$11.00 per ADS would increase (decrease) the net proceeds of this offering by US$4.7 million, or approximately US$5.3 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full.
The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for our shares for the benefit of all shareholders, retain talented employees by providing them with equity incentives and obtain additional capital. We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:
The amounts and timing of any expenditures will vary depending on the amount of cash generated by our operations, the rate of growth, if any, of our business, and our present plans and business conditions. The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. Our management will have significant flexibility and discretion in applying the net proceeds of the offering. If an unforeseen event occurs or business conditions change, we may use the proceeds of this offering differently than as described in this prospectus. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our ADSs and This OfferingWe have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree."
Pending our use of the net proceeds from this offering, we intend to hold the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing financial instruments or demand deposits.
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We do not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our Class A ordinary shares in the foreseeable future after this offering. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Our board of directors ("Board") has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our Board decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends that are payable in respect of the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to the Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See "Description of American Depositary Shares." Cash dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. Dollars.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. For our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders, we rely upon payments from our operating entities. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us. See "RegulationsRegulations on Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investment by PRC Residents."
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The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2020:
You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
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As of September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
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Actual | As adjusted(1) | |||||||||||
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RMB
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US$
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RMB
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US$
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(in thousands)
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Shareholders' equity: |
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Issued capital |
162 | 23 | 162 | 23 | |||||||||
Capital reserve |
535,839 | 76,969 | 877,503 | 126,045 | |||||||||
Retained earnings |
57,040 | 8,193 | 57,040 | 8,193 | |||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
4,557 | 655 | 4,557 | 655 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total shareholders' equity |
597,598 | 85,840 | 939,262 | 134,916 | |||||||||
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Note:
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If you invest in our ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares.
Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 was US$18.7 million, or US$0.76 per ordinary share on an as-converted basis as of that date. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share on an as-converted basis, after giving effect to the additional proceeds we will receive from this offering, from the assumed initial public offering price of US$11.00 per ordinary share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus adjusted to reflect the ADS-to-ordinary share ratio, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Because the Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same dividend and other rights, except for voting and conversion rights, the dilution is presented based on all issued and outstanding ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares.
Without taking into account any other changes in such net tangible book value after September 30, 2020, other than to give effect to the issuance and sale of 5,000,000 ADSs in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of US$11.00 per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming the underwriters' option to purchase additional ADSs is not exercised, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 would have been US$2.29 per outstanding ordinary share, including ordinary shares underlying our outstanding ADSs. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$1.53 per ordinary share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$8.71 per ordinary share, to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering. The as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. The following table illustrates such dilution:
|
Per Ordinary
Share |
Per ADS | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assumed initial public offering price |
11.00 | 11.00 | |||||
Net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 |
0.76 | 0.76 | |||||
As adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to this offering |
2.29 | 2.29 | |||||
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value to new investors in the offering |
8.71 | 8.71 |
A US$1.00 change in the assumed public offering price of US$11.00 per ADS would, in the case of an increase, increase and, in the case of a decrease, decrease our as adjusted net tangible book value as described above by US$4.65 million, the as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS by US$0.16 per ordinary share and by US$0.16 per ADS, and the dilution per ordinary share and per ADS to new investors in this offering by US$0.85 per ordinary share and US$0.85 per ADS, respectively, assuming no change to the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of the ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
The following table summarizes, on an as adjusted basis as of September 30, 2020, the differences between the existing shareholders as of September 30, 2020 and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares (in the form of ADSs or ordinary shares) purchased from us in this offering, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share paid and per ADS at an assumed initial public offering price of US$11.00 per ADS before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and
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estimated offering expenses payable by us. The total number of ordinary shares does not include ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the option to purchase additional ADSs that we granted to the underwriters.
The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
The discussion and tables above assume no exercise of any outstanding share options outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.
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Enforceability of Civil Liabilities
We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands to take advantage of the following benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands exempted company:
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:
Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, among us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.
We conduct our operations outside the United States and all of our assets are located outside the United States. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States, and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168 as our agent, upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.
Conyers Dill & Pearman, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China would:
We have also been advised by Conyers Dill & Pearman that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), the courts of the Cayman Islands would recognize as a valid judgment, a final and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in the federal or state courts in the United States under which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty) or, in certain circumstances, an in personam judgment for non-monetary relief, and would give a judgment based
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thereon provided that (i) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment, (ii) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands, (iii) such judgment was not obtained by fraud, (iv) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands, (v) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands, and (vi) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a punitive judgment of a United States court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws in the United States without retrial on the merits if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that may be regarded as fines, penalties or punitive in nature.
Commerce & Finance Law Offices has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands.
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Corporate History and Structure
Corporate History
We commenced our operations in October 2002 when Mr. He Yu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, acquired control of Beijing Cathay Orient Information Technology Company Limited, a classical music licensing and subscription service provider and the predecessor of Beijing Kuke Music.
In January 2016, Beijing Kuke Music and Naxos International established Naxos China, a PRC limited liability company. Naxos China was held by Beijing Kuke Music and Naxos International as to 51% and 49%, respectively.
In September 2017, we established Kuke Music Holding Limited as our holding company in the Cayman Islands. In the same month, Kuke Music Holding Limited established Rococo Holding Limited in the British Virgin Islands, as its wholly-owned subsidiary. In October 2017, Rococo Holding Limited established Gauguin Limited in Hong Kong, as its wholly-owned subsidiary. In December 2017, Gauguin Limited established Kuke International, as its wholly-owned subsidiary in the PRC.
In January 2018, Beijing Kuke Music transferred its equity interest in Naxos China to Kuke International.
Due to restrictions imposed by PRC laws and regulations on foreign ownership of companies that engage in Internet and other related business, Kuke International entered into a series of contractual arrangements with Beijing Kuke Music and its shareholders in February 2018, pursuant to which Kuke International acquired effective control over Beijing Kuke Music.
In February 2020, through a share swap transaction, Kuke Music Holding Limited acquired 100% equity interest in Rosenkavalier Limited, a British Virgin Islands company that indirectly owns 100% equity interest in Beijing Lecheng, which has effective control over BMF Culture through a series of contractual arrangements with BMF Culture and its shareholders.
As a result of our direct ownership in our WFOEs and the aforementioned contractual arrangements, we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIEs, and we treat them as our consolidated affiliated entities under IFRS. We have consolidated the financial results of our VIEs in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS.
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Our Corporate Structure
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including the names, places of incorporation and the proportion of ownership interests in our significant subsidiaries and VIEs as of the date of this prospectus.
Notes:
Contractual Arrangements with Our VIEs and Their Respective Shareholders
Current PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in value-added telecommunication services, Internet audio-video program services and certain other businesses. We are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Kuke International and Beijing Lecheng, our PRC subsidiaries, are considered foreign-invested enterprises. To comply with the foregoing PRC laws and regulations, we currently conduct our business in the PRC mainly through our VIEs based on a series of contractual arrangements. These contractual arrangements enable us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIEs, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIEs, (iii) and have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests and assets in our VIEs when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we are the primary beneficiary of our VIEs and, therefore, have consolidated the financial results of our VIEs in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS.
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The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among each of our WFOEs, each of our VIEs and their respective shareholders.
Agreements That Provide Us with Effective Control over Our VIEs
Powers of Attorney. Pursuant to the power of attorney entered into among Kuke International, Beijing Kuke Music and its shareholders, the shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music unconditionally and irrevocably appointed Kuke International or any person designated by Kuke International to act as their attorney-in-fact to exercise all of their rights as shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music, including, but not limited to, the right to propose to convene and attend shareholders' meetings, to execute meeting minutes and resolutions, to exercise voting rights on all matters that need to be discussed and resolved in shareholders' meetings, to dispose of the assets of Beijing Kuke Music, to resolve to dissolve and liquidate Beijing Kuke Music, to decide to transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares held by the shareholders in Beijing Kuke Music and to exercise all other shareholders' rights stipulated by PRC laws and regulations and the articles of association of Beijing Kuke Music. The shareholders' power of attorney will remain effective until terminated by Kuke International in writing or the equity interest in or all the assets of Beijing Kuke Music have been transferred to Kuke International or any person designated by Kuke International.
Beijing Lecheng, BMF Culture and its shareholders have also entered into a power of attorney regarding the exercise of all the shareholders' rights of the shareholders of BMF Culture, the terms of which are substantially similar to the power of attorney described above.
Equity Interest Pledge Agreements. Pursuant to the equity interest pledge agreement entered into among Kuke International, Beijing Kuke Music and its shareholders, the shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music have pledged all of their respective equity interest in Beijing Kuke Music to guarantee the performance of the obligations by, and the representations, undertakings, and warranties provided by, Beijing Kuke Music and its shareholders under the exclusive consulting service agreement, exclusive intellectual property rights licensing agreement, exclusive option agreement and power of attorney (together with the equity interest pledge agreement, the "Cooperation Agreements"). In the event of a breach by Beijing Kuke Music or any of its shareholders of contractual obligations under the Cooperation Agreements, Kuke International, as pledgee, will have the right to dispose of the pledged equity interests in Beijing Kuke Music and will have priority in receiving the proceeds from such disposal. Beijing Kuke Music and its shareholders also undertake that, without the prior written consent of Kuke International, the shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music will not create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests. As of the date of this prospectus, the shareholders of our VIEs have completed the registration of their equity interest pledge.
Beijing Lecheng, BMF Culture and its shareholders have also entered into an equity interest pledge agreement, the terms of which are substantially similar to the equity interest pledge agreement described above, except that the relevant Cooperation Agreements do not include an exclusive intellectual property rights licensing agreement.
Agreements That Allow Us to Receive Economic Benefits from Our VIEs
Exclusive Consulting Service Agreements. Pursuant to the exclusive consulting service agreement entered into between Kuke International and Beijing Kuke Music, Kuke International has the exclusive right to provide Beijing Kuke Music, its subsidiaries and investee companies with comprehensive management consulting services. Kuke International has the right to adjust the service fee at any time based on the services provided to Beijing Kuke Music. The exclusive consulting service agreement will remain irrevocable until both parties terminate the agreement in writing or Kuke International acquires all equity interests in or if all the assets of Beijing Kuke Music have been transferred to any person designated by Kuke International. Notwithstanding the above, Kuke International has the right to terminate the
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agreement at any time by issuing a 30 days' notice in writing, and Kuke International shall not be liable for any defaults for unilaterally terminating the agreement.
Beijing Lecheng and BMF Culture have also entered into an exclusive consulting service agreement, the terms of which are substantially similar to the exclusive consulting service agreement described above.
Exclusive Intellectual Property Rights Licensing Agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive intellectual property rights licensing agreement entered into between Kuke International and Beijing Kuke Music, Kuke International agreed to license to Beijing Kuke Music certain intellectual property rights owned by Kuke International or being transferred to Kuke International by Beijing Kuke Music. After completion of the transfer of the relevant intellectual property rights, Kuke International shall license such intellectual property rights to Beijing Kuke Music at nil consideration. In addition, Beijing Kuke Music agreed to license all of its intellectual property rights (other than those already transferred to Kuke International) to Kuke International at nil consideration. The exclusive intellectual property rights agreement will remain effective for a term of ten years and shall be automatically renewed for successive terms of five years unless either party terminates the agreement by issuing a 30 days' notice in writing prior to the expiration of the term of the agreement.
Agreements That Provide Us with the Option to Purchase the Equity Interest in Our VIEs
Exclusive Option Agreements. Pursuant to the exclusive option agreement entered into among Kuke International, Beijing Kuke Music and its shareholders, the shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music irrevocably granted Kuke International or any person designated by Kuke International an exclusive right to purchase from the shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music all or any part of their equity interest in and the assets of Beijing Kuke Music for a nominal price, or the lowest price permitted under applicable PRC laws. The exclusive option agreement will remain irrevocable until all parties terminate the agreement in writing or Kuke International acquires all equity interests in or if all the assets of Beijing Kuke Music have been transferred to any person designated by Kuke International. Notwithstanding the above, Kuke International has the right to terminate the agreement at any time by issuing a 30 days' notice in writing, and Kuke International shall not be liable for any defaults for unilaterally terminating the agreement.
Beijing Lecheng, BMF Culture and its shareholders have also entered into an exclusive option agreement, the terms of which are substantially similar to the exclusive option agreement agreement described above.
In addition, the spouse of certain shareholders of each of our VIEs, where applicable, has signed an undertaking (collectively, the "Spouse Undertakings") to the effect that, among others, (i) the shares of the relevant VIE held and to be held by each of the shareholders do not fall within the scope of communal properties, and (ii) he or she waives any rights or interests that may be granted to him or her under the applicable laws of any jurisdictions, and he or she undertakes not to claim such rights or interests. The spouse of certain shareholders of each of our VIEs, where applicable, has also consented to the arrangement of any equity interest held by his or her spouse under the Exclusive Option Agreement, the Exclusive Consulting Service Agreement, the Exclusive Intellectual Property Rights Agreement, where applicable, the Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and the Power of Attorney.
In the opinion of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our PRC counsel:
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However, our PRC counsel has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may take a view that is contrary to the opinion of our PRC 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 any of our VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Corporate StructureIf the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our businesses in China do not comply with applicable PRC laws and regulations, or if these laws and regulations or their interpretations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations."
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Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following selected consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, selected consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, and selected consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following selected consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, selected consolidated statements of financial position as of September 30, 2020, and selected consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 have been derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
In February 2020, we acquired 100% equity interest in BMF through a share swap transaction. The following tables also set forth the selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information based on our historical consolidated financial statements and BMF's historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus as adjusted to give effect to the Acquisition. Unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 gives effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019. The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 gives effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on December 31, 2019.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for future periods. The pro forma adjustments are based upon currently available information and certain assumptions that are factually supportable and that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The pro forma financial information does not purport to present what our actual consolidated results of operations would have been had the Acquisition occurred on the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future period. You should read this "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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The following table sets forth our selected consolidated results of operations for the periods presented:
Note:
The following table presents our selected consolidated statement of financial position as of the dates indicated:
|
As of December 31, |
As of
September 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kuke
Music |
BMF | Kuke Music | BMF | Kuke Music | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selected Consolidated Statement of Financial Position |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-current assets |
167,451 | 12,008 | 281,015 | 40,365 | 25,908 | 3,722 | 569,498 | 81,803 | |||||||||||||||||
Total current assets |
193,097 | 9,227 | 222,611 | 31,976 | 26,875 | 3,860 | 217,609 | 31,258 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets |
360,548 | 21,235 | 503,626 | 72,341 | 52,783 | 7,582 | 787,107 | 113,061 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-current liability |
1,097 | 16 | 41,632 | 5,980 | 1,930 | 277 | 19,767 | 2,839 | |||||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
133,642 | 20,293 | 179,433 | 25,774 | 7,445 | 1,070 | 169,742 | 24,382 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities |
134,739 | 20,309 | 221,065 | 31,754 | 9,375 | 1,347 | 189,509 | 27,221 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total equity |
225,809 | 926 | 282,561 | 40,587 | 43,408 | 6,235 | 597,598 | 85,840 | |||||||||||||||||
Total equity and liabilities |
360,548 | 21,235 | 503,626 | 72,341 | 52,783 | 7,582 | 787,107 | 113,061 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flow data for the periods indicated:
|
For the Year Ended
December 31, |
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
|
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Selected Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net cash flows from/(used in) operating activities |
41,218 | 17,388 | 2,498 | (7,696 | ) | (33,695 | ) | (4,840 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities |
(131,312 | ) | (37,308 | ) | (5,359 | ) | 8,280 | (63,264 | ) | (9,087 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash flows from/(used in) financing activities |
107,526 | 11,802 | 1,695 | 12,589 | 88,419 | 12,700 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
17,432 | (8,118 | ) | (1,166 | ) | 13,173 | (8,540 | ) | (1,227 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year/period |
13,696 | 31,128 | 4,471 | 31,128 | 23,010 | 3,305 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year/period |
31,128 | 23,010 | 3,305 | 44,301 | 14,470 | 2,078 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the section entitled "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and our consolidated financial statements, the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020 presented in this section is provided supplementally and includes adjustments to give effect to the Acquisition. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information" for a discussion of the adjustments made for the presentation of the pro forma condensed combined financial information.
Overview
We are a leading provider of classical music licensing, subscription and education services in China. Powered by our rich and diverse content offerings, we were the largest classical music licensing service provider and the second largest online classical music subscription service provider in China in 2019, according to Frost & Sullivan, representing 46.6% and 13.8%, respectively, of the market share in terms of revenue. Leveraging our extensive content library and deep expertise in music education, we are also a leading smart music education service provider in China. According to Frost & Sullivan, we ranked first in smart piano wholesale revenue, with a 20.4% market share, and second in both sales revenue of smart pianos and smart piano education services and number of music students using our smart pianos, with a 20.5% and 20.4% market share, respectively, in 2019. In addition, following our acquisition of BMF in February 2020, we are one of the few companies in China with the experience and scale to organize large-scale live classical music events. With nearly twenty years of experience in the music industry, we have devoted ourselves to making the fascinating world of classical music more accessible in China.
Leveraging our long-standing relationships with world-renowned music labels and publishers, especially Naxos and years of music production and content acquisition efforts, we offer licensing services to online music entertainment platforms, such as Tencent Music Entertainment Group, digital music service providers, such as NetEase Cloud Music, as well as film and TV production companies, airlines and smart hardware companies. We also offer music subscription service that provides users with high-quality online and offline streaming access to our content library. In addition to music licensing and subscription, we also offer smart music education services. Our smart music education solutions primarily comprise the offering of our proprietary Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and Kukey courses. Moreover, through BMF, we organize the Beijing Music Festival, one of the world's most renowned musical events, and various other classical music events in China.
Our pro forma total revenue in 2019 (including the impact of the acquisition of BMF) was RMB206.9 million (US$29.7 million), of which music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events accounted for 44.8%, 31.0% and 24.2%, respectively. On a non-pro forma basis, our total revenue decreased by 4.1% from RMB152.2 million in 2018 to RMB146.1 million (US$21.0 million) in 2019 and our profit for the year increased by 40.3% from RMB40.5 million in 2018 to RMB56.8 million (US$8.2 million) in 2019; BMF's revenue increased by 148.3% from 24.6 million in 2018 to RMB61.2 million (US$8.8 million) in 2019 and its profit for the year increased significantly from RMB0.6 million in 2018 to RMB12.5 million (US$1.8 million) in 2019. Our total revenue decreased by 14.6% from RMB40.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB34.9 million (US$5.0 million) for the same period in 2020. Music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events accounted for 86.6%, 12.3% and 1.1%, respectively, of our total revenue in the nine
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months ended September 30, 2020. We had a loss of RMB0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and RMB59.4 million (US$8.5 million) for the same period in 2020.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our business and results of operations are influenced by general factors affecting the industries and markets where we operate, which include:
While our business is influenced by general factors affecting the industries in which we operate, our results of operations are more directly affected by company-specific factors, including the following major factors:
Ability to maintain and enrich our content offerings
We believe that our diverse and expansive library of classical music content is one of our core competitive advantages, enabling us to continuously attract customers and increase their spending. Our ability to maintain diverse and appealing content offerings hinges on our relationships with content providers, our in-house content production capabilities, our understanding of the changing tastes and preferences of existing and perspective customers and our ability to adjust our content offerings accordingly. We expect to continue to strengthen our relationships with content providers and invest in expanding and enriching our content offerings in order to sustain the growth of our content-centric ecosystem.
Ability to attract and retain customers and increase their spending
Our ability to attract and retain customers and increase their spending is critical to the continued success and growth of our business. Our ability to attract and retain licensing and subscription customers primarily depends on our ability to offer attractive content offerings and provide satisfactory services at competitive pricing. Our ability to attract and retain customers of our smart music education solutions primarily depends on the perceived effectiveness of our smart music education solutions, the attractiveness of our educational content offerings and our ability to adequately and promptly address their needs and optimize their user experience. Our ability to attract and retain sponsors for our live classical music events business primarily depends on the popularity of our events and the extent to which we can serve their marketing needs. We expect to continue to attract new customers, retain our existing customers and increase the spending of our customers through continuous efforts to offer them high-quality services and promptly adapt to their evolving needs.
Ability to expand our distribution network
We rely on distributors to establish collaboration with kindergartens for the offering of Kukey courses and to sell and market our institutional music subscription services, Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems. We had 174 distributors for the promotion of Kukey courses as of December 31, 2019, sold Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems to 25 distributors in 2019 and had 25 distributors for the promotion of our institutional music subscription services. Distributors of Kukey courses are entitled to 20% of the tuition paid by Kukey students. We also share institutional subscription
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fees with most of our distributors, which is approximately 40% of the subscription fees. The effectiveness of these distributors' sales efforts and our revenue-sharing arrangements with them directly affect our financial condition. We expect that our selling and distribution expenses will increase as we continue to expand our distribution network.
Ability to manage our costs and operating expenses effectively
Our ability to manage and control our costs and expenses while continuing to grow our business is critical to the success of our business. Our cost of sales decreased by 5.2% from RMB34.1 million in 2018 to RMB32.3 million (US$4.6 million) in 2019, and our cost of sales as a percentage of our revenue decreased from 22.4% to 22.1% during the same period. Our ability to manage and control cost of sales depends on, to a significant extent, content costs and hardware costs. Our total operating expenses decreased by 29.8% from RMB69.4 million in 2018 to RMB48.7 million (US$7.0 million) in 2019, and our total operating expenses as a percentage of our revenue decreased from 45.6% to 33.3% during the same period. We expect our operating expenses to increase due to the expansion of our business and the additional costs and expenses associated with becoming a public company. As our business model is highly scalable, we expect that the growing scale of our business will position us well to continue to improve our cost efficiency.
The COVID-19 pandemic
Beginning in January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental measures imposed to contain its spread have disrupted and are expected to continue to affect our business. For example, postponed school and kindergarten reopenings have caused the sales of our Kukey courses (although we have received few refund claims from existing students), Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and our institutional music subscription services to decline significantly, partly because many of our institutional customers are required to hold a public bidding process in order to purchase our products and services. We had 5,746 Kukey students as of June 30, 2020, reflecting a slight increase from 5,615 as of December 31, 2019; sales of Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and related accessories decreased from RMB10.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to RMB0.2 million (US$36 thousand) for the same period in 2020; and the growth of our institutional subscribers, including both new subscribers and repeat subscribers, decreased from 107 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 to 70 during the same period in 2020. In addition, stay-at-home orders and prohibition of public gatherings have caused us to cancel the production of many on-ground, live classical music events. While these restrictions have largely been lifted in China, the number of live classical music events that we are able to organize has decreased significantly largely as a result of the general population's fears regarding contracting COVID-19, resulting in decreased ticket sales and sponsorship fees. In particular, box office receipts and the aggregate sponsorship fees under our agreements with sponsors in relation to the 2020 Beijing Music Festival decreased by 92.6% and 36.4%, respectively, compared to those of the 2019 Beijing Music Festival. Through online streaming of live classical music performances and additional pre-recorded performances, most of which are available to registered users of the BMF Club app for free, we have attracted new sponsors; however, we have also incurred higher content costs and IT expenditures associated with the streaming of these content. Furthermore, as a result of the widespread and detrimental effect that COVID-19 has had on the Chinese and global economy, the financial conditions of many of our subscribers and licensees, the government funding available to our live music events and government-affiliated customers, as well as the marketing budget of many of our live music events sponsors, have also decreased, making it more challenging for us to retain existing customers and attract new customers. For example, the average spending of our licensees decreased by approximately 24.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Moreover, we have taken a series of measures in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 to protect our employees, including, among others, temporary closure of our offices, remote working arrangements and procurement of masks, hand sanitizers and other
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protective equipment for our employees, which reduced the capacity and efficiency of our operations and increased our operating expenses.
As COVID-19 has been gradually contained in China, sales of our Kukey courses, Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems, institutional music subscription services and licensing services have also recovered, and we were able to resume organizing live classical music events in October 2020. We had 4,802 new Kukey students during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and recruited 6,230 additional Kukey students in October 2020. Our revenue from Kukey courses increased from 0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB1.2 million (US$0.2 million) for the same period in 2020, and revenue from Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and related accessories increased from RMB0.6 million for the three months ended September 2019 to RMB1.8 million (US$0.3 million) for the same period in 2020. During the same period, our cost of sales for Kukey courses increased from RMB0.1 million to RMB1.6 million (US$0.2 million), and the cost of sales for Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and related accessories increased from RMB0.2 million to RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million). The number of institutional subscribers who started or renewed their subscription also increased by 82 during the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 70 in the six months ended June 30, 2020. In addition, the average spending of our licensees increased by approximately 117.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Our licensing and subscription revenue increased from RMB6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB15.6 million (US$2.2 million) for the same period in 2020, and our cost sales related to licensing and subscription decreased from RMB4.5 million to RMB3.5 million (US$0.5 million) during the same period. However, the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operations is still unknown and will depend on its future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 are based on the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Kuke Music and Rosenkavalier Limited. In February 2020, we acquired 100% equity interest in Rosenkavalier Limited, a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on October 2, 2019. Rosenkavalier Limited indirectly owns 100% equity interest in Beijing Lecheng, the primary beneficiary of BMF Culture, based on a series of contractual arrangements. See "Corporate History and StructureCorporate History." The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 gives effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 gives effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on December 31, 2019. The actual acquisition completion date was February 29, 2020.
These unaudited pro forma financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS using the accounting policies described in our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, as well as "Risk Factors," "Capitalization" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
The unaudited pro forma financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the historical consolidated financial statements have been adjusted in the pro forma financial statements to give effect to pro forma events that are (i) directly attributable to the Acquisition, (ii) factually supportable and (iii) with respect to the pro forma condensed combined statements of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on us.
The unaudited pro forma financial statements do not necessarily reflect what our combined financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Acquisition occurred on the dates indicated,
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and the actual financial condition and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts due to a variety of factors. The combined pro forma financial information also does not reflect the realization of any expected cost savings or other synergies from the Acquisition as a result of restructuring activities and other planned cost-saving initiatives following the completion of the Acquisition. As such, they may not be useful in predicting future financial condition and results of operations for the combined company.
Assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes, which should be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma financial information.
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020 |
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|
Kuke Music | BMF |
Pro Forma
Adjustment |
Pro Forma | Kuke Music |
BMF
(from January 1, 2020 to February 29, 2020) |
Pro Forma
Adjustment |
Pro Forma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue(1) |
146,054 | 20,979 | 61,160 | 8,785 | (349 | ) | (50 | ) | 206,865 | 29,714 | 34,908 | 5,014 | | | | | 34,908 | 5,014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales(1) |
(32,343 | ) | (4,645 | ) | (37,856 | ) | (5,438 | ) | 349 | 50 | (69,850 | ) | (10,033 | ) | (18,297 | ) | (2,628 | ) | (357 | ) | (51 | ) | | | (18,654 | ) | (2,679 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Gross profit/(loss) |
113,711 | 16,334 | 23,304 | 3,347 | | | 137,015 | 19,681 | 16,611 | 2,386 | (357 | ) | (51 | ) | | | 16,254 | 2,335 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income(2) |
3,830 | 550 | 219 | 32 | | | 4,049 | 582 | 941 | 135 | 3 | 0 | | | 944 | 135 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling and distribution expenses |
(18,252 | ) | (2,622 | ) | (1,661 | ) | (239 | ) | | | (19,913 | ) | (2,861 | ) | (17,009 | ) | (2,443 | ) | (257 | ) | (37 | ) | | | (17,266 | ) | (2,480 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Administrative expenses(3) |
(27,312 | ) | (3,923 | ) | (5,804 | ) | (834 | ) | 320 | 46 | (32,796 | ) | (4,711 | ) | (41,716 | ) | (5,992 | ) | (1,246 | ) | (179 | ) | 934 | 134 | (42,028 | ) | (6,037 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment losses on financial assets, net |
(3,088 | ) | (444 | ) | (213 | ) | (30 | ) | | | (3,301 | ) | (474 | ) | (17,683 | ) | (2,540 | ) | (5 | ) | (1 | ) | | | (17,688 | ) | (2,541 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses |
(42 | ) | (6 | ) | | | | | (42 | ) | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | (1 | ) | (73 | ) | (10 | ) | | | (79 | ) | (11 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit |
68,847 | 9,889 | 15,845 | 2,276 | 320 | 46 | 85,012 | 12,211 | (58,862 | ) | (8,455 | ) | (1,935 | ) | (278 | ) | 934 | 134 | (59,863 | ) | (8,599 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance costs(2) |
(3,242 | ) | (465 | ) | (90 | ) | (13 | ) | 85 | 12 | (3,247 | ) | (466 | ) | (7,862 | ) | (1,129 | ) | (23 | ) | (3 | ) | 23 | 3 | (7,862 | ) | (1,129 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Finance income |
258 | 37 | 921 | 132 | (85 | ) | (12 | ) | 1,094 | 157 | 1,606 | 231 | 148 | 21 | (23 | ) | (3 | ) | 1,731 | 249 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Profit before tax |
65,863 | 9,461 | 16,676 | 2,395 | 320 | 46 | 82,859 | 11,902 | (65,118 | ) | (9,353 | ) | (1,810 | ) | (260 | ) | 934 | 134 | (65,994 | ) | (9,479 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense)/credit(3) |
(9,101 | ) | (1,308 | ) | (4,194 | ) | (602 | ) | (48 | ) | (7 | ) | (13,343 | ) | (1,917 | ) | 5,749 | 826 | 452 | 65 | (140 | ) | (20 | ) | 6,061 | 871 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Profit for the year/period |
56,762 | 8,153 | 12,482 | 1,793 | 272 | 39 | 69,516 | 9,985 | (59,369 | ) | (8,527 | ) | (1,358 | ) | (195 | ) | 794 | 114 | (59,933 | ) | (8,608 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Notes:
Implication of the Acquisition
As a result of the Acquisition, the results of operations of BMF have been consolidated into our financial results since February 29, 2020. We expect that the integration of the business of BMF will enable us to continue to drive the growth of our business and enhance our brand awareness. As our combined business continues to grow and capitalizes on our synergistic content-centric ecosystem, we expect our operating efficiency to continue to improve.
Key Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
Prior to the Acquisition, we derived our revenue from: (i) licensing and subscription; and (ii) smart music education. After the Acquisition, we have also derived revenue from live classical music events.
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The following table sets forth the key components of our total revenue, in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total revenue, for the periods presented.
|
For the Year Ended December 31, |
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, |
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|
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands, except for percentages)
|
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Licensing and subscription |
90,324 | 59.3 | % | 81,901 | 11,764 | 56.1 | % | 29,891 | 73.1 | % | 30,226 | 4,342 | 86.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Smart music education |
61,917 | 40.7 | % | 64,153 | 9,215 | 43.9 | % | 10,999 | 26.9 | % | 4,283 | 615 | 12.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Live classical music events |
| | | | | | | 399 | 57 | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
152,241 | 100.0 | % | 146,054 | 20,979 | 100.0 | % | 40,890 | 100.0 | % | 34,908 | 5,014 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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(i) Licensing and Subscription Revenue
Our licensing revenue is generated by licensing certain music copyrights to digital music service providers for digital streaming or downloading through their online platforms. Our licensees also include, to a much lesser extent, film and TV production companies, airlines and smart hardware companies. We generate licensing fees either on a fixed-payment basis or through a combination of minimum guarantee and periodic revenue sharing.
Our subscription revenue is generated from providing customers with the right to access music content databases through websites and mobile apps and from the sale of smart music devices. Our customers for database subscription services consist primarily of universities, colleges and public libraries that pay for the right of their respective students, faculty members or library patrons, as the case may be, to access the databases and, to a lesser extent, individuals. We also offer various smart music devices to institutional customers, allowing offline access to selected music content.
(ii) Smart Music Education Revenue
We generate our smart music education revenue primarily from the sale of Kukey courses to kindergarten students and the sale of Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and piano accessories to distributors for them to resell to end customers. Students typically subscribe to our Kukey courses on a monthly, semester or school-year basis. We typically collect tuition directly from enrolled students and share part of the tuition fees with distributors who help us establish collaboration with kindergartens. All Kuke smart pianos are sold together with the pre-installed Kuke smart music teaching systems. We sell Kuke smart music teaching systems primarily along with Kuke smart pianos and also on a stand-alone basis.
(iii) Live Classical Music Events
BMF generates (i) music festival events revenue primarily through service fees, sponsorship fees and ticket sales associated with the Beijing Music Festival; (ii) music performance revenue primarily through sponsorship fees and service fees for other events it organizes; and (iii) licensing revenue through the licensing of acquired and original content.
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The following table sets forth the key components of BMF's revenue by amounts and percentages for the periods presented.
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For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
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|
2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
|
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||
|
(in thousands, except for percentages)
|
|||||||||||||||
Music festival events |
22,120 | 89.8 | % | 46,350 | 6,658 | 75.8 | % | |||||||||
Music performance |
2,508 | 10.2 | % | 3,678 | 528 | 6.0 | % | |||||||||
Licensing of music catalogs |
| | 11,132 | 1,599 | 18.2 | % | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
24,628 | 100.0 | % | 61,160 | 8,785 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||
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Cost of Sales
The following table sets forth the components of our cost of sales in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total cost of sales, for the periods presented.
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands, except for percentages)
|
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Licensing and subscription |
(20,342 | ) | 59.6 | % | (20,330 | ) | (2,920 | ) | 62.9 | % | (11,992 | ) | 90.1 | % | (12,658 | ) | (1,818 | ) | 69.2 | % | |||||||||||
Smart music education |
(13,772 | ) | 40.4 | % | (12,013 | ) | (1,726 | ) | 37.1 | % | (1,325 | ) | 9.9 | % | (4,533 | ) | (651 | ) | 24.8 | % | |||||||||||
Live classical music events |
| | | | | | | (1,106 | ) | (159 | ) | 6.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
(34,114 | ) | 100.0 | % | (32,343 | ) | (4,646 | ) | 100.0 | % | (13,317 | ) | 100.0 | % | (18,297 | ) | (2,628 | ) | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||
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Cost of sales related to licensing and subscription consists primarily of royalties, equipment costs, set-up costs and amortization costs.
Cost of sales related to smart music education consists primarily of hardware costs, tuition fees shared with collaborating kindergartens, and depreciation costs.
Cost of sales related to live classical music events consists primarily of fees paid to artists, venue rental fees and other event production costs.
Other Income
Our other income prior to the Acquisition consists primarily of foreign exchange gains and government grants. Our other income after the Acquisition also consists of additional deduction of VAT input tax.
BMF's other income consists primarily of additional deduction of VAT input tax and foreign exchange gains.
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Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth the components of our operating expenses in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total operating expenses, for the periods presented.
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For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | RMB | % | RMB | US$ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands, except for percentages)
|
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Selling and distribution expenses |
(21,454 | ) | 30.9 | % | (18,252 | ) | (2,622 | ) | 37.5 | % | (11,389 | ) | 34.9 | % | (17,009 | ) | (2,443 | ) | 22.3 | % | |||||||||||
Administrative expenses |
(45,025 | ) | 64.9 | % | (27,312 | ) | (3,923 | ) | 56.1 | % | (18,416 | ) | 56.5 | % | (41,716 | ) | (5,992 | ) | 54.6 | % | |||||||||||
Impairment losses on financial assets, net |
(2,875 | ) | 4.2 | % | (3,088 | ) | (444 | ) | 6.3 | % | (2,749 | ) | 8.5 | % | (17,683 | ) | (2,540 | ) | 23.1 | % | |||||||||||
Other operating expenses |
(4 | ) | | (42 | ) | (6 | ) | 0.1 | % | (42 | ) | 0.1 | % | (6 | ) | (1 | ) | | |||||||||||||
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Total |
(69,358 | ) | 100.0 | % | (48,694 | ) | (6,995 | ) | 100.0 | % | (32,596 | ) | 100.0 | % | (76,414 | ) | (10,976 | ) | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||
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Selling and Distribution Expenses
Our selling and distribution expenses consist primarily of sales and marketing personnel costs, travel expenses, expenses attributable to general marketing and promotional activities, and tuition fees and institutional subscription fees shared with distributors.
BMF's selling and distribution expenses consist primarily of sales and marketing personnel expenses.
Administrative Expenses
Our administrative expenses consist primarily of research and development costs, employee benefits expenses, depreciation for right-of-use assets and property, plant, and equipment, and professional service fees.
BMF's administrative expenses consist primarily of employee benefits, labor costs, professional service fees and amortization and depreciation expenses.
Impairment Losses on Financial Assets
Our impairment losses on financial assets primarily include provisions of impairment for trade receivables and other receivables.
Finance Costs
Our finance costs consist primarily of loan interest and interest expense on lease liabilities.
BMF's finance costs consist of interest expense on lease liabilities related to its office space.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of the consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for both Kuke Music and BMF for the periods indicated. The pro forma results for
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the year ended December 31, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020 give effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Revenue
Our total revenue decreased by 14.6% from RMB40.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB34.9 million (US$5.0 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily as a result of decreased smart music education revenue and licensing revenue, partially offset by increased live classical music events revenue and subscription revenue.
Our licensing and subscription revenue increased by 1.1% from RMB29.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB30.2 million (US$4.3 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily as a result of an increase in subscription revenue of 0.1 million (US$19 thousand) arising from subscription agreements entered into in the second half of 2019 the revenue for which was partially recognized in 2020.
Our smart music education revenue decreased by 61.1% from RMB11.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB4.3 million (US$0.6 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in sales of Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and related accessories of RMB8.8 million (US$1.3 million) due to the impact of COVID-19, partially offset by sales of Kukey courses of RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million).
Following the Acquisition, we also had revenue from live classical music events of RMB0.4 million (US$57 thousand) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Cost of sales
Our cost of sales increased by 37.4% from RMB13.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB18.3 million (US$2.6 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily as a result of increased cost of sales for licensing and subscription.
Our cost of sales for licensing and subscription increased by 5.6% from RMB12.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB12.7 million (US$1.8 million) in the nine months ended
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September 30, 2020, primarily as a result of an increase in amortization costs of RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) as we continued to expand our content offerings.
Our cost of sales related to smart music education increased significantly from RMB1.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB4.5 million (US$0.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to an increase in depreciation costs of RMB1.9 million (US$0.3 million) arising from the Kuke smart pianos we placed at collaborating kindergartens.
Following the Acquisition, our cost of sales related to live classical music events was RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Gross profit
As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit decreased by 39.8% from RMB27.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB16.6 million (US$2.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. In particular, our gross profit from licensing and subscription decreased by 1.8% from RMB17.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB17.6 million (US$2.5 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. We had a gross profit from smart music education of RMB9.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and a gross loss from smart music education of RMB0.3 million (US$36 thousand) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Following the Acquisition, we also had a gross loss from live classical music events of RMB0.7 million (US$0.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Other income
Our other income decreased by 75.2% from RMB3.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to a decrease in foreign exchange differences of RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million), partially offset by an increase in government grant of RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million).
Selling and distribution expenses
Our selling and distribution expenses increased by 49.3% from RMB11.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB17.0 million (US$2.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to increases in direct marketing, advertising and promotional expenses.
Administrative expenses
Our administrative expenses increased significantly from RMB18.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB41.7 million (US$6.0 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to professional service fees relating to this offering.
Impairment losses on financial assets
Our impairment losses on financial assets increased significantly from RMB2.7 million to RMB17.7 million (US$2.5 million), primarily due to increased impairment on trade receivables as a result of the impact of COVID-19.
Operating loss
As a result of the foregoing, we had an operating loss of RMB1.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and RMB58.9 million (US$8.5 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
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Finance costs
Our finance costs increased significantly from RMB1.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB7.9 million (US$1.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to interest incurred on a loan extended to us by Dahua Yonglong (Hainan) Hotel Management Co., Ltd. in 2019.
Finance income
Our finance income increased significantly from RMB0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB1.6 million (US$0.2 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily attributable to increased loan interest income.
Income tax credit
We recorded income tax credit of RMB1.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and RMB5.7 million (US$0.8 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Loss for the period
As a result of the foregoing, we had a loss of RMB0.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and RMB59.4 million (US$8.5 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Year ended December 31, 2019 compared with year ended December 31, 2018
Revenue
Kuke Music
Our total revenue decreased by 4.1% from RMB152.2 million in 2018 to RMB146.1 million (US$21.0 million) in 2019, primarily as a result of decreased licensing and subscription revenue of RMB8.4 million (US$1.2 million), partially offset by increased smart music education revenue of RMB2.2 million (US$0.3 million).
Our licensing and subscription revenue decreased by 9.3% from RMB90.3 million in 2018 to RMB81.9 million (US$11.8 million) in 2019, primarily due to the loss of two high grossing customers, which resulted in decreased subscription revenue of RMB12.5 million (US$1.8 million), partially offset by increased licensing revenue of RMB7.3 million (US$1.1 million) generated from licensing additional content to new licensees.
Our smart music education revenue increased by 3.6% from RMB61.9 million in 2018 to RMB64.2 million (US$9.2 million) in 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to increased sales of our Kukey courses and Kuke smart music teaching systems primarily as a result of the expansion of our distributor network and customer base.
BMF
BMF's revenue increased by 148.3% from 24.6 million in 2018 to RMB61.2 million (US$8.8 million) in 2019, primarily attributable to increased music festival revenue of RMB24.2 million (US$3.5 million), as well as RMB11.1 million (US$1.6 million) generated from the launch of its copyright licensing business.
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Cost of sales
Kuke Music
Our cost of sales decreased by 5.2% from RMB34.1 million in 2018 to RMB32.3 million (US$4.6 million) in 2019, primarily as a result of decreased cost of sales related to our smart music education business.
Our cost of sales for licensing and subscription remained stable at RMB20.3 million (US$2.9 million) in 2018 and 2019.
Our cost of sales related to smart music education decreased by 12.8% from RMB13.8 million in 2018 to RMB12.0 million (US$1.7 million) in 2019, primarily due to lower hardware costs associated with decreased sales volume of Kuke smart pianos, as we started to place more Kuke smart pianos at kindergartens in 2019 to offer Kukey courses.
BMF
BMF's cost of sales increased by 77.5% from RMB21.3 million in 2018 to RMB37.9 million (US$5.4 million) in 2019, primarily due to increased production costs associated with the Beijing Music Festival.
Gross profit
As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit decreased by 3.7% from RMB118.1 million in 2018 to RMB113.7 million (US$16.3 million) in 2019. In particular, our gross profit from licensing and subscription decreased by 12.0% from RMB70.0 million in 2018 to RMB61.6 million (US$8.8 million) in 2019, and our gross profit from smart music education increased by 8.3% from RMB48.1 million in 2018 to RMB52.1 million (US$7.5 million) in 2019.
BMF's gross profit increased by 606.8% from RMB3.3 million in 2018 to RMB23.3 million (US$3.3 million) in 2019.
Other income
Our other income increased by 3.7% from RMB3.7 million in 2018 to RMB3.8 million (US$0.6 million) in 2019, primarily due to increases in foreign exchange gains.
BMF's other income increased by 123.5% from RMB0.1 million in 2018 to RMB0.2 million (US$31 thousand) in 2019, primarily attributable to additional deductions of VAT input tax permissible under a favorable tax policy that went into effect in April 2019.
Selling and distribution expenses
Our selling and distribution expenses decreased by 14.9% from RMB21.5 million in 2018 to RMB18.3 million (US$2.6 million) in 2019, primarily attributable to a decrease in selling and distribution headcount, especially with regard to our music subscription business.
BMF's selling and distribution expenses increased by 48.2% from RMB1.1 million in 2018 to RMB1.7 million (US$0.2 million) in 2019, primarily due to the increase of its selling and distribution headcount, salary increases to its selling and distribution personnel of RMB0.5 million (US$63 thousand), and increased advertising and promotional expenses of RMB73 thousand (US$10 thousand).
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Administrative expenses
Our administrative expenses decreased by 39.3% from RMB45.0 million in 2018 to RMB27.3 million (US$3.9 million) in 2019, primarily attributable to a significant decrease in professional service fees related to our capital raising activities in 2018.
BMF's administrative expenses increased by 309.6% from RMB1.4 million in 2018 to RMB5.8 million (US$0.8 million) in 2019, primarily due to increased salaries and labor costs of RMB2.2 million (US$0.3 million), increased professional service fees of RMB0.7 million (US$0.1 million) and depreciation of RMB0.6 million (US$90 thousand).
Impairment losses on financial assets
Our impairment losses on financial assets increased by 7.4% from RMB2.9 million to RMB3.1 million (US$0.4 million), primarily due to increased trade receivables as a result of our business growth.
Operating profit
As a result of the foregoing, our operating profit increased by 31.2% from RMB52.5 million in 2018 to RMB68.8 million (US$9.9 million) in 2019.
BMF's operating profit increased significantly from RMB0.9 million in 2018 to RMB15.8 million (US$2.3 million) in 2019.
Finance costs
Our finance costs increased by 69.7% from RMB1.9 million in 2018 to RMB3.2 million (US$0.5 million) in 2019, primarily due to interest incurred on a loan extended to us by Dahua Yonglong (Hainan) Hotel Management Co., Ltd. in 2019.
BMF's finance costs increased from RMB13 thousand in 2018 to RMB90 thousand (US$13 thousand) in 2019, primarily due to interest incurred on lease liabilities for its office space.
Finance income
Our finance income increased by 337.3% from RMB59 thousand in 2018 to RMB0.3 million (US$37 thousand) in 2019, primarily attributable to increased interest income from bank deposits.
BMF's finance income increased from RMB6 thousand in 2018 to RMB0.9 million (US$0.1 million) in 2019, primarily attributable to interest income from a third-party loan.
Income tax expense
We recorded income tax expenses of RMB10.1 million in 2018 and RMB9.1 million (US$1.3 million) in 2019, as a result of operating gains in such periods.
BMF recorded income tax expenses of RMB0.3 million in 2018 and RMB4.2 million (US$0.6 million) in 2019, as a result of operating gains in such periods.
Profit for the year
As a result of the foregoing, our profit for the year increased by 40.3% from RMB40.5 million in 2018 to RMB56.8 million (US$8.2 million) in 2019.
BMF's profit for the year increased significantly from RMB0.6 million in 2018 to RMB12.5 million (US$1.8 million) in 2019.
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Selected Quarterly Results of Operation
The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated quarterly statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for each of the seven quarters from January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared this unaudited condensed consolidated quarterly financial data on the same basis as we have prepared our audited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial data include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments that our management considered necessary for a fair statement of our financial position and results of operation for the quarters presented.
|
Three months ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
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|
March 31,
2019 |
June 30,
2019 |
September 30,
2019 |
December 31,
2019 |
March 31,
2020 |
June 30,
2020 |
September 30,
2020 |
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|
RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | |||||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
6,505 | 27,192 | 7,193 | 105,164 | 6,159 | 10,102 | 18,647 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of sales |
(4,055 | ) | (4,453 | ) | (4,809 | ) | (19,026 | ) | (4,738 | ) | (6,878 | ) | (6,681 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit |
2,450 | 22,739 | 2,384 | 86,138 | 1,421 | 3,224 | 11,966 | |||||||||||||||
Other income/(loss), net |
21 | 1,226 | 2,544 | 39 | 1,444 | 1,028 | (1,531 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Selling and distribution expenses |
(3,492 | ) | (3,816 | ) | (4,081 | ) | (6,863 | ) | (3,222 | ) | (6,349 | ) | (7,438 | ) | ||||||||
Administrative expenses |
(6,464 | ) | (5,557 | ) | (6,395 | ) | (8,896 | ) | (19,673 | ) | (10,275 | ) | (11,768 | ) | ||||||||
Write-back of impairment losses/(impairment losses) on financial assets, net |
(1,622 | ) | (366 | ) | (761 | ) | (339 | ) | (19,729 | ) | 2,762 | (716 | ) | |||||||||
Other operating expenses |
| (42 | ) | | | | | (6 | ) | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating (loss)/profit |
(9,107 | ) | 14,184 | (6,309 | ) | 70,079 | (39,759 | ) | (9,610 | ) | (9,493 | ) | ||||||||||
Finance costs |
(606 | ) | (250 | ) | (399 | ) | (1,987 | ) | (2,577 | ) | (2,579 | ) | (2,706 | ) | ||||||||
Finance income |
9 | 135 | 49 | 65 | 520 | 579 | 507 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Loss)/profit before tax |
(9,704 | ) | 14,069 | (6,659 | ) | 68,157 | (41,816 | ) | (11,610 | ) | (11,692 | ) | ||||||||||
Income tax credit/(expense) |
1,701 | (1,574 | ) | 1,465 | (10,693 | ) | 4,353 | 1,960 | (564 | ) | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Loss)/profit for the period and total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period |
(8,003 | ) | 12,495 | (5,194 | ) | 57,464 | (37,463 | ) | (9,650 | ) | (12,256 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, seasonal fluctuations in our operating results. Our results of operation are impacted by cyclicality factors affecting spending on classical music licensing and subscription services, smart music education and live classical music events.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity have been investments from our shareholders through private placements and cash generated from operating activities. For details of the private placements of our securities in the last three years, see "Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities Issuances."
As of December 31, 2018 and 2019 and September 30, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents were RMB31.1 million, RMB23.0 million (US$3.3 million) and RMB14.5 million (US$2.1 million), respectively, consisting of cash on hand and demand deposits. We intend to finance our future working capital requirements and capital expenditures from cash generated from operating activities and funds raised from financing activities, including the net proceeds we will receive from this offering. We believe that our current available cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements and capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business for the next 12 months.
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The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented.
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For the Year Ended
December 31, |
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, |
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2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
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RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Summary Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: |
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Net cash flows from/(used in) operating activities |
41,218 | 17,388 | 2,498 | (7,696 | ) | (33,695 | ) | (4,840 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities |
(131,312 | ) | (37,308 | ) | (5,359 | ) | 8,280 | (63,264 | ) | (9,087 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash flows from/(used in) financing activities |
107,526 | 11,802 | 1,695 | 12,589 | 88,419 | 12,700 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
17,432 | (8,118 | ) | (1,166 | ) | 13,173 | (8,540 | ) | (1,227 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year/period |
13,696 | 31,128 | 4,471 | 31,128 | 23,010 | 3,305 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year/period |
31,128 | 23,010 | 3,305 | 44,301 | 14,470 | 2,078 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Activities
Net cash flows used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was RMB33.7 million (US$4.8 million). The difference between our loss before tax of RMB65.1 million (US$9.4 million) and the net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to an adjustment of RMB31.6 million (US$4.5 million) in non-cash items, which primarily consists of impairment of trade receivables of RMB17.3 million (US$2.5 million) and finance costs of RMB7.9 million (US$1.1 million).
Net cash flows generated from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was RMB17.4 million (US$2.5 million). The difference between our profit before tax of RMB65.9 million (US$9.5 million) and the net cash generated from operating activities was primarily due to (i) an adjustment of RMB12.7 million (US$1.8 million) in non-cash items, which primarily consists of amortization of intangible assets, finance costs and depreciation of right-of-use assets; and (ii) a decrease of RMB53.7 million (US$7.7 million) in working capital. Changes in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily consist of an increase of RMB67.4 million (US$9.7 million) in trade receivables, which is primarily due to the growth of our smart music education business, and an increase in prepayments, other receivables and other assets of RMB41.0 million (US$5.9 million), which were partially offset by an increase of RMB42.4 million (US$6.1 million) in other payables and accruals.
Net cash flows generated from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was RMB41.2 million. The difference between our profit before tax of RMB50.6 million and the net cash generated from operating activities was primarily due to (i) an adjustment of RMB10.1 million in non-cash items, which primarily consists of impairment of trade receivables, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of right-of-use assets and finance costs; and (ii) a decrease of RMB12.3 million in working capital. Changes in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily consist of an increase of RMB31.5 million in trade receivables, which was partially offset by an increase of RMB13.2 million in other payables and accruals.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities was RMB63.3 million (US$9.1 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to purchase of intangible assets of RMB15.4 million (US$2.2 million) and increase in deposits paid for intangible assets of RMB25.4 million (US$3.7 million).
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Net cash flows used in investing activities was RMB37.3 million (US$5.4 million) for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to an increase in deposits paid for intangible assets of RMB42.4 million (US$6.1 million), which were partially offset by a refund of pledged bank deposits of RMB36.9 million (US$5.3 million).
Net cash flows used in investing activities was RMB131.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to the purchase of intangible assets of RMB64.7 million, a decrease in a pledged deposit of RMB36.9 million and an increase in deposits paid for intangible assets of RMB28.0 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash flows generated from financing activities was RMB88.4 million (US$12.7 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to our shareholders of RMB90.4 million (US$13.0 million).
Net cash flows generated from financing activities was RMB11.8 million (US$1.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to proceeds from other borrowings of RMB50.0 million (US$7.2 million), which were partially offset by repayment of bank borrowings of RMB39.7 million (US$5.7 million).
Net cash flows generated from financing activities was RMB107.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares of RMB77.1 million and proceeds from bank borrowings of RMB39.7 million.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures are incurred primarily in connection with purchases of property, equipment and intangible assets. Our capital expenditures were RMB96.3 million, RMB64.6 million (US$9.3 million) RMB46.9 million (US$6.7 million) in 2018, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. We will continue to make capital expenditures to support the growth of our business. We intend to fund our future capital expenditures with our existing cash balance and net proceeds from this offering.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019:
|
Payment Due by December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
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|
On Demand |
Less than
1 year |
More than
1 year |
Total | |||||||||
|
(RMB in thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings |
5,000 | 54,323 | | 59,323 | |||||||||
Lease liabilities |
| 5,634 | 14,721 | 20,355 | |||||||||
Trade payables |
| 34,697 | | 34,697 | |||||||||
Other payables and accruals |
| 20,190 | 31,700 | 51,890 |
Other than those shown above, we did not have any significant capital and other commitments, long-term obligations or guarantees as of December 31, 2019.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified a
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material weakness as of December 31, 2019, in accordance with the standards established by the PCAOB. As defined in standards established by the PCAOB, a "material weakness" is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The material weakness identified relates to the lack of sufficient accounting and financial reporting personnel with the requisite knowledge and experience in the application of IFRS and SEC rules. To remedy our identified material weakness, we are in the process of adopting several measures that are expected to improve our internal control over financial reporting, including (i) recruiting additional experienced personnel with relevant past experience working on IFRS and SEC reporting, and (ii) establishing a comprehensive accounting policies and procedures manual and providing continuous internal and external trainings to the accounting and financial reporting personnel for accounting and reporting requirements under IFRS and SEC rules and regulations.
We expect to complete the measures above as soon as practicable, and we will continue to implement measures to remedy our internal control deficiencies in order to meet the deadline imposed under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The process of designing and implementing an effective financial reporting system is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligations. If we fail to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls over our financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, prevent fraud or meet our reporting obligations. As a result, investor confidence and the market price of our shares may be materially and adversely affected. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryIf our internal control and procedures over financial reporting are not effective, we may be unable to accurately report our operating results, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud."
Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates
An accounting policy is considered critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time such estimate is made, and if different accounting estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the consolidated financial statements.
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires our management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed in Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from our expectations as a result of changes in our estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application and require us to make significant accounting estimates.
The following descriptions of critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and other disclosures included in this prospectus. When reviewing our financial statements, you should consider (i) our selection of critical accounting policies, (ii) the judgments and other uncertainties affecting the application of such policies, and (iii) the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions.
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Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when control of the services or goods are transferred to the customer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those services or goods.
Licensing
We license content to the customers either on a fixed-payment basis or a minimum guarantee plus revenue-sharing basis. Fixed payment and minimum guarantees are recognized when the licensed content is made available for the customer's use and benefit, typically upon the transfer of the licensed content to the customer. For content that we license on a if-and-when-available basis, our performance obligation is satisfied over the specified licensing period. Royalties exceeding the minimum guaranteed amount are recognized when the usage of the licensed content exceeding specified thresholds occurs. Under the fixed-payment basis, payment is generally due within 90 to 365 days from transfer. Under the minimum guarantee plus revenue-sharing model, the minimum guarantee is generally due in seven to 365 days from the delivery of the music content specified in the license, and royalties from the revenue-sharing arrangement are calculated on a monthly or quarterly basis and is due within 30 days from the month or quarter end.
Subscription
We provide web-based and mobile-based music content database service to customers. Our performance obligation is to provide database access and related services over the duration of the contract. Such performance obligation is satisfied over the subscription period and payment is due within seven to 365 days after we begin to provide database access to the customer. Where we provide customers with offline access to selected music content through smart music devices, our performance obligation is satisfied upon the delivery of the devices and payment is generally due within one year from delivery.
Smart Music Education
We generate smart music education revenue from the sale of Kukey courses, Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and piano accessories. For the sale of Kukey courses, our performance obligation is satisfied over time as students attend the courses and payment is required before the courses are provided. For the sale of Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and piano accessories, revenue is recognized upon product delivery and payment is generally due within one year from delivery.
Government Grants
Government grants are recognized where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all attached conditions will be complied with. When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognized as income on a systematic basis over the periods that the related costs, for which it is intended to compensate, are expensed. When the grant relates to an asset, it is recognized as income in equal amounts over the expected useful life of the related asset.
Income Taxes
Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date in the PRC. We periodically evaluate the positions we take in tax returns with respect to situations where the applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and make provisions where appropriate.
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Deferred tax is provided using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. Tax benefits acquired as part of a business combination, but not satisfying the criteria for separate recognition at that date, are recognized subsequently if new information about facts and circumstances change. The adjustment is either treated as a reduction in goodwill (as long as it does not exceed goodwill) if it was incurred during the measurement period or recognized in profit or loss.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is their fair value at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost, less any accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Internally generated intangibles, excluding capitalized development costs, are not capitalized and the related expenditure is reflected in profit or loss in the period in which the expenditure is incurred.
Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over the useful economic life and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortization period and the amortization method for an intangible asset with a finite useful life are reviewed at least at the end of each reporting period. The amortization expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognized in profit or loss in the expense category that is consistent with the function of the intangible assets. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually, either individually or at the cash-generating unit level. The assessment of indefinite life is reviewed annually to determine whether the indefinite life continues to be supportable. If not, the change in useful life from indefinite to finite is made on a prospective basis.
An intangible asset is derecognized upon disposal (i.e., at the date the recipient obtains control) or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising upon the de-recognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss.
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements
We have not entered into any material financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. In addition, we have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholders' equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
Taxation
We are subject to various rates of income tax under different jurisdictions. The following summarizes major factors affecting our applicable tax rates in the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC.
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation, and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty.
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There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands, except for stamp duties that may be applicable on instruments executed in or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. In addition, the Cayman Islands does not impose withholding tax on dividend payments.
British Virgin Islands
Our subsidiaries incorporated in the British Virgin Islands are not subject to income or capital gains tax under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands does not impose withholding tax on dividend payments.
Hong Kong
Under the current Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, from the year of assessment 2018/2019 onwards, our HK subsidiaries are subject to profits tax at the rate of 8.25% on assessable profits up to HK$2,000,000 and 16.5% on any part of assessable profits over HK$2,000,000. Prior to April 1, 2018, our HK subsidiary Gauguin Limited was subject to profits tax at a rate of 16.5%.
PRC
Generally, our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are subject to enterprise income tax on their taxable income in China at a statutory rate of 25%. For the three years ended December 12, 2022, Beijing Kuke Music is eligible for the preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15% available to HNTEs. The enterprise income tax is calculated based on the entity's global income as determined under PRC tax laws and accounting standards.
We are also subject to VAT at the rates of 6%, 13%, 16% and 17% in accordance with PRC laws.
Dividends paid by our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China to our intermediary holding companies in Hong Kong will be subject to a withholding tax of 10%, unless the Hong Kong entity satisfies all the requirements under the Arrangement between China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital. If our Hong Kong subsidiaries satisfy all of these requirements and file an application with the relevant tax authority, then the dividends paid to the Hong Kong subsidiaries would be subject to withholding tax at the rate of 5%. If the preferential 5% tax rate is subsequently denied based on the review of the application by the relevant tax authority, our Hong Kong subsidiaries will be required to settle the underpaid taxes.
If our holding company in the Cayman Islands or any of our subsidiaries outside of China were deemed to be a "resident enterprise" under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, it would be subject to enterprise income tax on its worldwide income at a rate of 25%. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaIf we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders."
Holding Company Structure
Kuke Music Holding Limited is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our PRC subsidiaries and our VIEs in China. As a result, Kuke Music Holding Limited's ability to pay dividends depends in part upon dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries. If our existing PRC subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends to us only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Under PRC law, each of
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our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserve funds until such reserve funds reach 50% of their registered capital. In addition, our PRC subsidiaries may allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to enterprise expansion funds and staff bonus and welfare funds at their discretion, and our VIEs may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to a surplus fund at their discretion. The statutory reserve funds and the discretionary funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Remittance of dividends by a wholly foreign-owned company out of China is subject to examination by banks designated by the SAFE. None of our PRC subsidiaries has paid dividends and will not be able to pay dividends until it generates accumulated profits and meets the requirements for statutory reserve funds.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Foreign Currency Risk
Our operating transactions are mainly denominated in Renminbi. We are subject to foreign currency risks arising from a loan receivable from a Hong Kong entity and from foreign suppliers with currencies other than our functional currency. In addition, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi because our ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.
To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would reduce the amount in Renminbi we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our Class A ordinary shares or ADSs, servicing our outstanding debt or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against Renminbi would reduce the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$45.7 million from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. Assuming that we convert the full amount of the net proceeds from this offering into RMB, a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against RMB, from a rate of RMB6.9618 to US$1.00 to a rate of RMB7.658 to US$1.00, will result in an increase of RMB31.9 million in our net proceeds from this offering. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB, from a rate of RMB6.9618 to US$1.00 to a rate of RMB6.2657 to US$1.00, will result in a decrease of RMB31.9 million in our net proceeds from this offering.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Financial instruments affected by market risk include loans, borrowings and deposits.
After the completion of this offering, we may invest the net proceeds we receive from the offering in interest-earning instruments. Investments in both fixed-rate and floating-rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed-rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating-rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. We are exposed to credit risk from our operating activities,
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deposits with banks and financial institutions, foreign exchange transactions and other financial instruments.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
A list of recently issued accounting pronouncements that are relevant to us is included in "Note 27Standards issued but not yet effective" of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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The Classical Music Market in China
The key constituents of China's classical music market include (i) content creators, such as composers, lyricists and performing artists, (ii) content producers and distributors, such as music labels, recording companies, streaming platforms and event organizers, and (iii) individual and business consumers.
The classical music market in China, which consists of the classical music licensing market, the online classical music subscription service market and the live classical music performance market, has grown steadily in recent years. Its market size, as measured by total revenue generated from classical music licensing, paid subscription of online classical music subscription service providers and box office receipts of classical music performances, grew from RMB1,040.4 million in 2015 to RMB1,738.4 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 13.7%, and is expected to reach RMB2,396.6 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2020 to 2025.
Source: Frost & Sullivan
Key drivers of China's classical music market include the rising popularity of classical music in China, increased prevalence of music education, growth in mobile devices and Internet penetration, the digitization of classical music content and favorable government policies with respect to building classical music concert venues, organizing live classical music events and expanding online resources on classical music. According to Frost & Sullivan, future trends affecting China's classical music market include the acceleration of social media in China, market demand for specialized music streaming services and educational institutions' growing need for classical music content.
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The Classical Music Licensing Market in China
The size of the classical music licensing market in China, as measured by licensing revenue, grew from RMB70.2 million in 2015 to RMB135.1 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 17.8%, and is expected to reach RMB216.2 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2020 to 2025.
Source: Frost & Sullivan
The key drivers of China's classical music licensing market are the rising popularity of classical music and stricter copyright protection by the PRC government. The key entry barriers to China's classical music licensing market are relationships with leading rights holders and the quantity and variety of copyrighted content.
The Online Classical Music Subscription Service Market in China
Online classical music subscription refers to paid subscription for streaming classical music through online platforms. The size of the online classical music subscription service market in China, as measured by the total revenue generated by online classical music subscription service providers from paid
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subscription, grew from RMB54.6 million in 2015 to RMB140.1 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 26.6%, and is expected to reach RMB254.1 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2020 to 2025.
Source: Frost & Sullivan
The key drivers of China's online classical music subscription service market include (i) the rising popularity of classical music and music education, (ii) increased access to the Internet, and (iii) technological advances. The key entry barriers to China's online classical music subscription service market include the quantity, quality and variety of copyrighted content, relationships with leading content providers and content distribution platforms, brand awareness and technological capabilities.
The Live Classical Music Performance Market in China
Live music performances can be categorized into vocal performances, music festivals, instrumental concerts, musicals and live houses. Driven by the increasing popularity of classical music in China, favorable government policies and growing consumer demand, the size of China's live classical music performance market, as measured by total box office receipts, has grown rapidly from RMB4.1 billion in
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2015 to RMB6.1 billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 10.4%, and is forecasted to reach RMB7.3 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2020 to 2025.
Source: Frost & Sullivan
The key drivers of China's live classical music performance market include growing disposable income, rapid urbanization, increased spending on cultural and leisure activities, favorable government policies for building classical music concert venues and organizing live classical music events, and the rising popularity of classical music. The key entry barriers to China's live classical music performance market include industry connections, professional expertise, brand awareness, technological capabilities and the ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences.
Student Music Education Market in China
As China's economy continues to grow, the demand for education services remains robust. In 2019, education consumption accounted for 5.9% of the per capita annual consumption in China, compared to 2.2% in the U.S., 1.5% in the U.K. and 3.2% in Japan, according to Frost & Sullivan.
The student interest training market in China, which mainly consists of extracurricular trainings in art, sports, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, has experienced significant growth in recent years. According to Frost & Sullivan, the size of China's student interest training market reached RMB413.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow to RMB726.7 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 10.7% from 2020 to 2025.
In 2019, the student art education market accounted for 50.8% of the student interest training market in China. Within the student art education market, music education is the largest subsector and accounted for 41.0% of the student art education market in China in 2019.
The student music education market in China grew rapidly from RMB41.7 billion in 2015 to RMB86.2 billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 19.9%, and is expected to grow to RMB163.9 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 12.1% from 2020 to 2025. In terms of age groups, expenditures on kindergarten students (3-6 years old) and junior primary school students (7-9 years old) in aggregate made up 65.4% of the student music education market in China in 2019.
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The Student Musical Instrument Training Market in China
The student music education market consists primarily of musical instrument training and vocal music training, with musical instrument training representing 65.8% of the market in 2019. The student musical instrument training market in China grew at a CAGR of 21.5% from RMB26.0 billion in 2015 to RMB56.7 billion in 2019, faster than the student music education market in general, and is expected to reach approximately RMB110.0 billion by 2025.
The Student Piano Education Market in China
Piano training is generally the starting point for music education in China and many Chinese parents consider piano training to be an effective way for their children to cultivate an interest in music. The student piano education market in China grew rapidly from RMB17.6 billion in 2015 to RMB39.0 billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 22.0%, and is expected to double its size to RMB78.1 billion by 2025. In 2019, piano education accounted for 68.8% of the student musical instrument training market in China in terms of market size measured by expenditures and 66.6% of the market in 2019 in terms of number of students. These ratios are expected to increase to 71.0% and 69.0%, respectively, by 2025.
Source: Frost & Sullivan
As parents have become increasingly aware of the importance of music education at a young age, piano education expenditures on kindergarten students and junior primary school students in China have grown rapidly, and are expected to continue to grow, more rapidly than any other group of students under age 18.
In particular, piano education expenditures on kindergarten students grew at a CAGR of 23.1% from 2015 to 2019 and reached RMB9.9 billion in 2019, representing 25.4% of the student piano education market, and are expected to further grow at a CAGR of 13.9% from 2020 to 2025, representing 27.0% of the student piano education market by 2025. During the same periods, piano education expenditures on junior primary school students grew at a CAGR of 22.9% and reached RMB15.7 billion in 2019,
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representing 40.2% of the student piano education market, and are expected to further grow at a CAGR of 13.3%, representing 41.5% of the student piano education market by 2025.
Source: Frost & Sullivan
The Piano Proficiency Evaluation Market in China
The piano proficiency evaluation market in China, which refers to the offering of piano proficiency evaluation services to non-professional music students through exams and certification, has also grown rapidly in recent years. According to Frost & Sullivan, the number of students aged between 3 to 18 who participated in nonprofessional piano proficiency evaluations reached approximately 4.8 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2015, and is expected to further grow to 8.4 million by 2025. In addition, the ratio of students participating in nonprofessional piano proficiency evaluations to students receiving piano trainings in China is expected to grow from 28.6% in 2019 to 31.6% in 2025, suggesting significant growth potential for the piano proficiency evaluation market.
The Smart Music Education Market in China
The size of China's smart musical instrument market, as measured by the sum of the total sales revenue of smart musical instruments and related accessories, grew rapidly from RMB303.7 million in 2015 to RMB701.7 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 23.3%, and is expected to further grow to RMB932.9 million by 2025. Smart musical instruments include traditional musical instruments equipped with smart systems, innovative integrated musical instruments, MIDI controllers and wearable smart musical instruments. Smart music education services refer to music education services delivered through smart musical instruments.
Key drivers of China's smart music education market include (i) the rising demands for effective and affordable music education services, as well as remote learning solutions that minimize the need for in-person instruction, (ii) lower manufacturing costs driven by technology advances and the adoption of new manufacturing materials, and (iii) the continued diversification and enhancement of smart music education products. The key entry barriers to China's smart music education market include (i) capital investment in research & development and marketing, (ii) technology know-how and the ability to seamlessly integrate software and hardware, (iii) experience in piano education, (iv) strong brand recognition and proven track record, and (v) access to diverse and exclusively copyrighted teaching materials.
Within the smart musical instrument market in China, the smart piano market has experienced rapid growth over the years. The size of China's smart piano market, as measured by the sum of the total sales revenue of smart pianos and related accessories, grew from RMB300.6 million in 2015 to
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RMB689.1 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 23.0%, and is expected to reach RMB894.9 million by 2025. Within the smart music education market in China, sales of smart piano education services are also expected to grow rapidly at a CAGR of 32.1% from 2020 to 2025.
Source: Frost & Sullivan
Some key trends impacting the development of China's smart piano education market include (i) the development of new technologies and manufacturing materials, (ii) increasingly seamless integration of technology into smart piano education, and (iii) rising demand for effective piano education solutions.
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Our Mission
Our mission is to amplify the impact of classical music in China.
Overview
We are a leading provider of classical music licensing, subscription and education services in China. Powered by our rich and diverse content offerings, we were the largest classical music licensing service provider and the second largest online classical music subscription service provider in China in 2019, according to Frost & Sullivan, representing 46.6% and 13.8%, respectively, of the market share in terms of revenue. Leveraging our extensive content library and deep expertise in music education, we are also a leading smart music education service provider in China. According to Frost & Sullivan, we ranked first in smart piano wholesale revenue, with a 20.4% market share, and second in both sales revenue of smart pianos and smart piano education services and number of music students using our smart pianos, with a 20.5% and 20.4% market share, respectively, in 2019. In addition, following our acquisition of BMF in February 2020, we are one of the few companies in China with the experience and scale to organize large-scale live classical music events. With nearly twenty years of experience in the music industry, we have devoted ourselves to making classical music more accessible in China.
The classical music market in China has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by the rising popularity of classical music, the digitization of classical music content and favorable government policies. We identified this significant market opportunity early and we were one of the first classical music licensing and subscription service providers in China. Leveraging our long-standing relationships with world-renowned music labels and publishers, especially Naxos and years of music production and content acquisition efforts, we have built the largest library of classical music content in China as of December 31, 2019, according to Frost & Sullivan, which consisted of approximately 1.8 million music tracks, including 1.6 million tracks of traditional classical music and 220,000 tracks of jazz, world, folk and other genres of music that in aggregate covered approximately 42,000 musicians, 2,000 musical instruments and 160 countries and regions, as well as 1,900 video titles, 250,000 spoken content tracks and 5,750 volumes of sheet music. The vast majority of our content offerings have been licensed to us on an exclusive basis.
We license our music content primarily to online music entertainment platforms, such as Tencent Music Entertainment Group, digital music service providers, such as NetEase Cloud Music, as well as film and TV production companies, airlines and smart hardware companies. As of September 30, 2020, we licensed approximately 800,000 tracks of classical music from over 200 music labels to our licensees. Our music subscription service provides users with high-quality online and offline streaming access to our content library. Users can access our platform from our website, mobile app and smart music devices. As our encyclopedic catalog is especially suitable for educational and professional use, we have attracted a large number of universities, music conservatories, public libraries and individuals to subscribe to our service over the years. As of September 30, 2020, we had 743 institutional subscribers, including 444 universities and music conservatories and 299 public libraries, spread across all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, except Tibet.
Through our licensing and subscription services, we have brought high-quality classical music into more people's lives, enabling them to enjoy classical music in a more convenient, enriching and affordable way. However, our passion for classical music does not stop there. To us, a more fundamental way to amplify the impact of classical music is through music education. Towards that end and in an effort to address the underserved needs in China's music education market, we launched our smart music education business in October 2015, offering students and schools innovative and efficient smart music education solutions. Compared to traditional music education, we believe that our standardized course offerings and data analytics capability effectively reduce reliance on music teachers, ensure consistent teaching quality,
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broaden the accessibility of high-quality music education and enhance the scalability of our business model.
Our smart music education solutions primarily comprise the offering of our proprietary Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and Kukey courses. In the earlier stage of our smart music education business, we focused on selling Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems to primary and secondary schools through distributors. Our Kuke smart music teaching system, which is pre-installed in our Kuke smart pianos, contains a comprehensive array of classical music content and offers real-time, individualized feedback on student performance as they practice. Since July 2019, given the vast growth potential of the smart piano education market targeting young children, we have shifted the focus of our smart music education business to offering Kukey courses in collaboration with kindergartens. Kukey courses are typically small-group, beginner-level piano lessons offered through our Kuke smart pianos. We place Kuke smart pianos at the kindergartens without charge, utilize kindergarten teachers to deliver our Kukey courses and collect tuition directly from enrolled students. As of September 30, 2020, we had over 10,200 student enrollments from 1,300 kindergartens across 161 cities in China, placed over 6,800 Kuke smart pianos at these kindergartens and sold over 10,000 Kuke smart pianos and 1,900 Kuke smart music teaching systems to other educational institutions through distributors.
Finally, as appreciation for classical music grows in China, there has been a growing interest in experiencing live classical music. To address this growing opportunity, we acquired BMF, which organizes the Beijing Music Festival and other influential classical music events in China. With twenty-two years of history, the Beijing Music Festival has played an indispensable role in bringing world-class classical musicians to China and offering Chinese audiences the opportunity to enjoy masterful performances in person. We believe that our live classical music events business effectively complements our music content and education businesses, further enhances our brand awareness and positions us well to continuously offer differentiated value propositions to our customers through a thriving content-centric ecosystem.
Our pro forma total revenue in 2019 (including the impact of the acquisition of BMF) was RMB206.9 million (US$29.7 million), of which music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events accounted for 44.8%, 31.0% and 24.2%, respectively. On a non-pro forma basis, our total revenue decreased by 4.1% from RMB152.2 million in 2018 to RMB146.1 million (US$21.0 million) in 2019 and our profit for the year increased by 40.3% from RMB40.5 million in 2018 to RMB56.8 million (US$8.2 million) in 2019; BMF's revenue increased by 148.3% from 24.6 million in 2018 to RMB61.2 million (US$8.8 million) in 2019 and its profit for the year increased significantly from RMB0.6 million in 2018 to RMB12.5 million (US$1.8 million) in 2019. Our total revenue decreased by 14.6% from RMB40.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to RMB34.9 million (US$5.0 million) for the same period in 2020. Music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events accounted for 86.6%, 12.3% and 1.1%, respectively, of our total revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. We had a loss of RMB0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and RMB59.4 million (US$8.5 million) for the same period in 2020.
Our Strengths
Leading classical music licensing and subscription services provider powered by the largest classical music library in China especially suitable for educational and professional use
Powered by the largest library of classical music content in China as of December 31, 2019, we were the largest classical music licensing service provider and the second largest online classical music subscription service provider in China in 2019, according to Frost & Sullivan, representing 46.6% and 13.8%, respectively, of the market share in terms of revenue. As one of the first classical music licensing and subscription service providers in China, we benefit from a significant early mover advantage in terms of content offerings, brand reputation and customer loyalty.
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Leveraging our decades-old relationship with Naxos, a world-leading classical music brand and one of the largest distributors of independent classical record labels in the world, and other renowned content providers, we have built a rich and diverse content library containing approximately 1.8 million music tracks, 1,900 video titles, 250,000 spoken content tracks and 5,750 volumes of sheet music as of September 30, 2020, the vast majority of which have been licensed to us on an exclusive basis in China. In addition to the size, diversity, quality and exclusivity of our content offerings, our licensing and subscription customers are also drawn to us by our widely recognized classical music expertise and a variety of other value-added services. Leveraging our deep understanding of classical music and proprietary metadata algorithms for precision cataloging of classical music, we provide our licensees with scientifically classified and editorially curated music content and enable our subscribers to more easily search for and discover the music they like. Our long-standing licensees include some of the world's largest online music entertainment platforms, such as Tencent Music Entertainment Group, and digital music service providers, such as NetEase Cloud Music. As a preferred choice for classical music professionals, students and aficionados, we have also attracted a large number of universities, music conservatories, public libraries and individuals as our subscription customers over the years, many of which have stayed with us for years.
Leading smart music education service provider with highly scalable, innovative solutions
We are also a leading smart music education service provider in China, offering students and schools innovative and efficient smart music education solutions that address industry pain points. Compared to traditional music education, which are heavily reliant on music teachers' expertise, our innovative solutions effectively standardize the curriculum, reduce reliance on music teachers and significantly enhance learning and teaching efficiency. By taking our Kukey courses, students can also gain access to abundant learning materials that may otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable, as well as an immersive learning experience that fosters stronger appreciation for music. In addition, our highly scalable course offering model also enables us to offer high-quality piano education at a much more affordable price, levelling the playing field for children of lower-income families.
Under our course offering model, which we commenced in mid-2019, we place Kuke smart pianos at the kindergartens without charge, offer training to kindergarten teachers, utilize kindergarten teachers to deliver and promote our Kukey courses, and collect tuition directly from enrolled students on a monthly, semester or school-year basis. This allows us to quickly offer Kukey courses to students across China without bearing the costs for classrooms or instructors. The highly standardized, yet still personalized, nature of our Kukey courses also enables us to minimize the need for one-on-one instruction and offer Kukey courses to multiple students at the same time without compromising students' learning experience. In addition, our course offering model enables our collaborating kindergartens to quickly establish or strengthen their music education programs without incurring the costs of purchasing pianos or hiring experienced music teachers, thereby boosting the attractiveness of these kindergartens to prospective students and their parents. This in turn allows us to more cost-effectively market and deliver our Kukey courses. As a testament to our high scalability, from July 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020, our collaborating kindergartens increased from 43 to 1,300, the number of Kuke smart pianos we placed at kindergartens increased from approximately 350 to approximately 6,800 and the number of Kukey students grew rapidly to over 10,200.
Moreover, leveraging our industry connections and our live classical music events business, we also attract music students with differentiated value propositions, such as piano skill certificates issued by Standards of Artistic Education, a well-recognized piano proficiency evaluation authority in China, as well as the opportunity to perform at our events alongside renowned artists.
Organizer of renowned live classical music events
According to Frost & Sullivan, we are one of the few companies in China with the experience and scale to organize large-scale live classical music events. The events we organize include the Beijing Music
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Festival, one of the world's most renowned live classical musical events, and other influential classical music events, such as the Youth Music Culture Guangdong ("YMCG"), a classical music feast that brings together aspiring musicians from all around the world.
Held annually since 1998, the Beijing Music Festival has played an indispensable role in bringing world-class classical musicians to China and offering Chinese audiences the opportunity to enjoy masterful performances in person. The stellar roster of artists who have performed at the Beijing Music Festival include household names, such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, conductor Jaap van Zweden and soprano Renée Fleming. In addition to premier artistic experiences, we also offer classical music lovers in China various online and offline opportunities to learn more about, and participate in the creation of, classical music. Such opportunities include, among others, master classes from some of the world's most respected artists, lectures and salons offered by up-and-coming musicians, as well as auditions, rehearsals and children's concerts offered through youth outreach initiatives such as the BMF Children Festival Orchestra. Over the years, BMF has built a large and loyal fan base, including a growing online following among the new generation of classical music lovers, as well as long-standing relationships with high-profile corporate sponsors. We believe that our live classical music events business effectively enhances our reputation and brand awareness and positions us well to capture the high growth potential of China's classical music and music education industries.
Thriving content-centric ecosystem with significant synergies and strong brand appeal
Our three business lines are highly synergistic and together form a thriving content-centric ecosystem that sets us apart from our competitors. Leveraging the rich and diverse content offerings that Naxos and other rights holders licensed to us exclusively in China, we have attracted a large number of universities and music conservatories to subscribe to our services early in our development. Our deep-rooted relationships with these institutions bolster the reputation of our smart music education service, making our brand synonymous with professionalism and high teaching quality. In addition, our live classical music events business enables us to offer differentiated value propositions for our smart music education customers, attracting students and their schools through a wealth of learning and performance opportunities beyond the classroom. As students and their parents become more aware of the performance opportunities we offer, the appeal of these events to sponsors also increases. The expansion of our live classical music events business will further enable us to cost-effectively strengthen our brand awareness and expand our industry connections, both of which are vital to the continued growth of each of our business lines.
With nearly twenty years of experience in the music industry, we have built strong brands in each of our music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events business lines. Over the years, we have established collaboration with industry heavyweights across the globe and attracted customers with household names, which in turn strengthens our brand affinity. In addition, we have received numerous awards and recognitions over the years, such as the 2016 Most Innovative Technology Company in Music Education Award by the Center of Information Science at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the 2017 Most Innovative Company Award by China Securities Journal and the 2019 Special Award of China New Economy by Frost & Sullivan. We believe that our iconic brand will continue to differentiate our business, attract more customers and business partners and reinforce our market leadership. Our leading position will in turn enhance our brand recognition and strengthen our ability to expand our market share through effective and powerful word-of-mouth marketing.
Passionate management team with deep-rooted musical DNA
Our management is passionate about modernizing classical music and has significant industry experience. In particular, our founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. He Yu, is a well-recognized industry leader and currently serves as the deputy head of the Emerging Music Community Working Committee of the Chinese Musicians Association. Our Director and the founder of
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the Beijing Music Festival, Mr. Lung Yu, is one of the most preeminent Chinese conductors and was recognized as "the most powerful figure in China's Western classical music scene" by The New York Times. Mr. Lung Yu is the Vice Chairman of the Chinese Musicians Association, the Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the Music Director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the Music Director of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, as well as a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a recipient of numerous prestigious honors for his musical and cross-cultural contributions, such as la Légion d'Honneur, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits. As the grandchildren of Mr. Shande Ding, one of the most well-known Chinese composers and music educators, Mr. He Yu and Mr. Lung Yu grew up in a family of musicians and share the same passion for classical music. In addition, our President, Ms. Li Sun, is a highly respected industry thought leader and has held various leadership roles at several key players in China's music industry, such as Sony Music Entertainment (China) and Naxos China. Our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Hoi Tung Chan, is also an industry veteran with extensive managerial experience in business and finance. We believe that our management team will continue to build on our competitive strengths and successfully implement our strategies by leveraging their deep industry expertise, cross-cultural backgrounds and proven execution capability.
Our Strategies
Further enrich our content offerings and explore content monetization opportunities
We plan to further enrich our content offerings by widening the variety of genres, composers and performers covered in the works that we license or acquire from overseas and domestic content providers, deepening our relationships with existing content providers, leveraging our increasingly strong brand recognition to establish relationships with additional content providers and adding more high-resolution classical music recordings. We expect that these initiatives will effectively reinforce our content leadership. In addition, we plan to capitalize on additional monetization opportunities or develop new approaches to monetization, such as streaming more live classical music events and offering more classical music educational programs.
Expand the geographic coverage of our smart music education services
We intend to further strengthen our market position and capture new market opportunities by expanding our network of collaborating kindergartens and the geographic coverage of schools that purchase our Kuke smart pianos and/or Kuke smart music teaching systems. In particular, we plan to collaborate with more kindergartens and distributors in cities where we already have a presence while the demand for smart music education services is underserved, and to penetrate into new, especially lower-tier, cities where we currently do not have a presence but the demand for our services is substantial.
Enhance and diversify our smart music education offerings
We plan to continue to enhance and diversify our smart music education services, including further optimizing our Kukey courses, Kuke smart music teaching systems and Kuke smart pianos based on customer feedback, market research and strengthened research and development efforts, introducing new versions of Kukey courses and Kuke smart music teaching systems for students of different age groups, introducing new products featuring other types of musical instruments, as well as offering additional value-added services such as piano contests and piano proficiency evaluations for piano students of different levels. We also plan to launch a new version of the Kuke smart music teaching system that will enable students to practice at home using our Kuke smart pianos.
Continue to enhance our technology capabilities
We will continue to enhance our technology capabilities to strengthen our service offerings and improve user experience. In particular, for our subscription service, we plan to continue to improve our
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content search efficiency and the personalization level of our content recommendations; and for our smart music education service, we plan to further optimize our data analytics capability so as to continuously enhance our course offerings and students' learning experience. We also plan to make additional investments in big data analytics, machine learning and the recruitment of additional research and development personnel.
Promote brand awareness
We believe that the quality of our service offerings will continue to strengthen our brand. We will continue to achieve organic growth through word-of-mouth referrals, seek synergies among our Kuke, Kukey, BMF and Beijing Music Festival brands, and devote additional resources to promote our brand awareness. We intend to allocate our marketing spending across a variety of strategic initiatives, such as organizing high-profile live classical music events, collaborating with reputable business partners and continuing to grow our social media and online presence. We believe there are significant opportunities to enhance our brand awareness and affinity in existing and emerging markets, particularly in lower-tier cities with rapidly growing market demand.
Pursue strategic acquisition and investment opportunities
We may consider making selective investments or strategic acquisitions to enhance our industry position and business prospects. We may further expand our content offerings, strengthen our smart music education business or develop other business through selected acquisitions or investments. We will continue to explore potential strategic investment and acquisition opportunities and evaluate new opportunities as they arise.
Our Platform
Powered by our encyclopedic classical music content offerings, we operate three music-related businesses through our platform, namely music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events, which accounted for 44.8%, 31.0% and 24.2%, respectively, of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 on a pro forma condensed combined basis. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, music licensing and subscription, smart music education and live classical music events accounted for 86.6%, 12.3% and 1.1%, respectively, of our total revenue.
Our Content Offerings
Our rich and diverse content offerings are the foundation of our success. According to Frost & Sullivan, we had the largest library of classical music content in China as of December 31, 2019, which consisted of approximately 1.8 million music tracks, 1,900 video titles, 250,000 spoken content tracks and 5,750 volumes of sheet music. The vast majority of our content offerings have been licensed to us on an exclusive basis. In particular, we hold an exclusive and long-term license to the vast majority of content owned by Naxos within the territory of mainland China. Content licensed from Naxos, our largest content provider, accounted for over 95% of our content offerings as of September 30, 2020. In addition to licensed content, we also create original music and educational content and have acquired certain classical music videos from rights holders.
Music recordings. Our content library contains a wide range of standard and specialty repertoires of classical, jazz, world, folk and traditional Chinese music recordings, spanning from medieval to contemporary music. As of September 30, 2020, we had accumulated approximately 1.6 million tracks of traditional classical music and approximately 220,000 tracks of other genres of music recordings from over 900 music labels, covering the works of approximately 42,000 musicians and 2,000 musical instruments from over 160 countries and regions. Over the years, we have also created many award-wining music recordings, including the Contemporary Chinese Musicians collection, which features new, original symphony works created by Chinese composers, and the Sound of Nature collection, which records the indigenous music of China's ethnic minorities. In addition, in order to meet the exacting standards of classical music fans and attract more customers, we licensed from Naxos approximately 10,000 albums of high-resolution classical music recordings in July 2020.
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Videos. As of September 30, 2020, our content library contained over 4,000 hours of concerts, operas, ballets, plays, documentaries, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, featuring works from the world's most renowned opera houses, ballet companies and concert halls. As of the date of this prospectus, we had streamed 231 live classical music performances at the Vienna State Opera and the Beijing Music Festival. In addition, we have been working with Naxos to bring Home Music Berlin, a virtual concert series spearheaded by a group of internationally acclaimed artists, to the Chinese audience via streaming.
Spoken content. As of September 30, 2020, our spoken content contained audio versions of approximately 6,000 best sellers and some of the world's greatest literature, including novels, plays and poems, as well as various nonfiction history books and biographies.
Educational content. Our platform also offers various types of educational content, which is available online to our subscribers, embedded in our smart music education products or delivered in person through our offline events. Such content included, among others, online and offline master classes offered by renowned musicians, 5,750 volumes of digital sheet music for various instruments and ability levels, as well as bestselling children's books covering the basics of classical music as of September 30, 2020.
As our business grows and our collaboration with content providers and distribution channels deepens, we expect our content leadership to further strengthen.
Classical Music Licensing and Subscription
We believe that the size, diversity, quality and exclusivity of our content offerings, coupled with our classical music expertise and proprietary data analytics capability, make us a preferred choice for customers seeking to diversify their content offerings and classical music lovers with underserved needs.
Licensing
We license our music content primarily to online music entertainment platforms, such as Tencent Music Entertainment Group, digital music service providers, such as NetEase Cloud Music, as well as film and TV production companies, airlines and smart hardware companies. As of September 30, 2020, we licensed approximately 800,000 tracks of classical music from over 200 music labels to our licensees. According to Frost & Sullivan, with a 46.6% market share, we were the largest classical music licensing service provider in China in 2019 in terms of licensing revenue.
We enter into license agreements with licensees to make our content available for our licensees to access in digital formats. Our licensees may offer the licensed content on their online platforms for streaming and downloading or incorporate our licensed content into their products or service offerings. The license agreements set out the license scope, royalty arrangements, content delivery arrangements, settlement terms and the parties' respective rights and obligations. We charge licensing fees either on a per-track basis or a minimum guarantee plus revenue-sharing basis. Under the per-track model, we typically grant licensees the perpetual right to use the licensed content in manners prescribed by the license agreement in exchange for a one-off, fixed fee. Under the minimum guarantee plus revenue-sharing model, we typically enter into nonexclusive license agreements with the licensees for a term ranging from one to two years. We typically require a minimum guarantee payment from the licensee up front and revenue-sharing fees on a quarterly basis. Under both models, the licensee shall not use the licensed content outside the license scope, revise or abridge the licensed content, or transfer the right to use the licensed content to any third party. We have the right to terminate the license agreement and seek damages from the licensee should the licensee breach its obligations under the license agreement.
In addition, we also provide certain digital music service providers with a variety of value-added services aimed at enhancing their user experience and engagement, including, among others, content recommendation and curation, playlist compilation, editorial support and content search localization.
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Subscription
Our music subscription service provides users with high-quality online and offline streaming access to our content library, serving classical music lovers' underserved needs in terms of catalog, discovery, information and audio quality. Users can access our platform anywhere and anytime through our website www.kuke.com, the Kuke Music mobile app and smart music devices, and we provide our subscribers with a wide range of ways to search, browse and discover classical music content.
According to Frost & Sullivan, with a 13.8% market share, we were the second largest online classical music subscription service provider in China in 2019 in terms of revenue generated from paid subscription. As of September 30, 2020, we had 743 institutional subscribers, including 444 universities and music conservatories and 299 public libraries, spread across all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, except Tibet.
Key features of our music subscription service are set out below:
Sophisticated search engine tailor-made for classical music. The sheer variety of interpretations and recordings in the classical world exceeds the functional limits of many other streaming platforms in China. Based on the specific nature of classical music, we have designed proprietary metadata and search algorithms, enabling users to find exactly what they are looking for by using up to 17 search criteria, including the composer, title, album, genre, period, featured instrument, duration, adaptor, lyricist, soloist, conductor, choir, ensemble, orchestra, label, year of composition and release date. Users may also browse our catalog alphabetically using these filters.
The following screenshot illustrates the search functions of our website.
Professionally curated playlist. The key to music discovery is good curation. Our users can rely on us to create their music experience by listening to our professionally curated playlists, which provide users with an easy way to experience new works and broaden their existing collection.
Personalized recommendation. Based on our understanding of users' music tastes and listening habits, we utilize proprietary content recommendation algorithms to enhance their listening experience, presenting them with a personalized home page the moment they open our mobile app. Through our service, listeners can soundtrack their day with classical music that they already love and discover new works that they will likely enjoy.
A more enriching experience. The vast majority of our content is linked to various types of accessible background information. While streaming music or watching videos, users can seamlessly access useful text
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resources, such as liner notes, reviews and composer biographies, to gain a more meaningful understanding and deeper appreciation of the work.
The following screenshot illustrates our curated recommendations and personalized homepage.
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In addition to the features above, users may also create their own playlists for continuous enjoyment, import and export playlists, follow artists they like, check the calendar of upcoming live events and share their discovery with friends by email or via social media platforms, such as WeChat, QQ and Weibo.
We derive substantially all of our subscription revenue from institutional subscribers. We typically enter into one-year subscription agreements with institutional subscribers. Institutional subscriptions are set to allow a certain number of users to be logged in at the same time, and there is no limit to the number of simultaneous users an institutional subscriber may purchase. Subscribers may not transfer or license the right to use our content library to any third party, copy our content library or use any part of our content library to create or sell any software or database. We have the right to terminate the subscription without refund if the subscriber violates its obligations under the agreement.
We typically engage distributors to promote our institutional music subscription services. In 2019, we had 25 such distributors. We typically enter into two-year distribution agreements with these distributors, pursuant to which we grant them the right to promote our services to potential institutional subscribers within a prescribed region. For most of these distributors, we share approximately 40% of the subscription
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fees we receive from institutional subscribers with them. We have the right to terminate the distribution agreement if the distributors fail to meet certain sales quota requirements.
Our institutional subscription fees in 2019 ranged from RMB7,000 to RMB40,000 per year. For individual subscribers, we offer monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual subscription plans at approximately RMB30 per month. We collect subscription fees directly from subscribers through third-party payment channels. We offer free trial periods of three months to institutional subscribers and three days to individual subscribers.
Smart Music Education
We believe that music, especially classical music, opens a world of possibilities for childhood education, igniting intellectual, social and emotional development and unlocking children's creativity. As parents and schools become increasingly aware of the effectiveness of technology-driven education solutions, the demand for smart music education has been surging in China. Compared to traditional music education, our innovative smart music education solutions effectively address the industry pain points faced by music educators, music students and their parents. According to Frost & Sullivan, we ranked first in smart piano wholesale revenue, with a 20.4% market share, and second in both sales revenue of smart pianos and smart piano education services and number of music students using our smart pianos, with a 20.5% and 20.4% market share, respectively, in 2019.
We launched our smart music education business in October 2015, initially offering our proprietary Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems to distributors for them to resell to end customers, such as primary and secondary schools. As of September 30, 2020, we had sold over 10,000 Kuke smart pianos and 1,900 Kuke smart music teaching systems. In July 2019, we shifted the focus of our smart music education business to offering Kukey courses in collaboration with kindergartens. Under the course offering model, we place Kuke smart pianos at the kindergartens without charge, utilize kindergarten teachers to promote and deliver our Kukey courses and collect tuition directly from enrolled students. As of September 30, 2020, we had over 10,200 student enrollments and had placed over 6,800 Kuke smart pianos at 1,300 kindergartens across 161 cities and 27 provinces and autonomous regions in China, most of which are located in areas with strong demands for smart music education solutions.
Students typically subscribe to our Kukey courses on a monthly, semester or school-year basis. Kindergartens are recommended to offer two piano lessons per week but have full discretion in scheduling lessons to be offered during the students' subscription period. We provide training to these instructors on how to use our Kuke smart music teaching system to deliver Kukey courses, as well as daily operational support to the kindergartens to enhance students' learning experience. Teachers are required to complete our extensive training programs before courses begin.
We do not contract with kindergartens directly but instead engage third-party distributors to establish collaboration with kindergartens and assist us in promoting our Kukey courses to kindergarten students. We typically transfer 70% of the tuition fees to our distributors on a monthly basis, who are obligated under our agreement with them to transfer 50% of the total tuition to collaborating kindergartens. As of September 30, 2020, we had entered into distribution agreements with 217 distributors for the promotion of our Kukey courses. We typically enter into four-year distribution agreements with these distributors and authorize them to promote our Kukey courses to, and enter into collaboration agreements with, kindergartens within a prescribed region. We typically share a pre-agreed percentage of the tuition we collect with our distributors, who then share a certain portion of the tuition with the kindergartens. Under our agreement with distributors, we have the right to make on-site visits to kindergartens during the course of the collaboration and may terminate the distribution agreement and reclaim the Kuke smart pianos and other equipment delivered should the distributor fail to meet the student enrollment requirements specified in the distribution agreement. Distributors help promote our Kukey courses mostly through parent-teacher conferences and other forms of communication with parents using our promotional materials and sales guidelines.
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The Kukey Experience
Our Kukey courses are primarily geared towards helping students learn basic piano knowledge and skills while cultivating students' interest in music through an immersive artistic experience. The course covers musical knowledge, practice instructions, professional demonstration, group and individual practice sessions and quizzes, all delivered in an interactive and animated manner tailored to the psychological, behavioral and physical characteristics of young children. For students, Kukey courses offer an easy, resourceful and rewarding way to learn music and play the piano. For schools, Kukey courses offer a simple and cost-effective way to teach multiple students at the same time.
Enrolled students at each kindergarten typically take our piano lessons in small groups of six or less under the instruction of a kindergarten teacher. A typical Kukey classroom consists of seven Kuke smart pianos, one for the instructor and six for the students. With an 88-key weighted keyboard modeled on that of a grand piano, as well as three built-in pedals that give the player the full range of control of the piano's sound, our Kuke smart piano offers students a playing experience similar to that of a traditional acoustic piano.
The Kuke smart music teaching system is an Android operating system that is connected to our cloud server. After a student signs up, we will assign the student a user account to log into the system, which remains inactive until the user logs in with valid credentials.
After logging in, instructors first select which group of students to teach. After selecting a group, instructors can see how many lessons this group has completed and the group's overall performance. Instructors can alternate between "sync teaching mode," where all students' screens are "sync'd" content-wise with one another, or the "self-directed mode," where each student can practice on their own. Under either mode, instructors can monitor each student's performance in real time, which enables them to give students individualized attention and adjust the teaching pace as needed.
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Our Kuke smart music teaching system measures the finger pressure, pitch and tempo of each student through sensors and provides real-time feedback on students' performance based on these metrics. Students can clearly see on our built-in 16:9 LCD screen where they erred or could have done better, thereby quickly and accurately identifying areas in which they need to improve. Based on data-based assessment of students' performance, our system automatically generates suggestions on how students can adjust their practice focus and efforts. This also enables instructors to assign customized tasks to help students more effectively tackle areas in need of improvement. Our Kuke smart music teaching system records every performance assessment and generates a weighted-average score for each student after every lesson, making it much easier for instructors to more objectively evaluate students' progress over time.
The screenshots below illustrate our assessments of a student's performance and our practice suggestions.
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Students can also take charge of their own learning by choosing exactly what they want to practice and how they want to practice it. We offer students various practice modes, including, among others, single-hand practice, scale practice and tempo practice with metronome. Under certain practice modes, students can only proceed with the lesson if they have played a score correctly. The screenshot below illustrates the different types of practice a student engaged in during a Kukey course.
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We believe that these functions effectively reduce reliance on music teachers' expertise, ensure consistent teaching quality and significantly enhance learning efficiency. Compared with traditional one-on-one piano lessons, we believe that our small-group lessons foster greater trust and cooperation among students, as well as a stronger sense of community and belonging.
In addition, leveraging our relationships with Naxos, the Shanghai Music Publishing House and other rights holders, we have incorporated into our Kukey courses over 1,000 recordings, 50 videos, 2,700 volumes of sheet music, as well as content from bestselling piano teaching books, such as My First Piano Book and John Thompsons' Easiest Piano Course. These learning materials are seamlessly integrated with the topics for each lesson, enabling students to immerse themselves in the performances of renowned artists while broadening their horizon. At the end of each lesson, we also present students with historical and cultural background information related to the music scores they learned, which further helps stimulate students' interest in music.
The screenshots below are examples of the sheet music and other classic works integrated within our courseware.
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After completing our course, Kukey students are expected to master basic piano techniques. Starting in July 2020, students who pass our semester-end evaluations can also receive piano skill certificates issued by Standards of Artistic Education, a well-recognized piano proficiency evaluation authority in China. Students who excel may also have the opportunity to perform at our live classical music events and hone their orchestral piano skills alongside the BMF Children Festival Orchestra.
Research and Development
We design and develop substantially all of our course materials and the functions of our Kuke smart music teaching system in-house based on our music expertise, user feedback, extensive research on market needs, the requirements of various music proficiency tests, as well as input from esteemed music professionals and industry experts. In addition, we have entered into a collaboration agreement with the National Piano Society of China regarding the design and optimization of our Kukey courses and Kuke smart music teaching system. We also regularly hold seminars with renowned pianists and music educators to discuss the latest trends and developments in piano education, recent research findings in child psychology and early childhood development, as well as their own experience of learning the piano and perfecting their skills.
We regularly update our Kukey courses and the functionalities of our Kuke smart music teaching system to further enhance their effectiveness and reduce the role of in-person instruction. Such updates are promptly synched to the Kuke smart music teaching system through cloud-based transmission.
For Kuke smart music teaching systems used by other age groups, we offer a course program that is more condensed and complicated. Instructors using this version of the Kuke smart music teaching system can also create customized curriculum using resources contained in the system or uploading their own teaching materials.
Pricing
The tuition of our Kukey courses in 2019 was RMB150 per month, RMB500 per semester or RMB900 per school year, and students may withdraw within two weeks of the subscription date and receive full
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refunds. The average purchase price of our Kuke smart music teaching system and a Kuke smart piano, exclusive of the pre-installed teaching system, in 2019 was RMB67,520 and RMB4,580, respectively.
Live Classical Music Events
In February 2020, we acquired 100% equity interest in BMF, which organizes the Beijing Music Festival and other influential classical music events in China. According to Frost & Sullivan, we are one of the few companies in China with the experience and scale to organize large-scale classical music festivals. As of the date of this prospectus, BMF had organized over 600 live classical music performances featuring over 360 orchestras and 1,970 artists.
Launched in 1998 by our Director Mr. Lung Yu with endorsement from the PRC Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Beijing Municipal Government, the Beijing Music Festival presents a wide variety of live performances every year, including operas, symphonic concerts, recitals, chamber music concerts and virtual reality music experiences. Over the years, the Beijing Music Festival has attracted a large number of world-class classical musicians and artists to China to deliver performances that may be once-in-a-lifetime for many of the Chinese audiences. Examples of the caliber of the Beijing Music Festival's lineup include, among others, Yo-Yo Ma, Jaap van Zweden and Renée Fleming. In addition to beloved classics, the Beijing Music Festival also presents innovative, avant-garde works that realize our boundary-crossing artistic vision. For example, we have collaborated with world-renowned artistic institutions to co-produce or co-commission works featuring renowned artists. "Madame White Snake," an opera jointly commissioned by us, won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Music.
BMF Culture, one of our VIEs, first became involved with the organizing of the Beijing Music Festival in 2003. Since 2005, BMF Culture has been organizing the Beijing Music Festival annually together with the Beijing Music Festival Arts Foundation. In 2019, BMF Culture and the Beijing Music Festival Arts Foundation entered into a framework agreement, pursuant to which BMF Culture undertakes most of the organizing responsibilities for the Beijing Music Festival.
Leveraging our experience of hosting the Beijing Music Festival, we also organize other live classical music events throughout the year, such as the YMCG program led by Lung Yu and Yo-Yo Ma, the West Mountain Forest Music Festival and other themed events. These live events not only offer audiences a more immersive classical music experience, but also bring people from different walks of life together through their shared love for classical music. In particular, the YMCG program, held annually in collaboration with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, presents a unique opportunity for talented young musicians across the world to learn from, and perform alongside, musicians of great renown.
Additionally, as part of our effort to promote interest and education in classical music in China, we offer various online and offline opportunities for people interested in classical music to learn more about, and participate in the creation of, classical music. Such opportunities include, among others, master classes, lectures, pre-talks and salons, as well as auditions, rehearsals and children's concerts through our youth outreach initiatives. For example, the BMF Children Festival Orchestra, a non-profit youth symphony orchestra open to talented budding musicians free of charge, presents original interpretations of classic works under the guidance of industry heavyweights. In addition, through the BMF Club, we bring classical music lovers across China together to share, learn and discover classical music. We have also launched a BMF Club mobile app that is designed to offer our fans and followers an integrated information and content sharing platform focusing on classical music. Users can register for the BMF Club app for free with mobile phone numbers.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, we have not been able to organize as many live classical music performances or invite as many overseas artists to perform at our live classical music events as we had been able to. In an effort to reach a broader audience and attract more sponsors, we have started streaming more live classical music performances. Registered users of the BMF Club app will have unlimited streaming access to most of the performances at this year's Beijing Music Festival.
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Our revenue from live classical music events primarily consists of sponsorship fees, performance fees, service fees, ticket sales and royalties. Over the years, BMF has built long-standing relationships with high-profile corporate sponsors, such as FAW-Volkswagen, Audi, CITIC Group, Credit Suisse, UBS, Nestle and Swire Properties. We offer various types of sponsorship programs, including naming rights, exclusive partner rights, on-site venue signage and advertisements, to sponsors across industry sectors, connecting their brands directly with a large base of well-educated, affluent and experience-oriented customers. The sponsorship fee we charged each sponsor in 2019 ranged from RMB30,000 to RMB2.0 million, depending on sponsorship title and the scope of services we offer to sponsors.
Technology
Building a reliable, scalable and secure technology infrastructure is crucial to our ability to provide superior services to our customers, operate cost effectively and accommodate future growth. We currently use a combination of third-party commercially available and proprietary technology and systems to support our operations. As of December 31, 2019, we had a strong research and development team of 43 employees, which accounted for approximately 40% of our total headcount.
Principal components of our technology infrastructure include:
Scalable, cloud-based infrastructure. We maintain a capital-light infrastructure. By using a cloud services provider, we are able to ensure that our systems can scale with our growth and meet fluctuating or unpredictable system demands.
Our Kuke smart music teaching system is connected to our cloud server through a local area network ("LAN") server via wireless connection. Each LAN server can accommodate up to 60 users at the same time. Through sensors attached to the keyboard of Kuke smart pianos, we capture various aspects of students' practice data relevant for assessing their performance, such as finger pressure, pitch and tempo. Such data and our machine-generated analysis of the data are transmitted between our Kuke smart music teaching system and cloud server in real time, enabling us to provide students with instant, individualized feedback on their performance. Through cloud computing, we generate an overall score for every student and their group automatically at the end of every piano lesson, which helps instructors stay on top of students' progress over time and adjust the teaching pace accordingly. In addition, through Websocket technology, instructors can monitor each student's interface at the same time, which enhances teaching efficiency without compromising the level of individualized attention.
Big data analytics. We have invested considerably in the research and development of big data analytics and machine learning. For our music subscription business, our musicologists conduct exhaustive analysis of metadata, the searchable, textual information embedded into each work. Users can search for content using up to 17 search criteria, including the composer, title, album, genre, period, featured instrument, duration, adaptor, lyricist, soloist, conductor, choir, ensemble, orchestra, label, year of composition and release date. We also provide listeners with a personalized music discovery experience by leveraging our proprietary content recommendation algorithms and data. For our smart music education business, we apply proprietary algorithms to analyze various types of students' practice data and to provide them with performance evaluations that accurately reflect their skill level, strengths and weaknesses. Based on such analysis, our data analytics engine also generates tailored practice suggestions that help students more effectively tackle areas in need of improvement.
Intellectual Property
License Agreements
We obtain licenses from and pay royalties to rights holders or their agents. Below is a summary of certain provisions of our key license agreements with Naxos, our largest content provider.
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Pursuant to a license agreement between Beijing Kuke Music Co., Limited and Naxos Digital Services US, Inc., which expires on June 30, 2026 and is automatically renewable for successive one-year periods, unless either party indicates otherwise in advance, we have the exclusive right to sell a wide range of content owned or controlled by Naxos for subscription and downloading in China. We are obligated to pay Naxos the higher of (i) an annual minimum licensing fee, which increases annually over the term of the license period, with a total of approximately $9.3 million under the agreement, or (ii) 45% to 55% of the annual revenue generated from the licensed content. Naxos has the right to terminate the agreement in certain circumstances, including, for example, our failure to timely pay royalties. Our revenue generated from this agreement was RMB13.5 million, RMB14.6 million (US$2.1 million) and RMB9.8 million (US$1.4 million) in 2018, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
Naxos has also licensed certain content it owns or controls to Naxos China, our joint venture with Naxos. Naxos China's license agreement with Naxos International expires on December 31, 2022 and is automatically renewable for another three years, unless either party indicates otherwise in advance. Naxos China shall pay Naxos International 30% of all payments, sales proceeds or other monies directly received by or credited to Naxos China for the exploitation of the licensed content less any tax deducted (or 50% if Naxos China's agent or affiliate is involved). Our revenue generated from this agreement was RMB5.5 million, RMB6.8 million (US$1.0 million) and RMB5.7 million (US$0.8 million) in 2018, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Naxos China's license agreement with Naxos of America, Inc. expires on January 1, 2021 and is automatically renewable for successive one-year periods unless either party indicates otherwise in advance. Pursuant to these license agreements, Naxos China has the exclusive right to exploit or license third parties to use the licensed content in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Naxos China shall pay Naxos of America, Inc. 65% of the income actually received by or credited to Naxos China that is derived from the exploitation of the licensed content. Our revenue generated from this agreement was RMB4.8 million, RMB5.4 million (US$0.8 million) and RMB0.3 million (US$38 thousand) in 2018, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. The licensor has audit rights and may terminate the agreement in case of any material breach of the agreement. There are no minimum guarantee payment obligations under the agreements.
Content Production Arrangement
We engage certain recording agencies to create music recordings to our specifications on a per-project basis. Under our agreements with these agencies, we are the sole owner of all the copyrights related to the recorded work.
Other Intellectual Properties
We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademarks and trade secret laws in China and other jurisdictions, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, to protect our intellectual property rights. As of December 31, 2019, we owned five patents, 33 copyrights, 29 trademarks and 45 domain names in China. As of the same date, we have applied for the registration of 12 copyrights.
Despite our efforts to protect ourselves from infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property in violation of our rights. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, or our failure or inability to develop non-infringing intellectual property or license the infringed or similar intellectual property on a timely basis, our business could be harmed. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryFailure to maintain, protect or enforce our intellectual property could substantially harm our business, operating results and financial condition" and "Assertions by third parties of infringement or other violation by us of their intellectual property rights could harm our business, operating results and financial condition."
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Data Security and Protection
We believe that data security is critical to our business operations. We have internal rules and policies to govern how we use and share personal information, as well as protocols, technologies and systems in place to ensure that such information will not be accessed or disclosed improperly. From an internal policy perspective, we limit access to our servers that store our user and internal data on a "need-to-know" basis. We have also adopted a data encryption system intended to ensure the secured storage and transmission of data, and prevent any unauthorized member of the public or third parties from accessing or using our data in any unauthorized manner. Furthermore, we implement comprehensive data masking of user data for the purpose of fending off potential hacking or security attacks.
Sales and Marketing
We primarily rely on word-of-mouth referrals and benefit from our strong brand with respect to customer acquisition and retention. We also engage in diverse marketing campaigns both online and offline to enhance our brand awareness, such as search engine optimization, social media marketing and advertisement placement through events organized by us or third-party channels. In addition, we rely on distributors to establish collaboration with kindergartens for the offering of our Kukey courses and to market and sell Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart music teaching systems and our institutional music subscription services.
For sales made to public or government-affiliated entities, we are often required to go through a bidding process and are sometimes required to include third-party products or services in our bids. After winning the bid, we will then purchase these third-party products or services and resell them to these government-affiliated entities.
Suppliers
Our content providers include renowned music labels, publishing houses and artists. In particular, content licensed from Naxos, our largest content provider, accounted for over 95% of our content offerings as of September 30, 2020. We hold an exclusive and long-term license to the vast majority of content owned by Naxos within the territory of mainland China. For more details on our content licensing arrangements, see "Intellectual Property."
For our smart music education business, we also cooperate with selected contract manufacturers to manufacture Kuke smart pianos based on our specifications and source the main components of Kuke smart pianos from several suppliers. These suppliers are responsible for delivering the components to our contract manufacturers at their own costs and are liable to us for any quality issue. Our agreements with contract manufacturers contain detailed provisions regarding product specifications, quality standards, payment terms, shipping obligations, the rights of each party in the event of breach or default, and other customary contractual terms and conditions. Our contract manufacturers are responsible for the repair and maintenance of the pianos. Our quality assurance team frequently monitors the capacity and performance of our contract manufacturers and suppliers to ensure they meet our rigorous quality standard.
Competition
We face competition from other classical music licensing service providers for licensees, other online classical music subscription service providers for subscribers, other smart music education service providers for student enrollment and the sale of our Kuke smart pianos and Kuke smart music teaching systems, and other live classical music event organizers for audience and sponsorship.
We compete primarily on the basis of service quality, user experience, content offerings, brand recognition and pricing. Some of our competitors may have greater financial, marketing or technology resources than we do, which could enable them to respond more quickly to technological innovations or
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changes in market demand and build stronger relationships with rights holders. For information on risks relating to increased competition in our industry, see "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our BusinessWe compete with other classical music licensing and subscription service providers, smart music education service providers and live classical music event organizers for customers."
Employees
As of December 31, 2019, we had 108 employees, all of which were based in mainland China. The following table sets forth the number of our employees categorized by function as of December 31, 2019.
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As of December 31,
2019 |
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Number | % of Total | |||||
Operations |
21 | 19.4 | % | ||||
Sales and marketing |
14 | 13.0 | % | ||||
Research and development |
43 | 39.8 | % | ||||
Management and administration |
30 | 27.8 | % | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
108 | 100 | % | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
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As required by laws and regulations in China, we participate in various employee social security plans that are organized by municipal and provincial governments, including, among other things, pension, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, work-related injury insurance and housing fund plans through a PRC government-mandated benefit contribution plan. We are required under PRC laws to make contributions to employee benefit plans at specified percentages of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of our employees, up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time.
We typically enter into employment agreements with our full-time employees that contain standard confidentiality and non-competition provisions. In addition to salaries and benefits, we provide performance-based bonuses for our employees. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any material labor disputes in the past. None of our employees are represented by labor unions.
Facilities
Our corporate headquarters is located in Beijing, China. We lease office space from a third party and do not own any facilities of our own. We believe that these facilities are generally adequate to meet our current needs, although we expect to seek additional space as needed to accommodate future growth.
Insurance
We provide social security insurance, including pension insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance and medical insurance for our employees in compliance with applicable PRC laws. We do not maintain business interruption insurance. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and IndustryWe have limited insurance coverage with respect to our business and operations, which could expose us to significant costs and business disruption."
Legal Proceedings
We are currently not involved in any material legal or administrative proceedings. We may from time to time be subject to various legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial cost and diversion of our resources, including our management's time and attention.
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We are subject to a variety of PRC laws, rules and regulations across many aspects of our business. The following is a summary of the principal PRC laws and regulations relating to our business and operations within the territory of the PRC.
Regulations on Foreign Investment
The Foreign Investment Law of the PRC was adopted by the 2nd session of the thirteenth National People's Congress on March 15, 2019 and became effective on January 1, 2020. The Foreign Investment Law sets out the basic regulatory framework for foreign investments and proposes to implement a system of pre-entry national treatment with a negative list for foreign investments, pursuant to which (i) foreign natural persons, enterprises or other organizations, collectively the foreign investors, shall not invest in any sector forbidden by the negative list for access of foreign investment, (ii) for any sector restricted by the negative list, foreign investors shall conform to the investment conditions provided in the negative list, and (iii) sectors not included in the negative list shall be managed under the principle that domestic investment and foreign investment shall be treated equally. The Foreign Investment Law also sets forth necessary mechanisms to facilitate, protect and manage foreign investments and proposes to establish a foreign investment information report system in which foreign investors or foreign-funded enterprises shall submit the investment information to competent departments of commerce through the enterprise registration system and the enterprise credit information publicity system.
On December 30, 2019, the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration for Market Regulation issued the Measures for the Reporting of Foreign Investment Information, which came into effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced Interim Administrative Measures. Since January 1, 2020, for foreign investors carrying out investment activities directly or indirectly in China, the foreign investors or foreign-invested enterprises shall submit investment information to the commerce authorities pursuant to these measures.
Special Administrative Measures for Entrance of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2020 Version)
The Special Administrative Measures for Entrance of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2020 Version), or the Negative List, which was promulgated jointly by the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission on June 23, 2020 and became effective on July 23, 2020, replaced and abolished the Special Administrative Measures for Entrance of Foreign Investment (Negative List) (2019 Version) regulating the access of foreign investors to China. Pursuant to the Negative List, foreign investors should refrain from investing in any of prohibited sectors specified in the Negative List, and foreign investors are required to obtain the permit for access to other sectors that are listed in the Negative List but not classified as "prohibited." The Negative List covers 12 industries. Fields not covered in the Negative List shall be administrated under the principle of equal treatment to domestic and foreign investments.
We are a Cayman Islands company and our businesses by nature in China are mainly Internet information services, Internet culture services, Internet publication services, online audio-visual products and other related value-added telecommunications services, which are restricted or prohibited for foreign investors by the Negative List. We conduct business operations that are restricted or prohibited for foreign investment through our variable interest entities, or VIEs.
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Regulations on Internet information services, Internet culture services, Internet publication services, online audio-visual products and other related value-added telecommunications services
Licenses for Value-Added Telecommunications Services
The Telecommunications Regulations of the PRC (2016 Revision), promulgated in 2000 by the State Council and most recently amended in 2016, provides a regulatory framework for telecommunications service providers in the PRC. As required by these regulations, a commercial telecommunications service provider in the PRC shall obtain an operating license from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology or its counterparts at the provincial level prior to its commencement of operations.
The Telecom Regulations of the PRC categorize all telecommunication businesses in the PRC as either basic or value-added. The Catalog of Telecommunications Business, which was issued as an attachment to the Telecom Regulations of the PRC and most recently amended on June 6, 2019, further categorizes value-added telecommunication services into two classes: class I value-added telecommunication services and class II value-added telecommunication services. Information services provided via cable networks, mobile networks, or Internet fall within class II value-added telecommunications services.
The Measures on Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses (2017 Version) promulgated by MIIT replaced and abolished its 2009 version. According to these measures, any approved telecommunications service provider shall conduct its business in accordance with the specifications in its license for value-added telecommunications services, or VATS License. These measures further prescribe types of requisite licenses for VATS Licenses together with qualifications and procedures for obtaining such VATS Licenses. Beijing Kuke Music has obtained the VATS License.
Pursuant to the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, promulgated in 2000 and amended in 2011 by the State Council, commercial Internet information service providers, which mean providers of information or services to Internet users with charge, shall obtain the VATS License with the business scope of Internet information services, namely the Internet Content Provider License, from competent telecommunication authorities before providing any commercial Internet content services within the PRC. Beijing Kuke Music has obtained the Internet Content Provider License.
Restrictions on Foreign Direct Investment in Value-Added Telecommunications Services
Foreign direct investment in telecommunications companies in China is governed by the Provisions on the Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, which was promulgated in 2001 and most recently amended in 2016 by the State Council. The regulations require foreign-invested value-added telecommunications enterprises in China to be established as Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and, with a few exceptions, the foreign investors may acquire up to 50% of the equity interests in such joint ventures. In addition, the major foreign investor, as defined therein, is required to demonstrate a good track record and experience in operating value-added telecommunications businesses. Moreover, foreign investors that meet these requirements must obtain approvals from MIIT and the Ministry of Commerce, or their authorized local counterparts, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals.
In 2006, MIIT released the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in the Operation of Value-added Telecommunications Business, or MIIT Circular. MIIT Circular prohibits domestic telecommunications enterprises from leasing, transferring or selling telecommunications business operation licenses to foreign investors in any form, or providing any resources, sites or facilities to any foreign investor for their illegal operation of telecommunications business in China. Furthermore, under MIIT Circular, the Internet domain names and registered trademarks used by a foreign-invested value-added telecommunications services operator shall be legally owned by that operator (or its shareholders). If a license holder fails to comply with the requirements in MIIT Circular and rectify such non-compliance,
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MIIT or its local counterparts have the discretion to take measures against such license holders, including revoking their VATS Licenses.
Regulations on Transmitting Audio-Visual Programs through the Internet
In 2007, MIIT and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or SARFT, jointly issued the Administrative Provisions on the Internet Audio-Video Program Service, or the Audio-Video Program Provisions, which came into effect in 2008 and was amended in 2015 by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or the SAPPRFT. The Audio-Video Program Provisions defines "Internet audio-video program services" as producing, editing and integrating audio-video programs, supplying audio-video programs to the public via the Internet, and providing audio-video programs uploading and transmission services to a third party. Entities providing Internet audio-video program services must obtain an Audio and Video Service Permission, or the AVSP. Applicants for the AVSP shall be state-owned or state-controlled entities unless an AVSP has been obtained prior to the effectiveness of the Audio-Video Program Provisions in accordance with the then-in-effect laws and regulations. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services. According to the Audio-Video Program Provisions and other relevant laws and regulations, audio-video programs provided by the entities supplying Internet audio-video program services shall not contain any illegal content or other content prohibited by laws and regulations, such as any content against the basic principles in the PRC Constitution, any content that jeopardizes the sovereignty of the country or national security, and any content that disturbs social order or undermines social stability. A full copy of any audio-video program that has already been broadcasted shall be retained for at least 60 days. Movies, television programs and other media contents used as Internet audio-video programs shall comply with applicable administrative regulations on programs transmitted through radio, movie and television channels. Entities providing services related to Internet audio-video programs shall immediately remove the audio-video programs violating laws and regulations, keep relevant records, report to relevant authorities, and implement other regulatory requirements.
The Categories of the Internet Audio-Video Program Services, or the Audio-Video Program Categories, promulgated by SARFT in 2010 and amended in 2017, classifies Internet audio-video programs into four categories: (I) Category I Internet audio-video program service, which is carried out with a form of radio station or television station; (II) Category II Internet audio-video program service, including (a) re-broadcasting service of current political news audio-video programs; (b) hosting, interviewing, reporting, and commenting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education, and other specialized audio-video programs; (c) producing (interviewing not included) and broadcasting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education, and other specialized audio-video programs; (d) producing and broadcasting service of Internet films or dramas; (e) aggregating and broadcasting service of films, television dramas and cartoons; (f) aggregating and broadcasting service of arts, entertainment, technology, finance and economics, sports, education and other specialized audio-video programs; and (g) live audio-video broadcasting service of cultural activities of common social organizations, sport events or other organization activities; and (III) Category III Internet audio-video program service, including (a) aggregating service of online audio-video content, and (b) re-broadcasting service of audio-video programs uploaded by Internet users; and (IV) Category IV Internet audio-video program service, including (a) re-broadcasting of radio or television program channels; (b) re-broadcasting of Internet audio-video program channels; and (c) re-broadcasting of live Internet audio-video program.
In 2016, the SAPPRFT issued the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Implementing the Approval Granting for Mobile Internet Audio-Video Program Services, or the Mobile Audio-Video Program Circular. The Mobile Audio-Video Program Circular provides that mobile Internet audio-video program services shall be deemed a type of Internet audio-video program services. Entities approved to provide mobile Internet audio-video program services may use mobile WAP websites or mobile
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applications to provide audio-video program services, but the types of the programs operated by such entities shall be within the permitted scope as provided in their AVSPs and the said mobile applications shall be filed with the SAPPRFT.
In 2016, the State Internet Information Office issued the Administrative Regulations on Online Live Streaming Services, or the Online Live Streaming Regulations. According to the Online Live Streaming Regulations, when providing Internet news information services, both online live streaming service providers and online live streaming publishers must obtain relevant licenses for providing Internet news information services and may only carry out Internet news information services within the scope of their AVSPs. All online live streaming service providers (whether or not providing Internet news information) must take certain actions to operate their services, including establishing platforms to monitor live streaming contents.
On November 18, 2019, Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the PRC and the National Radio and Television Administration, jointly issued the Administrative Provisions on Network Audio and Video Information Services, which came into effect on January 1, 2020. According to the Administrative Provisions on Network Audio and Video Information Services, network audio and video information service providers shall strengthen the management of audio and video information released by network audio and video information service users to prevent the production and transmission of illegal content.
Regulations on Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs
In 2004, the SAPPRFT promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Production and Operation of Radio and Television Programs, which was most recently amended in October 2018. Pursuant to these regulations, entities engaging in the production of radio and television programs must obtain the License for Production and Operation of Radio and TV Programs from the SAPPRFT or its counterparts at the provincial level. Holders of such licenses must conduct their business operations strictly in compliance with the approved scope as provided in their licenses. Beijing Kuke Music has obtained the License for Production and Operation of Radio and TV Programs.
Regulations on Online Publication
In 2016, the SAPPRFT and MIIT jointly promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Online Publishing Services. It defines "online publications" as digital works that are edited, produced, or processed to be published and provided to the public through the Internet, including (a) original digital works, such as pictures, maps, games and comics; (b) digital works with content that is consistent with the type of content that, prior to being released online, typically was published in offline media such as books, newspapers, periodicals, audio-visual products and electronic publications; (c) digital works in the form of online databases compiled by selecting, arranging and compiling other types of digital works; and (d) other types of digital works identified by the SAPPRFT. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the foregoing services. Under the Online Publishing Regulations, Internet operators distributing online publications via the Internet are required to obtain an Online Publishing Service Permit from the SAPPRFT. Beijing Kuke Music has obtained the Online Publishing Service Permit.
Regulations on Internet Culture Activities
Pursuant to the Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture promulgated by the Ministry of Culture in 2011 and amended in 2017, Internet culture activities include (i) production, reproduction, import, release or broadcasting of Internet culture products (such as online music, online game, online performance and cultural products by certain technical means and copied to the Internet for spreading); (ii) distribution or publication of cultural products on the Internet, or sending cultural products through Internet, mobile communication network and other information networks to customer premise equipment
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such as computers, fixed telephones, mobile phones, radios, TV sets, game players, etc. as well as Internet bar and other Internet online service operating premises available for users to browse, read, appreciate, use or download such contents; and (iii) exhibitions, competitions and other similar activities concerning Internet culture products. The Interim Administrative Provisions on Internet Culture further classifies Internet cultural activities into commercial Internet cultural activities and non-commercial Internet cultural activities. Entities engaging in commercial Internet cultural activities must apply to the relevant authorities for the Online Culture Operating Permit, while non-commercial cultural entities are only required to report to related culture administration authorities within 60 days of the establishment of such entity. If any entity engages in commercial Internet culture activities without approval, the cultural administration authorities or other relevant government may order such entity to cease to operate Internet culture activities and levy penalties including administrative warnings and fines up to RMB30,000. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises are not allowed to engage in the above-mentioned services except online music. Beijing Kuke Music has obtained the Online Culture Operating Permit.
Regulations on Online Music
In 2006, the Ministry of Culture issued the Several Opinions of the Ministry of Culture on the Development and Administration of Online Music. It provides that, among other things, an Internet music service provider must obtain an Online Culture Operating Permit. In 2015, the Ministry of Culture promulgated the Circular on Further Strengthening and Improving the Content Administration of Online Music, effective in 2016, which provides that Internet culture operating entities shall report the details of its self-monitoring activities to a nationwide administrative platform on a quarterly basis.
In 2010 and 2011, the Ministry of Culture greatly intensified its regulations on online music products by issuing a series of circulars regarding the online music industry, such as the Circular on Regulating the Market Order of Online Music Products and Renovating Illegal Conducts of Online Music Websites and the Circular on Investigating Illegal Online Music Websites in 2010. In addition, the Ministry of Culture issued the Circular on Clearing Illegal Online Music Products, which clarified that entities are subject to relevant penalties or sanctions by engaging in any of the following conducts: (i) providing online music products or relevant services without obtaining corresponding qualifications; (ii) importing online music products that have not been reviewed by the Ministry of Culture; or (iii) providing domestically developed online music products that have not been filed with the Ministry of Culture.
In 2015, the National Copyright Administration issued the Circular regarding Ceasing Transmitting Unauthorized Music Products by Online Music Service Providers, which requires that (i) all unauthorized music products on the platforms of online music service providers shall be removed prior to July 31, 2015, and (ii) the National Copyright Administration shall investigate and punish the online music service providers who continue to transmit unauthorized music products following July 31, 2015.
Regulations on Commercial Performances
The Administrative Regulations on Commercial Performances (2016 Revision) was promulgated by the State Council. According to these regulations, to legally engage in commercial performances, a culture and arts performance group shall have full-time performers and equipment in line with its performing business, and file an application with the culture administrative department of the people's government at the county level for approval. To legally engage in commercial performances, a performance brokerage agency shall have three or more full-time performance brokers and funds for the relevant business, and file an application with the culture administrative department of the people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the central government. Such culture administrative department shall make a decision, within 20 days from the receipt of the application, on whether to approve the application; upon approval, a performance permit shall be issued to the applicant. Anyone or any entity engaging in commercial performance activities without approval may be imposed a penalty, in addition to being ordered to cease its actions. Such penalty may include confiscation of performance
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equipment and illegal proceeds, and a fine of eight to ten times of the illegal proceeds. Where there are no illegal proceeds or the illegal proceeds are less than RMB10,000, a fine of RMB50,000 to RMB100,000 will be imposed. BMF Culture holds the requisite commercial performance approvals and permits.
Regulations on Internet Security
In 2000, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress enacted the Decision on the Protection of Internet Security, as amended in 2009, which provides that the following activities conducted through the Internet are subject to criminal liabilities: (a) gaining improper entry into any of the computer information networks relating to state affairs, national defensive affairs, or cutting-edge science and technology; (b) spreading rumor, slander or other harmful information via the Internet for the purpose of inciting subversion of the state political power; (c) stealing or divulging state secrets, intelligence or military secrets via the Internet; (d) spreading false or inappropriate commercial information; or (e) infringing on intellectual property. The Ministry of Public Security issued the Administrative Measures on Security Protection for International Connections to Computer Information Networks in 1997 and amended it in 2011, which prohibits using the Internet to leak state secrets or to spread socially destabilizing contents.
In 2006, the Ministry of Public Security issued the Provisions on the Technical Measures for the Protection of the Security of the Internet, which requires that Internet service providers shall back up the records for at least 60 days. Also, Internet service providers shall (a) set up technical measures to record and keep the information as registered by users; (b) record and keep the corresponding relation between the Internet web addresses and intranet web addresses as applied by users; (c) record and follow up the net operation and have the functions of security auditing.
In 2010, MIIT promulgated the Administrative Measures for Communications Network Security Protection, which requires that all communication network operators including telecommunications service providers and Internet domain name service providers divide their own communication networks into units. The unit category shall be classified in accordance with the degree of damage to national security, economic operation, social order and public interest. In addition, the communication network operators must file the divisions and ratings of their communication network with MIIT or its local counterparts. If a communication network operator violates these measures, MIIT or its local counterparts may order rectifications or impose a fine up to RMB30,000 in case such violation is not duly rectified.
Regulations on Privacy Protection
In 2011, MIIT promulgated the Several Provisions on Regulation of Order of Internet Information Service Market, which prohibits Internet information service providers from collecting personal information of any user without prior consent. Internet information service providers shall explicitly inform users of the means of collecting and processing personal information, the scope of contents, and purposes. In addition, Internet information service providers shall properly keep the personal information of users. If the preserved personal information of users is divulged or may possibly be divulged, Internet information service providers shall immediately take remedial measures and report any material leak to the telecommunications regulatory authority.
In 2012, the Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. It emphasizes the need to protect electronic information that contains individual identification information and other private data. The decision requires Internet service providers to establish and publish policies regarding the collection and use of electronic personal information and to take necessary measures to ensure the security of the information and to prevent any leakage, damage or loss.
In 2013, MIIT promulgated the Regulations on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunications and Internet Users to enhance and enforce legal protection over user information
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security and privacy on the Internet. It requires Internet operators to take various measures to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of users' information.
Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law of the PRC issued by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in 2015, any Internet service provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to Internet information security as required by applicable laws and refuses to take corrective measures will be subject to criminal liability for (i) any large-scale dissemination of illegal information; (ii) any severe effect due to the leakage of users' personal information; (iii) any serious loss of evidence of criminal activities; or (iv) other severe situations, and any individual or entity that (a) sells or provides personal information to others unlawfully or (b) steals or illegally obtains any personal information will be subject to criminal liability in severe situations.
In 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress promulgated the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC, which came into effect in 2017. It requires that network operators shall follow their cybersecurity obligations according to the requirements of the classified protection system for cybersecurity, including: (a) formulating internal security management systems and operating instructions, determining the persons responsible for cybersecurity, and implementing the responsibility for cybersecurity protection; (b) taking technological measures to prevent computer viruses, network attacks, network intrusions and other actions endangering cybersecurity; (c) taking technological measures to monitor and record the network operation status and cybersecurity incidents and preserving relevant web logs for at least 6 months; (d) taking measures such as data classification, back-up and encryption of important data; and (e) other obligations stipulated by laws and administrative regulations. In addition, network operators shall follow the principles of legitimacy to collect and use personal information and disclose their rules of data collection and use, clearly express the purposes, means and scope of collecting and using the information and obtain the consent of the persons whose data is gathered.
Regulations on Infringement upon Intellectual Property Rights via the Internet
The Tort Liability Law of the PRC, which was adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in 2009 and became effective in 2010, provides that (i) an online service provider should be held liable for its own tortious acts in providing online services; (ii) where an online user conducts tortious acts by utilizing online services provided by the online service provider, the infringed party has the right to request such online service provider to take necessary measures, including deleting, blocking and disconnecting the access to the infringing content promptly. If the online service provider fails to take necessary measures in a timely manner upon receipt of notice of such infringement, such online service provider will be held jointly liable with the relevant online users for the additional damages that would have not been incurred if the online service provider took proper actions; and (iii) where the online service provider is aware that online users are infringing upon the civil right or interest of a third party and fails to take necessary measures, the online service provider should be jointly liable for such infringement with the online users.
Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights
Copyright
China has enacted various laws and regulations relating to the protection of copyright. China is also a signatory to some major international conventions on the protection of copyright and became a member of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Universal Copyright Convention in 1992, and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights upon its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001.
The Copyright Law of the PRC, adopted in 1990 and revised in 2001 and 2010, and its implementing regulations adopted in 2002 and amended in 2011 and 2013, provide that Chinese citizens, legal persons, or other organizations will, whether published or not, enjoy copyright in their works, which include music
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works. Copyright will be generally conferred upon the authors, or in case of works made for hire, upon the employer of the author. Copyright holders enjoy personal and economic rights. The personal rights of a copyright holder include rights to publish works, right to be named as the author of works, right to amend the works and right to keep the works intact; while economic rights of a copyright holder include, but not limited to, reproduction right, distribution right, performance right and information network dissemination right, etc. In addition, the rights of performers with respect to their performance, rights of publishers with respect to their design of publications, rights of organizers with respect to their video or audio productions, and rights of broadcasting or TV stations with respect to their broadcasting or TV programs are classified as copyright-related interest and protected by the Copyright Law of the PRC. For a piece of music works, it may involve the copyright of lyricists and of composers and the copyright-related interests of recording organizers and of performers.
The copyright holders may license others to exercise or assign all or part of their economic rights attaching to their works. The license can be made on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis. With a few exceptions, an exclusive license or an assignment of copyright should be evidenced in a written contract.
Pursuant to the Copyright Law of the PRC and its implementing regulations, copyright infringers are subject to various civil liabilities, such as stopping infringing activities, issuing apologies to the copyright owners and compensating the copyright owners for damages resulting from such infringement. The damages should be calculated based on the actual loss or income made by an infringer.
The Provisional Measures on Voluntary Registration of Works, promulgated by the National Copyright Administration in 1994 and effective in 1995, provides for a voluntary registration system as administered by the National Copyright Administration and its local counterparts.
The Computer Software Copyright Registration Measures, promulgated by the State Council in 2002, regulates registrations of software copyright, exclusive licensing contracts for software copyright and assignment agreements. The National Copyright Administration administers software copyright registration, and the Copyright Protection Center of China is designated as the software registration authority. The Copyright Protection Center of China shall grant registration certificates to the computer software copyright applicants which meet the requirements of both the Computer Software Copyright Registration Measures and the Computer Software Protection Regulations (2013 Revision).
The Measures for Administrative Protection of Copyright Related to Internet, which was jointly promulgated by the National Copyright Administration and MIIT in 2005, provides that upon receipt of an infringement notice from a legitimate copyright holder, an Internet content service provider must take remedial actions immediately by removing or disabling access to the infringing content. If an Internet content service provider knowingly transmits infringing content or fails to take remedial actions after receipt of a notice of infringement that harms the public interest, the Internet content service provider could be subject to administrative penalties, including an order to cease infringing activities, confiscation by the authorities of all income derived from the infringement activities, or payment of fines.
In 2006, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Protection of the Right to Network Dissemination of Information, as amended in 2013. Under these regulations, an owner of the network dissemination rights with respect to written works or audio or video recordings who believes that information storage, search or link services provided by an Internet service provider infringe his or her rights may require the Internet service provider to delete or disconnect the links to such works or recordings.
National Copyright Administration
The Copyright Law of the PRC provides that holders of copyrights or copyright-related rights may authorize a collective copyright management organization to exercise their copyrights or copyright-related rights. Upon authorization, the collective copyright administration organization is entitled to exercise the
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copyright or copyright-related rights in its own name for the holders of copyrights or copyright-related rights, and participate as a party in court or arbitration proceedings concerning the copyright or copyright-related rights. In 2013, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on Collective Administration of Copyright (2013 Revision). This set of regulations clarified that the collective copyright management organization is allowed to (i) enter into license agreement with users of copyright or copyright-related rights, (ii) charge royalties from users, (iii) pay royalties to holders of copyright or copyright-related rights, and (iv) participate in court or arbitration proceedings concerning the copyright or copyright-related rights. It is also provides that performance right, filming right, broadcasting right, rental right, information network dissemination right, reproduction right and other rights stipulated by the Copyright Law of the PRC, which are hard to be exercised effectively by the right holders, may be collectively administrated by a collective copyright administration organization. Foreigners and stateless persons may, through an overseas collective copyright management organization having a mutual representation contract with the collective copyright management organization in China, authorize the collective copyright management organization in China to manage copyright or copyright-related rights in China. The aforesaid mutual representation contract means a contract under which the collective copyright management organization in China and its overseas peers authorize each other to conduct collective copyright administration within their respective home countries or regions. In 1992, the National Copyright Administration and Chinese Musicians Association jointly established the Music Copyright Society of China.
Trademark
According to the Trademark Law of the PRC, adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in 1982 and subsequently amended in 1993, 2001, 2013 and 2019, as well as the Implementation Regulation of the Trademark Law of the PRC adopted by the State Council in 2002 and subsequently amended in 2014, registered trademarks are granted a term of ten years from the date of registration, which may be renewed for consecutive ten-year periods upon request by the trademark owner. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office for the record. Conducts that shall constitute an infringement of the exclusive right to use a registered trademark include but not limited to: using a trademark that is identical with or similar to a registered trademark on the same or similar goods without the permission of the trademark registrant, and selling goods that violate the exclusive right to use a registered trademark, etc. Pursuant to the Trademark Law of the PRC, in the event of any of the foregoing acts, the infringing party will be ordered to stop the infringement immediately and may be fined, and the counterfeit goods will be confiscated. The infringing party may also be held liable for the right holder's damages, which will be equal to gains obtained by the infringing party or the losses suffered by the right holder as a result of the infringement, including reasonable expenses incurred by the right holder for stopping the infringement.
Patent
In China, the Patent Administrative Department of the State Council is responsible for administering patents, uniformly receiving, examining and approving patent applications. In 1984, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress adopted the Patent Law of the PRC, which was subsequently amended in 1992, 2000 and 2008. In addition, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Rules of the Patent Law in 2001, as amended in 2002 and 2010 respectively, pursuant to which a patentable invention and utility model must meet three conditions: novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability, and designs must be obviously different from current designs or combinations thereof. Patents cannot be granted for scientific discoveries, rules and methods for intellectual activities, methods used to diagnose or treat diseases, animal and plant breeds or substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation. A patent is valid for a term of twenty years with respect to an invention and a term of ten years with respect to a utility model or design, starting from the application date. Except under certain circumstances specifically provided by law, any third party user must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner to use the patent, or else such use will constitute an infringement of the rights of the patent holder.
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Domain Names
In China, the administration of PRC Internet domain names is mainly regulated by MIIT, under the supervision of the China Internet Network Information Center. In 2017, MIIT promulgated the Measures on Administration of Internet Domain Names, which replaced the Measures on Administration of Domain Names for the Chinese Internet issued by MIIT in 2004. These measures adopt a "first to file' rule to allocate domain names to applicants and provide that MIIT shall supervise the domain names services nationwide and publicize the PRC domain name system. In 2012, the China Internet Network Information Center issued a circular to authorize a domain name dispute resolution institution acknowledged by the China Internet Network Information Center to decide relevant disputes. On January 1, 2018, the Circular of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Regulating the Use of Domain Names in Providing Internet-based Information Services issued by MIIT became effective. It stipulates that an Internet access service provider shall, pursuant to requirements stated in the Anti-Terrorism Law of the PRC and the Cybersecurity Law of the PRC, verify the identities of Internet-based information service providers; and the Internet access service providers shall not provide access services for those who fail to provide their real identity information.
Regulations on Taxation
Enterprise Income Tax
In 2007, the National People's Congress promulgated the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC, which was most recently amended in December 2018. In 2007, the State Council enacted the Implementation Regulations for the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC, which was amended on April 23, 2019. Under these laws and regulations, both resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises are subject to tax in the PRC. Resident enterprises are defined as enterprises that are established in China in accordance with the 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 Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC and relevant implementing regulations, a uniform enterprise income tax rate of 25% is applied. However, 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, enterprise income tax is set at the rate of 10% with respect to their income sourced from inside the PRC.
Pursuant to the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC, the enterprise income tax rate of an HNTE is 15%. According to the Administrative Measures for the Recognition of HNTEs, effective in 2008 and amended in 2016, for each entity accredited as an HNTE, its HNTE status is valid for three years if it meets the qualifications for the HNTE on a continuing basis during such period. Beijing Kuke Music has been recognized as an HNTE.
Value-added Tax
The Provisional Regulations of on Value-added Tax of the PRC were promulgated by the State Council in 1993, came into effect in 1994 and were most recently amended in 2017. The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Provisional Regulations of on Value-added Tax of the PRC were promulgated by the Ministry of Finance in 1993 and subsequently amended in 2008 and 2011. In 2017, the State Council promulgated the Order on Abolishing the Provisional Regulations of the PRC on Business Tax and Amending the Provisional Regulations of on Value-added Tax of the PRC, or Order 691. According to the above, all enterprises and individuals engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of processing, repair and
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replacement services, sales of services, intangible assets, real property and the importation of goods within the territory of the PRC are the taxpayers of value-added tax. The value-added tax rates generally applicable are simplified as 17%, 11%, 6% and 0%, and the value-added tax rate applicable to the small-scale taxpayers is 3%.
On April 4, 2018, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation issued the Circular on Adjustment of Value-added Tax Rates, which became effective on May 1, 2018. According to the Circular on the Adjustment of Value-added Tax Rates, relevant value-added tax rates have been reduced from May 1, 2018, such as (i) value-added tax rates of 17% and 11% applicable to the taxpayers who have value-added tax taxable sales activities or imported goods are adjusted to 16% and 10%, respectively; (ii) value-added tax rate of 11% originally applicable to the taxpayers who purchase agricultural products is adjusted to 10% and so on.
On March 20, 2019, the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Taxation and the General Administration of Customs issued the Announcement on Deepening Value-added Tax Reform, which became effective on April 1, 2019. According to the Announcement on Deepening Value-added Tax Reform, relevant value-added tax rates have been reduced from April 1, 2019, such as value-added tax rates of 16% and 10% applicable to the taxpayers who have value-added tax taxable sales activities or imported goods are adjusted to 13% and 9%, respectively and so on.
As of the date of this prospectus, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities are generally subject to value-added tax rates of 13%, 9% or 6%.
Dividend Withholding Tax
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law provides that since 2008, an enterprise 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 that such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC.
Pursuant to the 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, 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 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%. However, based on the Circular on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties issued by the State Administration of Taxation in 2009, or SAT Circular 81, 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 Issues regarding the "Beneficial Owner" in Tax Treaties, which was issued on February 3, 2018 by the State Administration of Taxation, effective 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 its income in twelve months to residents in a 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.
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Tax on Indirect Transfer
In 2015, the State Administration of Taxation 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 payer 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. In 2017, the State Administration of Taxation 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 on Foreign Exchange Registration of Offshore Investment by PRC Residents
General Rules
The core regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations of the PRC, promulgated by the State Council in 1996 and most recently amended in 2008. Under the 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 the SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. By contrast, approval from or registration with appropriate regulatory authorities is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital account items, such as direct investment, repayment of foreign currency-denominated loans, repatriation of investment and investment in securities outside of China.
Pursuant to the Circular of Further Improving and Adjusting Foreign Exchange Administration Policies on Foreign Direct Investment, or SAFE Circular 59, promulgated by the SAFE in 2012, which was further amended in 2015, 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 by foreign investors in the PRC, 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 the SAFE, and multiple capital accounts for the same entity may be opened in different provinces, which was not possible previously.
In 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular of Further Simplifying and Improving the Policies of Foreign Exchange Administration Applicable to Direct Investment, or SAFE Circular 13. SAFE Circular 13 has simplified the procedure of foreign exchange-related registration by (i) canceling the administrative
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approval requirements of foreign exchange registration of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment and (ii) allowing foreign exchange registrations of foreign direct investment and overseas direct investment to be handled by the banks designated by the foreign exchange authority instead of the SAFE and its branches.
The Circular on the Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, was issued by the SAFE in 2015. It allows foreign-invested enterprises, within the scope of business, to settle their foreign exchange capital on a discretionary basis according to the actual needs of their business operation and provides the procedures for foreign-invested enterprises to use Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital for equity investment.
In 2017, the 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, according 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.
Offshore Investment
The Circular of SAFE on Issues Concerning the 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 became effective in 2014, 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 offshore enterprises directly established or indirectly controlled by PRC residents for the purpose of seeking offshore equity financing or making offshore investments, 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. SAFE Circular 37 requires that, before making contributions to an SPV, PRC residents or entities are required to register with the local SAFE branch.
Pursuant to SAFE Circular 13, PRC residents or entities can register with qualified banks instead of the SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment of an SPV.
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 procedures set forth in SAFE Circular 37 and SAFE Circular 13, misrepresentation on or failure to disclose controllers of foreign-invested enterprise that is established through 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.
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Regulations on Stock Incentive Plans
According to the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Issues Relating to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company, or the Share Incentive Rules, which was issued on February 15, 2012 and other regulations, directors, supervisors, senior management and other employees participating in any share incentive plan of an overseas listed company who are PRC citizens or non-PRC citizens residing in China for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to certain exceptions, are required to register with the SAFE. All such participants need to authorize a qualified PRC agent, such as a PRC subsidiary of the overseas listed company to register with the SAFE and handle foreign exchange matters such as opening accounts, transferring and settlement of the relevant proceeds. The Share Incentive Rules further require an offshore agent to be designated to handle matters in connection with the exercise of share options and sales of proceeds for the participants of the share incentive plans. Failure to complete the said SAFE registrations may subject us and the participants to fines and legal sanctions.
In addition, the SAT has issued certain circulars concerning employee stock options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, employees working in the PRC who exercise stock options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. The PRC subsidiaries of an overseas listed company are required to file documents related to employee stock options and restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of employees who exercise their stock option or purchase restricted shares. If the employees fail to pay or the PRC subsidiaries fail to withhold income tax in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the PRC subsidiaries may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC governmental authorities.
Regulations on Employment and Social Welfare
Employment
The principal regulations that govern employment and labor matters in the PRC include (i) the Labor Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in 1994, effective in 1995 and amended in 2009; (ii) the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in 2007 and amended in 2012; (iii) the Implementing Regulations of the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the State Council on September 18, 2008. Under the above regulations, labor relationships between employers and employees must be executed in written form, and wages shall not be lower than local standards on minimum wages and shall be paid to employees timely. In addition, employers must establish a system for labor safety and sanitation, strictly abide by state standards and provide relevant education to its employees. Employers are also prohibited from forcing employees to work above a certain time limit and employers shall pay employees for overtime work in accordance with national regulations.
Social Insurance and Housing Fund
According to the Social Insurance Law of the PRC, which was promulgated by the National People's Congress of the PRC in 2010 and became effective in 2011, and other relevant laws and regulations, the PRC establishes a social insurance system including basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, occupational injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance. Any employer shall register with the local social insurance agency within 30 days after its establishment and shall register for the employee with the local social insurance agency within 30 days after the date of hire. An employer shall declare and make social insurance contributions in full and on time. The occupational injury insurance and maternity insurance shall be only paid by employers while the contributions of basic pension insurance, medical insurance and unemployment insurance shall be paid by both employers and employees.
According to the Regulation on the Administration of Housing Fund promulgated by the State Council in 1999 and amended in 2002, employers are required to register at the designated administrative
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centers, open bank accounts for depositing employees' housing fund and make housing fund contributions for employees in the PRC. The employer who fails to make housing fund contributions may be ordered to rectify the noncompliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline.
Regulations on Anti-Monopoly
The Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which became effective in 2008, and the Guiding Opinions of the State Administration for Market Regulation on the Declaration of Concentration of Business Operators (2018 Revision) require that the anti-monopoly agency under the State Council shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain filing thresholds (i.e., during the previous fiscal year, (i) the total global turnover of all operators participating in the transaction exceeded RMB10 billion in the preceding fiscal year and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China in the preceding fiscal year, or (ii) the total turnover within China of all the operators participating in the concentration exceeded RMB2 billion in the preceding fiscal year, and at least two of these operators each had a turnover of more than RMB400 million within China in the preceding fiscal year) are triggered, and no concentration shall be implemented until the anti-monopoly enforcement agency clears the anti-monopoly filing.
Pursuant to the Measures for Declaration of Concentration of Business Operators and the Measures for Examination and Approval of Concentration of Business Operators promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce in 2009, concentration refers to (i) a merger of undertakings; (ii) acquiring control over other undertakings by acquiring equities or assets; or (iii) acquisition of control over, or the possibility of exercising decisive influence on, an undertaking by contract or by any other means.
If business operators fail to comply with the mandatory declaration requirement, the anti-monopoly authority is empowered to terminate and/or unwind the transaction, dispose of relevant assets, shares or businesses within certain periods and impose fines of up to RMB500,000.
Regulations on M&A and Overseas Listings
In 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, jointly adopted the M&A Rules, amended in 2009. The M&A Rules purport, among other things, to require an offshore special purpose vehicle controlled by PRC companies or individuals and formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic interest held by such PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval from the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange.
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Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus.
Directors and Executive Officers
|
Age | Position/Title | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
He Yu | 47 | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board | |||
Lung Yu | 56 | Director | |||
Yu Chen | 47 | Director | |||
Xingping Zuo | 55 | Director | |||
Peixian Tan | 37 | Director | |||
Bin Yu | 50 | Independent Director Nominee | |||
Dong Lan | 66 | Independent Director Nominee | |||
Li Sun | 43 | President | |||
Hoi Tung Chan | 49 | Chief Financial Officer |
Mr. He Yu is our founder and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since our inception and Chairman of the Board since January 2018. Mr. Yu currently serves as the deputy head of the Emerging Music Community Working Committee of the Chinese Musicians Association. Mr. Yu received his musical training at the Duisburg Conservatory of Music and an executive MBA degree from the Montpellier Business School in 2020.
Mr. Lung Yu has served as our Director since July 2020. Mr. Yu is the founder of the Beijing Music Festival and has served as the director of Beijing Music Festival Culture Communications Co., Ltd. since November 2018. As one of the most preeminent Chinese conductors, Mr. Yu has served as the Vice Chairman of the Chinese Musicians Association since 2019 and was recognized as "the most powerful figure in China's Western classical music scene" by The New York Times. Mr. Yu is currently the Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the Music Director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the Music Director of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. Over the years, Mr. Yu has received numerous prestigious honors and distinctions for his musical and cross-cultural contributions, including the Arts Patronage Award of the Montblanc Cultural Foundation in 2002, L'onorificenza di commendatore awarded by the Italian President in 2005, France's highest honour of merit la Légion d'Honneur in 2014, the Global Citizen Award by the Atlantic Council and the Sanford Medal by Yale University's College of Music in 2015, and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2016. Mr. Yu was also elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016. Mr. Yu received his bachelor's degree from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1987 and master's degree in conducting from the Universität der Künste Berlin in 1992.
Mr. Yu Chen has served as our Director since January 2018. Mr. Chen has served as the general manager of Shanghai Huaqiang Equity Investment Management Co., Ltd. since November 2015, responsible for managing its equity investment portfolio. Prior to that, Mr. Chen held various other managerial positions specializing in finance, accounting and equity investments, including, among others, the deputy general manager at Dahua (Group) Co., Ltd. and the deputy finance manager at Dahua Group Dalian Asset Management Co., Ltd. Mr. Chen received his bachelor's degree from the Open University of China in 2005.
Mr. Xingping Zuo has served as our Director since January 2018. Mr. Zuo has served as the chairman of Anhui Huanbowan High Speed Steel Mill Roll Co., Ltd. since February 2017 and the chairman and general manager of Beijing Zhengda Ziyuan Co., Ltd. since November 2016. Mr. Zuo's previous positions include, among others, vice president at Shanghai Zhengda Investment Development Co., Ltd., Huaan Securities Co., Ltd. and Xingye Securities Co., Ltd. Mr. Zuo received his bachelor's degree from Renmin
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University of China in 1986 and master's degree from the Graduate School of the People's Bank of China in 1990.
Mr. Peixian Tan has served as our Director since January 2018. Mr. Tan joined us in 2005 and has served as a vice president of Beijing Kuke Music since 2016 and the general manager of BMF Culture since 2020. Prior to joining us, Mr. Tan served as an operations manager at Beijing Qingdian Wanwei Technology Co., Ltd., specializing in telecommunication products. Mr. Tan received an associate's degree in computer science from Beijing Chaoyang Vocational University in 2003.
Ms. Bin Yu will serve as one of our Directors starting from the SEC's declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part. Ms. Yu served as the chief financial officer at LAIX Inc. (NYSE: LAIX) from September 2017 to January 2020, InnoLight Technology Corporation from January 2015 to April 2017, Star China Media Limited from May 2013 to January 2015 and Tudou Holdings Limited from January 2012 to April 2013, where she was the vice president of finance from 2010 to 2011. Ms. Yu also served as the senior vice president of Youku Tudou Inc. from August 2012 to April 2013 and worked at KPMG from 1999 to 2010. Currently, Ms. Yu also serves as an independent director of Baozun Inc. (Nasdaq: BZUN), GDS Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: GDS), Zero2IPO Holdings Inc. (SEHK: 01945) and iDreamSky Technology Holdings Limited (SEHK: 1119). Ms. Yu holds a bachelor's degree from Xi'an Foreign Language University, master's degrees in accounting and in education from the University of Toledo and an EMBA degree from Tsinghua University and INSEAD. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the United States admitted by the Accountancy Board of Ohio, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a member of Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Mr. Dong Lan will serve as one of our Directors starting from the SEC's declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part. Mr. Lan is the Chief Executive Officer of Sino Laurel Capital, Ltd., a finance and management advisory firm that provides financial and management consulting services. Prior to that, Mr. Lan was the Chief Representative and Counsel at the Beijing office of Bryan Cave LLP from April 2008 to April 2011 and the CEO of Grand Aura, Ltd., a consulting firm providing advice on overseas projects involving major EPC contractors, capital equipment exporters or financial institutions, from 2005 to 2008. Mr. Lan also practiced law at Hogan Lovells, Squire, Patton, Boggs and Torys LLP for over ten years. Mr. Lan received his J.D. degree from St. Louis University School of Law, M.A. in International Relations from the Foreign Affairs College, China, and B.A. from Shandong University.
Ms. Li Sun has served as our President since June 2020 and the chief executive officer of Naxos China since May 2016. From August 2008 to May 2016, Ms. Sun held various positions at Sony Music Entertainment (China), including deputy general manager and digital business director, and was responsible for managing digital distribution, physical sales, marketing and classical Artists and Repertoire. Prior to that, Ms. Sun worked for the International Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Culture of China, serving as a supervisor from 1999 to 2004 and senior project manager from 2004 to 2008. Ms. Sun received her bachelor's degree from Beijing Foreign Studies University in 1999.
Mr. Hoi Tung Chan has served as our Chief Financial Officer since April 2020. Prior to joining us, Mr. Chan worked at various global investment banks, such as Credit Suisse, Standard Chartered and Rabobank, primarily responsible for initial public offerings, financing and mergers and acquisitions. With over 20 years of business, financial and investment experience, Mr. Chan holds the AICPA, CMA and CFA designations. Mr. Chan received his bachelor's degree in accounting from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1993 and master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1994.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors will consist of seven directors upon the SEC's declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus forms a part. A director is not required to
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hold any shares in our company to qualify to serve as a director. A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company is required to declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of our directors. A general notice given to the directors by any director to the effect that he is a member, shareholder, director, partner, officer or employee of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest for the purposes of voting on a resolution in respect to a contract or transaction in which he has an interest, and after such general notice, it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. Subject to the New York Stock Exchange rules and disqualification by the chairman of the relevant board meeting, a director may vote in respect of any contract, proposed contract, arrangement or transaction notwithstanding that he may be interested therein, and if he does so, his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract, proposed contract, arrangement or transaction is considered, provided that the nature of the interest of any directors in such contract or transaction is disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote in that matter. Our board of directors may exercise all of the powers of our company to borrow money, to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital or any part thereof, and to issue debentures, debenture stock or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third party. None of our directors has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service.
Committees of the Board
Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to establish an audit committee, a compensation committee and a corporate governance and nominating committee under the board of directors. We intend to adopt a charter for each of the three committees prior to the completion of this offering. Each committee's members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee. Our audit committee will consist of Bin Yu and Dong Lan, and will be chaired by Bin Yu. Bin Yu and Dong Lan satisfy the "independence" requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange and meet the independence standards under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Our board of directors has also determined that Bin Yu qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" within the meaning of the SEC rules. The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:
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Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee will consist of Dong Lan and He Yu and will be chaired by Dong Lan. Dong Lan satisfies the "independence" requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Our compensation committee will assist the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our Chief Executive Officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated upon. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Our corporate governance and nominating committee will consist of Dong Lan, Bin Yu and He Yu, and will be chaired by Dong Lan. Dong Lan and Bin Yu satisfy the "independence" requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The corporate governance and nominating committee will assist the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board of directors and its committees. The corporate governance and nominating committee will be responsible for, among other things:
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties to our company, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly, and a duty to act in what they consider in good faith to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved
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towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care, and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and the class rights vested thereunder in the holders of the shares. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. In limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached.
The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
Terms of Directors and Executive Officers
Each of our directors holds office until the expiration of his or her term, as may be provided in a written agreement with our company, and his or her successor has been elected and qualified, until his or her resignation or until his or her office is otherwise vacated in accordance with our articles of association. A retiring director shall be eligible for re-election. All of our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors. Our directors may be appointed or removed from office by an ordinary resolution of shareholders. A director will be removed from office automatically if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) dies or is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iii) resigns by notice in writing to our company; (iv) without special leave of absence from our board of directors, is absent from three consecutive meetings of the board and the board resolves that his office be vacated; (v) is prohibited by law from being a director; or (vi) is removed pursuant to our post-offering memorandum and articles of association then in effect. The compensation of our directors is determined by the board of directors. There is no mandatory retirement age for directors.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with our executive officers. Each of our executive officers is employed for a continuous term, or a specified time period that will be automatically extended unless either we or the executive officer gives prior notice to terminate such employment. We may terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, including, but not limited to, the committing of any serious or persistent breach or nonobservance of the terms and conditions of the employment, conviction of a criminal offense other than one which in the opinion of the board does not affect the executive's position, willful disobedience of a lawful and reasonable order, misconduct being inconsistent with the due and faithful discharge of the executive officer's material duties, fraud or dishonesty, or habitual neglect of his or her duties. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time with written notice three to six months prior.
Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the employment agreement expires or is earlier terminated, in strict confidence and not to use or disclose to any person, corporation or other entity without written consent, any confidential information or trade secrets. Each executive officer has also agreed to disclose in confidence to us all inventions, intellectual and industry property rights and trade
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secrets that they made, discovered, conceived, developed or reduced to practice during the executive officer's employment with us and to assign to our company all of his or her associated titles, interests, patents, patent rights, copyrights, trade secret rights, trademarks, trademark rights, mask work rights and other intellectual property and rights anywhere in the world that the executive officer may solely or jointly conceive, invent, discover, reduce to practice, create, drive, develop or make, or cause to be conceived, invented, discovered, reduced to practice, created, driven, developed or made, during the period of the executive officer's employment with us that either are related to our business, actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development or any of our services being developed, manufactured, marketed or sold, or are related to the scope of the employment or make use of our resources. In addition, all executive officers have agreed to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions set forth in their agreements. Each executive officer has agreed to devote all his or her working time and attention to our business and use best efforts to develop our business and interests. Moreover, each executive officer has agreed not to, for a certain period following the termination of his or her employment or the expiration of the employment agreement, (i) carry on or be engaged, concerned or interested in, directly or indirectly, whether as shareholder, director, employee, partner or agent, or otherwise carry on, any business in direct competition with us, (ii) solicit or entice away any of our business partners, representatives or agents, or (iii) employ, solicit or entice away or attempt to employ, solicit or entice away any of our officers, managers, consultants or employees.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or executive officer.
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we paid an aggregate of RMB7.0 million (US$1.0 million) in cash and benefits to our executive officers. We have not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our executive officers and directors. Our PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee's salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, unemployment insurance and other statutory benefits and a housing provident fund.
Share-based Compensation
In October 2020, our board of directors approved the 2020 Share Incentive Plan to attract and retain key employees, directors and consultants. The maximum aggregate number of Class A ordinary shares that may be issued under the 2020 Plan is 1,227,000. As of the date of this prospectus, 1,125,334 share options and 101,666 restricted shares have been granted and outstanding.
The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of the 2020 Plan.
Plan administration. Our board of directors or a committee of one or more members of the board of directors will administer the 2020 Plan. The plan administrator has discretionary authority, subject only to the express provisions of plan, to interpret the plan, to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the plan as are not inconsistent therewith, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any award agreement to the extent that the holder's rights are not adversely affected.
Types of awards. The 2020 Plan permits the award of share options, restricted shares, restricted share units or any other type of awards approved by the plan administrator.
Award agreements. Awards granted under the 2020 Plan are evidenced by an award agreement entered into between the Company and the grantee that sets forth the terms and conditions for each
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award, which may include the term of the award, the provisions applicable in the event that the grantee's employment or service terminates, and our authority to amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind the award.
Eligibility. The plan administrator will select participants under the 2020 Plan from key employees, consultants and non-employee directors.
Vesting Schedule. In general, the plan administrator determines the vesting schedule, which is specified in the relevant award agreement.
Exercise of Awards. The plan administrator determines the exercise or purchase price, as applicable, for each award, which is stated in the relevant award agreement. Options that are vested and exercisable will terminate if they are not exercised prior to the time as the plan administrator determines at the time of grant. However, the maximum exercisable term is ten years from the date of grant.
Transfer Restrictions. Awards may not be transferred in any manner by the participant other than in accordance with the exceptions provided in the plan or the relevant award agreement or otherwise determined by the plan administrator, such as transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Termination and Amendment. Unless terminated earlier, the plan has a term of ten years from its date of effectiveness. The administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the plan at any time and from time to time. Except as provided in the plan or any award agreement, no amendment, suspension or termination of the plan shall, without the consent of the holder, impair any rights or obligations under any award theretofore granted or awarded.
The following table summarizes, as of the date of this prospectus, the number of Class A ordinary shares under outstanding options that we have granted to our directors and executive officers under the 2020 Share Incentive Plan.
Name
|
Class A
Ordinary Shares Underlying Options |
Exercise Price
(US$/Share) |
Date of
Grant |
Date of
Expiration |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
He Yu |
175,285 | 0.01 | October 30, 2020 | October 30, 2030 | ||||||
Lung Yu |
175,285 | 0.01 | October 30, 2020 | October 30, 2030 | ||||||
Peixian Tan |
133,217 | 0.01 | October 30, 2020 | October 30, 2030 | ||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group |
483,787 | 0.01 | October 30, 2020 | October 30, 2030 |
On October 30, 2020, we also granted 101,666 restricted shares of our Class A ordinary shares to our President, Li Sun, with an exercise price of $0.01 per share, which will expire on October 30, 2030.
In addition, pursuant to the employment agreement of Chief Financial Officer, Hoi Tung Chan, we have granted Mr. Chan an option to purchase, for an aggregate exercise price of $7.5 million, our Class A ordinary shares in the cumulative amount of (i) up to 1% of our total outstanding share capital six months after listing, (ii) up to 2% of our total outstanding share capital 12 months after listing, (iii) up to 2.5% of our total outstanding share capital 18 months after listing, and (iv) up to 3% of our total outstanding share capital 24 months after listing, provided that Mr. Chan is an employee or consultant of our Company at the time of exercise. The options will expire on the fourth anniversary of the completion of this offering.
As of the date of this prospectus, our employees other than our directors and executive officers as a group hold options to purchase 641,547 Class A ordinary shares, with an exercise price of US$0.01 per share, which will expire on October 30, 2030.
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The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus by:
The calculations in the table below are based on (i) 16,285,625 Class A ordinary shares and 8,281,098 Class B ordinary shares outstanding on an as-converted basis outstanding as of the date of this prospectus and (ii) 29,566,723 ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.
Certain existing shareholders, their affiliates and third-party investors, have indicated their interest in subscribing for an aggregate of up to US$26.0 million worth of the ADSs being offered in this offering, including (i) up to US$20.0 million from Da Hua Group Hong Kong Investments, an affiliate of our existing shareholder Huaqiang Capital Limited, (ii) up to US$3.0 million from Eichent Limited, our existing shareholder, and (iii) up to US$3.0 million from CITIC Capital Holdings Limited (or its subsidiary). The subscriptions for ADSs will be at the initial public offering price and on the same terms as the other ADSs being offered in this offering. Assuming an initial public offering price of US$11.00 per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range, the number of ADSs to be purchased by these investors would be up to 2,363,636 ADSs, representing approximately 47.3% of the ADSs being offered in this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. However, because the indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, such investors may determine to purchase more, fewer or no ADSs in this offering, and we and the underwriters are under no obligation to sell ADSs to them. The underwriters will receive the same underwriting discounts and commissions on any ADSs purchased by such investors as they will on any other ADSs sold to the public in this offering.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days, including through
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the exercise of any option, warrant, or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.
|
Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned Prior to This Offering |
Ordinary Shares Beneficially
Owned Immediately After This Offering |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Class A
ordinary shares |
Class B
ordinary shares |
% of
Beneficial Ownership** |
% of
Aggregate Voting Power*** |
Class A
ordinary shares |
Class B
ordinary shares |
% of
Beneficial Ownership* |
% of
Aggregate Voting Power*** |
|||||||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
He Yu(1) |
1,326,085 | 5,914,297 | 29.5 | % | 61.0 | % | 1,326,085 | 5,914,297 | 24.5 | % | 58.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Lung Yu(2) |
| 2,366,801 | 9.6 | % | 23.9 | % | | 2,366,801 | 8.0 | % | 22.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Yu Chen |
| | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Xingping Zuo(3) |
4,780,302 | | 19.5 | % | 4.8 | % | 4,780,302 | | 16.2 | % | 4.6 | % | |||||||||||||
Peixian Tan(4) |
845,666 | | 3.4 | % | * | 845,666 | | 2.9 | % | 0.8 | % | ||||||||||||||
Li Sun |
| | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Hoi Tung Chan |
| | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group |
6,952,053 | 8,281,098 | 56.6 | % | 89.2 | % | 6,952,053 | 8,281,098 | 47.0 | % | 85.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Principal Shareholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Lebon Holding Limited(5) |
| 4,793,620 | 19.5 | % | 48.4 | % | | 4,793,620 | 16.3 | % | 46.1 | % | |||||||||||||
Musence Limited(6) |
4,201,335 | | 17.1 | % | 4.2 | % | 4,201,335 | | 14.3 | % | 4.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Jianmin Jin(7) |
3,299,442 | | 13.4 | % | 3.3 | % | 3,299,442 | | 11.2 | % | 3.2 | % | |||||||||||||
Supertonic Limited(8) |
| 1,867,801 | 7.6 | % | 18.8 | % | | 1,867,801 | 6.3 | % | 17.9 | % | |||||||||||||
Eichent Limited(9) |
1,643,511 | | 6.7 | % | 1.7 | % | 1,643,511 | | 5.6 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||
Million Profit International Holdings Limited(10) |
1,499,423 | | 6.1 | % | 1.5 | % | 1,499,423 | | 5.1 | % | 1.4 | % | |||||||||||||
China Cultural and Entertainment Fund L.P(11) |
1,359,651 | | 5.5 | % | 1.4 | % | 1,359,651 | | 4.6 | % | 1.3 | % |
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company of which Mr. Peixian Tan holds 99% of the equity interests. The registered address of NBAMF HOLDING LIMITED and Nomadic Hunters Limited is P.O. Box 905, Quastisky Building, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
As of the date of this prospectus, none of our outstanding ordinary shares is held by record holders in the United States. We are not aware of any of our shareholders being affiliated with a registered broker-dealer or being in the business of underwriting securities.
We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
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Private Placements
See "Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities Issuances."
Mr. He Yu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, holds 75% of the equity interests in Naxos. Naxos is our largest content provider and contributed to over 95% of our content offerings as of September 30, 2020. Our revenue generated from Naxos was RMB23.8 million, RMB26.8 million (US$3.9 million) and RMB15.8 million (US$2.2 million) in 2018, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
Transactions with Other Related Parties
On June 1, 2019, Beijing Kuke Music and BMF Culture entered into a lease agreement, pursuant to which Beijing Kuke Music subleased parts of the office space it leased from a third party to BMF Culture. The total rental expenses arising from the lease agreement in 2019 was RMB0.5 million (US$77 thousand), which was settled in December 2019. Beijing Kuke Music and BMF Culture entered into another lease agreement for calendar year 2020 for a consideration of RMB1.1 million (US$0.2 million). Under the agreement, BMF Culture is obligated to pay Beijing Kuke Music 50% of the total amount by January 31, 2020 and the remainder by July 31, 2020. As of the date of this prospectus, the amount has not been settled.
Contractual Arrangements with Our Variable Interest Entities and Their Shareholders
For a description of our contractual arrangements with our variable interest entities, see "Corporate History and StructureContractual Arrangements with Our VIEs and Their Respective Shareholders."
Shareholders' Agreement
See "Description of Share CapitalHistory of Securities Issuances" for a description of our issuances of ordinary shares.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
See "ManagementEmployment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements."
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We are a Cayman Islands company and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, and the Companies Act (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the Companies Act below, and the common law of Cayman Islands.
As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital is US$50,000 divided into 50,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.001 each, comprising of 41,718,902 Class A ordinary shares and 8,281,098 Class B ordinary shares. All of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid.
As of the date of this prospectus, there were 16,285,625 Class A ordinary shares and 8,281,098 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding.
Our Post-Offering Memorandum and Articles of Association
We expect to adopt, subject to the approval of our shareholders, a post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective and replace our current amended and restated memorandum and articles of association in its entirety immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The following are summaries of material provisions of the post-offering memorandum and articles of association that we expect to adopt and of the Companies Act, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
Objects of Our Company. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, the objects of our company are unrestricted and we have the full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the law of the Cayman Islands.
Ordinary Shares. Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Our ordinary shares are issued in registered form and are issued when registered in our register of members. We may not issue shares to bearer. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.
Conversion
Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into an equal number of Class A ordinary shares at any time at the option of the holder thereof. The right to convert shall be exercisable by the holder of the Class B Ordinary Share delivering a written notice to the Company that such holder elects to convert a specified number of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.
Upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity that is not an affiliate of the holder, such Class B ordinary shares are automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A ordinary shares.
Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors or declared by our shareholders by ordinary resolution, provided that no dividend may be declared by our shareholders that exceeds the amount recommended by our directors. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of our profits, realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from profits that our board of directors determines is no longer needed. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.
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Voting Rights. Each Class A Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on all matters subject to a poll vote at general meetings of the Company, and each Class B Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to ten votes on all matters subject to a poll vote at general meetings of the Company. Our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, except as may otherwise be required by law, or otherwise agreed in the post-offering memorandum and articles of association. Voting at any shareholders' meeting is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded, and on a poll every shareholder shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any shareholder present in person or proxy.
An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast at a meeting. A special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding shares at a meeting, or with a written resolution signed by all members entitled to vote. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our post-offering memorandum and articles of association. Our shareholders may, among other things, divide or combine their shares by ordinary resolution.
General Meetings of Shareholders. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Act to call shareholders' annual general meetings. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors.
Shareholders' general meetings may be convened by a majority of our board of directors. Advance notice of at least ten days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders' meeting (if any) and any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for any general meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy, representing not less than one-third of all votes attaching to the issued and outstanding shares in our company entitled to vote at general meetings.
The Companies Act 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.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares. Subject to the restrictions set out in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in writing, which shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and, if the directors so require, signed by the transferee.
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share that is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
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If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
The registration of transfers may, after compliance with any notice required of the New York Stock Exchange, be suspended and the register closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine; provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 30 days in any year as our board may determine.
Liquidation. On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.
Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares. We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our board of directors. Our Company may also repurchase any of our shares on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by our board of directors or by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. Under the Companies Act, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our company's profits, share premium account or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase. Any amount of premium payable on the purchase over the par value of the shares to be repurchased must be paid out of profits or the share premium account. Subject to our post-offering amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act, our company may also repurchase shares out of capital, if our company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Act no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.
Variations of Rights of Shares. If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class of shares (subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class) shall only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of all the holders of the issued shares or with the sanction of a special resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to the shares of that class, be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation, allotment or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to such existing class of shares or the redemption or purchase of any shares of any class by our company. The rights of the holders of shares shall not be deemed to be materially adversely varied by the creation or issue of shares with preferred or other rights, including, without limitation, the creation of shares with enhanced or weighted voting rights.
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Issuance of Additional Shares. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association authorize our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association also authorizes our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preference shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preference shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
Our board of directors may issue preference shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.
Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See "Where You Can Find Additional Information."
Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our post-offering memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association only for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Exempted Company. We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company, except that an exempted company:
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"Limited liability" means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on that shareholder's shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Act is modeled after that of England but does not follow recent English statutory enactments and differs from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements. The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) "merger" means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (b) a "consolidation" means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company's articles of association. The plan must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation that is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.
A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of that Cayman subsidiary if a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of that Cayman subsidiary to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise. For this purpose, a company is a "parent" of a subsidiary if it holds issued shares that together represent at least ninety percent (90%) of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary.
The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest over a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.
Save in certain limited circumstances, a shareholder of a Cayman constituent company who dissents from the merger or consolidation is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon dissenting to the merger or consolidation, provided the dissenting shareholder complies strictly with the procedures set out in the Companies Act. The exercise of dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, save for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.
Separate from the statutory provisions relating to mergers and consolidations, the Companies Act also contains statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies by way of schemes of arrangement, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The
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convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
The Companies Act also contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the "squeeze out" of a dissentient minority shareholder upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer that has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.
If an arrangement and reconstruction by way of scheme of arrangement is thus approved and sanctioned, or if a tender offer is made and accepted, in accordance with the foregoing statutory procedures, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, save that objectors to a takeover offer may apply to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for various orders that the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands has a broad discretion to make, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Shareholders' Suits. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff, and as a general rule, a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands courts can be expected (and have had occasion) to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) that permit a minority shareholder to commence a class action against, or derivative actions in the name of, our company to challenge:
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability. Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers, and their personal representatives, against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such persons, other than by reason of such person's dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct
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of our company's business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such director or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Directors' Fiduciary Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company: a duty to act in good faith in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a personal profit based on his position as director (unless the company permits him to do so), a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his personal interest or his duty to a third party and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Our post-offering amended and restated articles of association provide that shareholders may not approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided that it complies with the notice
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provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
The Companies Act 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. Our post-offering amended and restated articles of association allow our shareholders holding shares that carry in aggregate not less than one-third of all votes attaching to the outstanding shares of our company entitled to vote at general meetings to requisition an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our board is obliged to convene an extraordinary general meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting. Other than this right to requisition a shareholders' meeting, our post-offering amended and restated articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any other right to put proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders' annual general meetings.
Cumulative Voting. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation's certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder's voting power with respect to electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws of the Cayman Islands but our post-offering amended and restated articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our post-offering amended and restated articles of association, subject to certain restrictions as contained therein, directors may be removed with or without cause, by an ordinary resolution of our shareholders. An appointment of a director may be on terms that the director shall automatically retire from office (unless he has sooner vacated office) at the next or a subsequent annual general meeting or upon any specified event or after any specified period in a written agreement between the company and the director, if any; but no such term shall be implied in the absence of express provision. In addition, a director's office shall be vacated if the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; (ii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind or dies; (iii) resigns his office by notice in writing to the company; (iv) without special leave of absence from our board of directors, is absent from three consecutive meetings of the board and the board resolves that his office be vacated; or (v) is removed from office pursuant to any other provisions of our post-offering memorandum and articles of association.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an "interested shareholder" for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target's outstanding voting share within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a
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Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target's board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding Up. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation's outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.
Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up either by an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances, including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.
Variation of Rights of Shares. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our post-offering amended and restated articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, the rights attached to any such class may only be materially adversely varied with the consent in writing of all the holders of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation's governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law, our post-offering memorandum and articles of association may only be amended with a special resolution of our shareholders.
Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by our post-offering memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
History of Securities Issuances
The following is a summary of our securities issuances in the past three years.
Ordinary Shares
We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted limited liability company on September 13, 2017. We issued one ordinary share to the incorporation agent on September 13, 2017, which was transferred on the same day to Lebon Holding Limited, a company wholly owned by Mr. He Yu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.
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On January 2, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 16,213,274 ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, to the then shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music, one of our VIEs, at nil consideration based on their respective equity interests held in Beijing Kuke Music.
On January 15, 2018, we issued an aggregate of 1,997,752 ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, to Huaqiang Capital Limited, China Cultural and Entertainment Fund L.P, Co-High Investment Management Limited, Mr. Lung Yu and Mr. Chun Wai Peter Lee for a total consideration of US$11,999,817.69.
On February 29, 2020, we completed a share swap transaction and issued an aggregate of 4,856,273 ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, to the then shareholders of BMF Culture, one of our VIEs, at nil consideration based on their respective equity interests held in BMF Culture.
On March 13, 2020, we issued 1,499,423 ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, to Million Profit International Holdings Limited, for a consideration of US$12,999,997.
On November 18, 2020, we re-designated the ordinary shares directly held by Lebon Holding Limited, FutureMuse Limited, Supertonic Limited and Mr. Lung Yu as Class B ordinary shares and re-designated the ordinary shares directly held by our other shareholders as Class A ordinary shares.
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Description of American Depositary Shares
American Depositary Receipts
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary, will register and deliver the ADSs. Each ADS will represent ownership of one Class A ordinary share, deposited with Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, as custodian for the depositary. Each ADS will also represent ownership of any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The depositary's corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, USA. The principal executive office of the depositary is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, USA.
The Direct Registration System, or DRS, is a system administered by The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto.
We will not treat ADS holders as our shareholders and accordingly, you, as an ADS holder, will not have shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. As a holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and the beneficial owners of ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs. See "Jurisdiction and Arbitration."
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of American Depositary Receipt. For directions on how to obtain copies of those documents, see "Where You Can Find Additional Information."
Holding the ADSs
How will you hold your ADSs?
You may hold ADSs either (1) directly (a) by having an American Depositary Receipt, or ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (b) by holding ADSs in DRS, or (2) indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, you are an ADS holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. ADSs will be issued through DRS, unless you specifically request certificated ADRs. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
Dividends and Other Distributions
How will you receive dividends and other distributions on the shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent as of the record date (which will be as close as practicable to the record date for our ordinary shares) set by the depositary with respect to the ADSs.
Cash. The depositary will convert or cause to be converted any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the ordinary shares or any net proceeds from the sale of any ordinary shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms of the deposit agreement into U.S. dollars if it can do so on a practicable basis, and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States and will distribute promptly the amount thus received. If the depositary shall determine in its judgment that such conversions or
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transfers are not practical or lawful or if any government approval or license is needed and cannot be obtained at a reasonable cost within a reasonable period or otherwise sought, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold or cause the custodian to hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid, and such funds will be held for the respective accounts of the ADS holders. It will not invest the foreign currency, and it will not be liable for any interest for the respective accounts of the ADS holders.
Before making a distribution, any taxes or other governmental charges, together with fees and expenses of the depositary, that must be paid will be deducted. See "Taxation." It will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round down fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.
Shares. For any ordinary shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution, either (1) the depositary will distribute additional ADSs representing such ordinary shares or (2) existing ADSs as of the applicable record date will represent rights and interests in the additional ordinary shares distributed, to the extent reasonably practicable and permissible under law, in either case, net of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will try to sell ordinary shares, which would require it to deliver a fractional ADS and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed ordinary shares sufficient to pay its fees and expenses, and any taxes and governmental charges, in connection with that distribution.
Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. If we offer holders of our ordinary shares the option to receive dividends in either cash or shares, the depositary, after consultation with us and having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such elective distribution by us, has discretion to determine to what extent such elective distribution will be made available to you as a holder of the ADSs. We must timely first instruct the depositary to make such elective distribution available to you and furnish it with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. The depositary could decide it is not legal or reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to you. In such case, the depositary shall, on the basis of the same determination as is made in respect of the ordinary shares for which no election is made, distribute either cash in the same way as it does in a cash distribution, or additional ADSs representing ordinary shares in the same way as it does in a share distribution. The depositary is not obligated to make available to you a method to receive the elective dividend in shares rather than in ADSs. There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares.
Rights to Purchase Additional Shares. If we offer holders of our ordinary shares any rights to subscribe for additional shares, the depositary shall having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such distribution by us, consult with us, and we must determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make these rights available to you. We must first instruct the depositary to make such rights available to you and furnish the depositary with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. If the depositary decides it is not legal or reasonably practicable to make the rights available but that it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell the rights, the depositary will endeavor to sell the rights and in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem proper distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. The depositary will allow rights that are not distributed or sold to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them.
If the depositary makes rights available to you, it will establish procedures to distribute such rights and enable you to exercise the rights upon your payment of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. The Depositary shall not be obliged to make available to you a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for ordinary shares (rather than ADSs).
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U.S. securities laws may restrict transfers and cancellation of the ADSs represented by shares purchased upon exercise of rights. For example, you may not be able to trade these ADSs freely in the United States. In this case, the depositary may deliver restricted depositary shares that have the same terms as the ADSs described in this section except for changes needed to put the necessary restrictions in place.
There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares or be able to exercise such rights.
Other Distributions. Subject to receipt of timely notice, as described in the deposit agreement, from us with the request to make any such distribution available to you, and provided the depositary has determined such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable and feasible and in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary will distribute to you anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it may deem practicable, upon your payment of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. If any of the conditions above are not met, the depositary will endeavor to sell, or cause to be sold, what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash; or, if it is unable to sell such property, the depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances for nominal or no consideration, such that you may have no rights to or arising from such property.
The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if we and/or the depositary determines that it is illegal or not practicable for us or the depositary to make them available to you.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How are ADSs issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposit ordinary shares or evidence of rights to receive ordinary shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto.
Except for ordinary shares deposited by us in connection with this offering, no shares will be accepted for deposit during a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. The 180 day lock-up period is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances as described in the section entitled "Shares Eligible for Future SaleLock-up Agreements."
How do ADS holders cancel an American Depositary Share?
You may turn in your ADSs at the depositary's corporate trust office or by providing appropriate instructions to your broker. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the ordinary shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to you or a person you designate at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its corporate trust office, to the extent permitted by law.
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How do ADS holders interchange between Certificated ADSs and Uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send you a statement confirming that you are the owner of uncertificated ADSs. Alternatively, upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to you an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
Voting Rights
How do you vote?
You may instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying your ADSs at any meeting at which you are entitled to vote pursuant to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities. Otherwise, you could exercise your right to vote directly if you withdraw the ordinary shares. However, you may not know about the meeting sufficiently enough in advance to withdraw the ordinary shares.
If we ask for your instructions and upon timely notice from us by regular ordinary mail delivery, or by electronic transmission, as described in the deposit agreement, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming meeting at which you are entitled to vote pursuant to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities, and arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. The materials will include or reproduce (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consents or proxies; (b) a statement that the ADS holders at the close of business on the ADS record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities, to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the ordinary shares or other deposited securities represented by such holder's ADSs; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given to the depositary or deemed given in accordance with the second to last sentence of this paragraph if no instruction is received by the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of ADSs representing an integral number of ordinary shares or other deposited securities. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them in writing on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to applicable law and the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, to vote or to have its agents vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities (in person or by proxy) as you instruct. The depositary will only vote or attempt to vote as you instruct. If we timely requested the depositary to solicit your instructions but no instructions are received by the depositary from an owner with respect to any of the deposited securities represented by the ADSs of that owner on or before the date established by the depositary for such purpose, the depositary shall deem that owner to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us with respect to such deposited securities, and the depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote such deposited securities. However, no such instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter if we inform the depositary we do not wish such proxy given, substantial opposition exists or the matter materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of the ordinary shares.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. In addition, there can be no assurance that ADS holders and beneficial owners generally, or any holder or beneficial owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to vote or cause the custodian to vote on the same terms and conditions as the holders of our ordinary shares.
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The depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no recourse if the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to deposited securities, if we request the depositary to act, we will give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted at least 30 business days in advance of the meeting date.
Compliance with Regulations
Information Requests
Each ADS holder and beneficial owner shall (a) provide such information as we or the depositary may request pursuant to law, including, without limitation, relevant Cayman Islands law, any applicable law of the United States of America, our memorandum and articles of association, any resolutions of our Board of Directors adopted pursuant to such memorandum and articles of association, the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ordinary shares, ADSs or ADRs are listed or traded, or to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs or ADRs may be transferred, regarding the capacity in which they own or owned ADRs, the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such ADRs and the nature of such interest, and any other applicable matters, and (b) be bound by and subject to applicable provisions of the laws of the Cayman Islands, our memorandum and articles of association, and the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ADSs, ADRs or ordinary shares are listed or traded, or pursuant to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs, ADRs or ordinary shares may be transferred, to the same extent as if such ADS holder or beneficial owner held ordinary shares directly, in each case irrespective of whether or not they are ADS holders or beneficial owners at the time such request is made.
Disclosure of Interests
Each ADS holder and beneficial owner shall comply with our requests pursuant to Cayman Islands law, the rules and requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and any other stock exchange on which the ordinary shares are, or will be, registered, traded or listed or our memorandum and articles of association, which requests are made to provide information, inter alia, as to the capacity in which such ADS holder or beneficial owner owns ADS and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADS and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are ADS holders or beneficial owners at the time of such requests.
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Fees and Expenses
As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs):
Service
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Fees | |
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To any person to which ADSs are issued or to any person to which a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash) |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS issued | |
Cancellation of ADSs, including the case of termination of the deposit agreement |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS canceled |
|
Distribution of cash dividends |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held |
|
Distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held |
|
Distribution of ADSs pursuant to exercise of rights |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held |
|
Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held |
|
Depositary services |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary bank |
As an ADS holder, you will also be responsible for paying certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs), such as:
The depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank
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for cancellation. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary bank to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.
The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., share dividends, rights), the depositary bank charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary bank sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via DTC), the depositary bank generally collects its fees through the systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients' ADSs in DTC accounts in turn charge their clients' accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary banks.
In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.
The depositary may make payments to us or reimburse us for certain costs and expenses, by making available a portion of the ADS fees collected in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank agree from time to time.
Payment of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable, or which become payable, on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register or transfer your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until such taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to you any net proceeds, or send to you any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes. You agree to indemnify us, the depositary, the custodian and each of our and their respective agents, directors, employees and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained for you. Your obligations under this paragraph shall survive any transfer of ADRs, any surrender of ADRs and withdrawal of deposited securities or the termination of the deposit agreement.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
If we:
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Then: | |
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Change the nominal or par value of our ordinary shares | The cash, shares or other securities received by the depositary will become deposited securities. | |
Reclassify, split up or consolidate any of the deposited securities |
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Each ADS will automatically represent its equal share of the new deposited securities. |
Distribute securities on the ordinary shares that are not distributed to you, or Recapitalize, reorganize, merge, liquidate, sell all or substantially all of our assets, or take any similar action |
|
The depositary may distribute some or all of the cash, shares or other securities it received. It may also deliver new ADSs or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities. |
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Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement be amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of ADR without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, including expenses incurred in connection with foreign exchange control regulations and other charges specifically payable by ADS holders under the deposit agreement, or materially prejudices a substantial existing right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended. If any new laws are adopted which would require the deposit agreement to be amended in order to comply therewith, we and the depositary may amend the deposit agreement in accordance with such laws and such amendment may become effective before notice thereof is given to ADS holders.
How may the deposit agreement be terminated?
The depositary will terminate the deposit agreement if we ask it to do so, in which case the depositary will give notice to you at least 90 days prior to termination. The depositary may also terminate the deposit agreement if the depositary has told us that it would like to resign, or if we have removed the depositary, and in either case we have not appointed a new depositary within 90 days. In either such case, the depositary must notify you at least 30 days before termination.
After termination, the depositary and its agents will do the following under the deposit agreement but nothing else: collect distributions on the deposited securities, sell rights and other property and deliver ordinary shares and other deposited securities upon the cancellation of ADSs after payment of any fees, charges, taxes or other governmental charges. Six months or more after the date of termination, the depositary may sell any remaining deposited securities by public or private sale. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. It will not invest the money and has no liability for interest. After such sale, the depositary's only obligations will be to account for the money and other cash. After termination, we shall be discharged from all obligations under the deposit agreement except for our obligations to the depositary thereunder.
Books of Depositary
The depositary will maintain ADS holder records at its depositary office. You may inspect such records at such office during regular business hours but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of business matters relating to the Company, the ADRs and the deposit agreement.
The depositary will maintain facilities in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York to record and process the issuance, cancellation, combination, split-up and transfer of ADRs.
These facilities may be closed at any time or from time to time when such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement or at our reasonable written request.
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Limitations on Obligations and Liability
Limits on Our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary and the Custodian; Limits on Liability to Holders of ADSs
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary and the custodian. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. The depositary and the custodian:
The depositary and any of its agents also disclaim any liability for (i) any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote or failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable or for allowing any rights to lapse in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, (ii) the failure or timeliness of any notice from us, the content of any information submitted to it by us for distribution to you or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, (iii) any investment risk associated with the acquisition of an interest in the deposited
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securities, the validity or worth of the deposited securities or the credit-worthiness of any third party, (iv) any tax consequences that may result from ownership of ADSs, ordinary shares or deposited securities, or (v) any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as depositary.
In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.
Jurisdiction and Arbitration
The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs and we have agreed with the depositary that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any dispute arising from or in connection with the deposit agreement, including claims arising under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and that the depositary will have the right to refer any claim or dispute arising from the relationship created by the deposit agreement to arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Purchasers of ADSs in secondary transactions will be subject to the arbitration provision to the same extent as purchasers of the ADSs offered in this offering. The arbitration provisions of the deposit agreement do not preclude you from pursuing claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act in federal or state courts.
Jury Trial Waiver
The deposit agreement provides that each party to the deposit agreement (including each ADS holder, beneficial owner and holder of interests in the ADRs, whether such ownership interests were acquired in this offering or in secondary transactions) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any lawsuit or proceeding against the depositary or our company arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable law.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will issue, deliver or register a transfer of an ADS, split-up, subdivide or combine ADSs, make a distribution on an ADS, or permit withdrawal of ordinary shares, the depositary may require:
The depositary may refuse to issue and deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs generally when the register of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we determine that it is necessary or advisable to do so.
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Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying Your ADSs
You have the right to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares at any time except:
The depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the deposit agreement any ordinary shares or other deposited securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such ordinary shares.
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Direct Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the DRS and Profile Modification System, or Profile, will apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto. Profile is a required feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an ADS holder, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register such transfer.
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Shares Eligible for Future Sale
Upon the completion of this offering, we will have 5,000,000 ADSs outstanding, representing 5,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, or approximately 16.9% of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs (or approximately 16.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares, if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional ADSs). All of the ADSs sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than our "affiliates" without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of ADSs in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the ADSs. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or the ADSs, and while we expect the ADSs to be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, we cannot assure you that a regular trading market for ADSs may develop in the ADSs. Our ordinary shares will not be listed on any exchange or quoted for trading on any over-the-counter trading system. We do not expect that a trading market will develop for our ordinary shares not represented by the ADSs.
Lock-up Agreements
We, our directors, executive officers, existing shareholders holding substantially all of our issued ordinary shares prior to this offering and holders of share-based awards have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus, not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, or agree to transfer or dispose of, any ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for the ordinary shares or ADSs beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder), or (2) enter into a transaction which would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs, whether any such transaction described in the foregoing is to be settled by delivery of the ordinary shares or ADSs in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement.
Other than this offering, we are not aware of any plans by any significant shareholders to dispose of significant numbers of our ADSs or ordinary shares. However, one or more existing shareholders or owners of securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for our ADSs or ordinary shares may dispose of significant numbers of our ADSs or ordinary shares in the future. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares, or the availability of ADSs or ordinary shares for future sale, will have on the trading price of our ADSs from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs or ordinary shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the trading price of our ADSs.
Rule 144
All of our ordinary shares that will be outstanding upon the completion of this offering, other than those ordinary shares sold in this offering, are "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may be sold publicly in the United States only if they are subject to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirement such as those provided by Rule 144 and Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act. In general, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who at the time of a sale is not, and has not been during the three months preceding the sale, an affiliate of ours and has beneficially owned our restricted securities for at least six months will be entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act, subject only to the
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availability of current public information about us, and will be entitled to sell restricted securities beneficially owned for at least one year without restriction. Persons who are our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for at least six months may sell a number of restricted securities within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of the following:
Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements relating to manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public information about us.
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchases our ordinary shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock plan or other written agreement executed prior to the completion of this offering is eligible to resell such ordinary shares 90 days after we become a reporting company under the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144. However, the Rule 701 shares would remain subject to lock-up arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.
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The following summary of Cayman Islands, the PRC and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws, or tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, the PRC and the United States. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law, it represents the opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman, our Cayman Islands counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of the PRC tax law, it represents the opinion of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our PRC counsel.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties that may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within, the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made by or to our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of the Shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the Shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the Shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
PRC Taxation
Under the PRC EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and was amended on February 24, 2017, an enterprise established outside the PRC with "de facto management bodies" within the PRC is considered a "resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. Under the implementation rules to the PRC EIT Law, a "de facto management body" is defined as a body that has material and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human resources, finances and properties of an enterprise.
In addition, the SAT Circular 82 issued by the SAT in April 2009 specifies that certain offshore incorporated enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups will be classified as PRC resident enterprises if the following are located or resident in the PRC: (a) senior management personnel and core management departments that are responsible for daily production, operation and management; (b) financial and human resources decisions are subject to determination or approval by persons or bodies in the PRC; (c) key properties, accounting books, company seal, minutes of board meetings and shareholders' meetings; and (d) half or more of the senior management or directors having voting rights. Further to SAT Circular 82, the SAT issued the SAT Bulletin 45, which took effect in September 2011, to provide more guidance on the implementation of SAT Circular 82. SAT Bulletin 45 provides for procedures and administration details of determination on resident status and administration on post-determination matters. Our company is incorporated outside the PRC. As a holding company, its key assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries, and its key assets are located, and its records (including the resolutions of its board of directors and the resolutions of its shareholders) are maintained, outside the PRC. As such, we do not believe that our company meets all of the conditions above or is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. For the same reasons, we believe our other entities outside China are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to
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determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." There can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with our position. If the PRC tax authorities determine that our Cayman Islands holding company is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a 10% withholding tax would be imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) if such dividends are deemed to be sourced within the PRC. In addition, non-PRC resident enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) may be subject to PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares at a rate of 10%, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. Furthermore, if we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid to our non-PRC individual shareholders (including the ADS holders) and any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by such shareholders may be subject to PRC tax at a rate of 20% (which, in the case of dividends, may be withheld at source by us) if such dividends or gains are deemed to be sourced within the PRC. These rates may be reduced by an applicable tax treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Doing Business in ChinaIf we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders."
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a summary of United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares by a United States Holder (as defined below) that acquires our ADSs in this offering. This discussion is based on the federal income tax laws of the United States as of the date of this prospectus, including the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, existing and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority, published administrative positions of the United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, and other applicable authorities, all as of the date of this prospectus. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could significantly affect the tax consequences described below. We have not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the United States federal income tax consequences described below, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. This discussion, moreover, does not address the United States federal estate, gift, Medicare, and alternative minimum tax or other non-income tax considerations, or any state, local or non-United States tax considerations, relating to the ownership or disposition of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.
Except as specifically described below, this discussion does not address any tax consequences or reporting obligations that may be applicable to persons to the extent such tax consequences or reporting obligations arise from holding our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares through a bank, financial institution or other entity, or a branch thereof, located, organized or resident outside the United States.
This discussion applies only to a United States Holder (as defined below) that holds the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). The discussion neither addresses the tax consequences to any particular investor nor describes all of the tax consequences applicable to persons in special tax situations, such as:
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If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds the ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership or partner in a partnership holding the ADSs or ordinary shares should consult its tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of investing in and holding the ADSs or ordinary shares.
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING AND ADVICE. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-UNITED STATES TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
For purposes of the discussion below, a "United States Holder" is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or ordinary shares that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:
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in effect before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury Regulations to treat such trust as a domestic trust.
The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement and any related agreement are true and that the obligations in such agreements will be complied with in accordance with their terms.
ADSs
If you own our ADSs, then you should be treated as the owner of the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of Class A ordinary shares for ADSs should not be subject to United States federal income tax.
Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Our Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of any distribution that we make to you with respect to the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares (including any amounts withheld to reflect withholding taxes) will be taxable as a dividend, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income (including any withheld taxes) will be includable in your gross income on the day actually or constructively received by you, if you own the Class A ordinary shares, or by the depositary, if you own ADSs.
Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of United States federal income tax principles, any distribution paid generally will be reported as a "dividend" for United States federal income tax purposes. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to qualifying corporations under the Code.
Dividends received by a non-corporate United States Holder may qualify for the lower rates of tax applicable to "qualified dividend income," if the dividends are paid by a "qualified foreign corporation" and other conditions discussed below are met. A non-United States corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation (i) with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares (or American depositary shares backed by such shares) that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) if such non-United States corporation is eligible for the benefits of a qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program.
Under a published IRS Notice, common or Class A ordinary shares, or American depositary shares representing such shares, are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as our ADSs (but not our Class A ordinary shares) are expected to be. Based on existing guidance, it is unclear whether the Class A ordinary shares will be considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, because only the ADSs, and not the underlying Class A ordinary shares, will be listed on a securities market in the United States. We believe, but we cannot assure you, that dividends we pay on the Class A ordinary shares that are represented by ADSs, but not on the Class A ordinary shares that are not so represented, will, subject to applicable limitations, be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation. In addition, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC tax law (see "TaxationPRC Taxation"), then we may be eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC or, the Treaty. If we are eligible for such benefits, then dividends that we pay on our Class A ordinary shares, regardless of whether such shares are represented by ADSs, would, subject to applicable limitations, be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation.
Even if dividends would be treated as paid by a qualified foreign corporation, a non-corporate United States Holder will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation if it does not hold our ADSs or ordinary
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shares for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date Class A or if the United States Holder elects to treat the dividend income as "investment income" pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends of a qualified foreign corporation if the non-corporate United States Holder receiving the dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.
A non-United States corporation will not be treated as a qualified foreign corporation if it is a passive foreign investment company in the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year. As discussed below, we believe that there is a substantial risk that we will be a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ending December 31, 2020, and we may be a passive foreign investment company in subsequent taxable years. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income for any dividends that we pay with respect to the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares.
Any PRC withholding taxes imposed on dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares (at a rate not exceeding the applicable rate provided in the Treaty if you are eligible for Treaty benefits) generally will be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability, subject to the various limitations and disallowance rules that apply to foreign tax credits generally. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation, dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares generally will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and generally will constitute passive category income. In lieu of claiming a credit, you may elect to deduct such PRC taxes in computing your taxable income, subject to applicable limitations. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the relevant taxable year. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit in your particular circumstances.
Disposition of the ADSs or Our Class A Ordinary Shares
You will recognize gain or loss on a sale or exchange of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and your tax basis in the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. Subject to the discussion under "Passive Foreign Investment Company" below, such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of a non-corporate United States Holder, including an individual, that has held the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares for more than one year currently are eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Any gain or loss that you recognize on a disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares generally will be treated as United States-source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. However, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes and PRC tax is imposed on gain from the disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares (see "TaxationPRC Taxation"), then a United States Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty may elect to treat the gain as PRC-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. If such an election is made, the gain so treated will be treated as a separate class or "basket" of income for foreign tax credit purposes. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of gain or loss, as well as the availability of a foreign tax credit, in your particular circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
Based on the current and projected composition and classification of our income and assets and the nature of our business operations, we believe that there is a substantial risk that we will be a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2020, and we may be a PFIC in subsequent taxable years. However, the determination of PFIC status is based on an annual
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determination that cannot be made until the close of a taxable year, involves extensive factual investigation, including ascertaining the fair market value of all of our assets on a quarterly basis and the character of each item of income that we earn, and is subject to uncertainty in several respects. Under circumstances where our revenue from activities that produce passive income significantly increases relative to our revenue from activities that produce non-passive income, or where we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes or if it were determined that we do not own the stock of our VIEs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our risk of becoming classified as a PFIC may substantially increase. We cannot assure you that we will not be treated as a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021, or for any subsequent taxable year, or that the IRS will not take a position contrary to any position that we take. Accordingly, when making your investment decision, you should take into account the potential adverse consequences of owning shares of a PFIC.
We will be treated as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if, applying applicable look-through rules, either:
For this purpose, (i) passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties and rents (other than certain royalties and rents derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person), (ii) cash is treated as a passive asset and (iii) our goodwill is treated as an active asset to the extent its value is attributable to business activities that produce active income. We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% by value of the stock. We hold a substantial amount of cash, licensed music content and other assets treated as producing passive income. In addition, we earn a substantial amount of royalties (which for this purpose are treated as passive income) from licensing music content to online music entertainment platforms and digital music service providers, as well as film and TV production companies, airlines and smart hardware companies. If the percentage of our assets treated as producing passive income or the amount of royalty income we earn from licensing music content increases, we may be more likely to be a PFIC for the current or one or more future taxable years.
Although the law in this regard is unclear, we intend to treat our VIEs as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities and because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated financial statements. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of our VIEs for United States federal income tax purposes (for instance, because the relevant PRC authorities do not respect these arrangements), the composition of our income and assets would change and we may be more likely to be treated as a PFIC for the current or one or more future taxable years.
Changes in the nature or composition of our income or assets may cause us to be or become a PFIC for the current or one or more future taxable years. The determination of whether we will be a PFIC for any taxable year will also depend in part upon the value of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles not reflected on our balance sheet (which may depend upon the market value of the ADSs from time to time, which may fluctuate significantly) and also may be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend our liquid assets and the cash we generate from our operations and raise in this offering. In estimating the value of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles, we have taken into account our anticipated market capitalization following the listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange. Among other matters, if our market capitalization is less than anticipated or subsequently declines, we may be or become a PFIC for the current or future taxable years because our liquid assets and cash (which are for this purpose considered assets that produce passive income) may then represent a greater percentage of the value of
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our overall assets. Further, while we believe our classification methodology and valuation approach are reasonable, it is possible that the IRS may challenge our classification or valuation of our assets (including our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles), which may make it more likely that we are a PFIC for the current or one or more future taxable years. In addition, it is not entirely clear to what extent the value of our goodwill will be treated as active, because some of our business activities generate passive royalty income whereas other of our business activities generate active income.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, we will continue generally to be treated as a PFIC with respect to you for all succeeding years during which you hold the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, unless we cease to be a PFIC and you make a "deemed sale" election with respect to the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. If such election is made, you will be deemed to have sold the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares you hold at their fair market value and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described in the following two paragraphs. After the deemed sale election, so long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC and, as a result, you will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any "excess distribution" you receive from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisors as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale election if we are and then cease to be a PFIC and such an election becomes available to you.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, then, unless you make a "mark-to-market" election (as discussed below), you generally will be subject to special adverse tax rules with respect to any "excess distribution" that you receive from us and any gain that you recognize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares. For this purpose, distributions that you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions that you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these rules:
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares and any of our non-United States subsidiaries or other corporate entities in which we own or are deemed to own directly or indirectly equity interests is also a PFIC, you would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each such non-United States entity classified as a PFIC (each such entity, a lower tier PFIC) for purposes of the application of these rules. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our lower tier PFICs.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, then in lieu of being subject to the tax and interest-charge rules discussed above, you may make an election to include gain on our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that such ADSs or Class A ordinary shares constitute "marketable stock." Marketable stock is stock that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable
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Treasury Regulations. We expect that our ADSs, but not our Class A ordinary shares, will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which is a qualified exchange or other market for these purposes. Consequently, if the ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are regularly traded, and you are a holder of ADSs, we expect that the mark-to-market election would be available to you if we are or become a PFIC, but no assurances are given in this regard.
If a mark-to-market election is available to you and you make the election, you will include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess of the fair market value of your ADSs at the end of such taxable year over your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs. You will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss in each taxable year the excess of your adjusted tax basis in your ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. If you make a mark-to-market election and we cease to be a PFIC, you will not take into account the gain or loss described above during any period in which we are not a PFIC. If you make a mark-to-market election, any gain you recognize upon the sale or other disposition of the ADSs in a year in which we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election. Your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs will be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any deductions under the mark-to-market rules. If you make a mark-to-market election, it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years in which we are a PFIC unless the ADSs are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election.
Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, if we were a PFIC for any taxable year, a United States Holder that makes the mark-to-market election may continue to be subject to the tax and interest charges under the general PFIC rules with respect to such United States Holder's indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes.
In certain circumstances, a shareholder in a PFIC may avoid the adverse tax and interest-charge regime described above by making a "qualified electing fund" election to include in income its share of the corporation's income on a current basis. However, you may make a qualified electing fund election with respect to the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares only if we agree to furnish you annually with a PFIC annual information statement as specified in the applicable Treasury Regulations. We currently do not intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election.
A United States Holder that holds the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC will be required to file an annual report containing such information as the United States Treasury Department may require. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your ownership and disposition of the ADSs or Class A ordinary shares and the availability, application and consequences of the elections discussed above.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting to the IRS and backup withholding generally will apply to dividends in respect of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, and the proceeds from the sale or exchange of our ADSs or Class A ordinary shares, that are paid to you within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless you furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and make any other required certification, generally on IRS Form W-9 or you otherwise establish an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding generally are allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability, and you may be entitled to obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules if you file an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnish any required information in a timely manner.
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United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
United States Holders who are individuals (and certain entities closely held by individuals) generally will be required to report our name, address and such information relating to an interest in the ADSs or ordinary shares as is necessary to identify the class or issue of which the ADSs or ordinary shares are a part. These requirements are subject to exceptions, including an exception for ADSs or ordinary shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions and an exception applicable if the aggregate value of all "specified foreign financial assets" (as defined in the Code) does not exceed US$50,000.
United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these information reporting rules.
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Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated , 2021, the underwriters named below, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., US Tiger Securities, Inc and AMTD Global Markets Limited, acting as the representatives, have agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell, the number of ADSs indicated below. The address of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S. The address of US Tiger Securities, Inc is 437 Madison Ave 27th Floor, New York, NY 10022, United States. The address of AMTD Global Markets Limited is 23/F-25/F, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong. The address of China Securities (International) Corporate Finance Company Limited is 18/F Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong. The address of Valuable Capital Limited is Room 2807-09, 28th Floor, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong.
Name of Underwriters
|
Number of ADSs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
||||
US Tiger Securities, Inc |
||||
AMTD Global Markets Limited |
||||
China Securities (International) Corporate Finance Company Limited |
||||
Valuable Capital Limited |
||||
| | | | |
Total |
||||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The underwriters and the representatives are collectively referred to as the "underwriters" and the "representatives", respectively. The underwriters are offering the ADSs subject to their acceptance of the ADSs from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the ADSs offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business and the receipt of certain certificates, opinions and letters from us, our counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm. The underwriters are obligated, severally and not jointly, to take and pay for all of the ADSs offered by this prospectus if any such ADSs are taken. The underwriters are not required, however, to take or pay for the ADSs covered by the underwriters' over-allotment option to purchase additional ADSs described below.
The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the ADSs directly to the public at the initial public offering price listed on the front cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of US$ per ADS under the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the ADSs, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.
Certain of the underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both inside and outside the United States through their respective selling agents. Any offers or sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC. AMTD Global Markets Limited is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and does not intend to make any offers or sales of the ADSs within the U.S. or to any U.S. persons. China Securities (International) Corporate Finance Company Limited is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and may not make sales in the United States or to U.S. persons. Valuable Capital Limited is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and does not intend to make any offers or sales of the ADSs within the U.S. or to any U.S. persons.
Option to Purchase Additional ADSs
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of 750,000 additional ADSs at the public offering price listed
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on the front cover page of this prospectus less underwriting discounts and commissions. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional ADSs as the number listed next to the underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the total number of ADSs listed in the preceding table. If the underwriters' option is exercised in full, the total price to the public would be US$ , the total underwriters' discounts and commissions would be US$ and the total proceeds to us (before expenses) would be US$ .
Commissions and Expenses
The table below shows the per ADS and total underwriting discounts and commissions that we will pay to the underwriters. The underwriting discounts and commissions are determined by negotiations among us and the underwriters and are a percentage of the offering price to the public. Among the factors considered in determining the discounts and commissions are the size of the offering, the nature of the security to be offered and the discounts and commissions charged in comparable transactions.
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions
|
No Exercise | Full Exercise | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Per ADS |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Total by us |
US$ | US$ |
The total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately US$ million.
NYSE Listing
We have applied for approval for listing the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KUKE."
Lock-Up Agreements
We, our directors, executive officers, existing shareholders holding substantially all of our issued ordinary shares prior to this offering and holders of share-based awards have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus, not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, or agree to transfer or dispose of, any ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for the ordinary shares or ADSs beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder), or (2) enter into a transaction which would have the same effect, or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs, whether any such transaction described in the foregoing is to be settled by delivery of the ordinary shares or ADSs in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement.
The restrictions described in the preceding paragraphs to do not apply to:
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Subject to compliance with the notification requirements under FINRA Rule 5131 applicable to lockup agreements with our directors or officers, if the representatives, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lockup agreement for an officer or director of us and provides us with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, we agree to announce the impending release or waiver by issuing a press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Currently, there are no agreements, understandings or intentions, tacit or explicit, to release any of the securities from the lockup agreements prior to the expiration of the corresponding period.
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In addition, we have instructed Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary, not to accept any deposit of any ordinary shares or issue any ADSs for 180 days after the date of this prospectus (other than in connection with this offering), unless we instruct the depositary otherwise.
Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
To facilitate this offering of the ADSs, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the ADSs. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more ADSs than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of ADSs available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing ADSs in the open market. In determining the source of ADSs to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of ADSs compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell ADSs in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. In addition, to stabilize the price of the ADSs, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, ADSs in the open market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the ADSs in this offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed ADSs to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the ADSs. Any of these activities may raise or maintain the market price of the ADSs above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the ADSs. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
Relationships
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of ADSs to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, ADSs may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell ADSs to online brokerage account holders. Other than the prospectus in electronic
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format, the information on any underwriter's or selling group member's website and any information contained in any other website maintained by any underwriter or selling group member is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.
Pricing of the Offering
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ordinary shares or ADSs. The initial public offering price is determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price are our future prospects and those of our industry in general, our sales, earnings, certain other financial and operating information in recent periods, the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios and market prices of securities and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours, the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering, the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded ordinary share of generally comparable companies, and other factors deemed relevant by the representatives and us. Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for the ADSs, or that the ADSs will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.
Selling Restrictions
No action may be taken in any jurisdiction other than the United States that would permit a public offering of the ADSs or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the ADSs may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither the prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the ADSs may be distributed or published in or from any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.
Australia. This document has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:
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Canada. The ADSs may be sold in Canada only to purchasers resident or located in the Provinces of Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia, purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the ADSs must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts, or NI 33-105, the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Cayman Islands. This prospectus does not constitute an invitation or offer to the public in the Cayman Islands of the ADSs, whether by way of sale or subscription. The underwriters have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any ADSs in the Cayman Islands.
Dubai International Financial Centre. This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the "DFSA"). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this prospectus. The ADSs to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ADSs. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
European Economic Area and United Kingdom. In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (each a "Relevant State"), no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that it may make an offer to the public in that Relevant State of any Shares at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
provided that no such offer of the Shares shall require us or any Underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
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For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to the Shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any Shares, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
Switzerland. The ADSs may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (the "SIX") or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the issuer or the ADSs have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of ADSs will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, and the offer of ADSs has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (the "CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of ADSs.
Hong Kong. The ADSs may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (1) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong) or (2) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder or (3) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Israel. This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus may be distributed only to, and is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds; provident funds; insurance companies; banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd., underwriters, each purchasing for their own account; venture capital funds; entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and "qualified individuals," each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors. Qualified investors shall be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum.
Japan. The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, and ADSs will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to any exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
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Kuwait. Unless all necessary approvals from the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry required by Law No. 31/1990 "Regulating the Negotiation of Securities and Establishment of Investment Funds," its Executive Regulations and the various Ministerial Orders issued pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, have been given in relation to the marketing and sale of the ADSs, these may not be marketed, offered for sale, or sold in the State of Kuwait. Neither this prospectus (including any related document), nor any of the information contained therein is intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within Kuwait.
People's Republic of China. This prospectus has not been and will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and ADSs may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.
Qatar. In the State of Qatar, the offer contained herein is made on an exclusive basis to the specifically intended recipient thereof, upon that person's request and initiative, for personal use only and shall in no way be construed as a general offer for the sale of securities to the public or an attempt to do business as a bank, an investment company or otherwise in the State of Qatar. This prospectus and the underlying securities have not been approved or licensed by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority or any other regulator in the State of Qatar. The information contained in this prospectus shall only be shared with any third parties in Qatar on a need to know basis for the purpose of evaluating the contained offer. Any distribution of this prospectus by the recipient to third parties in Qatar beyond the terms hereof is not permitted and shall be at the liability of such recipient.
Singapore. This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of our ADSs may not be circulated or distributed, nor may our ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or SFA, (2) to a relevant person or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (3) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.
Where our ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor; shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ADSs under Section 275 of the SFA, except: (1) to an institutional investor (for corporations under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or (3) where the transfer is by operation of law.
Taiwan. The ADSs have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or
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offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitutes an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the ADSs in Taiwan.
United Arab Emirates. The ADSs have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United Arab Emirates, except: (1) in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Arab Emirates; and (2) through persons or corporate entities authorized and licensed to provide investment advice and/or engage in brokerage activity and/or trade in respect of foreign securities in the United Arab Emirates. The information contained in this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended)) or otherwise and is not intended to be a public offer and is addressed only to persons who are sophisticated investors.
United Kingdom. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that: (a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or the FSMA), received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the ADSs in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and (b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the ADSs in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
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Expenses Related to This Offering
Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, which are expected to be incurred in connection with the offer and sale of the ADSs by us. With the exception of the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee, all amounts are estimates.
SEC registration fee |
US$ | 6,546 | ||
NYSE listing fee |
150,000 | |||
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee |
8,000 | |||
Printing and engraving expenses |
324,000 | |||
Legal fees and expenses |
2,200,000 | |||
Accounting fees and expenses |
1,610,000 | |||
Miscellaneous |
1,150,000 | |||
| | | | |
Total |
US$ | 5,448,546 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
These expenses will be borne by us, except for underwriting discounts and commissions, which will be borne by us in proportion to the numbers of ADSs sold in the offering by us, respectively.
192
The validity of the ADSs and certain other legal matters with respect to U.S. federal and New York State law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. Certain legal matters with respect to U.S. federal and New York State law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. The validity of the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering and other certain legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman. Legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Commerce & Finance Law Offices and for the underwriters by Tian Yuan Law Firm. Kirkland & Ellis International LLP may rely upon Conyers Dill & Pearman with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Commerce & Finance Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP may rely upon Tian Yuan Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law.
193
The consolidated financial statements of Kuke Music Holding Limited and Rosenkavalier Limited at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and January 1, 2018 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration statement have been audited by Ernst & Young, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The offices of Ernst & Young are located at 22/F, CITIC Tower, 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Central, Hong Kong.
194
Where You Can Find Additional Information
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to the underlying ordinary shares represented by the ADSs to be sold in this offering. We have also filed with the SEC a related registration statement on Form F-6 to register the ADSs. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement on Form F-1, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read our registration statements and their exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and the ADSs.
Immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement to which this prospectus is a part, we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing, among other things, the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders, and Section 16 short swing profit reporting for our officers and directors and for holders of more than 10% of our ordinary shares.
All information filed with the SEC can be obtained over the Internet at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC website for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms.
195
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
F-1
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
INDEX TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Kuke Music Holding Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Kuke Music Holding Limited (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
Ernst & Young
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2019.
Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China
September 8, 2020
F-3
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-4
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-5
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
|
Attributable to equity holders of
the parent |
|
|
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Issued
capital |
Capital
reserve |
Retained
earnings |
Total |
Non-
controlling interests |
Total
equity |
|||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
105 | 84,329 | 22,389 | 106,823 | 1,384 | 108,207 | |||||||||||||
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year |
| | 38,612 | 38,612 | 1,852 | 40,464 | |||||||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares |
13 | 77,125 | | 77,138 | | 77,138 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 and at January 1, 2019 |
118 | 161,454 | 61,001 | 222,573 | 3,236 | 225,809 | |||||||||||||
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year |
| | 56,106 | 56,106 | 656 | 56,762 | |||||||||||||
Acquisition of non-controlling interests |
| 23 | | 23 | (33 | ) | (10 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
118 | 161,477 | 117,107 | 278,702 | 3,859 | 282,561 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-6
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
Years ended
December 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Notes | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||||||||
Profit before tax |
65,863 | 50,611 | |||||||
Adjustments for: |
|||||||||
Finance costs |
8.2 | 3,242 | 1,910 | ||||||
Finance income |
8.3 | (258 | ) | (59 | ) | ||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
11 | 1,251 | 834 | ||||||
Depreciation of right-of-use assets |
23 | 1,618 | 1,939 | ||||||
Amortisation of intangible assets |
12 | 3,762 | 2,592 | ||||||
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
41 | 4 | |||||||
Impairment of trade receivables, net |
14 | 2,282 | 2,875 | ||||||
Impairment of other receivables |
15 | 806 | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
|
78,607 | 60,706 | |||||||
Working capital adjustments: |
|||||||||
Increase in inventories |
(116 | ) | (575 | ) | |||||
Increase in trade receivables |
(67,359 | ) | (31,495 | ) | |||||
Increase in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
(40,973 | ) | (1,859 | ) | |||||
Increase in an amount due from a related party |
(370 | ) | | ||||||
Increase in trade payables |
11,742 | 10,857 | |||||||
Increase in other payables and accruals |
42,364 | 13,246 | |||||||
Increase in contract liabilities |
1,047 | 3,937 | |||||||
Decrease in an amount due to a shareholder |
| (1,008 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in an amount due to a related party |
| (5,400 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash generated from operations |
24,942 | 48,409 | |||||||
Income tax paid |
(7,554 | ) | (7,191 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows from operating activities |
17,388 | 41,218 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||||
Interest received |
258 | 59 | |||||||
Purchase of intangible assets |
(19,119 | ) | (64,666 | ) | |||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(3,511 | ) | (1,805 | ) | |||||
Increase in deposits paid for property, plant and equipment |
(9,956 | ) | | ||||||
Increase in deposits paid for intangible assets |
(42,434 | ) | (27,970 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from disposal of items of property, plant and equipment |
3 | | |||||||
Receipt of principal portion of net investments in subleases |
521 | | |||||||
Decrease/(increase) in a pledged deposit |
36,930 | (36,930 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
(37,308 | ) | (131,312 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||||
Acquisition of non-controlling interests |
(10 | ) | | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares |
| 77,138 | |||||||
Proceeds from bank borrowings |
5,000 | 39,700 | |||||||
Repayment of bank borrowings |
(39,700 | ) | | ||||||
Proceeds from other borrowings |
50,000 | | |||||||
Repayment of other borrowings |
| (5,000 | ) | ||||||
Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities |
(1,996 | ) | (2,402 | ) | |||||
Interest paid |
(1,492 | ) | (1,910 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows from financing activities |
11,802 | 107,526 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(8,118 | ) | 17,432 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
31,128 | 13,696 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR |
23,010 | 31,128 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-7
1. Corporate information
1.1 General information
The Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on September 13, 2017, as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act, Cap. 22 (Act 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands.
The principal activity of the Company is investment holding while its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the distribution of commercial copyrights and provision of music education solutions (the "Listing Business") in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC").
1.2 Reorganisation
Prior to the incorporation of the Company and the Reorganisation (as defined below), the Listing Business was carried out by Beijing Kuke Music Company Limited ("Beijing Kuke Music") and its 50.5% owned subsidiary, Naxos (Beijing) Culture & Communication Co., Ltd. ("Naxos China") (collectively the "PRC Operating Entities"). Beijing Kuke Music was previously listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations Co., Ltd. (the "NEEQ") in the PRC on August 4, 2016, with stock code 838660, and was voluntarily delisted on November 20, 2017.
In anticipation of the listing in a stock market of the United States of America, the Group underwent a reorganisation (the "Reorganisation"), whereby the Company issued 16,213,275 ordinary shares to the Beijing Kuke Music shareholders in exchange for Beijing Kuke Music and its shareholdings in Naxos China. The Company entered into a series of contractual agreements to transfer the business operations of Beijing Kuke Music to its wholly owned subsidiary, Kuke Future International Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. ("Kuke International"). Concurrently, the Company also acquired 50.5% of Naxos China held by Beijing Kuke Music as part of the Reorganisation.
In February 2018, variable interest entity ("VIE") agreements were entered into, conferring Kuke International the rights to control and to receive variable returns from Beijing Kuke Music. As a result of the VIE agreements, Beijing Kuke Music was consolidated as an indirect subsidiary of the Company.
The aforesaid Reorganisation was completed in February 2018, and the Company became the holding company of the subsidiaries now comprising the Group. Upon completion of the Reorganisation and as at the date of these financial statements, the Company had direct or indirect interests in the subsidiaries as set out below, all of which are private entities with limited liabilities. All companies now comprising the Group have adopted December 31 as their financial year end date.
F-8
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
1. Corporate information (Continued)
1.2 Reorganisation (Continued)
|
|
Percentage of
ownership/interest/ voting rights |
|
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Place and date
of incorporation/ establishment |
Issued and fully paid
ordinary share capital/ registered capital |
Principal
activities |
|||||||||
Name
|
Directly | Indirectly | ||||||||||
Rococo Holding Limited ("Rococo") | British Virgin Islands ("BVI"), limited liability company September 21, 2017 | 100 | % | | United States Dollar ("US$") 1 | Investment holding | ||||||
Gauguin Limited ("Gauguin") |
|
Hong Kong, limited liability company October 6, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Hong Kong Dollars ("HK$") 60,000,000 note(i) |
|
Investment holding |
Kuke International |
|
PRC, limited liability company December 14, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
% |
US$10,000,000 note(ii) |
|
Investment holding |
Beijing Kuke Music Co. Ltd.* (formerly known as Beijing Cathay Orient Information Technology Company Limited ("Beijing Kuke Music") |
|
PRC, June 7, 2000, limited liability company, changed to joint stock liability company on February 16, 2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
% |
RMB16,213,275 |
|
Distribution of commercial copyrights and provision of music education solutions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Naxos (Beijing) Culture & Communication Co., Ltd.* ("Naxos China") | PRC, limited liability company, January 25, 2016 | | 51 | % | RMB2,000,000 | Distribution of commercial copyrights |
2. Significant accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation and first-time adoption of IFRS
Pursuant to the Reorganisation, as more fully explained in the paragraphs headed "Reorganisation" above, the Company became the holding company of the companies now comprising the Group in February 2018. The Reorganisation has not resulted in any changes of economic substances of the business of the companies now comprising the Group before and after the Reorganisation. Accordingly, for the purpose of these consolidated financial statements the historical financial information for the reporting periods has been presented as a continuation of Beijing Kuke Music by applying the pooling of interests method as if the Reorganisation had been completed at the beginning of the reporting periods presented.
The consolidated statements of financial position of the Group as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 were prepared to present the assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries using the existing book values from Beijing Kuke Music's perspective. No adjustments are made to reflect fair values, or to recognise any new assets or liabilities as a result of the Reorganisation.
F-9
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.1 Basis of preparation and first-time adoption of IFRS (Continued)
Equity interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the Beijing Kuke Music shareholders, and changes therein, prior to the Reorganisation are presented as non-controlling interests in equity applying the principles of the pooling of interest method.
All intra-group transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). The Group has applied IFRS for the first time to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. All IFRSs issued by the IASB, effective at the time of preparing these consolidated financial statements have been applied. As the Group neither prepared nor reported a complete set of financial statements in tha past, the reconciliations from previous GAAP to IFRS were not disclosed.
The Group prepared the consolidated financial statements that comply with IFRS applicable as at December 31, 2019, together with the comparative period data for the year ended December 31, 2018, as described in the summary of significant accounting policies. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Group's opening statement of financial position was prepared as at January 1, 2018, the Group's date of transition to IFRS. The Group did not use any optional exemptions to full retrospective application of IFRS set out within IFRS 1.
The consolidated financial statements of the Group were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on September 8, 2020.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a historical cost basis. The consolidated financial statements are presented in Renminbi ("RMB") and all values are rounded to the nearest thousands, except for the number of shares and per share data.
2.2 Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Group") for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. A subsidiary is an entity (including a structured entity), directly or indirectly, controlled by the Company. Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Specifically, the Group controls an investee if, and only if, the Group has:
F-10
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.2 Basis of consolidation (Continued)
Generally, there is a presumption that a majority of voting rights results in control. To support this presumption and when the Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:
The Group re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control of the subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date the Group gains control until the date the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.
Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") are attributed to the equity holders of the parent of the Group and to the non-controlling interests, even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance. When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies in line with the Group's accounting policies. All intra-group assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between members of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation.
A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction.
If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the related assets (including goodwill), liabilities, non-controlling interest and other components of equity, while any resultant gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss. Any investment retained is recognised at fair value.
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, which is measured at acquisition date fair value, and the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree. For each business combination, the Group elects whether to measure the non-controlling interests in the acquiree at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and included in administrative expenses.
When the Group acquires a business, it assesses the financial assets and liabilities assumed for appropriate classification and designation in accordance with the contractual terms, economic circumstances and pertinent conditions as at the acquisition date. This includes the separation of embedded derivatives in host contracts by the acquiree.
F-11
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the acquirer will be recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. Contingent consideration classified as equity is not remeasured and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability that is a financial instrument and within the scope of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, is measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss in accordance with IFRS 9. Other contingent consideration that is not within the scope of IFRS 9 is measured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.
Goodwill is initially measured at cost (being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the amount recognised for non-controlling interests and any previous interest held over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed). If the fair value of the net assets acquired is in excess of the aggregate consideration transferred, the Group re-assesses whether it has correctly identified all of the assets acquired and all of the liabilities assumed and reviews the procedures used to measure the amounts to be recognised at the acquisition date. If the reassessment still results in an excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the aggregate consideration transferred, then the gain is recognised in profit or loss.
After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Group's cash-generating units ("CGUs") that are expected to benefit from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units.
Where goodwill is allocated to a CGU and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed in these circumstances is measured based on the relative values of the disposed operation and the portion of the CGU retained.
The Group presents assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position based on current/non-current classification. An asset is current when it is:
Or
All other assets are classified as non-current.
A liability is current when:
F-12
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Or
The terms of the liability that could, at the option of the counterparty, result in its settlement by the issue of equity instruments do not affect its classification.
The Group classifies all other liabilities as non-current.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current assets and liabilities.
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when control of the services or goods are transferred to the customer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those services or goods. Revenue is recognised net of Value Added Taxes ("VAT") as the VAT is levied on the customer and the Group is collecting VAT on behalf of third parties. The Group does not adjust the transaction price for the effects of a significant financing component if the period between when the entity transfer the promised good or service and when the customer pays for that good or service is within one year. The revenue arrangements with a significant financing component is immaterial for the reporting periods.
The disclosures of significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions relating to revenue from contracts with customers are provided in Note 3.
The Group is in the business of distributing commercial copyright and sales of music education solution.
Subscription revenue
Subscription revenue is generated from the sale of smart music devices and providing customers with the right to access the Group's and third-party databases through websites and mobile apps. Database subscription services customers primarily consist of universities, colleges and public libraries in the PRC, which pay for access by their respective students, faculty members or library patrons, as the case may be, and to a lesser extent, individuals. The Group also offers various smart music devices to institutional customers, allowing offline access to selected music content.
(i) Subscription revenue-music content database service
The Group provides web-based and mobile-based access to the music content database to its customers, mainly universities, colleges and public libraries and is the principal of the arrangement. The performance obligation consists of providing music database access and related services (e.g. 24-hours remote support services) that are not considered distinct in the context of the contract. The performance obligation is satisfied over the subscription period. The payment is generally due in 7 to 365 days after the Group begins to provide the customer access to the music content database. In some contracts, short-term advances are required before the database service is provided.
F-13
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Subscription revenue (Continued)
(ii) Subscription revenue-third-party database service
The Group acts as an agent for database owners which provide database services to colleges and public libraries. The Group recognises revenue at the net amount that is retained from these arrangements. The performance obligation is satisfied when the Group sold the database services and the payment is generally due in 7 to 365 days after the database owners begin to provide database access to the customers.
(iii) Subscription revenue-sale of smart music devices
The Group sells hardware with embedded content and revenue is recognised upon delivery of the devices. The payment is generally due within 1 year from delivery.
Licensing
Licensing revenue is generated by licensing certain music copyrights to internet music service providers for digital streaming or downloading through their online platforms. Licensing customers also include, to a much lesser extent, digital music service providers, smart hardware manufacturers and game developers. The licensing business mainly includes two types of contracts: (i) licensing with fixed payment; and (ii) licensing with a minimum guarantee and a revenue-sharing arrangement.
(i) Licensing-with a fixed payment
The Group licenses specific music content to the customers. Revenue is recognised when the licensed copyright is made available for the customer's use and benefit, typically upon transfer of the licensed content to the customer. Payment is generally due within 90 to 365 days from transfer.
(ii) Licensing-with minimum guarantee and revenue-sharing arrangement
For these arrangements, the Group typically: (i) licenses a specific listing of music content; and (ii) licenses future music content on an if-and-when-available basis over a specified period of time. The performance obligation relating to the licensing of a specific listing of music content is satisfied when the specified licensed copyright is made available for the customer's use and benefit, typically, upon transfer of the licensed content to the customer. The performance obligation relating to licensing of future music content is satisfied over the specified licensing period. These arrangements typically include a minimum guarantee payment and a revenue-sharing arrangement which requires additional payments if the usage of the music content exceeds specified thresholds. Royalties exceeding the minimum guaranteed amount is recognised when the usage occurs. No royalties exceeding the minimum guaranteed amount was received during the reporting periods.
The minimum guarantee is generally due in 7 to 365 days from delivery of existing music content, and the royalties from the revenue-sharing arrangement is calculated on a monthly or quarterly basis and is due within 30 days from month or quarter end.
F-14
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
(ii) Licensing-with minimum guarantee and revenue-sharing arrangement (Continued)
Smart music education business
The Group has two business models for its smart music education business: sale of smart music products and smart music education classes.
(i) Sale of smart music products
Revenue from the sale of smart music products includes the sale of: (i) integrated Kukey smart pianos; (ii) self-developed smart teaching system installed on a network storage server; and (iii) piano accessories such as professional around-ear headphones. Revenue is recognised upon delivery of the specified smart music products. The payment is generally due within 1 year from delivery.
(ii) Smart music education
The Group provides music education classes conducted through Kukey smart pianos. The performance obligation is satisfied over-time as the student attends the music education class and customers generally prepaid for the smart music education services.
Cost to obtain a contract
The Group applies the optional practical expedient to immediately expense costs to obtain a contract if the amortisation period of the asset that would have been recognised is one year or less. As such, sales commissions are immediately recognised as an expense as incurred.
Contract balances
Trade receivables
A receivable is recognised if an amount of consideration that is unconditional is due from the customer (i.e., only the passage of time is required before payment of the consideration is due). Refer to accounting policies of financial assets in section k) Financial instrumentsinitial recognition and subsequent measurement.
Contract liabilities
A contract liability is recognised if a payment is received or a payment is due (whichever is earlier) from a customer before the Group transfers the related services. Contract liabilities are recognised as revenue when the Group performs under the contract (i.e., transfers control of the related goods or services to the customer).
Variable consideration
The licensing-with a minimum guarantee and revenue-sharing arrangement contracts include variable consideration which if the revenue-sharing outcome exceed the minimum guarantee, the consideration should be revenue-sharing outcome, if not, the consideration is the minimum guarantee.
F-15
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Variable consideration (Continued)
The revenue-sharing arrangement is a usage-based royalty promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property which is only recognised when the subsequent usage occurs.
Government grants are recognised where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all attached conditions will be complied with. When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognised as income on a systematic basis over the periods that the related costs, for which it is intended to compensate, are expensed. When the grant relates to an asset, it is recognised as income in equal amounts over the expected useful life of the related asset.
When the Group receives grants of non-monetary assets, the asset and the grant are recorded at nominal amounts and released to profit or loss over the expected useful life of the asset, based on the pattern of consumption of the benefits of the underlying asset by equal annual instalments.
Current income tax
Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income.
Current income tax relating to items recognised directly in equity is recognised in equity and not in profit or loss. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except:
F-16
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Deferred tax (Continued)
Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, the carry forward of unused tax credits and any unused tax losses. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilised, except:
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilised. Unrecognised deferred tax assets are re-assessed at each reporting date and are recognised to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Deferred tax relating to items recognised outside profit or loss is recognised outside profit or loss. Deferred tax items are recognised in correlation to the underlying transaction either in OCI or directly in equity.
Tax benefits acquired as part of a business combination, but not satisfying the criteria for separate recognition at that date, are recognised subsequently if new information about facts and circumstances change. The adjustment is either treated as a reduction in goodwill (as long as it does not exceed goodwill) if it was incurred during the measurement period or recognised in profit or loss.
The Group offsets deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities if and only if it has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets and current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.
Sales tax
Expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of sales tax, except:
F-17
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Sales tax (Continued)
The net amount of sales tax recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables in the statement of financial position.
The Group's consolidated financial statements are presented in RMB, which is also the parent company's functional currency. For each entity, the Group determines the functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using that functional currency. The Group uses the direct method of consolidation and on disposal of a foreign operation, the gain or loss that is reclassified to profit or loss reflects the amount that arises from using this method.
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded by the Group's entities at their respective functional currency spot rates at the date the transaction first qualifies for recognition.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency spot rates of exchange at the reporting date.
Differences arising on settlement or translation of monetary items are recognised in profit or loss with the exception of monetary items that are designated as part of the hedge of the Group's net investment in a foreign operation. These are recognised in OCI until the net investment is disposed of, at which time, the cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss. Tax charges and credits attributable to exchange differences on those monetary items are also recognised in OCI.
Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the dates of the initial transactions.
In determining the spot exchange rate to use on initial recognition of the related asset, expense or income (or part of it) on the derecognition of a non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability relating to advance consideration, the date of the transaction is the date on which the Group initially recognises the non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability arising from the advance consideration. If there are multiple payments or receipts in advance, the Group determines the transaction date for each payment or receipt of advance consideration.
On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into RMB at the rate of exchange prevailing at the reporting date and their profit or loss are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. The exchange differences arising on translation for consolidation are recognised in OCI. On disposal of a foreign operation, the component of OCI relating to that particular foreign operation is reclassified to profit or loss.
F-18
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation and any fair value adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities arising on the acquisition are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the spot rate of exchange at the reporting date.
Plant and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any. Such cost includes the cost of replacing part of the plant and equipment. When significant parts of plant and equipment are required to be replaced at intervals, the Group depreciates them separately based on their specific useful lives. Likewise, when a major inspection is performed, its cost is recognised in the carrying amount of the plant and equipment as a replacement if the recognition criteria are satisfied. All other repair and maintenance costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred. The present value of the expected cost for the decommissioning of an asset after its use is included in the cost of the respective asset if the recognition criteria for a provision are met.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
Leasehold improvements |
Over the lease terms | |
Music education equipment |
5 years | |
Furniture and fixtures |
3 to 4 years | |
Office equipment |
3 to 5 years |
An item of property, plant and equipment and any significant part initially recognised is derecognised upon disposal (i.e., at the date the recipient obtains control) or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised.
The residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation of property, plant and equipment are reviewed at each financial year end and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate.
The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.
Group as a lessee
The Group applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases, except for leases of low-value assets. The Group recognises lease liabilities to make lease payments and right-of-use assets representing the right to use the underlying assets.
F-19
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Group as a lessee (Continued)
The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e., the date the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
If ownership of the leased asset transfers to the Group at the end of the lease term or the cost reflects the exercise of a purchase option, depreciation is calculated using the estimated useful life of the asset.
The right-of-use assets are also subject to impairment. Refer to the accounting policies in section (m) Impairment of non-financial assets.
At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Group and payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising the option to terminate. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as expenses (unless they are incurred to produce inventories) in the period in which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.
In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date because the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the lease payments (e.g., changes to future payments resulting from a change in an index or rate used to determine such lease payments) or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset.
The Group applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered to be low value. Lease payments on leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
F-20
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Group as a lessor
A lease is classified as a finance lease if the Group transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset. Leases in which the Group does not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset are classified as operating leases. For subleases, the Group, as the intermediate lessor, classifies the sublease by reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease, rather than by reference to the underlying asset.
For subleases classified as finance leases, the Group derecognises the right-of-use asset on the headlease and recognises net investments in the sublease. Any difference between the right-of-use asset and the net investments in the sublease is recognised in the profit or loss. The Group continues to the account for the original lease liability. Interest income on the sublease and interest expense on the head lease is recognised during the term of the sublease.
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale are capitalised as part of the cost of the asset. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they occur. Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that an entity incurs in connection with the borrowing of funds.
Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is their fair value at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Internally generated intangibles, excluding capitalised development costs, are not capitalised and the related expenditure is reflected in profit or loss in the period in which the expenditure is incurred.
The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed as either finite or indefinite.
Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over the useful economic life and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortisation period and the amortisation method for an intangible asset with a finite useful life are reviewed at least at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are considered to modify the amortisation period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortisation expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognised in profit or loss in the expense category that is consistent with the function of the intangible assets.
An intangible asset is derecognised upon disposal (i.e., at the date the recipient obtains control) or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising upon derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss.
F-21
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Research and development costs
Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development expenditures on an individual project are recognised as an intangible asset when the Group can demonstrate:
Following initial recognition of the development expenditure as an asset, the asset is carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation of the asset begins when development is complete and the asset is available for use. It is amortised over the period of expected future benefit. Amortisation is recorded in cost of sales. During the period of development, the asset is tested for impairment annually.
Software
Software is stated at cost less any impairment losses and is amortised on the straight-line basis over its estimated useful economic life of 3 years.
Copyrights
Copyrights are stated at cost less any impairment losses and are amortised on the straight-line basis over their estimated useful economic lives of 15 to 49 years.
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity.
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through OCI, and fair value through profit or loss.
F-22
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Initial recognition and measurement (Continued)
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow characteristics and the Group's business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient, the Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. Trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient are measured at the transaction price as disclosed in section (c) Revenue from contracts with customers.
In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through OCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are 'solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)' on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level. Financial assets with cash flows that are not SPPI are classified and measured at fair value through profit or loss, irrespective of the business model.
The Group's business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both. Financial assets classified and measured at amortised cost are held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows while financial assets classified and measured at fair value through OCI are held within a business model with the objective of both holding to collect contractual cash flows and selling.
Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within a time frame established by regulation or convention in the marketplace (regular way trades) are recognised on the trade date, i.e., the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset.
Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in one category:
Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)
Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.
F-23
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Group's consolidated statement of financial position) when:
Or
When the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Group continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Group also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.
Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.
Impairment
Further disclosures relating to impairment of financial assets are also provided in the following notes:
Disclosures for significant estimates and assumptions |
Note 3 | |
Trade receivables |
Note 14 | |
Prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
Note 15 |
The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses ("ECLs") for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.
F-24
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Impairment (Continued)
General approach
ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12-months (a 12-month ECL). For those credit exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a lifetime ECL).
At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether the credit risk on a financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition. When making the assessment, the Group compares the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument as at the reporting date with the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument as at the date of initial recognition and considers reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort, including historical and forward-looking information.
The Group considers a financial asset in default when contractual payments are 90 days past due. However, in certain cases, the Group may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Group is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held by the Group. A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows.
Financial assets at amortised cost are subject to impairment under the general approach and they are classified within the following stages for measurement of ECLs except for trade receivables which apply the simplified approach as detailed below.
Stage 1Financial instruments for which credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition and for which the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to 12-month ECLs
Stage 2Financial instruments for which credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition but that are not credit-impaired financial assets and for which the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs
Stage 3Financial assets that are credit-impaired at the reporting date (but that are not purchased or originated credit-impaired) and for which the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs
Simplified approach
For trade receivables, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.
F-25
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as loans and borrowings, payables, as appropriate.
All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs.
Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial liabilities are classified in one categories:
Financial liabilities at amortised cost (loans and borrowings)
After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR amortisation process.
Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is recognised in profit or loss.
This category generally applies to interest-bearing loans and borrowings. For more information, refer to Note 16.
Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.
All inventories are finished goods.
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out method) and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs necessary to make the sale. The Group identifies potentially slow-moving and obsolete inventories through physical counts, monitoring of inventories on hand, and specific identification, and makes adjustments to net realisable value as necessary.
F-26
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Further disclosures relating to impairment of non-financial assets are also provided in the following notes:
Disclosures for significant estimates and assumptions |
Note 3 | |
Property, plant and equipment |
Note 11 | |
Intangible assets |
Note 12 |
The Group assesses, at each reporting date, whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If any indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Group estimates the asset's recoverable amount. An asset's recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's or CGU's fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The recoverable amount is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. When the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount.
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. In determining fair value less costs of disposal, recent market transactions are taken into account. If no such transactions can be identified, an appropriate valuation model is used. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly traded companies or other available fair value indicators.
The Group bases its impairment calculation on most recent budgets and forecast calculations, which are prepared separately for each of the Group's CGUs to which the individual assets are allocated. These budgets and forecast calculations generally cover a period of five years. A long-term growth rate is calculated and applied to project future cash flows after the fifth year.
Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss in expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.
For assets excluding goodwill, an assessment is made at each reporting date to determine whether there is an indication that previously recognised impairment losses no longer exist or have decreased. If such indication exists, the Group estimates the asset's or CGU's recoverable amount. A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions used to determine the asset's recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised. The reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its recoverable amount, nor exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial position comprise cash at banks and on hand and short-term highly liquid deposits with a maturity of three months or less, that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
F-27
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term deposits, as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts as they are considered an integral part of the Group's cash management.
General
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. When the Group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example, under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognised as a separate asset, but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to a provision is presented in profit or loss net of any reimbursement.
If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, when appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. When discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.
Warranty provisions
The Group provides warranties for general repairs of defects that existed at the time of sale, as required by law. Provisions related to these assurance-type warranties are recognised when the product is sold or the service is provided to the customer. Initial recognition is based on historical experience. The estimate of warranty-related costs is revised annually.
Onerous contracts
If the Group has a contract that is onerous, the present obligation under the contract is recognised and measured as a provision. However, before a separate provision for an onerous contract is established, the Group recognises any impairment loss that has occurred on assets dedicated to that contract.
An onerous contract is a contract under which the unavoidable costs (i.e., the costs that the Group cannot avoid because it has the contract) of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it. The unavoidable costs under a contract reflect the least net cost of exiting from the contract, which is the lower of the cost of fulfilling it and any compensation or penalties arising from failure to fulfil it. The cost of fulfilling a contract comprises the costs that relate directly to the contract (i.e., both incremental costs and an allocation of costs directly related to contract activities).
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labour regulations require that the Group make contributions to the government for these benefits based on a certain percentage of the employee's salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions.
F-28
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Employees (including senior executives) and consultants of the Group receive remuneration in the form of share-based payments, whereby employees and consultants render services as consideration for equity instruments (equity-settled transactions).
Equity-settled transactions
The cost of equity-settled transactions is determined by the fair value at the date when the grant is made.
That cost is recognised in administrative expenses, together with a corresponding increase in equity (other capital reserves), over the period in which the service and, where applicable, the performance conditions are fulfilled (the vesting period). The cumulative expense recognised for equity-settled transactions at each reporting date until the vesting date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group's best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The expense or credit in profit or loss for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the beginning and end of that period.
Service and non-market performance conditions are not taken into account when determining the grant date fair value of awards, but the likelihood of the conditions being met is assessed as part of the Group's best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. Market performance conditions are reflected within the grant date fair value. Any other conditions attached to an award, but without an associated service requirement, are considered to be non-vesting conditions. Non-vesting conditions are reflected in the fair value of an award and lead to an immediate expensing of an award unless there are also service and/or performance conditions.
No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest because non-market performance and/or service conditions have not been met. Where awards include a market or non-vesting condition, the transactions are treated as vested irrespective of whether the market or non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance and/or service conditions are satisfied.
When the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, the minimum expense recognised is the grant date fair value of the unmodified award, provided the original vesting terms of the award are met. An additional expense, measured as at the date of modification, is recognised for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based payment transaction, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee. Where an award is cancelled by the entity or by the counterparty, any remaining element of the fair value of the award is expensed immediately through profit or loss.
A party is considered to be related to the Group if:
F-29
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
or
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:
Or
The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible by the Group.
The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.
All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorised within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:
F-30
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
For assets and liabilities that are recognised in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.
For the purpose of fair value disclosures, the Group has determined classes of assets and liabilities on the basis of the nature, characteristics and risks of the asset or liability and the level of the fair value hierarchy, as explained above.
3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the Group's consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.
Other disclosures relating to the Group's exposure to risks and uncertainties includes:
Capital management |
Note 6 | |
Financial instruments risk management and policies |
Note 16.4 | |
Sensitivity analyses disclosures |
Note 16.4 |
Judgements
In the process of applying the Group's accounting policies, management has made the following judgements, which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements:
Contractual arrangement
As disclosed in Note 7, the Group exercises control over Beijing Kuke Music and enjoys all the economic benefits of Beijing Kuke Music through VIE agreements.
The Group considers that it controls Beijing Kuke Music, notwithstanding the fact that it does not hold any direct equity interest in Beijing Kuke Music, as it has power over the financial and operating policies of Beijing Kuke Music and receives substantially all of the economic benefits from the business activities of Beijing Kuke Music through the VIE agreements. Accordingly, Beijing Kuke Music has been accounted as a subsidiary during the reporting periods.
Revenue recognition-principal versus agent considerations
The Group enters into contracts with database holders to provide, on their behalf, database service to colleges and libraries. The Group determined that it does not control the database services before they are transferred to customers and it does not obtain benefits from the database services.
F-31
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions (Continued)
Judgements (Continued)
Revenue recognition-principal versus agent considerations (Continued)
The following factors indicate that the Group is an agent in these contracts:
Determining the lease term of contract with renewal option-Group as lessee
The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain to be exercised.
The Group has a lease contract that include extension options, the Group applies judgement in evaluating whether it is reasonably certain whether or not to exercise the option to renew the lease. That is, it considers all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for it to exercise the renewal option. After the commencement date, the Group reassess the lease term if there is a significant event or change in circumstances that is within its control and affects its ability to exercise or not to exercise the option to renew.
The Group included the renewal period as part of the lease term for the lease of an office property. The Group typically exercises its option to renew for the lease because there will be a significant negative effect from relocating the Group's operations.
Estimates and assumptions
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are described below. The Group based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when the consolidated financial statements were prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, however, may change due to market changes or circumstances arising that are beyond the control of the Group. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.
Provision for expected credit losses of trade receivables and other financial assets at amortised cost
The Group uses a provision matrix to calculate ECLs for trade receivables. The provision rates are based on days past due for groupings of various customer segments that have similar loss patterns.
The provision matrix is initially based on the Group's historical observed default rates. The Group will calibrate the matrix to adjust the historical credit loss experience with forward-looking information. At every reporting date, the historical observed default rates are updated and changes in the forward-looking estimates are analysed.
The assessment of the correlation between historical observed default rates, forecast economic conditions and ECLs is a significant estimate. The amount of ECLs is sensitive to changes in circumstances and of forecast economic conditions. The Group's historical credit loss experience and forecast of economic conditions may also not be representative of customer's actual default in the future. The information about the ECLs on the Group's trade receivables and other receivables are disclosed in Notes 14 and 15, respectively.
F-32
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions (Continued)
Estimates and assumptions (Continued)
Provision for expected credit losses of trade receivables and other financial assets at amortised cost (Continued)
The loss allowances for financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets are based on assumption about risk of default and expected loss rates. The Group makes adjustment in making these assumptions and selecting the inputs to the ECL calculation, based on the Group's past history, existing market condition as well as forward-looking estimates at the end of each of the reporting periods. A number of significant judgements and estimation are also required in applying the accounting requirements for measuring ECLs, such as:
Useful life of intangible assets
The Group's management determines the estimated useful lives and related amortisation for the Group's intangible assets with reference to the estimated periods that the Group intends and able to derive future economic benefits from the use of these assets. Management will revise the amortisation where useful lives are different to that of previously estimated, or it will write-off or write-down commercial obsolete or non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold. Actual economic lives may differ from estimated useful lives. Periodic review could result in a change in depreciable lives and therefore amortisation in profit or loss in future periods.
Impairment of non-financial assets
The Group assesses whether there are any indicators of impairment for all non-financial assets at the end of each reporting period. The non-financial assets are tested for impairment when there are indicators that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The calculation of the fair value less costs of disposal is based on available data from binding sales transactions in an arm's length transaction of similar assets or observable market prices less incremental costs for disposing of the asset. When value in use calculations are undertaken, management must estimate the expected future cash flows from the asset or CGU and choose a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows.
Taxes
Deferred tax assets are recognised for unused tax losses and deductible temporary difference to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be utilised. Significant management judgement is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised, based upon the likely timing and the level of future taxable profits, together with future tax planning strategies.
The Group had tax losses relate to subsidiaries that have a history of losses, and may not be used to offset taxable income elsewhere in the Group. The subsidiaries neither have taxable temporary differences nor tax planning opportunities available that could partly support the recognition of these losses as deferred tax assets. On this basis, the Group has determined that it cannot recognise deferred tax assets on the tax losses carried forward. Further details on taxes are disclosed in Note 9.
F-33
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. Revenue from contracts with customers
Disaggregated revenue information
Set out below is the disaggregation of the Group's revenue from contracts with customers:
|
Subscription and
licensing |
Smart music
education business |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Year ended December 31, 2019 |
||||||||||
Revenue from contracts with customers |
81,901 | 64,153 | 146,054 | |||||||
Cost of sales |
(20,330 | ) | (12,013 | ) | (32,343 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit |
61,571 | 52,140 | 113,711 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, 2018 |
||||||||||
Revenue from contracts with customers |
90,324 | 61,917 | 152,241 | |||||||
Cost of sales |
(20,342 | ) | (13,772 | ) | (34,114 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit |
69,982 | 48,145 | 118,127 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Geographical markets |
|||||||
Southern China |
55,597 | 65,007 | |||||
Northern China |
90,457 | 87,234 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total revenue from contracts with customers |
146,054 | 152,241 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Timing of revenue recognition |
|||||||
Revenue recognised at a point in time |
126,646 | 123,869 | |||||
Revenue recognised over time |
19,408 | 28,372 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total revenue from contracts with customers |
146,054 | 152,241 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The amounts of transaction prices allocated to the remaining performance obligations (unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied) as at each reporting dates are as follows:
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||
|
2019 | 2018 | ||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Amounts expected to be recognised as revenue: |
||||||||||
Within 1 year |
10,000 | 10,722 | 20,788 | |||||||
After 1 year |
1,149 | 962 | 596 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
11,149 | 11,684 | 21,384 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
F-34
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
5. Segment information
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reporting about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision-maker in order to allocate resources to segments and to assess their performance. The information reported to the directors of the Company, who are the chief operating decision makers, for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of performance does not contain discrete operation segment financial information and the directors reviewed the financial results of the Group as a whole. Therefore, no further information on the operating segment is presented.
6. Capital management
For the purpose of the Group's capital management, capital includes issued capital and all other equity reserves attributable to the equity holders of the parent. The primary objective of the Group's capital management is to maximise shareholders' value.
The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements. No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes to manage capital during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Group monitors capital using a gearing ratio, which is 'net debt' divided by equity attributable to equity holders of the parent plus net debt. The Group's policy is to maintain the gearing ratio below 50%. The Group includes within net debt, interest bearing loans and borrowings, lease liabilities, trade payables, other payables and accruals, amounts due to a shareholder and related parties, less pledged deposit and cash and cash equivalents.
F-35
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. Capital management (Continued)
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (Note 22) |
55,000 | 39,700 | 5,000 | |||||||
Lease liabilities (Note 23) |
14,713 | 2,161 | 4,563 | |||||||
Trade payables (Note 20) |
34,697 | 22,955 | 12,098 | |||||||
Other payables and accruals (Note 24) |
90,380 | 46,315 | 33,069 | |||||||
Amount due to a shareholder (Note 25) |
| | 1,008 | |||||||
Amount due to a related party (Note 25) |
| | 5,400 | |||||||
Less: pledged deposit (Note 18) |
| (36,930 | ) | | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 17) |
(23,010 | ) | (31,128 | ) | (13,696 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net debt |
171,780 | 43,073 | 47,442 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent |
278,702 | 222,573 | 106,823 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent and net debt |
450,482 | 265,646 | 154,265 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gearing ratio |
38% | 16% |
31%
|
7. Group information
Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements of the Group include:
|
|
|
% equity interest | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Place of
incorporation/registration |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||||
Name
|
Principal activities | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Rococo |
Investment holding | British Virgin Islands | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
Gauguin |
Investment holding | Hong Kong | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
Kuke International |
Investment holding | PRC | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
Naxos China |
Distribution of commercial copyrights | PRC | 51 | % | 50.5 | % | 50.5 | % |
VIE of the Group include:
|
|
|
% beneficial interest | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Place of
registration |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||||
Name
|
Principal activities | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Beijing Kuke Music |
Distribution of commercial copyrights and provision of music education solutions | PRC | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
F-36
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. Group information (Continued)
Subsidiaries (Continued)
As PRC laws and regulations prohibit foreign ownership of online subscription and online education business, the Company primarily conducts its business in Mainland China through Beijing Kuke Music. On February 26, 2018, Kuke International, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary in the PRC, entered into the Pledge Contract with the nominee shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music for the equity interests in Beijing Kuke Music held by the nominee shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music. In addition, each nominee shareholder of Beijing Kuke Music signed a Power of Attorney, and Kuke International entered into the Exclusive Call Option Contract with Beijing Kuke Music and nominee shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music, which provide Kuke International the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the variable returns of Beijing Kuke Music and to acquire the equity interests in Beijing Kuke Music when permitted by the PRC laws, respectively. Kuke International agreed to provide financial support to Beijing Kuke Music for its operations which obligated Kuke International to absorb losses of Beijing Kuke Music that could potentially be significant to Beijing Kuke Music. In addition, the aforementioned Powers of Attorney and the Exclusive Call Option Contract entitle Kuke International to receive variable returns from Beijing Kuke Music that are significant to Beijing Kuke Music.
Despite the lack of technical majority ownership, Kuke International has effective control of Beijing Kuke Music through a series of VIE agreements and a parent subsidiary relationship exists between Kuke International and Beijing Kuke Music, which provides Kuke International with (a) the power over the VIE; (b) rights or exposure to variable returns from its involvement with the VIE; and (c) the ability to use its power over the VIE to affect the amount of the Kuke International's returns. Through the VIE agreements, the shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music assigned all of their voting rights underlying their equity interests in Beijing Kuke Music to Kuke International; Kuke International has the rights to receive variable returns from Beijing Kuke Music that potentially could be significant to Beijing Kuke Music; and Kuke International has the obligation to absorb losses of Beijing Kuke Music that could potentially be significant to Beijing Kuke Music. Therefore, Kuke International consolidates Beijing Kuke Music as required by IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements.
The principal terms of the VIE agreements are further described below:
Pursuant to the powers of attorney signed by Beijing Kuke Music's nominee shareholders, each nominee shareholder irrevocably authorised Kuke International to act on behalf of such shareholder as its exclusive agent and attorney to exercise all rights and power that such shareholder has in respect of its equity interest in Beijing Kuke Music (including, but not limited to, all of such shareholders' rights and voting rights to the sale, transfer, pledge or disposition of the equity interest in part or in whole, and the right to designate and appoint the directors and the executive officers of Beijing Kuke Music). The powers of attorney will remain effective ever after, until Kuke International terminates the Powers of Attorney in writing or the shares or all the assets of Beijing Kuke Music have been legally and effectively transferred to Kuke International and/or its designees.
F-37
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. Group information (Continued)
Subsidiaries (Continued)
Pursuant to the exclusive call option agreement entered into amongst Beijing Kuke Music's nominee shareholders, Beijing Kuke Music and Kuke International, each nominee shareholder granted to Kuke International an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase all or part of its equity interests in Beijing Kuke Music. The purchase price of the equity interests in Beijing Kuke Music will be a nominal price, unless the relevant government authorities or the PRC laws request that another amount be used as the purchase price, in which case the purchase price will be the lowest amount under such request. Subject to relevant PRC laws and regulations, the registered shareholders will return any amount of the purchase price they have received to Kuke International or its designees.
Pursuant to the exclusive services agreement entered into between Beijing Kuke Music and Kuke International, Kuke International provides business support and consulting services as the exclusive provider of such services to Beijing Kuke Music, in return for a fee which is equal to 100% of the profits before tax of Beijing Kuke Music and is adjustable at the sole discretion of Kuke International. This agreement remains effective perpetually unless termination is required by Kuke International with one month's prior written notice.
Pursuant to the share pledge contract among Beijing Kuke Music's nominee shareholders, Beijing Kuke Music and Kuke International, the nominee shareholders of Beijing Kuke Music pledged all of their respective equity interests in Beijing Kuke Music to Kuke International as a continuing first priority security interest to guarantee the prompt and full performance of these nominee shareholders' and Beijing Kuke Music's obligations under the powers of attorney, the exclusive call option agreement and the exclusive services agreement. The nominee shareholders will not have the right to exercise the voting rights and rights to dividend distribution attaching to the equity interests of Beijing Kuke Music. If Beijing Kuke Music or any of the nominee shareholders breaches its obligations, Beijing Kuke Music is dissolved or the enforcement of the pledged equity interests of Beijing Kuke Music is permitted under PRC laws, Kuke International will be entitled to exercise its rights to the pledged equity interests, including the right to sell the pledged equity interests of Beijing Kuke Music through an auction or a private sale.
If the pledged equity interests of Beijing Kuke Music are disposed for whatever reasons, all proceeds received will be attributed to Kuke International and the nominee shareholders must transfer all proceeds collected to Kuke International without consideration, to the extent permitted by PRC laws. This contract remains effective until the earlier of: (i) the discharge in full of the nominee shareholders' and Beijing Kuke Music's obligations under VIE agreements, or (ii) the completion of the disposal of the pledged equity interests in Beijing Kuke Music.
In the opinion of the Company's legal counsel, (i) the ownership structure of Kuke International and its VIE is in compliance with the PRC laws and regulations; (ii) the contractual arrangements with Beijing Kuke Music and its nominee shareholders are valid and binding, and not in violation of the current PRC laws or regulations.
F-38
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Other income and expenses
8.1 Other income, net
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Government grants* |
1,054 | 805 | |||||
Waiver of trade payables |
| 600 | |||||
Foreign exchange differences, net |
1,173 | (536 | ) | ||||
Additional deduction of VAT |
684 | 23 | |||||
Bad debt recovery |
200 | 2,801 | |||||
Others |
719 | | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total other income, net |
3,830 | 3,693 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
8.2 Finance costs
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Interest on loans and borrowings |
2,629 | 1,769 | |||||
Interest on lease liabilities |
613 | 141 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total finance costs |
3,242 | 1,910 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
8.3 Finance income
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Bank interest income |
155 | 59 | |||||
Interest income on net investments in subleases |
103 | | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total finance income |
258 | 59 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-39
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Other income and expenses (Continued)
8.4 Depreciation, amortisation and costs of inventories
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Included in cost of sales: |
|||||||
Depreciation of right-of-use assets |
66 | | |||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
233 | 30 | |||||
Amortisation of intangible assets |
3,720 | 2,557 | |||||
Costs of inventories recognised as an expense |
12,465 | 15,484 | |||||
Included in selling expenses: |
|
|
|||||
Depreciation of right-of-use assets |
489 | 885 | |||||
Included in administrative expenses: |
|
|
|||||
Depreciation of right-of-use assets |
1,063 | 1,054 | |||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
1,018 | 804 | |||||
Amortisation of intangible assets |
42 | 35 |
8.5 Research and development costs
The Group's research and development concentrates on the development of smart music education solutions, which include music education system, musical software (e.g. Kuke music app, digital music cloud library), Kuke music online platform, audiobook, musical education instruments and hardware (e.g. Kukey smart pianos).
Research and development costs that are not eligible for capitalisation are expensed in the period incurred (2019: RMB10,258,000; 2018: RMB10,642,000), and they are recognised in administrative expenses.
8.6 Wages and salaries and pension scheme contribution
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Wages and salaries |
19,245 | 21,155 | |||||
Pension scheme contribution |
3,053 | 4,249 |
At December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, the Group had no forfeited contributions available to reduce its contributions to the pension scheme in future years.
9. Income tax
The major components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are:
Consolidated profit or loss
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Current income tax: |
|||||||
Current income tax charge |
9,174 | 10,685 | |||||
Deferred tax: |
|||||||
Relating to reversal of temporary differences |
(73 | ) | (538 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Income tax expense reported in the statement of profit or loss |
9,101 | 10,147 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-40
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
9. Income tax (Continued)
Consolidated profit or loss (Continued)
Reconciliation of tax expense and the accounting profit multiplied by China's domestic tax rate for 2018 and 2019:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Accounting profit before tax |
65,863 | 50,611 | |||||
At China's statutory income tax rate of 25% (2018: 25%) |
16,466 | 12,653 | |||||
Non-deductible expenses for tax purposes: |
|||||||
Entertainment expense |
31 | 148 | |||||
Super deductions |
(1,028 | ) | (1,062 | ) | |||
Effect of lower tax rate |
(6,460 | ) | (1,625 | ) | |||
Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses |
| (133 | ) | ||||
Unrecognised tax losses |
92 | 166 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
At the effective income tax rate of 14% (2018: 20%) |
9,101 | 10,147 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Income tax expense reported in the statement of profit or loss |
9,101 | 10,147 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Deferred tax
Deferred tax relates to the following:
|
Consolidated statement of
financial position |
|
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Consolidated
statement of profit or loss |
|||||||||||||||
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||||||
|
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||||||||
|
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Expected credit losses of debt financial assets |
2,386 | 2,074 | 2,063 | (312 | ) | (11 | ) | |||||||||
Leases |
8 | 33 | 29 | 25 | (4 | ) | ||||||||||
Accrual and provisions |
1,402 | 1,616 | 1,093 | 214 | (523 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred tax credit |
(73 | ) | (538 | ) | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred tax assets |
3,796 | 3,723 | 3,185 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reconciliation of deferred tax assets
|
RMB'000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
As of January 1, 2018: |
3,185 | |||
Deferred tax credited to the statement of profit or loss during the year |
538 | |||
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2018: |
3,723 | |||
Deferred tax credited to the statement of profit or loss during the year |
73 | |||
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2019: |
3,796 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The Group had tax losses arising in Mainland China of RMB125,000, nil and RMB532,000 as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively, that will expire in one to five years for offsetting against future taxable profits of the companies in which the losses arose.
F-41
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
9. Income tax (Continued)
Reconciliation of deferred tax assets (Continued)
The Group had tax losses arising in Hong Kong of RMB1,380,000, RMB1,011,000 and nil as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively, that are available indefinitely for offsetting against future taxable profits of the companies in which the losses arose.
Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the tax losses as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 as the directors consider it is currently not probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the tax losses can be utilised.
Pursuant to the PRC Corporate Income Tax Law, a 10% withholding tax is levied on dividends declared to foreign investors from the foreign investment enterprises established in Mainland China. A lower withholding tax rate may be applied if there is a tax treaty between Mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign investors. For the Group, the applicable rate is 5% or 10%. The Group is therefore liable for withholding taxes on dividends distributed by the subsidiaries established in Mainland China to foreign shareholders in respect of earnings generated.
At December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, the directors of the Company estimated that the retained earnings of the PRC subsidiaries would be retained in Mainland China for use in future operations and investments. In the opinion of the directors, it is not probable that these subsidiaries will distribute such earnings in the foreseeable future to their foreign shareholders. The aggregate amount of temporary differences for the undistributed earning associated with the investments in subsidiaries in Mainland China for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised was approximately RMB143,949,000, RMB87,829,000 and RMB31,935,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively. The Group has determined that the undistributed profits of its subsidiaries will not be distributed in the foreseeable future.
10. Earnings per share ("EPS")
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
The Group had no dilutive potential ordinary shares for the year ended December 31, 2018. No adjustment is made to the basic loss per share amounts presented for the year ended December 31, 2019 for the dilutive effect of the outstanding share options because they are subject to performance conditions which are not met as of December 31, 2019.
The following table reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted EPS calculations:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent for basic and diluted EPS calculations |
56,106 | 38,612 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year for basic and diluted EPS calculations |
18,211,027 | 18,134,401 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-42
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Property, plant and equipment
|
Leasehold
improvements |
Music
education equipment |
Furniture
and fixtures |
Office
equipment |
Total | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Cost |
||||||||||||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
2,051 | | 332 | 2,681 | 5,064 | |||||||||||
Additions |
| 1,749 | 23 | 33 | 1,805 | |||||||||||
Disposals |
| | | (77 | ) | (77 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
2,051 | 1,749 | 355 | 2,637 | 6,792 | |||||||||||
Additions |
1,587 | 1,806 | 109 | 9 | 3,511 | |||||||||||
Disposals |
| | (232 | ) | (1,961 | ) | (2,193 | ) | ||||||||
Transfer to inventories |
| (762 | ) | | | (762 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
3,638 | 2,793 | 232 | 685 | 7,348 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated depreciation |
||||||||||||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
(981 | ) | | (168 | ) | (2,293 | ) | (3,442 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation charge for the year |
(535 | ) | (33 | ) | (73 | ) | (193 | ) | (834 | ) | ||||||
Disposals |
| | | 73 | 73 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
(1,516 | ) | (33 | ) | (241 | ) | (2,413 | ) | (4,203 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation charge for the year |
(711 | ) | (337 | ) | (61 | ) | (142 | ) | (1,251 | ) | ||||||
Disposals |
| | 188 | 1,961 | 2,149 | |||||||||||
Transfer to inventories |
| 76 | | | 76 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
(2,227 | ) | (294 | ) | (114 | ) | (594 | ) | (3,229 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net carrying amount |
||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2019 |
1,411 | 2,499 | 118 | 91 | 4,119 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
535 | 1,716 | 114 | 224 | 2,589 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At January 1, 2018 |
1,070 | | 164 | 388 | 1,622 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-43
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. Intangible assets
|
Software | Copyrights | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Cost |
||||||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
285 | 69,543 | 69,828 | |||||||
Additions |
91 | 65,518 | 65,609 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
376 | 135,061 | 135,437 | |||||||
Additions |
15 | 41,840 | 41,855 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
391 | 176,901 | 177,292 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated amortisation |
||||||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
(262 | ) | (2,171 | ) | (2,433 | ) | ||||
Charge for the year |
(35 | ) | (2,557 | ) | (2,592 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
(297 | ) | (4,728 | ) | (5,025 | ) | ||||
Charge for the year |
(42 | ) | (3,720 | ) | (3,762 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
(339 | ) | (8,448 | ) | (8,787 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net carrying amount |
||||||||||
At December 31, 2019 |
52 | 168,453 | 168,505 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
79 | 130,333 | 130,412 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
At January 1, 2018 |
23 | 67,372 | 67,395 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
13. Inventories
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||
|
2019 | 2018 | ||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Finished goods |
1,807 | 1,005 | 430 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
14. Trade receivables
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Trade receivables |
||||||||||
Receivables from third-party customers |
184,471 | 119,507 | 98,116 | |||||||
Allowance for ECL |
(3,346 | ) | (3,459 | ) | (10,688 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total trade receivables |
181,125 | 116,048 | 87,428 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Current |
181,125 | 116,048 | 77,667 | |||||||
Non-current |
| | 9,761 |
Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on terms of 7 to 365 days.
F-44
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
14. Trade receivables (Continued)
The movements in allowance for ECL are as follows:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
At the beginning of the year |
(3,459 | ) | (10,688 | ) | |||
Impairment losses, net |
(2,282 | ) | (2,875 | ) | |||
Amount written off as uncollectible |
2,395 | 10,104 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
At the end of the year |
(3,346 | ) | (3,459 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
15. Prepayments, other receivables and other assets
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Non-current |
||||||||||
Prepayments |
1,163 | 789 | 952 | |||||||
Deposits |
57,724 | 27,970 | 1,043 | |||||||
Loan receivable |
33,323 | | | |||||||
Other receivables |
138 | 30 | 28 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
92,348 | 28,789 | 2,023 | |||||||
Allowance for ECL |
(806 | ) | | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
91,542 | 28,789 | 2,023 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Current |
||||||||||
Prepayments |
12,325 | 4,353 | 3,458 | |||||||
Deposits |
87 | 191 | 111 | |||||||
Other receivables |
2,537 | 3,337 | 2,192 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
14,949 | 7,881 | 5,761 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Loan receivable as at December 31, 2019 is unsecured and with an original maturity of three years.
An impairment analysis on the loan receivable is performed at December 31, 2019 by considering the probability of default of comparable companies with published credit ratings and forecasts of future economic conditions, as appropriate. As at December 31, 2019, the probability of default applied to the loan receivable is 2.67% and the loss given default is estimated to be 62.52%.
Apart from RMB806,000 impairment on a loan receivable as at December 31, 2019, none of the above assets are either past due or impaired. The financial assets included in the above balances relate to deposits and receivables for which there was no recent history of default. Since the deposits, other receivables and other assets are related to receivables that are not past due, the expected credit loss rates are assessed to be minimal.
F-45
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
15. Prepayments, other receivables and other assets (Continued)
The movements in allowance for ECL are as follows:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
At the beginning of the year |
| | |||||
Impairment losses, net |
(806 | ) | | ||||
| | | | | | | |
At the end of the year |
(806 | ) | | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities
16.1 Financial assets
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Financial assets at amortised cost |
||||||||||
Current |
||||||||||
Trade receivables (Note 14) |
181,125 | 116,048 | 77,667 | |||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
2,624 | 3,528 | 2,303 | |||||||
Net investments in subleases |
1,245 | | | |||||||
Amount due from a related party |
370 | | | |||||||
Amounts due from shareholders |
105 | 105 | 105 | |||||||
Pledged deposit |
| 36,930 | | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
23,010 | 31,128 | 13,696 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total current financial assets |
208,479 | 187,739 | 93,771 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current |
||||||||||
Trade receivables (Note 14) |
| | 9,761 | |||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
32,755 | 30 | 128 | |||||||
Net investments in subleases |
2,325 | | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total non-current financial assets |
35,080 | 30 | 9,889 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial assets |
243,559 | 187,769 | 103,660 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
F-46
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
16.2 Financial liabilities
Lease liabilities and other financial liabilities at amortised cost, with carrying amounts that are reasonable approximations of fair values
|
December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | January 1, 2018 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Current |
||||||||||
Trade payables |
34,697 | 22,955 | 12,098 | |||||||
Financial liabilities included in other payables and accruals |
20,190 | 16,294 | 14,763 | |||||||
Amount due to a shareholder |
| | 1,008 | |||||||
Amount due to a related party |
| | 5,400 | |||||||
Lease liabilities |
5,217 | 2,161 | 2,500 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
60,104 | 41,410 | 35,769 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current |
||||||||||
Other payable |
31,700 | | | |||||||
Lease liabilities |
9,496 | | 2,063 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
41,196 | | 2,063 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
101,300 | 41,410 | 37,832 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
F-47
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
16.3 Fair values
The Group assessed that the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, pledged deposit, current portion of trade receivables, current portion of financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets, amounts due from a related party and shareholders, trade payables, amounts due to a shareholder and related parties and current portion of financial liabilities included in other payables and accruals approximate their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
The fair values of the non-current portion of trade receivables, financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets, net investments in subleases, interest-bearing loans and borrowings and loan payable included in non-current portion of other payable have been measured at amortised cost. In the opinion of the directors, the fair values of these financial assets and financial liabilities approximate to their carrying amounts.
The Group did not have any financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018.
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no transfers of fair value measurements between Level 1 and Level 2 and no transfers into or out of Level 3 for financial assets and financial liabilities.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:
The fair values of the Group's interest-bearing loans and borrowings and other payable are determined by using the discounted cash flows method using discount rate currently available for instruments with similar terms, credit risk and remaining maturities as at the end of the reporting period. The changes in fair value as a result of the Group's own non-performance risk as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 were assessed to be insignificant. The fair value of the Group's interest-bearing loans and borrowings and other payable are reasonable approximations of fair values based on the discounted cash flows.
16.4 Financial instruments risk management objectives and policies
The Group's principal financial liabilities comprise loans and borrowings, trade payables and other payables and accruals. The main purpose of these financial liabilities is to raise finance for the Group's operations. The Group's principal financial assets include trade receivables, and cash and cash equivalents that derive directly from its operations.
The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The board of directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks, which are summarised below.
Foreign currency risk
The Group has transactional currency exposures. Such exposures mainly arise from a loan receivable from a Hong Kong entity and from foreign suppliers in currencies other than the Group's functional currency.
F-48
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
16.4 Financial instruments risk management objectives and policies (Continued)
Foreign currency risk (Continued)
The following tables demonstrate the sensitivity at the end of the reporting period to a reasonably possible change in the United States dollars ("US$") and HK$ exchange rates, with all other variables held constant, of the Group's profit before tax. The impact on the Group's profit before tax is due to changes in the fair values of monetary assets and liabilities. The Group's exposure to foreign currency risk for all other currencies is not material.
|
Change in
US$ rate |
Effect on profit
before tax |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
2019 |
+5 | % | (1,302 | ) | |||
|
5 | % | 1,302 | ||||
2018 |
+5 |
% |
(924 |
) |
|||
|
5 | % | 924 |
|
Change in
HK$ rate |
Effect on profit
before tax |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
2019 |
+5 | % | 1,672 | ||||
|
5 | % | (1,672 | ) | |||
2018 |
+5 |
% |
(141 |
) |
|||
|
5 | % | 141 |
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (primarily trade receivables) and from its financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions, foreign exchange transactions and other financial instruments.
Maximum exposure and year-end staging
The tables below show the credit quality and the maximum exposure to credit risk based on the Group's credit policy, which is mainly based on past due information unless other information is available without undue cost or effort, and staging classification as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018. The amounts presented are gross carrying amounts for financial assets.
F-49
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
16.4 Financial instruments risk management objectives and policies (Continued)
Credit risk (Continued)
As at December 31, 2019
|
12-month
Expected Credit losses |
Lifetime Expected Credit losses |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Simplified
approach |
|
||||||||||||
|
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Trade receivables |
| | | 184,471 | 184,471 | |||||||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
||||||||||||||||
Normal* |
36,185 | | | | 36,185 | |||||||||||
Net investments in subleasesNormal* |
3,570 | | | | 3,570 | |||||||||||
Amount due from a related partyNormal* |
370 | | | | 370 | |||||||||||
Amounts due from shareholdersNormal* |
105 | | | | 105 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||||||||||
not yet past due |
23,010 | | | | 23,010 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
63,240 | | | 184,471 | 247,711 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As at December 31, 2018
|
12-month
Expected Credit losses |
Lifetime Expected Credit losses |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Simplified
approach |
|
||||||||||||
|
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Trade receivables |
| | | 119,507 | 119,507 | |||||||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
||||||||||||||||
Normal* |
3,558 | | | | 3,558 | |||||||||||
Amounts due from shareholdersNormal* |
105 | | | | 105 | |||||||||||
Pledged deposit |
||||||||||||||||
not yet past due |
36,930 | | | | 36,930 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||||||||||
not yet past due |
31,128 | | | | 31,128 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
71,721 | | | 119,507 | 191,228 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-50
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
16.4 Financial instruments risk management objectives and policies (Continued)
Credit risk (Continued)
As at January 1, 2018
|
12-month
Expected Credit losses |
Lifetime Expected Credit losses |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Simplified
approach |
|
||||||||||||
|
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Trade receivables |
| | | 98,116 | 98,116 | |||||||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
||||||||||||||||
Normal* |
2,431 | | | | 2,431 | |||||||||||
Amounts due from shareholdersNormal* |
105 | | | | 105 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||||||||||
not yet past due |
13,696 | | | | 13,696 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
16,232 | | | 98,116 | 114,348 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trade receivables
Customer credit risk is managed by each business unit subject to the Group's established policy, procedures and control relating to customer credit risk management.
At the end of each of the reporting periods, the Group had certain concentrations of credit risk at 8%, 12% and 18%, and 29%, 39% and 51% of the Group's gross trade receivables as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 were due from the Group's largest customer and the five largest customers, respectively.
An impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date using a provision matrix to measure expected credit losses. The provision rates are based on days past due for groupings of various customer segments with similar loss patterns. The calculation reflects the probability-weighted outcome, the time value of money and reasonable and supportable information that is available at the reporting date about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Generally, trade receivables are written off if past due for more than one year and are not subject to enforcement activity.
F-51
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
16.4 Financial instruments risk management objectives and policies (Continued)
Trade receivables (Continued)
Set out below is the information about the credit risk exposure on the Group's trade receivables using a provision matrix:
|
|
Days past due |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Current | 1 - 90 days | 91 - 180 days | >181 days | Total | |||||||||||
December 31, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||
Expected credit loss rate |
1.57 | % | 1.94 | % | 2.99 | % | 6.01 | % | 1.81 | % | ||||||
Gross carrying amount (RMB'000) |
155,781 | 17,931 | 2,905 | 7,854 | 184,471 | |||||||||||
Expected credit loss (RMB'000) |
2,439 | 348 | 87 | 472 | 3,346 |
|
|
Days past due |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Current | 1 - 90 days | 91 - 180 days | >181 days | Total | |||||||||||
December 31, 2018 |
||||||||||||||||
Expected credit loss rate |
2.08 | % | 4.84 | % | 11.11 | % | 23.63 | % | 2.89 | % | ||||||
Gross carrying amount (RMB'000) |
108,984 | 6,552 | 522 | 3,449 | 119,507 | |||||||||||
Expected credit loss (RMB'000) |
2,269 | 317 | 58 | 815 | 3,459 |
|
|
Days past due |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Current | 1 - 90 days | 91 - 180 days | >181 days | Total | |||||||||||
January 1, 2018 |
||||||||||||||||
Expected credit loss rate |
8.84 | % | 11.66 | % | 19.01 | % | 24.40 | % | 10.89 | % | ||||||
Gross carrying amount (RMB'000) |
78,301 | 7,227 | 2,725 | 9,863 | 98,116 | |||||||||||
Expected credit loss (RMB'000) |
6,920 | 843 | 518 | 2,407 | 10,688 |
Liquidity risk
The Group monitors its risk of a shortage of funds using a liquidity planning tool.
The Group's objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of bank loans, other borrowings and lease liabilities.
The Group assessed the concentration of risk with respect to refinancing its debts and concluded it to be low.
Excessive risk concentration
Concentrations arise when a number of counterparties are engaged in similar business activities, or activities in the same geographical region, or have economic features that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic, political or other conditions. Concentrations indicate the relative sensitivity of the Group's performance to developments affecting a particular industry.
In order to avoid excessive concentrations of risk, the Group's policies and procedures include specific guidelines to focus on the maintenance of a diversified portfolio.
F-52
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
16.4 Financial instruments risk management objectives and policies (Continued)
Excessive risk concentration (Continued)
The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group's financial liabilities as at the end of the reporting period based on the contractual undiscounted payments:
|
On demand |
Less than
1 year |
>1 year | Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||
As at December 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings |
5,000 | 54,323 | | 59,323 | |||||||||
Lease liabilities |
| 5,634 | 14,721 | 20,355 | |||||||||
Trade payables |
| 34,697 | | 34,697 | |||||||||
Other payables and accruals |
| 20,190 | 31,700 | 51,890 | |||||||||
As at December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings |
5,000 | 35,322 | | 40,322 | |||||||||
Lease liabilities |
| 2,208 | | 2,208 | |||||||||
Trade payables |
| 22,955 | | 22,955 | |||||||||
Other payables and accruals |
| 16,294 | | 16,294 | |||||||||
As at January 1, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings |
| 5,233 | | 5,233 | |||||||||
Lease liabilities |
| 2,543 | 2,208 | 4,751 | |||||||||
Trade payables |
| 12,098 | | 12,098 | |||||||||
Other payables and accruals |
| 14,763 | | 14,763 | |||||||||
Amount due to a shareholder |
1,008 | | | 1,008 | |||||||||
Amount due to a related party |
5,400 | | | 5,400 |
16.5 Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities
|
January 1,
2019 |
Cash
flows |
New
leases |
Other |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings (excluding items listed below) |
39,700 | 15,300 | | | 55,000 | |||||||||||
Current lease liabilities |
2,161 | (1,996 | ) | 3,925 | 1,127 | 5,217 | ||||||||||
Non-current lease liabilities |
| | 10,574 | (1,078 | ) | 9,496 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities from financing activities |
41,861 | 13,304 | 14,499 | 49 | 69,713 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
January 1,
2018 |
Cash
flows |
Other |
December 31,
2018 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||
Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings (excluding items listed below) |
5,000 | 34,700 | | 39,700 | |||||||||
Current lease liabilities |
2,500 | (2,402 | ) | 2,063 | 2,161 | ||||||||
Non-current lease liabilities |
2,063 | | (2,063 | ) | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities from financing activities |
9,563 | 32,298 | | 41,861 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-53
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
16.5 Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities (Continued)
The "Other" column includes the effect of reclassification of non-current portion of lease liabilities to current due to the passage of time and the effect of accrued but not yet paid interest on lease liabilities. The Group classifies interest paid as cash flows from financing activities.
17. Cash and cash equivalents
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
23,010 | 31,128 | 13,696 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
18. Pledged deposit
The Group pledged a deposit in a designated bank account to fulfil the collateral requirements for a bank loan facility granted in 2018. As at December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, and January 1, 2018, the fair values of the deposit pledged were nil, RMB36,930,000 and nil, respectively.
The bank has an obligation to return the deposit to the Group upon repayment of the bank loan. There are no other significant terms and conditions associated with the use of the collateral.
19. Issued capital and reserves
|
Number of ordinary shares
of US$0.001 each |
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Authorised |
Issued and
fully paid |
Nominal value
of ordinary shares |
|||||||
|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
50,000,000 | 16,213,275 | 105 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
50,000,000 | 18,211,027 | 118 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
50,000,000 | 18,211,027 | 118 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
On January 15, 2018, 1,997,752 ordinary shares of the Company were allotted and issued to certain independent third parties for a total consideration of US$12,006,000.
As at December 31, 2019, 1,150,836 shares registered in the name of Lebon Holding Limited were pledged and charged by Lebon Holding Limited in favour of Mount Merry International Limited pursuant to a charge over shares dated 6 September 2019, as amended from time to time. Subsequent to the end of the reporting period, on March 5, 2020, the pledged shares were released.
Statutory restrictions
The Company's ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on the Company receiving distributions of funds from its subsidiaries. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Company's subsidiaries, VIEs and subsidiaries of the VIEs registered in the PRC only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The consolidated results of operations reflected in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Company's subsidiaries.
F-54
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
19. Issued capital and reserves (Continued)
Statutory restrictions (Continued)
Under PRC law, the Company's subsidiaries, VIEs and the subsidiaries of the VIEs located in the PRC (collectively referred as the "PRC entities") are required to provide for certain statutory reserves, namely a general reserve, an enterprise expansion fund and a staff welfare and bonus fund. The PRC entities are required to allocate at least 10% of their after tax profits on an individual company basis as determined under China Accounting Standards ("CAS") to the statutory reserve and has the rights to discontinue allocations to the statutory reserve if such reserve has reached 50% of registered capital on an individual company basis. In addition, the registered capital of the PRC entities is also restricted.
Amounts restricted that include statutory reserve funds, as determined in accordance with CAS, were RMB8,694,000, RMB8,560,000 and RMB3,548,000 as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively.
20. Trade payables
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Trade payables |
34,697 | 22,955 | 12,098 |
Terms and conditions of the above financial liabilities:
21. Contract liabilities
Balance represented the receipts in advance from customers.
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Deferred revenue |
||||||||||
Subscriptions and licensing |
13,294 | 15,296 | 11,451 | |||||||
Smart music education |
3,191 | 142 | 50 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total contract liabilities |
16,485 | 15,438 | 11,501 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Current |
16,049 | 14,341 | 10,794 | |||||||
Non-current |
436 | 1,097 | 707 |
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Amount of revenue recognised in the respective reporting periods that was included in the contract liabilities at the beginning of the reporting period |
12,395 | 10,329 |
F-55
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
21. Contract liabilities (Continued)
Contract liabilities include deferred revenue relating to subscription and licensing of music content and music education products and services.
The increase in contract liabilities in 2019 was mainly due to the increase in amounts received in relation to smart music education business at the end of the year.
The increase in contract liabilities in 2018 was mainly due to the increase in amounts received in relation to subscriptions and licensing business at the end of the year.
22. Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
|
Effective
interest rate |
Maturity |
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
%
|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||
Bank loans due for repayment within one year or on demandsecured |
6 | April 19, 2019 | | 34,700 | | |||||||||
Bank loans due for repayment within one year or on demandunsecured |
5.23 | On demand | 5,000 | 5,000 | | |||||||||
Other borrowingsunsecured |
5 | December 7, 2018 | | | 5,000 | |||||||||
Other borrowingsunsecured |
12 | September 19, 2020 | 50,000 | | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
55,000 | 39,700 | 5,000 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
23. Leases
Group as a lessee
The Group has lease contracts for various items of property, plant and machinery. Leases of building and music education equipment generally have lease terms between 3 and 5 years.
The Group also has certain leases of office equipment with low value. The Group applies the "lease of low-value assets" recognition exemptions for these leases.
Set out below are the carrying amounts of right-of-use assets recognised and the movements during the periods:
|
Building |
Music education
equipment |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
3,877 | | 3,877 | |||||||
Depreciation charge |
(1,939 | ) | | (1,939 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
1,938 | | 1,938 | |||||||
Additions |
6,029 | 8,470 | 14,499 | |||||||
Depreciation charge |
(1,307 | ) | (311 | ) | (1,618 | ) | ||||
Subleases |
(4,091 | ) | | (4,091 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
As December 31, 2019 |
2,569 | 8,159 | 10,728 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
F-56
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
23. Leases (Continued)
Group as a lessee (Continued)
Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the period:
The following are the amounts recognised profit or loss:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Depreciation expense of right-of-use assets |
1,618 | 1,939 | |||||
Interest expense on lease liabilities |
613 | 141 | |||||
Expense relating to leases of low-value assets included in administrative expenses |
112 | 108 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total amount recognised in profit or loss |
2,343 | 2,188 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The total cash outflow for leases included in the statement of cash flows is as follows:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Total cash outflows for leases |
2,672 | 2,651 |
Group as a lessor
The Group entered into sub-lease agreements on its office. These leases have terms of three and a half years, which are equal to the lease term of the head lease.
F-57
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
23. Leases (Continued)
Group as a lessor (Continued)
Future minimum rentals receivables under non-cancellable finance leases as at each of the reporting dates are as follows:
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Amounts receivable: |
||||||||||
Within one year |
1,290 | | | |||||||
After one year but within two years |
1,290 | | | |||||||
After two years but within three years |
1,290 | | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total future undiscounted minimum rentals receivables |
3,870 | | | |||||||
Unearned finance income |
300 | | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net investments in subleases |
3,570 | | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
24. Other payables and accruals
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Accruals |
12,925 | 11,414 | 7,626 | |||||||
Other payables |
72,339 | 27,875 | 21,645 | |||||||
Payable to database suppliers |
3,415 | 7,026 | 3,798 | |||||||
Interest payables |
1,701 | | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total other payables and accruals |
90,380 | 46,315 | 33,069 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Current |
58,680 | 46,315 | 33,069 | |||||||
Non-current |
31,700 | | |
Other payables are non-interest bearing and normally settled within one year, except for a loan from third party amounting to RMB31,700,000 as at December 31, 2019 with an original maturity of three years.
25. Related party disclosures
Note 7 provides information about the Group's structure, including details of the subsidiaries and holding company. The following table provides the total amount of transactions that are entered into with related parties for the relevant financial years.
|
|
Interest income on net
investments in subleases |
Revenue from
a related party |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd* |
2019 | 85 | 349 | |||||||
|
2018 | | |
F-58
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
25. Related party disclosures (Continued)
Group as a lessor (Continued)
Outstanding balances at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 are unsecured and interest-free and repayable on demand. There have been no guarantees provided or received for any related party receivables or payables.
|
|
Net investments
in subleases |
Amounts due from
a related party |
Amounts due to
a related party/ a shareholder |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
||||||||
Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd |
DEC 31, 2019 | 2,505 | 370 | | ||||||||
|
DEC 31, 2018 | | | | ||||||||
|
JAN 1, 2018 | | | | ||||||||
Li, Jian Mei |
DEC 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
||||||||
* |
DEC 31, 2018 | | | | ||||||||
|
JAN 1, 2018 | | | 5,400 | ||||||||
Shareholders of the Company |
DEC 31, 2019 |
|
105 |
|
||||||||
|
DEC 31, 2018 | | 105 | | ||||||||
|
JAN 1, 2018 | | 105 | | ||||||||
Lung Yu |
DEC 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
||||||||
# |
DEC 31, 2018 | | | | ||||||||
|
JAN 1, 2018 | | | 1,008 |
The following table provides compensation of key management personnel of the Group.
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Short-term employee benefits |
1,241 | 1,810 | |||||
Post-employment benefits |
369 | 430 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total compensation paid to key management personnel |
1,610 | 2,240 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The amounts disclosed in the table are the amounts recognised as an expense during the reporting periods related to key management personnel.
26. Notes to the consolidated statements of cash flows
Major non-cash transactions
F-59
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
26. Notes to the consolidated statements of cash flows (Continued)
Group as a lessor (Continued)
Major non-cash transactions (Continued)
27. Standards issued but not yet effective
The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Group's financial statements are disclosed below. The Group intends to adopt these new and amended standards and interpretations, if applicable, when they become effective in the respective annual periods during 2020 to 2023.
Amendments to IFRS 3 | Definition of a Business(6) | |
Amendments to IFRS 3 |
|
Reference to the Conceptual Framework(3) |
Amendments to IFRS 4 |
|
Extension of the Temporary Exemption from Applying IFRS 9(4) |
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 |
|
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform(1) |
Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 |
|
Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture(5) |
Amendment to IFRS 16 |
|
Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions(2) |
IFRS 17 and Amendments to IFRS 17 |
|
Insurance Contracts(4) |
Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 |
|
Definition of Material(1) |
Amendments to IAS 1 |
|
Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current(4) |
Amendments to IAS 16 |
|
Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use(3) |
Amendments to IAS 37 |
|
Onerous ContractsCosts of Fulfilling a Contract(3) |
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2018-2020 Cycle |
|
Amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 9, IAS 41 and Illustrative Examples accompanying IFRS 16(3) |
F-60
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
27. Standards issued but not yet effective (Continued)
Group as a lessor (Continued)
The adoption of the above new and amended standards and interpretations are not expected to have a material impact on the Group's financial statements.
28. Events after the reporting period
The emergence and spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in early January 2020 has affected business and economic activities in Mainland China. The Group will monitor the development of COVID-19 closely, and will assess and react actively to its impacts on the business activities, financial positions and operating results of the Group from time to time.
On March 4, 2020, 1,499,423 ordinary shares of the Company were allotted and issued to Million Profit International Holdings Limited in exchange for US$12,999,997 cash consideration.
On February 29, 2020, the Company acquired Rosenkavalier Limited through the issuance of 4,856,273 additional ordinary shares of the Company. Since the acquisition of Rosenkavalier was completed shortly before the date of approval of these financial statements, it is not practicable to disclose further details relating to the acquisition.
29. Share-based payments
In October 2019, the Group entered into an agreement with a financial consultant ("Share Option Agreement"), pursuant to which share options of the Company are granted to the financial consultant in respect of his services to the Group in the forthcoming years. The maximum number of share options granted under the Share Option Agreement to the financial consultant is 3% of the total number of shares of the Company on the Listing Dates (as defined below). The exercise price of the share options is the offer price of the underlying shares of the Company issued in the final financing arrangement prior to the Company's initial public offering ("IPO"). The share options can be vested only if (i) the financial consultant becomes an employee of the Group prior to the date of successful listing of the Company's shares through the IPO (the "Listing Date"); and (ii) the successful listing of the Company's shares through the IPO ("IPO Performance Condition"); and (iii) the financial consultant remains as an employee of the Group over the vesting period as specified in the Share Option Agreement.
All share options will be vested over 24 months after the Listing Date. Unexercised portion 48 months after Listing Date will be forfeited. There are caps for share options to be exercised in the period as specified as below:
Vesting period of the relevant percentage of the options
|
Cap of options exercisable
|
|
---|---|---|
After 6 months since the Listing Date | 1% of the total shares | |
After 12 months since the Listing Date |
|
2% of the total shares |
After 18 months since the Listing Date |
|
2.5% of the total shares |
After 24 months since the Listing Date |
|
3% of the total shares |
There are no cash settlement alternatives. The Group does not have a past practice of cash settlement for these share options. The Group accounts for the share option granted under the Share Option Agreement as equity-settled share-based payments.
F-61
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
29. Share-based payments (Continued)
Group as a lessor (Continued)
As at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, all share options granted remained outstanding under the Share Option Agreement. In the opinion of the directors, the IPO Performance Condition cannot be met as at the date of grant and at the end of the reporting period. No (2018: no) share option expense is recognised for consultant services received during the year ended December 31, 2019.
30. Commitments
The Group had the following purchase commitments at the end of the reporting periods which are not yet reflected in the financial statements.
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Intangible assets |
6,160 | 12,160 | 17,000 | |||||||
Music education equipment |
8,043 | | |
F-62
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated
financial statements.
F-63
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated
financial statements.
F-64
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
|
Attributable to equity holders of
the parent |
|
|
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Issued
capital |
Capital
reserve |
Retained
earnings |
Total |
Non-
controlling interests |
Total
equity |
|||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||||
At January 1, 2019 (Audited) |
118 | 161,454 | 61,001 | 222,573 | 3,236 | 225,809 | |||||||||||||
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period |
| | (281 | ) | (281 | ) | (421 | ) | (702 | ) | |||||||||
Acquisition of non-controlling interests |
| 23 | | 23 | (33 | ) | (10 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) |
118 | 161,477 | 60,720 | 222,315 | 2,782 | 225,097 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At January 1, 2020 (Audited) |
118 |
161,477 |
117,107 |
278,702 |
3,859 |
282,561 |
|||||||||||||
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the period |
| | (60,067 | ) | (60,067 | ) | 698 | (59,369 | ) | ||||||||||
Issue of ordinary shares (note 14) |
11 | 90,395 | | 90,406 | | 90,406 | |||||||||||||
Issue of shares for the acquisition of a subsidiary (note 14) |
33 | 283,967 | | 284,000 | | 284,000 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At Septmeber 30, 2020 (Unaudited) |
162 | 535,839 | 57,040 | 593,041 | 4,557 | 597,598 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated
financial statements.
F-65
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Note | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||||||||
Net cash flows used in operating activities |
(33,695 | ) | (7,696 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||||
Interest received |
349 | 194 | |||||||
Acquisition of a subsidiary classified as business combinations |
6 | 1,073 | | ||||||
Investment in a joint venture |
(500 | ) | | ||||||
Advance to a related party |
(17,398 | ) | | ||||||
Purchase of intangible assets |
(15,376 | ) | (5,912 | ) | |||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(1,671 | ) | (2,730 | ) | |||||
Increase in deposits paid for property, plant and equipment |
(4,380 | ) | | ||||||
Increase in deposits paid for intangible assets |
(25,427 | ) | (20,500 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from disposal of items of property, plant and equipment |
| 3 | |||||||
Receipt of principal portion of net investments in subleases |
66 | 295 | |||||||
Decrease in a pledged deposit |
| 36,930 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows from/(used in) investing activities |
(63,264 | ) | 8,280 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||||
Acquisition of non-controlling interests |
| (10 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net of issuance costs |
90,406 | | |||||||
Proceeds from shareholders |
105 | | |||||||
Interest paid |
(696 | ) | (1,183 | ) | |||||
Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities |
(1,396 | ) | (1,518 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from other borrowing |
| 50,000 | |||||||
Repayment of bank borrowing |
| (34,700 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows from financing activities |
88,419 | 12,589 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(8,540 | ) | 13,173 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
23,010 | 31,128 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD |
14,470 | 44,301 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim condensed consolidated
financial statements.
F-66
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Corporate information
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Kuke Music Holding Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Group") for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on December 2, 2020.
The Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on September 13, 2017 as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act, Cap. 22 (Act 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands.
The principal activity of the Company is investment holding while its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the distribution of commercial copyrights, the provision of music education solutions and the provision of music festival events and music performances services in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC").
In anticipation of its initial public offering in the United States of America, the Company underwent a series of reorganisation steps (the "Reorganisation"), which the details of the Reorganisation has been disclosed in the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The Reorganisation was completed in February 2018, and the Company became the holding company of the subsidiaries comprising the Group.
Apart from the aforesaid Reorganisation, in February 2020, the Company issued 4,856,273 ordinary shares in exchange for Rosenkavalier Limited ("Rosenkavalier") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Rosenkavalier Group"), which provides music festival events services, music performance services and licensing of music catalogues. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company obtains control over the Rosenkavalier Group.
2. Basis of preparation
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting.
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in Renminbi ("RMB") and all values are rounded to the nearest thousands, except for the number of shares and per share data.
3. Changes to the Group's accounting policies
The accounting policies adopted in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those in the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, except for the following revised standards which are adopted for the first time in current period's interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-67
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Changes to the Group's accounting policies (Continued)
Amendments to IFRS 3: Definition of a Business
Amendments to IFRS 3 clarify and provide additional guidance on the definition of a business. The amendments clarify that for an integrated set of activities and assets to be considered a business, it must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output. A business can exist without including all of the inputs and processes needed to create outputs. The amendments remove the assessment of whether market participants are capable of acquiring the business and continue to produce outputs. Instead, the focus is on whether acquired inputs and acquired substantive processes together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. The amendments also narrowed the definition of outputs to focus on goods or services provided to customers, investment income or other income from ordinary activities. Furthermore, the amendments provide guidance to assess whether an acquired process is substantive and introduce an optional fair value concentration test to permit a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business. The Group applied the amendments prospectively to transactions or other events that occurred on or after January 1, 2020. The amendments did not have any impact on the financial position and performance of the Group.
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7: Interest Rate Benchmark Reform
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 address the effects of interbank offered rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments provide temporary reliefs which enable hedge accounting to continue during the period of uncertainty before the replacement of an existing interest rate benchmark. In addition, the amendments require companies to provide additional information to investors about their hedging relationships which are directly affected by these uncertainties. The amendments did not have any impact on the financial position and performance of the Group as the Group does not have any interest rate hedge relationships.
Amendment to IFRS 16: Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions (early adopted)
Amendment to IFRS 16 provides a practical expedient for lessees to elect not to apply lease modification accounting for rent concessions arising as a direct consequence of the covid-19 pandemic. The practical expedient applies only to rent concessions occurring as a direct consequence of the covid-19 pandemic and only if (i) the change in lease payments results in revised consideration for the lease that is substantially the same as, or less than, the consideration for the lease immediately preceding the change; (ii) any reduction in lease payments affects only payments originally due on or before June 30, 2021; and (iii) there is no substantive change to other terms and conditions of the lease. The amendment is effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning on or after June 1, 2020 with earlier application permitted.
During the period ended September 30, 2020, certain monthly lease payments for the lease of the Group's office building were reduced by the lessor as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and there were no other changes to the terms of the leases. The Group early adopted the amendment on January 1, 2020 and elected not to apply lease modification accounting for the rent concession granted by the lessor as a result of the covid-19 pandemic during the period ended September 30, 2020. Accordingly, a reduction in the lease payments arising from the rent concessions of RMB778,000 was accounted for as a variable lease payment by derecognising part of the lease liabilities and crediting to other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
F-68
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Changes to the Group's accounting policies (Continued)
Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: Definition of Material
Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 provide a new definition of material. The new definition states that information is material if omitting, misstating or obscuring it could reasonably be expected to influence decisions that the primary users of general purpose financial statements make on the basis of those financial statements. The amendments clarify that materiality will depend on the nature or magnitude of information. The amendments did not have any impact on the Group's interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
4. Revenue from contracts with customers
Disaggregated revenue information
Set out below is the disaggregation of the Group's revenue from contracts with customers and reconciliation of the revenue from contracts with customers to the amounts disclosed in note 5 to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements:
|
Subscription, licensing and
smart education business segment |
|
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Music events
business segment |
|
||||||||||||||
|
Subscription and
licensing |
Smart music
education |
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Sub-total | Music events | Total | |||||||||||||
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
|||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2020 |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue from contracts with customers |
30,226 | 4,283 | 34,509 | 399 | 34,908 | |||||||||||
Cost of sales |
(12,658 | ) | (4,533 | ) | (17,191 | ) | (1,106 | ) | (18,297 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit/(loss) |
17,568 | (250 | ) | 17,318 | (707 | ) | 16,611 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue from contracts with customers |
29,891 | 10,999 | 40,890 | | 40,890 | |||||||||||
Cost of sales |
(11,992 | ) | (1,325 | ) | (13,317 | ) | | (13,317 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit |
17,899 | 9,674 | 27,573 | | 27,573 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-69
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. Revenue from contracts with customers (Continued)
|
Nine months ended
September 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 | 2019 | |||||
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
Geographical markets |
|||||||
Southern China |
8,848 | 9,472 | |||||
Northern China |
26,060 | 31,418 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total revenue from contracts with customers |
34,908 | 40,890 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Timing of revenue recognition |
|||||||
Revenue recognised at a point in time |
20,083 | 27,215 | |||||
Revenue recognised over time |
14,825 | 13,675 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total revenue from contracts with customers |
34,908 | 40,890 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
5. Segment information
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reporting about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision-maker in order to allocate resources to segments and to assess their performance. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Group revised the presentation of reportable segments because of changes in resource allocation and assessment of segment performance by the chief operation decision makers subsequent to the acquisition of Rosenkavalier. Apart from Rosenkavalier, the resource allocation and assessment of performance has been consistently reviewed as a whole by the chief decision-makers and considered as a reporting segment, namely subscription, licensing and smart education business, while for Rosenkavalier, resources were allocated to two reporting segments, namely (i) subscription, licensing and smart education business and (ii) music events business. Therefore, the Group now consists of two reporting segments as follows:
Management monitors the results of the Group's operating segments separately for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. Segment performance is evaluated based on reportable segment's profit/(loss), which is a measure of adjusted profit/(loss) before tax. The adjusted profit/(loss) before tax is measured consistently with the Group's profit/(loss) before tax except that foreign exchange differences, net, finance income, non-lease-related finance costs, as well as head office and corporate income/expenses are excluded from such measurement.
Segment assets exclude amounts due from shareholders, amount due from a related party, deferred tax assets, cash and cash equivalents and other unallocated head office and corporate assets as these assets are managed on a group basis.
F-70
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
5. Segment information (Continued)
Segment liabilities exclude interest-bearing loans and borrowings, amount due to a shareholder, income tax payable, deferred tax liabilities and other unallocated head office and corporate liabilities as these liabilities are managed on a group basis.
|
Subscription, licensing
and smart education business Nine months ended September 30, |
Music events business Nine months ended
September 30, |
Total
Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
Segment revenue: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Sales to external customers |
34,509 | 40,890 | 399 | | 34,908 | 40,890 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment results |
(30,968 | ) | (2,733 | ) | (7,402 | ) | | (38,370 | ) | (2,733 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reconciliation: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange differences, net |
(2,261 | ) | 1,754 | ||||||||||||||||
Other unallocated income |
3,202 | 2,037 | |||||||||||||||||
Finance income |
1,606 | 193 | |||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other unallocated expenses |
(23,291 | ) | (2,499 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Non-lease-related finance costs |
(6,004 | ) | (1,046 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before tax |
(65,118 | ) | (2,294 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Subscription, licensing
and smart education business |
Music
events business |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||||||||||
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Audited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Audited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Audited)
|
|||||||||||||
Segment assets |
563,105 | 476,345 | 181,966 | | 745,071 | 476,345 | |||||||||||||
Reconciliation: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other unallocated assets |
42,036 | 27,281 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets |
787,107 | 503,626 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment liabilities |
111,696 | 150,711 | 2,272 | | 113,968 | 150,711 | |||||||||||||
Reconciliation: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other unallocated liabilities |
75,541 | 70,354 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities |
189,509 | 221,065 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-71
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. Business combinations
On February 29, 2020, the Group acquired 61.6% equity interest from Lung Yu and He Yu, shareholders of the Group, and 38.4% equity interest from a series of independent third parties in Rosenkavalier through a share swap transaction. Rosenkavalier Group was a related party of the Group before the acquisition and provides music festival events services, music performance services and licensing of music catalogues.
The acquisition was made as part of the Group's strategy to expand its market share in the industry. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company obtains control over Rosenkavalier.
The Company issued 4,856,273 ordinary shares as non-cash consideration for the acquisition of Rosenkavalier. The shares issued had a total estimated fair value of RMB284,000,000, based on the preliminary fair value of the Rosenkavalier Group as at the date of acquisition measured using income approach.
As at September 30, 2020, the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of Rosenkavalier Group was determined on a provisional basis as the final results of the independent valuer were not received as at the date the interim condensed consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue. Goodwill arising from this acquisition and the carrying amount of the identifiable net assets will be adjusted retrospectively when the valuation is finalised.
The preliminary fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of Rosenkavalier Group acquired/ assumed as at the date of acquisition were as follows:
F-72
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. Business combinations (Continued)
Since the acquisition, the Rosenkavalier Group contributed RMB399,000 to the Group's revenue and RMB5,748,000 to the consolidated loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Had the above combination taken place at the beginning of the period, the revenue of the Group and the loss of the Group for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 would have been RMB34,908,000 and RMB59,933,000 respectively.
Goodwill of approximately RMB216,667,000 was recognised as part of this acquisition, which represented the expected synergies from combining the operations of the Rosenkavalier Group with the Group's operations. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.
The aggregate fair values (and their respective gross contractual amounts) of the trade receivables and financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets as at the date of acquisition amounted to RMB9,671,000 and RMB10,064,000, respectively, of which other receivables of RMB218,000 are expected to be uncollectible.
Transaction costs of RMB320,000 and RMB934,000 incurred for the acquisition were expensed and included in administrative expenses in the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
The Group measured the acquired lease liabilities using the present value of the remaining lease payments at the date of acquisition. The right-of-use assets were measured at an amount equal to the lease liabilities and adjusted to reflect the favourable terms of the leases relative to market terms.
7. Income tax
|
Nine months ended
September 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 | 2019 | |||||
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
Current income tax: |
|||||||
Current income tax charge |
185 | | |||||
Over-provisions in prior periods |
(1,252 | ) | | ||||
| | | | | | | |
|
(1,067 | ) | | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Deferred tax: |
|||||||
Relating to temporary differences arose |
(807 | ) | (252 | ) | |||
Relating to tax losses recognised |
(3,875 | ) | (1,340 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
|
(4,682 | ) | (1,592 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Income tax credit reported in the condensed consolidated statements of profit or loss |
(5,749 | ) | (1,592 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
8. Loss per share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.
F-73
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Loss per share (Continued)
The Group had no dilutive potential ordinary shares for the period ended September 30, 2019. No adjustment is made to the basic loss per share amount presented for the period ended September 30, 2020 for the dilutive effect of the outstanding share options of the Company because they are subject to performance conditions which were not met during the period ended September 30, 2020.
The following table reflects the loss and share data used in the basic and diluted loss per share calculations:
|
Nine months ended
September 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 | 2019 | |||||
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited) RMB'000
|
|||||
Loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent for basic and diluted loss per share calculations |
(60,067 | ) | (281 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
Nine months ended
September 30, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 | 2019 | |||||
|
(Unaudited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
|||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period for basic and diluted loss per share calculations |
23,176,271 | 18,211,027 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
9. Property, plant and equipment
The costs of the acquired property, plant and equipment (excluding those acquired through a business combination) were RMB11,216,000 and RMB2,730,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
10. Intangible assets
The costs of the acquired intangible assets (excluding those acquired through a business combination) were RMB32,358,000 and RMB12,610,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
11. Trade receivables
|
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Audited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
Trade receivables |
|||||||
Receivables from third-party customers |
169,726 | 184,471 | |||||
Allowance for expected credit losses |
(11,752 | ) | (3,346 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total trade receivables |
157,974 | 181,125 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Current |
157,974 | 181,125 | |||||
Non-current |
| |
F-74
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Trade receivables (Continued)
Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on terms ranging from 7 to 365 days.
The movements in allowance for expected credit losses are as follows:
|
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Audited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
At the beginning of the period/year |
(3,346 | ) | (3,459 | ) | |||
Impairment losses, net |
(17,265 | ) | (2,282 | ) | |||
Amount written off as uncollectible |
8,859 | 2,395 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
At the end of the period/year |
(11,752 | ) | (3,346 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
12. Prepayments, other receivables and other assets
|
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Audited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
Non-current |
|||||||
Prepayments |
| 1,163 | |||||
Deposits |
62,843 | 57,724 | |||||
Loan receivable |
| 33,323 | |||||
Other receivables |
87 | 138 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
62,930 | 92,348 | |||||
Allowance for expected credit losses |
| (806 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
62,930 | 91,542 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Current |
|||||||
Prepayments |
16,797 | 12,325 | |||||
Deposits |
89 | 87 | |||||
Loan receivable |
3,840 | | |||||
Other receivables |
4,033 | 2,537 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
24,759 | 14,949 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Loan receivable included in the non-current portion as at December 31, 2019 is unsecured and has an original maturity of three years. An impairment analysis on the loan receivable included in the non-current portion is performed at December 31, 2019 by considering the probability of default of comparable companies with published credit ratings and forecasts of future economic conditions, as appropriate. As at December 31, 2019, the probability of default applied to the loan receivable is 2.67% and while the loss given default is estimated to be 62.52%. As at September 30, 2020, the Group and the independent third parties entered into an agreement to offset the non-current loan receivable against a non-current loan payable. As a result, both the non-current loan receivable and non-current loan payable were derecognised. Such settlement was a non-cash transaction.
Loan receivable included in current portion as at September 30, 2020 is unsecured and repayable within one year.
F-75
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. Prepayments, other receivables and other assets (Continued)
Apart from RMB806,000 impairment on a loan receivable included in the non-current portion as at December 31, 2019, no impairment losses were recorded for the above assets as they were neither past due nor impaired. The financial assets included in the above balances relate to deposits and receivables for which there was no recent history of default. The loss allowance was assessed to be minimal because the deposits and other receivables are not past due.
The movements in allowance for expected credit losses are as follows:
|
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Audited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
At the beginning of the period/year |
(806 | ) | | ||||
Impairment losses, net |
(418 | ) | (806 | ) | |||
Amount written off as uncollectible |
1,224 | | |||||
| | | | | | | |
At the end of the period/year |
| (806 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
13. Financial assets and financial liabilities
13.1 Financial assets
|
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Audited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
Financial assets at amortised cost |
|||||||
Current |
|||||||
Trade receivables (Note 11) |
157,974 | 181,125 | |||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
7,962 | 2,624 | |||||
Net investments in subleases |
214 | 1,245 | |||||
Amount due from a related party |
17,398 | 370 | |||||
Amounts due from shareholders |
100 | 105 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
14,470 | 23,010 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total current financial assets |
198,118 | 208,479 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Non-current |
|||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
187 | 32,755 | |||||
Net investments in subleases |
303 | 2,325 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total non-current financial assets |
490 | 35,080 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total financial assets |
198,608 | 243,559 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-76
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
13.2 Financial liabilities
Lease liabilities and other financial liabilities at amortised cost, with carrying amounts that are reasonable approximations of fair values
|
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Audited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
Current |
|||||||
Trade payables |
29,266 | 34,697 | |||||
Financial liabilities included in other payables and accruals |
27,933 | 20,190 | |||||
Amount due to a shareholder |
325 | | |||||
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (Note) |
55,000 | 55,000 | |||||
Lease liabilities |
7,219 | 5,217 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
119,743 | 115,104 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Non-current |
|||||||
Other payable |
| 31,700 | |||||
Lease liabilities |
10,925 | 9,496 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
10,925 | 41,196 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
130,668 | 156,300 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Note:
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
|
Interest rate
per annum |
Maturity |
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
%
|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Audited)
RMB'000 |
||||||||
Current interest-bearing loans and borrowings |
||||||||||||
Bank of Beijing |
5.23 | On demand | 5,000 | 5,000 | ||||||||
Dahua Yonglong (Hainan) Hotel Management Co., Ltd. |
12 | September 19, 2021 | 50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total interest-bearing loans and borrowings |
55,000 | 55,000 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
13.3 Fair values
The Group assessed that the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, current portion of financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets, amounts due from a related party and shareholders, trade payables, amount due to a shareholder and current portion of financial liabilities included in other payables and accruals approximate to their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
F-77
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
13.3 Fair values (Continued)
The fair values of the non-current portion of financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets, net investments in subleases, interest-bearing loans and borrowings and non-current portion of other payable were measured at amortised cost. In the opinion of the directors, the fair values of these financial assets and financial liabilities approximate to their carrying amounts.
No financial assets and financial liabilities were measured at fair value in the interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
During the period ended September 30, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019, there were no transfers of fair value measurements between Level 1 and Level 2 and no transfers into or out of Level 3 for financial assets and financial liabilities.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:
The fair values of the Group's interest-bearing loans and borrowings and other payable were determined using the discounted cash flows method based on the discount rate currently available for instruments with similar terms, credit risk and remaining maturities as at the end of the reporting period. The changes in fair value as a result of the Group's own non-performance risk as at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019 were assessed to be insignificant. The fair value of the Group's interest-bearing loans and borrowings and other payable are reasonable approximations of fair values based on the discounted cash flows.
14. Issued capital and reserves
|
Number of ordinary shares
of US$0.001 each |
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Authorised |
Issued and
fully paid |
Nominal value
of ordinary shares |
|||||||
|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
At September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) |
50,000,000 | 24,566,723 | 162 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 (Audited) |
50,000,000 | 18,211,027 | 118 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
On February 29, 2020, the Company issued 4,856,273 ordinary shares with an aggregate fair value of RMB284,000,000 in exchange for the acquisition of 100% equity interest of Rosenkavalier.
On March 4, 2020, 1,499,423 ordinary shares were allotted and issued to an independent third party for a cash consideration of US$12,999,997, excluding RMB557,000 issuance costs.
As at December 31, 2019, 1,150,836 shares registered in the name of Lebon Holding Limited were pledged and charged by Lebon Holding Limited in favour of Mount Merry International Limited pursuant to a charge over shares dated 6 September 2019, as amended from time to time. On March 5, 2020, the pledged shares were released.
F-78
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
14. Issued capital and reserves (Continued)
Statutory restrictions
The Company's ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on the Company receiving distributions of funds from its subsidiaries. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Company's subsidiaries, VIEs and subsidiaries of the VIEs registered in the PRC only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The consolidated results of operations reflected in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Company's subsidiaries.
Under PRC law, the Company's subsidiaries, VIEs and the subsidiaries of the VIEs located in the PRC (collectively referred as the "PRC entities") are required to provide for certain statutory reserves, namely a general reserve, an enterprise expansion fund and a staff welfare and bonus fund. The PRC entities are required to allocate at least 10% of their after tax profits on an individual company basis as determined under China Accounting Standards ("CAS") to the statutory reserve and has the rights to discontinue allocations to the statutory reserve if such reserve has reached 50% of registered capital on an individual company basis. In addition, the registered capital of the PRC entities is also restricted.
Amounts restricted include statutory reserve funds, as determined in accordance with CAS, were RMB10,196,000 and RMB8,694,000 as at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
15. Related party disclosures
The following table provides the total amount of transactions that are entered into with related parties for the relevant financial periods.
|
|
Interest income on net
investments in subleases |
Acquisition of
a subsidiary |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
||||||
Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd* |
From January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) | 23 | | ||||||
|
From January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) | | | ||||||
Shareholders of the Company |
From January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) | | 174,944 | ||||||
|
From January 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 (Unaudited) | | |
F-79
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
15. Related party disclosures (Continued)
Outstanding balances at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are unsecured and interest-free and repayable on demand. There were no guarantees provided or received for any related party receivables or payables.
|
|
Net investments
in subleases |
Amounts due from
a related party shareholders |
Amounts due to/
a shareholder |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
||||||||
Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd* |
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) | | | | ||||||||
|
December 31, 2019 (Audited) | 2,505 | 370 | | ||||||||
Shareholders of the Company |
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) |
|
100 |
325 |
||||||||
|
December 31, 2019 (Audited) | | 105 | | ||||||||
Shigoo Holding Limited# |
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) |
|
17,398 |
|
||||||||
|
December 31, 2019 (Audited) | | | |
The following table provides compensation of key management personnel of the Group.
|
September 30,
2020 |
September 30,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
(Unaudited)
RMB'000 |
|||||
Short-term employee benefits |
1,466 | 860 | |||||
Post-employment benefits |
149 | 280 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total compensation paid to key management personnel |
1,615 | 1,140 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The amounts disclosed in the table above are the amounts recognised as an expense during the reporting periods related to key management personnel.
16. Commitments
The Group had the following capital commitments at the end of the reporting periods which are not yet reflected in the financial statements.
|
September 30,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Unaudited) RMB'000
|
(Audited) RMB'000
|
|||||
Intangible assets |
500 | 6,160 | |||||
Music education equipment |
1,791 | 8,043 |
F-80
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
17. Share-based payments
In October 2019, the Group entered into an agreement with a financial consultant ("Share Option Agreement"), pursuant to which share options of the Company are granted to the financial consultant in respect of his services to the Group in the forthcoming years. The maximum number of share options granted under the Share Option Agreement to the financial consultant is 3% of the total number of shares of the Company on the Listing Dates (as defined below). The exercise price of the share options is the offer price of the underlying shares of the Company issued in the final financing arrangement prior to the Company's initial public offering ("IPO"). The share options can only be vested if (i) the financial consultant becomes an employee of the Group prior to the date of successful listing of the Company's shares through the IPO (the "Listing Date"); and (ii) the successful listing of the Company's shares through the IPO ("IPO Performance Condition"); and (iii) the financial consultant remains as an employee of the Group over the vesting period as specified in the Share Option Agreement.
All share options will be vested over 24 months after the Listing Date. Unexercised portion 48 months after Listing Date will be forfeited. There are caps for share options to be exercised in the period as specified as below:
Vesting period of the relevant percentage of the options
|
Cap of options exercisable
|
|
---|---|---|
After 6 months since the Listing Date | 1% of the total shares | |
After 12 months since the Listing Date |
|
2% of the total shares |
After 18 months since the Listing Date |
|
2.5% of the total shares |
After 24 months since the Listing Date |
|
3% of the total shares |
There are no cash settlement alternatives. The Group does not have a past practice of cash settlement for these share options. The Group accounts for the share option granted under the Share Option Agreement as equity-settled share-based payments.
As at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, all share options granted remained outstanding under the Share Option Agreement. In the opinion of the directors, the IPO Performance Condition cannot be met as at the date of grant and at the end of the reporting periods. No share option expense is recognised for consultant services received during the periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
18. Events after the reporting period
In preparing the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, the Group has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition and disclosure through December 2, 2020, the date of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements was available to be issued.
Subsequent to the reporting date, the Group adopted an equity incentive plan (the "2020 ESOP Plan") for grants of share options and restricted shares of the Company's ordinary shares to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries.
On October 30, 2020, the Group's board of directors approved the 2020 ESOP Plan. The maximum aggregate number of, ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2020 ESOP Plan shall was 1,227,000. The 2020 ESOP Plan lapses on the tenth anniversary of the grant date.
F-81
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
18. Events after the reporting period (Continued)
As of the date of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements were issued, 1,125,334 share options and 101,666 restricted shares were granted under the 2020 ESOP Plan, at an exercise price of US$0.01 per share. 50%, 30%, 10% and 10% of the share options and restricted shares will vest on October 1, 2021, October 1, 2022, October 1, 2023 and October 1, 2024, respectively, on the condition that (i) directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company remain in service; and (ii) the Company completes its initial public offering within 12 months after the adoption of the 2020 ESOP Plan by the board of the directors.
F-82
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Rosenkavalier Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Rosenkavalier Limited (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
Ernst & Young
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2019.
Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China
September 8, 2020
F-83
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
|
Years ended
December 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Notes | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
|
|
RMB'000 | RMB'000 | ||||||
Revenue |
4 | 61,160 | 24,628 | ||||||
Cost of sales |
(37,856 | ) | (21,331 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit |
23,304 | 3,297 | |||||||
Other income, net |
7.1 | 219 | 98 | ||||||
Selling and distribution expenses |
(1,661 | ) | (1,121 | ) | |||||
Administrative expenses |
(5,804 | ) | (1,417 | ) | |||||
Impairment losses on financial assets |
( 213 | ) | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit |
15,845 | 857 | |||||||
Finance costs |
7.2 | ( 90 | ) | ( 13 | ) | ||||
Finance income |
7.3 | 921 | 6 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Profit before tax |
16,676 | 850 | |||||||
Income tax expense |
8 | (4,194 | ) | ( 272 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Profit for the year and total comprehensive income for the year |
12,482 | 578 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-84
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-85
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
|
Issued capital |
Capital
reserve |
Retained
earnings/ (accumulated losses) |
Total
equity |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
1 | 499 | (152 | ) | 348 | ||||||||
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year |
| | 578 | 578 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 and at January 1, 2019 |
1 | 499 | 426 | 926 | |||||||||
Capital contributions from shareholders |
| 30,000 | | 30,000 | |||||||||
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year |
| | 12,482 | 12,482 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
1 | 30,499 | 12,908 | 43,408 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-86
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
Years ended
December 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Notes | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||||||||
Profit before tax |
16,676 | 850 | |||||||
Adjustments for: |
|||||||||
Finance costs |
7.2 | 90 | 13 | ||||||
Finance income |
7.3 | (921 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
9 | 155 | 6 | ||||||
Depreciation of right-of-use assets |
19 | 663 | 184 | ||||||
Amortisation of intangible assets |
10 | 349 | | ||||||
Loss on lease termination |
19 | 6 | | ||||||
Impairment losses on financial assets |
213 | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
|
17,231 | 1,047 | |||||||
Working capital adjustments: |
|||||||||
Increase in inventories |
(2 | ) | | ||||||
Increase in trade receivables |
(10,193 | ) | (657 | ) | |||||
Decrease in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
5,935 | 362 | |||||||
Increase/(decrease) in trade payables |
(2,302 | ) | 2,842 | ||||||
Increase/(decrease) in other payables and accruals |
156 | (420 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in contract liabilities |
(7,636 | ) | (424 | ) | |||||
Increase in amounts due to related parties |
370 | 494 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash generated from operations |
3,559 | 3,244 | |||||||
Income tax paid |
(499 | ) | (35 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows from operating activities |
3,060 | 3,209 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||||||||
Interest received |
14 | 6 | |||||||
Advance of loan to a third party |
(9,000 | ) | | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
9 | (944 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
Purchase of intangible assets |
(10,765 | ) | (11,773 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
(20,695 | ) | (11,773 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||||||||
Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities |
(546 | ) | (180 | ) | |||||
Capital contributions from shareholders |
22,000 | 8,000 | |||||||
Interest paid |
(90 | ) | (13 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows from financing activities |
21,364 | 7,807 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
3,729 | (757 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
2,144 | 2,901 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR |
5,873 | 2,144 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-87
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Corporate information
1.1 General Information
The Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on October 2, 2019. The registered office is located at Sertus Chambers, P.O. Box 905, Quastisky Building, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
The Company is an investment holding company. Its subsidiaries are principally engaged in providing music festival events services to Beijing Music Festival Arts Foundation ("the Foundation") and other customers in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC"). Revenue was mainly generated from the provision of music festival events service, music performance services and licensing of music catalogues.
1.2 Reorganisation
The Group underwent a reorganisation (the "Reorganisation"), whereby the Company entered into a series of contractual agreements to transfer the business operations of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. to the Company.
In February 2020, variable interest entity ("VIE") agreements were entered into, conferring the Company the right to control over and to receive variable returns from Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.. As a result of the VIE agreements, Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. was consolidated as an indirect subsidiary of the Company.
The aforesaid Reorganisation was completed in February 2020, and the Company became the holding company of the subsidiaries comprising the Group. Upon completion of the Reorganisation and as at the date of these financial statements, the Company had direct or indirect interest in the subsidiaries as set out below, all of which are private entities with limited liabilities. All companies now comprising the Group adopted December 31 as their financial year end date.
|
|
Percentage of
Ownership/ interest/ voting rights |
|
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Place and date
of incorporation/ establishment |
Issued and fully paid
ordinary share capital/ registered capital |
Principal
activities |
|||||||||
Name
|
Directly | Indirectly | ||||||||||
Degas Limited |
Hong Kong,
limited liability company November 1, 2019 |
100 | % | |
Hong Kong Dollars
("HK$") 60,000,000 |
Investment
holding |
||||||
Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd.* |
PRC,
limited liability company November 28, 2019 |
100 | % |
United States Dollars
("US$") /10,000,000 |
Investment
holding |
|||||||
Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Beijing Mingxun Communications Consultants Co., Ltd. * |
PRC,
limited liability company, August 26, 2003 |
| 100 | % |
RMB5,000,000/
RMB19,500,000(i) |
Provide music festival events, commercial performance service and Licensing of music catalogues |
Notes:
F-88
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation and first-time adoption of IFRS
Pursuant to the Reorganisation, as more fully explained in the paragraphs headed "Reorganisation" above, the Company became the holding company of the companies now comprising the Group in February 2020. The Reorganisation has not resulted in any changes of economic substances of the business of the Group before and after the Reorganisation. Accordingly, for the purpose of these financial statements, the historical financial information for the reporting periods has been presented as a continuation of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. by applying the pooling of interests method as if the Reorganisation had been completed at the beginning of the reporting period.
The consolidated statements of financial position of the Group as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 were prepared to present the assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries using the existing book values from Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.'s perspective. No adjustments are made to reflect fair values, or to recognise any new assets or liabilities as a result of the Reorganisation.
All intra-group transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). The Group has applied IFRS for the first time to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. All IFRSs issued by the IASB, effective at the time of preparing these consolidated financial statements have been applied. As the Group neither prepared nor reported a complete set of consolidated financial statements in the past, the reconciliations from previous GAAP to IFRS were not disclosed.
The Group prepared the consolidated financial statements that comply with IFRS applicable as at December 31, 2019, together with the comparative period data for the year ended December 31, 2018, as described in the summary of significant accounting policies. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Group's opening statement of financial position was prepared as at January 1, 2018, the Group's date of transition to IFRS. The Group did not use any optional exemptions to full retrospective application of IFRS set out within IFRS 1.
The consolidated financial statements of the Group were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on September 8, 2020.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a historical cost basis. The consolidated financial statements are presented in Renminbi ("RMB") and all values are rounded to the nearest thousands, except for the number of shares and per share data.
F-89
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.2 Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Group") for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. A subsidiary is an entity (including a structured entity), directly or indirectly, controlled by the Company. Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Specifically, the Group controls an investee if, and only if, the Group has:
Generally, there is a presumption that a majority of voting rights results in control. To support this presumption and when the Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:
The Group re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control of the subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date the Group gains control until the date the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.
Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income ("OCI") are attributed to the equity holders of the parent of the Group and to the non-controlling interests, even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance. When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies in line with the Group's accounting policies. All intra-group assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between members of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation.
A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction.
If the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the related assets (including goodwill), liabilities, non-controlling interest and other components of equity, while any resultant gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss. Any investment retained is recognised at fair value.
F-90
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, which is measured at acquisition date fair value, and the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree. For each business combination, the Group elects whether to measure the non-controlling interests in the acquiree at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and included in administrative expenses.
When the Group acquires a business, it assesses the financial assets and liabilities assumed for appropriate classification and designation in accordance with the contractual terms, economic circumstances and pertinent conditions as at the acquisition date. This includes the separation of embedded derivatives in host contracts by the acquiree.
Any contingent consideration to be transferred by the acquirer will be recognised at fair value at the acquisition date. Contingent consideration classified as equity is not remeasured and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability that is a financial instrument and within the scope of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, is measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss in accordance with IFRS 9. Other contingent consideration that is not within the scope of IFRS 9 is measured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.
Goodwill is initially measured at cost (being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the amount recognised for non-controlling interests and any previous interest held over the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed). If the fair value of the net assets acquired is in excess of the aggregate consideration transferred, the Group re-assesses whether it has correctly identified all of the assets acquired and all of the liabilities assumed and reviews the procedures used to measure the amounts to be recognised at the acquisition date. If the reassessment still results in an excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the aggregate consideration transferred, then the gain is recognised in profit or loss.
After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Group's cash-generating units ("CGUs") that are expected to benefit from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units.
Where goodwill has been allocated to a cash-generating unit and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed in these circumstances is measured based on the relative values of the disposed operation and the portion of the CGU retained.
The Group presents assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position based on current/non-current classification. An asset is current when it is:
F-91
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Or
All other assets are classified as non-current.
A liability is current when:
Or
The terms of the liability that could, at the option of the counterparty, result in its settlement by the issue of equity instruments do not affect its classification.
The Group classifies all other liabilities as non-current.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current assets and liabilities.
The Group is in the business of providing music festival events services, music performance services and licensing of music catalogues. Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when control of the services is transferred to the customer at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those services. Revenue is recognised net of Value Added Taxes ("VAT") as the VAT is levied on the customer and the Group is collecting VAT on behalf of third parties. Consideration payable to a customer that is not in exchange for a distinct good or service is accounted for as a reduction of revenue. The Group has generally concluded that it is the principal in its revenue arrangements because it typically controls the services before transferring them to the customer.
Music festival events services
The Group executes music festival events for the organisers. The Group also provides related sponsorship services to the patrons who sponsor these music festivals. The sponsorship services may include placement of advertisements in the music festivals and organising pre-concert events such as cocktail parties, production of publicity materials, arrangement of media interview for sponsors.
F-92
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Music festival events services (Continued)
The Group recognises revenue from music festival events services over time as the music festival takes place and recognises sponsorship services revenue over time when such services are provided to the patrons because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Group.
Music performance services
The Group executes music performance activities for the organisers. The Group also provides related sponsorship services to the patrons who sponsor these music performance activities.
The Group recognises revenue from music performance services over time as the music performance takes place and recognises sponsorship services over time when such services are provided to the patrons because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Group.
Licensing of music catalogues
The Group purchases the copyright of audio and video music works and licenses the music catalogues to third parties for a fixed term ranging from one to two years. The Group does not provide any other service or guarantee when it sublicenses the copyrights to the customers. The customers usually pay a fixed consideration in exchange for the copyright licenses.
The Group recognises revenue generated from licensing of music catalogues at a point in time when the customer accepts the music catalogues.
Contract balances
Trade receivables
A receivable is recognised if an amount of consideration that is unconditional is due from the customer (i.e., only the passage of time is required before payment of the consideration is due). Refer to accounting policies of financial assets in section i) Financial instrumentsinitial recognition and subsequent measurement.
Contract liabilities
A contract liability is recognised if a payment is received or a payment is due (whichever is earlier) from a customer before the Group transfers the related services. Contract liabilities are recognised as revenue when the Group performs under the contract (i.e., transfers control of the related goods or services to the customer).
F-93
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Current income tax
Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income.
Current income tax relating to items recognised directly in equity is recognised in equity and not in profit or loss. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax is provided using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except:
Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, the carry forward of unused tax credits and any unused tax losses. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilised, except:
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilised. Unrecognised deferred tax assets are re-assessed at each reporting date and are recognised to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.
F-94
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Deferred tax (Continued)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Deferred tax relating to items recognised outside profit or loss is recognised outside profit or loss. Deferred tax items are recognised in correlation to the underlying transaction either in OCI or directly in equity.
The Group offsets deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities if and only if it has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets and current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.
Sales tax
Expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of sales tax, except:
The net amount of sales tax recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables in the statement of financial position.
The Group's consolidated financial statements are presented in RMB, which is also the parent company's functional currency. For each entity, the Group determines the functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using that functional currency. The Group uses the direct method of consolidation and on disposal of a foreign operation, the gain or loss that is reclassified to profit or loss reflects the amount that arises from using this method.
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded by the Group's entities at their respective functional currency spot rates at the date the transaction first qualifies for recognition.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency spot rates of exchange at the reporting date.
F-95
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Differences arising on settlement or translation of monetary items are recognised in profit or loss with the exception of monetary items that are designated as part of the hedge of the Group's net investment in a foreign operation. These are recognised in OCI until the net investment is disposed of, at which time, the cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss. Tax charges and credits attributable to exchange differences on those monetary items are also recognised in OCI.
Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the dates of the initial transactions.
In determining the spot exchange rate to use on initial recognition of the related asset, expense or income (or part of it) on the derecognition of a non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability relating to advance consideration, the date of the transaction is the date on which the Group initially recognises the non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability arising from the advance consideration. If there are multiple payments or receipts in advance, the Group determines the transaction date for each payment or receipt of advance consideration.
On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into RMB at the rate of exchange prevailing at the reporting date and their profit or loss are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. The exchange differences arising on translation for consolidation are recognised in OCI. On disposal of a foreign operation, the component of OCI relating to that particular foreign operation is reclassified to profit or loss.
Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation and any fair value adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities arising on the acquisition are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the spot rate of exchange at the reporting date.
Plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any. Such cost includes the cost of replacing part of the plant and equipment. When significant parts of plant and equipment are required to be replaced at intervals, the Group depreciates them separately based on their specific useful lives. Likewise, when a major inspection is performed, its cost is recognised in the carrying amount of the plant and equipment as a replacement if the recognition criteria are satisfied. All other repair and maintenance costs are recognised in profit or loss as incurred. The present value of the expected cost for the decommissioning of an asset after its use is included in the cost of the respective asset if the recognition criteria for a provision are met.
F-96
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
Leasehold improvements |
Over the lease terms | |
Office equipment |
3 years |
An item of property, plant and equipment and any significant part initially recognised is derecognised upon disposal (i.e., at the date the recipient obtains control) or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised.
The residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation of property, plant and equipment are reviewed at each financial year end and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate.
The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.
Group as a lessee
The Group applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases, except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets. The Group recognises lease liabilities to make lease payments and right-of-use assets representing the right to use the underlying assets.
The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e., the date the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
If ownership of the leased asset transfers to the Group at the end of the lease term or the cost reflects the exercise of a purchase option, depreciation is calculated using the estimated useful life of the asset.
The right-of-use assets are also subject to impairment. Refer to the accounting policies in section (j) Impairment of non-financial assets.
F-97
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Group as a lessee (Continued)
At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Group and payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising the option to terminate. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as expenses (unless they are incurred to produce inventories) in the period in which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.
In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date because the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the lease payments (e.g., changes to future payments resulting from a change in an index or rate used to determine such lease payments) or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset.
The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases (i.e., those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of assets that are considered to be low value. Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is their fair value at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Internally generated intangibles, excluding capitalised development costs, are not capitalised and the related expenditure is reflected in profit or loss in the period in which the expenditure is incurred.
The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed as either finite or indefinite.
F-98
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over the useful economic life and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortisation period and the amortisation method for an intangible asset with a finite useful life are reviewed at least at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are considered to modify the amortisation period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortisation expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognised in profit or loss in the expense category that is consistent with the function of the intangible assets.
An intangible asset is derecognised upon disposal (i.e., at the date the recipient obtains control) or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising upon derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss.
Music catalogues
Music catalogues are stated at cost less any impairment losses and are amortised on the straight-line basis over their estimated useful economic lives of 28 to 49 years.
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity.
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through OCI, and fair value through profit or loss.
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow characteristics and the Group's business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient, the Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. Trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient are measured at the transaction price as disclosed in section (c) Revenue from contracts with customers.
In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through OCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are 'solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)' on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level. Financial assets with cash flows that are not SPPI are classified and measured at fair value through profit or loss, irrespective of the business model.
F-99
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Initial recognition and measurement (Continued)
The Group's business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both. Financial assets classified and measured at amortised cost are held within a business model with the objective to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows while financial assets classified and measured at fair value through OCI are held within a business model with the objective of both holding to collect contractual cash flows and selling.
Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within a time frame established by regulation or convention in the marketplace (regular way trades) are recognised on the trade date, i.e., the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset.
Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in one category:
Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)
Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.
Derecognition
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Group's consolidated statement of financial position) when:
Or
When the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Group continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Group also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.
F-100
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Derecognition (Continued)
Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.
Impairment
Further disclosures relating to impairment of financial assets are also provided in the following notes:
Disclosures for significant assumptions |
Note 3 | |
Trade receivables |
Note 12 | |
Prepayment, other receivables and other assets |
Note 13 |
The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.
General approach
ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12-months (a 12-month ECL). For those credit exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a lifetime ECL).
At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether the credit risk on a financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition. When making the assessment, the Group compares the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument as at the reporting date with the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument as at the date of initial recognition and considers reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort, including historical and forward-looking information.
The Group considers a financial asset in default when contractual payments are 90 days past due. However, in certain cases, the Group may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Group is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held by the Group. A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows.
Financial assets at amortised cost are subject to impairment under the general approach and they are classified within the following stages for measurement of ECLs except for trade receivables which apply the simplified approach as detailed below.
F-101
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Impairment (Continued)
Stage 1 Financial instruments for which credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition and for which the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to 12-month ECLs
Stage 2 Financial instruments for which credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition but that are not credit-impaired financial assets and for which the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs
Stage 3 Financial assets that are credit-impaired at the reporting date (but that are not purchased or originated credit-impaired) and for which the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs
Simplified approach
For trade receivables, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.
Initial recognition and measurement
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as loans and borrowings and payables.
All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs.
Subsequent measurement
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial liabilities are classified in one category:
Financial liabilities at amortised cost (loans and borrowings)
After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR amortisation process.
Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is recognised in profit or loss.
This category generally applies to interest-bearing loans and borrowings. For more information, refer to Note 11.
F-102
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.
Further disclosures relating to impairment of non-financial assets are also provided in the following notes:
|
Disclosures for significant estimates and assumptions | Note 3 | ||
|
Property, plant and equipment | Note 9 | ||
|
Intangible assets | Note 10 |
The Group assesses, at each reporting date, whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If any indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required, the Group estimates the asset's recoverable amount. An asset's recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's or CGU's fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The recoverable amount is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets. When the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount.
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. In determining fair value less costs of disposal, recent market transactions are taken into account. If no such transactions can be identified, an appropriate valuation model is used. These calculations are corroborated by valuation multiples, quoted share prices for publicly traded companies or other available fair value indicators.
The Group bases its impairment calculation on most recent budgets and forecast calculations, which are prepared separately for each of the Group's CGUs to which the individual assets are allocated. These budgets and forecast calculations generally cover a period of five years. A long-term growth rate is calculated and applied to project future cash flows after the fifth year.
F-103
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss in expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.
For assets excluding goodwill, an assessment is made at each reporting date to determine whether there is an indication that previously recognised impairment losses no longer exist or have decreased. If such indication exists, the Group estimates the asset..s or CGU's recoverable amount. A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions used to determine the asset's recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised. The reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its recoverable amount, nor exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial position comprise cash at banks and on hand and short-term highly liquid deposits with a maturity of three months or less, that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term deposits, as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts as they are considered an integral part of the Group's cash management.
Full time employees of the Group in the PRC participate in a government mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labour regulations require that the Group make contributions to the government for these benefits based on a certain percentage of the employee's salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions. The total amount that was expensed as incurred, was RMB758,393 and RMB 372,249 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
A party is considered to be related to the Group if:
F-104
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Significant accounting policies (Continued)
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the Group's consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.
Other disclosures relating to the Group's exposure to risks and uncertainties includes:
|
Capital management | Note 5 | ||
|
Financial instruments risk management objectives and policies | Note 11.3 | ||
|
Sensitivity analyses disclosures | Note 11.3 |
Judgements
In the process of applying the Group's accounting policies, management has made the following judgements, which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements:
Contractual arrangement
As disclosed in Note 6, the Group exercises control over Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and enjoys all the economic benefits of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. through the VIE agreements.
F-105
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions (Continued)
Judgements (Continued)
Contractual arrangement (Continued)
The Group considers that it controls Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd., notwithstanding the fact that it does not hold any direct equity interest in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd., as it has power over the financial and operating policies of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and receives substantially all of the economic benefits from the business activities of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. through the VIE agreements. Accordingly, Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. has been accounted for as a subsidiary during the reporting periods.
Determining the lease term of contract with renewal optionGroup as lessee
The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain to be exercised.
The Group has a lease contract that includes an extension option. The Group applies judgement in evaluating whether it is reasonably certain whether or not to exercise the option to renew the lease. That is, it considers all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for it to exercise the renewal option. After the commencement date, the Group reassesses the lease term if there is a significant event or change in circumstances that is within its control and affects its ability to exercise or not to exercise the option to renew.
The Group included the renewal period as part of the lease term for the lease of an office property. The Group typically exercises its option to renew for the lease because there will be a significant negative effect from relocating the Group's operations.
Estimates and assumptions
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are described below. The Group based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when the consolidated financial statements were prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, however, may change due to market changes or circumstances arising that are beyond the control of the Group. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.
Provision for expected credit losses of trade receivables and other financial assets at amortised cost
The Group uses a provision matrix to calculate ECLs for trade receivables. The provision rates are based on days past due for groupings of various customer segments that have similar loss patterns.
The provision matrix is initially based on the Group's historical observed default rates. The Group will calibrate the matrix to adjust the historical credit loss experience with forward-looking information. At every reporting date, the historical observed default rates are updated and changes in the forward-looking estimates are analysed.
The assessment of the correlation between historical observed default rates, forecast economic conditions and ECLs is a significant estimate. The amount of ECLs is sensitive to changes in circumstances and of forecast economic conditions. The Group's historical credit loss experience and forecast of economic conditions may also not be representative of customer's actual default in the future. The information about the ECLs on the Group's trade receivables and other receivables are disclosed in Notes 12 and 13, respectively.
F-106
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions (Continued)
Estimates and assumptions (Continued)
Provision for expected credit losses of trade receivables and other financial assets at amortised cost (Continued)
The loss allowances for financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets are based on assumption about risk of default and expected loss rates. The Group makes adjustment in making these assumptions and selecting the inputs to the ECL calculation, based on the Group's past history, existing market condition as well as forward-looking estimates at the end of each of the reporting periods. A number of significant judgements and estimation are also required in applying the accounting requirements for measuring ECLs, such as:
Useful life of intangible assets
The Group's management determines the estimated useful lives and related amortisation for the Group's intangible assets with reference to the estimated periods that the Group intends and able to derive future economic benefits from the use of these assets. Management will revise the amortisation where useful lives are different to that of previously estimated, or it will write-off or write-down commercial obsolete or non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold. Actual economic lives may differ from estimated useful lives. Periodic review could result in a change in depreciable lives and therefore amortisation in profit or loss in future periods.
Impairment of non-financial assets
The Group assesses whether there are any indicators of impairment for all non-financial assets at the end of each reporting period. The non-financial assets are tested for impairment when there are indicators that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The calculation of the fair value less costs of disposal is based on available data from binding sales transactions in an arm's length transaction of similar assets or observable market prices less incremental costs for disposing of the asset. When value in use calculations are undertaken, management must estimate the expected future cash flows from the asset or CGU and choose a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows.
F-107
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. Revenue from contracts with customers
Set out below is the disaggregation of the Group's revenue from contracts with customers:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Type of services |
|||||||
Music festival events |
46,350 | 22,120 | |||||
Music performance |
3,678 | 2,508 | |||||
Licensing of music catalogues |
11,132 | | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total revenue from contracts with customers |
61,160 | 24,628 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Geographical markets |
|||||||
China |
61,160 | 24,628 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total revenue from contracts with customers |
61,160 | 24,628 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Timing of revenue recognition |
|||||||
Services transferred at a point in time |
11,132 | | |||||
Services transferred over time |
50,028 | 24,628 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total revenue from contracts with customers |
61,160 | 24,628 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Trade receivables (Note 12) |
11,041 | 848 | 191 | |||||||
Contract liabilities (Note 16) |
| 7,636 | 8,060 |
Set out below is the amount of revenue recognised from:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the year |
7,636 | 8,060 |
Information about the Group's performance obligations is summarised below:
Music festival events services
The performance obligation is satisfied over-time as services are rendered and payment is generally due upon completion of services and acceptance of the customer. Short-term advances maybe required before the service is provided.
F-108
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. Revenue from contracts with customers (Continued)
4.3 Performance obligations (Continued)
Music performance services
The performance obligation is satisfied over-time as services are rendered and payment is generally due upon completion of services and acceptance of the customer. Short-term advances maybe required before the service is provided.
Licensing of music catalogues
The performance obligation is satisfied upon delivery of the music catalogues. Payment is generally due upon delivery of the music catalogues.
The transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations (unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied) as at each of the reporting periods are as follow:
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Within one year |
2,047 | 9,902 | 10,139 | |||||||
More than one year |
| 2,047 | 630 |
5. Capital management
For the purpose of the Group's capital management, capital includes issued capital, capital reserve and all other equity reserves. The primary objective of the Group's capital management is to maximise the shareholder value.
The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares. The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes for managing capital during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
6. Group information
Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements of the Group include:
|
|
|
% equity interest | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Country of
incorporation |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||||
Name
|
Principal activities | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Degas Limited |
Investment holding | Hong Kong | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||||
Beijing Lecheng |
||||||||||||||
Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. |
Investment holding | PRC | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
F-109
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. Group information (Continued)
VIE of the Group include:
|
|
|
% equity interest | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Country of
incorporation |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||||
Name
|
Principal activities | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. |
Provide music festival events, music performance services and licensing music catalogues | PRC | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
On February 29, 2020, Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd., the Company's wholly owned subsidiary in the PRC, entered into the Pledge Contract with the nominee shareholders of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. for the equity interests in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. held by the nominee shareholders of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.. In addition, each nominee shareholder of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. signed a Power of Attorney, and Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. entered into the Exclusive Call Option Contract with Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and nominee shareholders of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd., which provide Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the variable returns of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and to acquire the equity interests in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. when permitted by the PRC laws, respectively. Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. agreed to provide financial support to Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. for its operations which obligated Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. to absorb losses of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. that could potentially be significant to Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. In addition, the aforementioned Powers of Attorney and the Exclusive Call Option Contract entitle Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. to receive variable returns from Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. that are significant to Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.
Despite the lack of technical majority ownership, Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. has effective control of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. through a series of VIE agreements and a parent subsidiary relationship exists between the Company and Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd., which provides Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. with (a) the power over the VIE; (b) rights and obligations to variable returns of the VIE; and (c) the ability to use its power over the VIE to affect the amount of the VIE's returns. Through the VIE agreements, the shareholders of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. assigned all of their voting rights underlying their equity interest in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. to Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd.; Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. has the right to receive variable returns from Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. that potentially could be significant to Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.; and Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. has the obligation to absorb losses of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. that could potentially be significant to Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.. Therefore, Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. consolidates Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. as required by IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-110
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. Group information (Continued)
The principal terms of the VIE agreements are further described below:
Pursuant to the powers of attorney signed by Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.'s nominee shareholders, each nominee shareholder irrevocably authorised Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. to act on behalf of such shareholder as its exclusive agent and attorney to exercise all rights and power that such shareholder has in respect of its equity interest in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. (including, but not limited to, all of such shareholders rights and voting rights to the sale, transfer, pledge or disposition of the equity interest in part or in whole, and the right to designate and appoint the directors and the executive officers of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.). The powers of attorney will remain effective ever after, until Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. terminates the Power of Attorney in writing or the shares or all the assets of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. have been legally and effectively transferred to Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. and/or its designees.
Pursuant to the exclusive call option agreement entered into amongst Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.'s nominee shareholders, Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd., each nominee shareholder granted to Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase all or part of its equity interests in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.. The purchase price of the equity interests in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. will be a nominal price, unless the relevant government authorities or the PRC laws request that another amount be used as the purchase price, in which case the purchase price will be the lowest amount under such request. Subject to relevant PRC laws and regulations, the registered shareholders will return any amount of the purchase price they have received to Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. or its designees.
Pursuant to the exclusive services agreement entered into between Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd., Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. provides business support and consulting services as the exclusive provider of such services to Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd., in return for a fee which is equal to 100% of the profits before tax of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and is adjustable at the sole discretion of Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd.. This agreement remains effective perpetually unless termination is required by Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. with one month's prior written notice.
F-111
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. Group information (Continued)
Pursuant to the share pledge contract among Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.'s nominee shareholders, Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd., the nominee shareholders of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. pledged all of their respective equity interests in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. to Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. as a continuing first priority security interest to guarantee the prompt and full performance of these nominee shareholders' and Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.'s obligations under the powers of attorney, the exclusive call option agreement and the exclusive services agreement. The nominee shareholders will not have the right to exercise the voting rights and rights to dividend distribution attaching to the equity interests of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.. If Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. or any of the nominee shareholders breaches its obligations, Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. is dissolved or the enforcement of the pledged equity interests of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. is permitted under PRC laws, Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. will be entitled to exercise its rights to the pledged equity interests, including the right to sell the pledged equity interests of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. through an auction or a private sale.
If the pledged equity interests of Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. are disposed of for whatever reasons, all proceeds received will be attributed to Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. and the nominee shareholders must transfer all proceeds collected to Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. without consideration, to the extent permitted by PRC laws. This contract remains effective until the earlier of: (i) the discharge in full of the nominee shareholders' and Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd.'s obligations under VIE agreements, or (ii) the completion of the disposal of the pledged equity interests in Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd..
In the opinion of the Company's legal counsel, (i) the ownership structure of Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Media Co., Ltd. and its VIE is in compliance with the PRC laws and regulations; (ii) the contractual arrangements with Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. and its nominee shareholders are valid and binding, and not in violation of the current PRC laws or regulations.
7. Other income/expenses, net
7.1 Other income, net
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Additional deduction of VAT |
221 | | |||||
Foreign exchange gains |
3 | 98 | |||||
Others |
(5 | ) | | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Total other income, net |
219 | 98 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-112
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. Other income/expenses, net (Continued)
7.2 Finance cost
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Interest on lease liabilities |
90 | 13 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
7.3 Finance income
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Bank interest income |
14 | 6 | |||||
Interest income on a loan receivable |
907 | | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total finance income |
921 | 6 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
7.4 Depreciation, amortisation and lease payments
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Included in cost of sales: |
|||||||
Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 10) |
349 | | |||||
Expense relating to short-term leases (Note 19) |
3,009 | 2,163 | |||||
Included in administrative expense: |
|||||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 9) |
155 | 6 | |||||
Depreciation of right-of-use assets (Note 19) |
663 | 184 | |||||
Expense relating to leases of low-value assets (Note 19) |
| 5 | |||||
Expense relating to short-term leases (Note 19) |
145 | 15 |
7.5 Employee benefits expenses
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Wages and salaries |
6,145 | 1,079 | |||||
Pension scheme contribution (defined contribution scheme) |
1,159 | 407 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
7,304 | 1,486 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-113
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Income tax
The major components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are:
Consolidated profit or loss
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Current income tax: |
|||||||
Current income tax charge |
4,251 | | |||||
Deferred tax: |
|||||||
Relating to origination and reversal of temporary differences |
(57 | ) | 272 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Income tax expense reported in profit or loss |
4,194 | 272 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Reconciliation of tax expense and the accounting profit for 2018 and 2019:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Accounting profit before tax |
16,676 | 850 | |||||
At China's statutory income tax rate of 25% |
4,169 | 213 | |||||
Non-deductible expenses for tax purposes: |
|||||||
Other non-deductible expenses |
25 | 59 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
At the effective income tax rate of 25% (2018: 32%) |
4,194 | 272 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Deferred tax
Deferred tax relates to the following:
|
Consolidated statement
of financial position |
|
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Consolidated
statement of profit or loss |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||||||
|
2019 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Expected credit losses of financial assets |
53 | | | 53 | | |||||||||||
Leases |
32 | 1 | | 31 | 1 | |||||||||||
Losses available for offsetting against future taxable income |
| 27 | 300 | (27 | ) | (273 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred tax assets |
85 | 28 | 300 | 57 | (272 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-114
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Income tax (Continued)
Reconciliation of deferred tax assets
|
RMB'000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
As of January 1, 2018: |
300 | |||
Deferred tax charged to profit or loss during the year |
(272 | ) | ||
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2018 |
28 | |||
Deferred tax credited to profit or loss during the year |
57 | |||
| | | | |
As of December 31, 2019 |
85 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Pursuant to the PRC Corporate Income Tax Law, a 10% withholding tax is levied on dividends declared to foreign investors from the foreign investment enterprises established in Mainland China. A lower withholding tax rate may be applied if there is a tax treaty between Mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign investors. For the Group, the applicable rate is 5% or 10%. The Group is therefore liable for withholding taxes on dividends distributed by the subsidiaries established in Mainland China to foreign shareholders in respect of earnings generated.
At December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, the directors of the Company estimated that the retained earnings of the PRC subsidiaries would be retained in Mainland China for use in future operations and investments. In the opinion of the directors, it is not probable that these subsidiaries will distribute such earnings in the foreseeable future to their foreign shareholders. The aggregate amount of temporary differences associated with the investments in subsidiaries in Mainland China for which deferred tax liabilities were not recognised was approximately RMB10,412,000, RMB301,000 and nil at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 respectively.
F-115
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
9. Property, plant and equipment
|
Leasehold
improvements |
Office
equipment |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Cost |
||||||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
| 149 | 149 | |||||||
Additions |
| 6 | 6 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
| 155 | 155 | |||||||
Additions |
642 | 302 | 944 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
642 | 457 | 1,099 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation |
||||||||||
At January 1, 2018 |
| (141 | ) | (141 | ) | |||||
Depreciation charge for the year |
| (6 | ) | (6 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
| (147 | ) | (147 | ) | |||||
Depreciation charge for the year |
(112 | ) | (43 | ) | (155 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
(112 | ) | (190 | ) | (302 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net book value |
||||||||||
At December 31, 2019 |
530 | 267 | 797 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
| 8 | 8 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
At January 1, 2018 |
| 8 | 8 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
10. Intangible assets
|
Music catalogues | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
|||
Cost |
||||
At January 1, 2018 and at December 31, 2018 |
| |||
Additions |
20,538 | |||
| | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
20,538 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Amortisation |
||||
At January 1, 2018 and at December 31, 2018 |
| |||
Amortistion charge for the year |
(349 | ) | ||
| | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
(349 | ) | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net book value |
||||
At December 31, 2019 |
20,189 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
At January 1, 2018 and at December 31, 2018 |
| |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
F-116
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Financial assets and financial liabilities
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Financial assets at amortised cost |
||||||||||
Current |
||||||||||
Trade receivables |
11,041 | 848 | 191 | |||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
9,707 | 415 | 496 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
5,873 | 2,144 | 2,901 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
26,621 | 3,407 | 3,588 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Management assessed that the fair values of the Group's financial assets reasonably approximate to their carrying amounts largely due to the short term maturities of these instruments or the effect of discounting is not material.
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Trade payables |
680 | 2,982 | 140 | |||||||
Financial liabilities included in other payables and accruals |
3 | 8,345 | 847 | |||||||
Due to related parties |
1,261 | 891 | 397 | |||||||
Lease liabilities |
2,965 | 204 | 16 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
4,909 | 12,422 | 1,400 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Management assessed that the fair values of the Group's financial liabilities reasonably approximate to their carrying amounts largely due to the short term maturities of these instruments or the effect of discounting is not material.
The Group's principal financial liabilities comprise trade payables and financial liabilities other than lease liabilities included in other payables and accruals. The main purpose of these financial liabilities is to finance the Group's operations. The Group's principal financial assets include trade receivables, and cash and cash equivalents that derive directly from its operations.
The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Board of Directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks, which are summarised below.
F-117
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
Foreign currency risk
Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of an exposure will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Group's exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to the Group's operating activities (when revenue or expense is denominated in a foreign currency).
Foreign currency sensitivity
The following tables demonstrate the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in US$ and EUR exchange rates, with all other variables held constant. The impact on the Group's profit before tax is due to changes in the fair value of monetary assets and liabilities.
|
Change in
US$ rate |
Effect on profit
before tax |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
2019 |
+5 | % | 159 | ||||
|
5 | % | (159 | ) | |||
2018 |
+5 |
% |
64 |
||||
|
5 | % | (64 | ) |
|
Change in
EUR rate |
Effect on profit
before tax |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
2019 |
+5 |
% |
(9 |
) |
|||
|
5 | % | 9 | ||||
2018 |
+5 |
% |
|
||||
|
5 | % | |
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (primarily trade receivables) and from its financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions, foreign exchange transactions and other financial instruments.
The Group mainly transacts with recognised and creditworthy third parties. Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis and the Group's exposure to bad debts is not significant.
Maximum exposure and year-end staging
The tables below show the credit quality and the maximum exposure to credit risk based on the Group's credit policy, which is mainly based on past due information unless other information is available without undue cost or effort, and staging classification as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018. The amounts presented are gross carrying amounts for financial assets.
F-118
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
Credit risk (Continued)
As at December 31, 2019
|
12-month
ECLs |
Lifetime ECLs |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Simplified
approach |
|
||||||||||||
|
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Trade receivables |
| | | 11,041 | 11,041 | |||||||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
||||||||||||||||
Normal* |
9,707 | | | | 9,707 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||||||||||
Not yet past due |
5,873 | | | | 5,873 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
15,580 | | | 11,041 | 26,621 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As at December 31, 2018
|
12-month
ECLs |
Lifetime ECLs |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Simplified
approach |
|
||||||||||||
|
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Trade receivables |
| | | 848 | 848 | |||||||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
||||||||||||||||
Normal* |
415 | | | | 415 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||||||||||
Not yet past due |
2,144 | | | | 2,144 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
2,559 | | | 848 | 3,407 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As at January 1, 2018
|
12-month
ECLs |
Lifetime ECLs |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Simplified
approach |
|
||||||||||||
|
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Trade receivables |
| | | 191 | 191 | |||||||||||
Financial assets included in prepayments, other receivables and other assets |
||||||||||||||||
Normal* |
496 | | | | 496 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||||||||||
Not yet past due |
2,901 | | | | 2,901 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
3,397 | | | 191 | 3,588 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-119
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
Trade receivables
Customer credit risk is managed by each business unit subject to the Group's established policy, procedures and control relating to customer credit risk management.
Since the Group trades only with recognised and creditworthy third parties, there is no requirement for collateral. Concentrations of credit risk are managed by customer/counterparty.
The Group had certain concentrations of credit risk as 27%, 100% and 86%, and 100%, 100% and 100% of the Group's gross trade receivables as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 were due from the Group's largest customer and the five largest customers, respectively.
An impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date using a provision matrix to measure expected credit losses. The provision rates are based on days past due for groupings of various customer segments with similar loss patterns. The calculation reflects the probability-weighted outcome, the time value of money and reasonable and supportable information that is available at the reporting date about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions. Generally, trade receivables are written off if past due for more than one year and are not subject to enforcement activity. The expected credit losses for trade receivables as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2019 were assessed to be minimal.
Liquidity risk
The Group monitors its risk of a shortage of funds using a liquidity planning tool.
The Group's objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of lease contracts. The Group assessed the concentration of risk with respect to refinancing its debt and concluded it to be low.
Excessive risk concentration
Concentrations arise when a number of counterparties are engaged in similar business activities, or activities in the same geographical region, or have economic features that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic, political or other conditions. Concentrations indicate the relative sensitivity of the Group's performance to developments affecting a particular industry.
In order to avoid excessive concentrations of risk, the Group's policies and procedures include specific guidelines to focus on the maintenance of a diversified portfolio. Identified concentrations of credit risks are controlled and managed accordingly. The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group's financial liabilities based on contractual undiscounted payments:
December 31, 2019
|
On demand /
less than 1 year |
1 to 5 years | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Trade payables |
680 | | 680 | |||||||
Financial liabilities included in other payables and accruals |
3 | | 3 | |||||||
Due to related parties |
1,261 | | 1,261 | |||||||
Lease liabilities |
1,071 | 2,142 | 3,213 |
F-120
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Financial assets and financial liabilities (Continued)
Excessive risk concentration (Continued)
December 31, 2018
|
On demand /
less than 1 year |
1 to 5 years | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Trade payables |
2,982 | | 2,982 | |||||||
Financial liabilities included in other payables and accruals |
8,345 | | 8,345 | |||||||
Due to related parties |
891 | | 891 | |||||||
Lease liabilities |
194 | 16 | 210 |
January 1, 2018
|
On demand /
less than 1 year |
1 to 5 years | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Trade payables |
140 | | 140 | |||||||
Financial liabilities included in other payables and accruals |
847 | | 847 | |||||||
Due to related parties |
397 | | 397 | |||||||
Lease liabilities |
16 | | 16 |
|
January 1,
2019 |
Cash flows | New leases | Others |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Current lease liabilities (Note 19) |
188 | (546 | ) | 503 | 890 | 1,035 | ||||||||||
Non-current lease liabilities (Note 19) |
16 | | 2,886 | (972 | ) | 1,930 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities from financing activities |
204 | (546 | ) | 3,389 | (82 | ) | 2,965 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
January 1,
2018 |
Cash flows | New leases | Others |
December 31,
2018 |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||||||
Current lease liabilities (Note 19) |
16 | (180 | ) | 187 | 165 | 188 | ||||||||||
Non-current lease liabilities (Note 19) |
| | 181 | (165 | ) | 16 | ||||||||||
Capital contribution from a shareholder included in other payables and accruals |
| 8,000 | | | 8,000 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities from financing activities |
16 | 7,820 | 368 | | 8,204 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The "Others" column includes the effect of reclassification of non-current portion of lease liabilities to current due to the passage of time and effect of the accrued but not yet paid interest on lease liabilities. The Group classifies interest paid as cash flows from financing activities.
F-121
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
12. Trade receivables
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Receivables from third-party customers |
11,041 | 848 | 191 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on terms from 30 to 270 days.
13. Prepayments, other receivables and other assets
Included in other receivables as at December 31, 2019 is a loan receivable of RMB9,000,000, (December 31, 2018: Nil; January 1, 2018: Nil) which is unsecured, bears interest at 10% per annum and repayable within one year.
An impairment analysis on the loan receivable is performed at December 31, 2019 by considering the probability of default of comparable companies with published credit ratings and forecasts of future economic conditions, as appropriate. As at December 31, 2019, the probability of default applied to the loan receivable is 3.44% and the loss given default is estimated to be 62.52%.
Apart from RMB213,000 impairment on a loan receivable as at December 31, 2019, none of the above assets are either past due or impaired. The financial assets included in the above balances relate to deposits and receivables for which there was no recent history of default. Since the deposits, other receivables and other assets are related to receivables that are not past due, the expected credit loss rates are assessed to be minimal.
14. Cash and cash equivalents
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Cash at banks and on hand |
5,873 | 2,144 | 2,901 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash at banks earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates.
F-122
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
15. Issued capital and reserves
Authorised shares
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
RMB
|
|||||||
100 ordinary shares of US$1 each |
707 | 707 | 707 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary shares issued fully paid
|
Number of
ordinary shares |
Nominal
value of ordinary shares |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB
|
|||||
At January 1, 2018 |
100 | 707 | |||||
At December 31, 2018 |
100 | 707 | |||||
At December 31, 2019 |
100 | 707 |
Statutory restrictions
The Company's ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on the Company receiving distributions of funds from its subsidiaries. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Company's subsidiaries, VIEs and subsidiaries of the VIEs incorporated in PRC only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The consolidated results of operations reflected in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Company's subsidiaries.
Under PRC law, the Company's subsidiaries, VIEs and the subsidiaries of the VIEs located in the PRC (collectively referred as the "PRC entities") are required to provide for certain statutory reserves, namely a general reserve, an enterprise expansion fund and a staff welfare and bonus fund. The PRC entities are required to allocate at least 10% of their after tax profits on an individual company basis as determined under PRC accounting standards to the statutory reserve and has the right to discontinue allocations to the statutory reserve if such reserve has reached 50% of registered capital on an individual company basis. In addition, the registered capital of the PRC entities is also restricted.
Amounts restricted that include statutory reserve funds, as determined pursuant to China Accounting Standards, were RMB1,339,000, RMB91,000 and RMB33,000 as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018, respectively.
16. Contract liabilities
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Short-term advances for services |
| 7,636 | 8,060 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Contract liabilities due to advance from rendering services.
F-123
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16. Contract liabilities (Continued)
The decrease in contract liabilities was mainly due to less advances being made by the customers because the Group will no longer organise a music performance event in 2020.
17. Trade payables
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Trade payables |
680 | 2,982 | 140 |
Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 30-day terms
18. Other payables and accruals
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Other payables |
721 | 8,540 | 967 | |||||||
Accruals |
31 | 56 | 49 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total other payables and accruals |
752 | 8,596 | 1,016 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
As at December 31, 2018, the other payable balance included RMB 8,000,000 proceeds from a shareholder for capital contribution as funding of equity.
Other payables are non-interest bearing and have an average term of two months
19. Leases
Group as a lessee
The Group has lease contracts for various office properties used in its operations. The leases generally have lease terms between 2 and 3 years.
The Group also has certain leases with lease terms of 12 months or less and leases of assets with low value. The Group applies the 'short term lease' and 'lease of low-value assets' recognition exemptions for these leases.
F-124
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
19. Leases (Continued)
Set out below are the carrying amounts of right-of-use assets recognised and the movements during the period:
|
Leased
properties |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
|||
At January 1, 2018 |
15 | |||
Additions |
368 | |||
Depreciation expense |
(184 | ) | ||
| | | | |
At December 31, 2018 |
199 | |||
Additions |
3,389 | |||
Lease termination |
(88 | ) | ||
Depreciation expense |
(663 | ) | ||
| | | | |
At December 31, 2019 |
2,837 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the period:
The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is disclosed in Note 11.3.
The Group has several lease contracts that include extension options. These options are negotiated by management to provide flexibility in managing the leased-asset portfolio and align with the Group's business needs. Management exercises significant judgement in determining whether these extension and termination options are reasonably certain to be exercised (see Note 3).
The following are the amounts recognised in profit or loss:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Depreciation expense of right-of-use assets |
663 | 184 | |||||
Interest expense on lease liabilities |
90 | 13 | |||||
Expense relating to short-term leases |
3,154 | 2,178 | |||||
Expense relating to leases of low-value assets |
| 5 | |||||
Loss on lease termination |
6 | ¨ | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total amount recognised in profit or loss |
3,913 | 2,380 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-125
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
19. Leases (Continued)
The Group had total cash outflows for leases of RMB3,790,000 in 2019 (RMB2,376,000 in 2018). The Group also had non-cash additions to right-of use assets and lease liabilities of RMB3,389,000 in 2019 (RMB368,000 in 2018).
20. Related party disclosures
The following table provides the total amount of transactions that have been entered into with related parties for the relevant financial years.
|
|
Purchases from
a related party |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Beijing Lelang Art |
2019 | | |||||
Consulting Co. Ltd* |
2018 | 566 | |||||
Naxos (Beijing) Culture & Communication Co., Ltd. |
2019 |
|
|||||
|
2018 | 349 |
On June 1, 2019, the Group entered into an agreement with a related company, Beijing Kuke Music Company Limited, a director of which is the controlling shareholder of the Company, for the lease of office premises for a term of seven months ended December 31, 2019 at a monthly rent of RMB76,000, with extension options exercisable by either the Group or the related company. The related lease liabilities as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 amounted to RMB2,965,000, nil and nil and the related lease payments and interest on lease liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 amounted to RMB534,000 and RMB85,000, respectively.
Outstanding balances at December 31, 2019 and 2018 and January 1, 2018 are unsecured and interest-free and repayable on demand. There have been no guarantees provided or received for any related party receivables or payables.
F-126
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
20. Related party disclosures (Continued)
The following table provides compensation of key management personnel of the Group.
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||
Short-term employee benefits |
1,687 | 153 | |||||
Post-employment pension and medical benefits |
140 | 60 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total compensation paid to key management personnel |
1,827 | 213 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The amounts disclosed in the table are the amounts recognised as an expense during the reporting periods related to key management personnel.
21. Standards issued but not yet effective
The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Group's financial statements are disclosed below. The Group intends to adopt these new and amended standards and interpretations, if applicable, when they become effective in the respective annual periods during 2020 to 2023.
Amendments to IFRS 3 | Definition of a Business6 | |
Amendments to IFRS 3 |
|
Reference to the Conceptual Framework3 |
Amendments to IFRS 4 |
|
Extension of the Temporary Exemption from Applying IFRS 94 |
Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7 |
|
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform1 |
Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 |
|
Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture5 |
Amendment to IFRS 16 |
|
Covid-19-Related Rent Concessions2 |
IFRS 17 and Amendments to IFRS 17 |
|
Insurance Contracts4 |
Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8 |
|
Definition of Material1 |
Amendments to IAS 1 |
|
Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current4 |
Amendments to IAS 16 |
|
Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use3 |
Amendments to IAS 37 |
|
Onerous ContractsCosts of Fulfilling a Contract3 |
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2018-2020 Cycle |
|
Amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 9, IAS 41 and Illustrative Examples accompanying IFRS 163 |
F-127
ROSENKAVALIER LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
21. Standards issued but not yet effective (Continued)
The adoption of the above new and amended standards and interpretations are not expected to have a material impact on the Group's financial statements.
22. Events after the reporting period
The emergence and spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in early January 2020 has affected business and economic activities in Mainland China.
Music festival related events throughout the world have been postponed or cancelled. Postponement or cancellation of these events are likely to affect the timing of events to be held and the sponsorship revenue generated in 2020. The Group expects that the foregoing developments could adversely affect the revenue in 2020, and that adverse effect could be material. However, the Group believes that such outbreak will not have any impact on the going-concern basis of the preparation of these financial statements based on the assessment up to the date of the issuance of these financial statements.
On February 29, 2020, the Company was acquired by Kuke Music Holding Limited through the issuance of 4,856,273 additional ordinary shares of Kuke Music Holding Limited.
23. Commitments
The Group had the following purchase commitments at the end of the reporting periods which are not yet reflected in the financial statements:
|
December 31,
2019 |
December 31,
2018 |
January 1,
2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
RMB'000
|
|||||||
Intangible assets |
3,300 | 3,206 | |
F-128
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
On February 29, 2020, Kuke Music Holding Limited (the "Company" or "Kuke holding") issued 4,856,273 ordinary shares in exchange for 100% interest in Rosenkavalier Limited ("Rosenkavalier") through a variable interest entity ("VIE") arrangement. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company controls and consolidates Rosenkavalier.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on the Company's historical consolidated financial statements and Rosenkavalier's historical consolidated financial statements as adjusted to give effect to the Company's acquisition of Rosenkavalier. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 gives effect to the acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements do not necessarily reflect what the combined company's results of operations would have been had the acquisition occurred on the date indicated. They also may not be useful in predicting the future results of operations of the combined company. The actual results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.
The assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited adjustments to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information are described in the accompanying notes, which should be read together with the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read together with the Company's historical consolidated financial statements and Rosenkavalier's historical consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this registration statement.
P-1
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Amounts in Renminbi ("RMB") thousands)
|
Notes |
Kuke
Holding Historical |
Rosenkavalier
Historical |
Pro forma
Adjustments |
Pro forma
Combined |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue |
(b) | 146,054 | 61,160 | (349 | ) | 206,865 | |||||||||
Cost of sales |
(b) | (32,343 | ) | (37,856 | ) | 349 | (69,850 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit |
113,711 | 23,304 | | 137,015 | |||||||||||
Other income, net |
3,830 | 219 | | 4,049 | |||||||||||
Selling and distribution expenses |
(18,252 | ) | (1,661 | ) | | (19,913 | ) | ||||||||
Administrative expenses |
(c) | (27,312 | ) | (5,804 | ) | 320 | (32,796 | ) | |||||||
Impairment losses on financial assets, net |
(3,088 | ) | (213 | ) | | (3,301 | ) | ||||||||
Other operating expenses |
(42 | ) | | | (42 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit |
68,847 | 15,845 | 320 | 85,012 | |||||||||||
Finance costs |
(a) | (3,242 | ) | (90 | ) | 85 | (3,247 | ) | |||||||
Finance income |
(a) | 258 | 921 | (85 | ) | 1,094 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit before tax |
65,863 | 16,676 | 320 | 82,859 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(c) | (9,101 | ) | (4,194 | ) | (48 | ) | (13,343 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit for the year |
56,762 | 12,482 | 272 | 69,516 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.
P-2
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
(Amounts in Renminbi ("RMB") thousands)
|
Notes |
Kuke
Holding Historical (January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020) |
Rosenkavalier
Historical (January 1, 2020 to February 29, 2020) |
Pro forma
Adjustments |
Pro
forma Combined |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenue |
34,908 | | | 34,908 | |||||||||||
Cost of sales |
(18,297 | ) | (357 | ) | | (18,654 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit/(loss) |
16,611 | (357 | ) | | 16,254 | ||||||||||
Other income, net |
941 | 3 | | 944 | |||||||||||
Selling and distribution expenses |
(17,009 | ) | (257 | ) | | (17,266 | ) | ||||||||
Administrative expenses |
(c) | (41,716 | ) | (1,246 | ) | 934 | (42,028 | ) | |||||||
Impairment losses on financial assets, net |
(17,683 | ) | (5 | ) | | (17,688 | ) | ||||||||
Other operating expenses |
(6 | ) | (73 | ) | | (79 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating loss |
(58,862 | ) | (1,935 | ) | 934 | (59,863 | ) | ||||||||
Finance costs |
(a) | (7,862 | ) | (23 | ) | 23 | (7,862 | ) | |||||||
Finance income |
(a) | 1,606 | 148 | (23 | ) | 1,731 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before tax |
(65,118 | ) | (1,810 | ) | 934 | (65,994 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax credit |
(c) | 5,749 | 452 | (140 | ) | 6,061 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss for the period |
(59,369 | ) | (1,358 | ) | 794 | (59,933 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.
P-3
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
(Amounts in Renminbi ("RMB") thousands)
Note 1Basis of presentation
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on the Company's and Rosenkavalier's historical consolidated financial statements as adjusted to give effect to the acquisition of Rosenkavalier. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 gives effect to the Rosenkavalier acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019.
The business combination was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard 3, Business Combinations. As the acquirer for accounting purposes, the Company estimated the fair value of Rosenkavalier's indentifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and conformed the accounting policies of Rosenkavalier to its own accounting policies.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not reflect the realisation of any expected cost savings or other synergies from the acquisition of Rosenkavalier as a result of restructuring activities and other planned cost savings initiatives following the completion of the business combination.
Note 2Pro forma adjustments
The pro forma adjustments are based on the Company's preliminary estimates and assumptions that are subject to change. The following adjustments have been reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information:
P-4
Information Not Required in Prospectus
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.
The post-offering memorandum and articles of association that we expect to adopt and to become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers (each an indemnified person) against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by such indemnified person, other than by reason of such person's own dishonesty, willful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of our company's business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such indemnified person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning our company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
Pursuant to the indemnification agreements, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this registration statement, we agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer.
The underwriting agreement, the form of which will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will also provide indemnification for us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the past three years, we have issued the following securities. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S
II-1
under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of securities.
Securities/Purchaser
|
Date of Issuance |
Number of
Securities |
Consideration | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Sertus Nominees (Cayman) Limited | September 13, 2017 | 1 | Nil | ||||
Lebon Holding Limited | September 13, 2017; | ||||||
January 2, 2018 | 5,762,723 | Nil | |||||
Musence Limited | January 2, 2018 | 4,201,335 | Nil | ||||
Eichent Limited | January 2, 2018 | 1,643,511 | Nil | ||||
Huaqiang Capital Limited | January 2, 2018; | ||||||
January 15, 2018 | 2,282,428 | US$4,911,283.63 | |||||
Purple Grey Limited | January 2, 2018 | 687,515 | Nil | ||||
Renaissance Gold Limited | January 2, 2018 | 578,967 | Nil | ||||
Joint Effect Limited | January 2, 2018 | 552,479 | Nil | ||||
VisionGain Music Limited | January 2, 2018 | 282,511 | Nil | ||||
Mass Motion Limited | January 2, 2018 | 244,000 | Nil | ||||
Daixinluyang Limited | January 2, 2018 | 200,000 | Nil | ||||
MountainLight Limited | January 2, 2018 | 162,804 | Nil | ||||
Orchid Tu Limited | January 2, 2018 | 157,000 | Nil | ||||
NBAMF Holding Limited | January 2, 2018 | 98,548 | Nil | ||||
BO&JOVIA Limited | January 2, 2018 | 78,548 | Nil | ||||
Hanpurple Limited | January 2, 2018 | 78,548 | Nil | ||||
KEI YAN Limited | January 2, 2018 | 10,000 | Nil | ||||
FRST Limited | January 2, 2018 | 10,000 | Nil | ||||
China Cultural and Entertainment Fund L.P | January 15, 2018 | 449,100 | US$2,697,596.21 | ||||
Co-High Investment Management Limited | January 15, 2018 | 49,900 | US$299,732.91 | ||||
Lung Yu | January 15, 2018 | 499,000 | US$2,997,329.12 | ||||
LEE Chun Wai Peter | January 15, 2018 | 182,110 | US$1,093,875.82 | ||||
Supertonic Limited | February 29, 2020 | 1,867,801 | Nil | ||||
FutureMuse Limited | February 29, 2020 | 1,120,677 | Nil | ||||
Huayin Culture Limited | February 29, 2020 | 747,118 | Nil | ||||
Nomadic Hunters Limited | February 29, 2020 | 747,118 | Nil | ||||
Borchidcap Limited | February 29, 2020 | 298,845 | Nil | ||||
Borchidtu Limited | February 29, 2020 | 74,714 | Nil | ||||
Million Profit International Holdings Limited | March 13, 2020 | 1,499,423 | US$12,999,997 |
Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
See Exhibit Index beginning on page II-5 of this registration statement.
The agreements included as exhibits to this registration statement contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosure that was made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of "materiality" that are different from "materiality" under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.
II-2
We acknowledge that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, we are responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosure of material information regarding material contractual provisions is required to make the statements in this registration statement not misleading.
Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness, provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(4) For the purpose of determining any liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement,
II-3
regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
II-4
EXHIBIT INDEX
Kuke Music Holding Limited
Exhibit Index
II-5
II-6
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Beijing, China, on January 6, 2021.
|
Kuke Music Holding Limited | |||||
|
By: |
/s/ HE YU
|
||||
|
Name: | He Yu | ||||
|
Title: | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer |
II-7
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of He Yu and Hoi Tung Chan as attorneys-in-fact with full power of substitution for him or her in any and all capacities to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments that said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of ordinary shares of the registrant (the "Shares"), including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such Shares, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement; and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 6, 2021.
Signature
|
Title
|
|
---|---|---|
/s/ HE YU
He Yu |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board | |
/s/ * Lung Yu |
|
Director |
/s/ * Yu Chen |
|
Director |
/s/ * Xingping Zuo |
|
Director |
/s/ * Peixian Tan |
|
Director |
/s/ * Li Sun |
|
President |
/s/ * Hoi Tung Chan |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
*By: |
/s/ HE YU
|
|||||
Name: | He Yu | |||||
Attorney-in-fact |
II-8
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Kuke Music Holding Limited, has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in New York on January 6, 2021.
|
Authorized U.S. Representative
Cogency Global Inc. |
|||||
|
By: |
/s/ COLLEEN A. DE VRIES
|
||||
|
Name: | Colleen A. De Vries | ||||
|
Title: | Sr. Vice President |
II-9
[·] AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
EACH REPRESENTING [·] CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES, PAR VALUE US$0.001 PER SHARE
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
January [·], 2021
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
60 Wall Street, New York
New York 10005
U.S.
US Tiger Securities, Inc
437 Madison Ave 27th Floor, New York
NY 10022
United States
AMTD Global Markets Limited
23/F-25/F, Nexxus Building
41 Connaught Road Central
Hong Kong
As representatives (the Representatives) of the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Kuke Music Holding Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Company), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the Underwriters) an aggregate of [·] Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, of the Company (the Firm Shares) in the form of [·] American Depositary Shares (as defined below) (the Firm ADSs).
The Company also propose to issue and sell to the several Underwriters not more than an additional [·] Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, of the Company (the Additional Shares) in the form of [·] American Depositary Shares (the Additional ADSs), if and to the extent that you, as Representatives of the offering, shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase such Additional ADSs granted to the Underwriters in Section 2 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Offered Shares. The Firm ADSs and the Additional ADSs are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Offered ADSs. The Offered ADSs and the underlying Offered Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Offered Securities. The Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the Class A Ordinary Shares.
The Underwriters will take delivery of the Offered Shares in the form of American Depositary Shares (the American Depositary Shares or ADSs). The American Depositary Shares are to be issued pursuant to a Deposit Agreement dated as of [·], 2021 (the Deposit Agreement) among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Depositary (the Depositary), and the owners and holders from time to time of the American Depositary Shares issued under the Deposit Agreement. Each American Depositary Share will initially represent the right to receive [·] Ordinary Share[s] deposited pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) a registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to the Offered Shares and a registration statement relating to the Offered ADSs. The registration statement relating to the Offered Shares, as amended at the time it becomes effective, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), is hereinafter referred to as the Registration Statement; the prospectus in the form first used to confirm sales of the Offered Securities (or in the form first made available to the Underwriters by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) is hereinafter referred to as the Prospectus. The registration statement relating to the American Depositary Shares, as amended at the time it becomes effective, is hereinafter referred to as the ADS Registration Statement. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to register additional Offered Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the Rule 462 Registration Statement), then any reference herein to the term Registration Statement shall be deemed to include the corresponding Rule 462 Registration Statement. The Company has filed, in accordance with Section 12 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), a registration statement on Form 8-A to register the Offered Securities (the Exchange Act Registration Statement).
For purposes of this Agreement, free writing prospectus has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, Time of Sale Prospectus means the preliminary prospectus together with the documents and pricing information set forth in Schedule II hereto, and broadly available road show means a bona fide electronic road show as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) under the Securities Act that has been made available without restriction to any person. As used herein, the terms Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein as of the date hereof.
1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
1.1 The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. Each of the Registration Statement and the ADS Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act; the Exchange Act Registration Statement has become effective under the Exchange Act; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement or the Exchange Act Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the Commission.
(b) Compliance with Securities Law. (i) Each of the Registration Statement and the ADS Registration Statement, when it became effective, did not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (iii) the Time of Sale Prospectus does not, and at the time of each sale of the Offered Securities in connection with the offering when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, at the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4) and at each Option Closing Date (as defined in Section 2), the Time of Sale Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented by the Company, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iv) each broadly available road show, if any, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (v) the Prospectus does not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the Underwriter Information described as such in Section 9(b) hereof.
(c) Ineligible Issuer Status and Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company is not an ineligible issuer in connection with the offering pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any free writing prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Each free writing prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Except for the free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule II hereto, and electronic road shows, if any, each furnished to you before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without the prior consent of the Representatives, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus. The Company has satisfied and agrees that it will satisfy the conditions in Rule 433 to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any electronic road show. As of the time of each sale of the Offered Securities in connection with the offering when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, no free writing prospectuses, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the Underwriter Information described as such in Section 9(c) hereof.
(d) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as an exempted company with limited liability in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, has the corporate power and authority to own or lease its property and to conduct its business as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification. The currently effective memorandum and articles of association of the Company comply with the requirements of applicable Cayman Islands law and are in full force and effect. The second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company adopted on [·], 2021 and filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement comply with the requirements of applicable Cayman Islands laws and, immediately prior to the closing on the Closing Date, will be in full force and effect. Complete and correct copies of all constitutive documents of the Company and all amendments thereto have been delivered to the Representatives; except as set forth in the Registration Statements, no change will be made to any such constitutive documents on or after the date of this Agreement through and including the Closing Date.
(e) Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities. Each of the Companys direct and indirect subsidiaries (each a Subsidiary and collectively, the Subsidiaries) has been identified on Schedule III-A hereto, and each of the entities which the Company directly or indirectly controls through contractual arrangements (each an Consolidated Affiliated Entity and collectively, the Consolidated Affiliated Entities) has been identified on Schedule III-B hereto. Each of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation with limited liability established under the laws of the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC), as the case may be, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has full power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; all of the equity interests of each Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, are duly paid in accordance with its articles of association and non-assessable and are free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims; all of the equity or sponsorship interests in each Consolidated Affiliated Entity have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are duly paid in accordance with its articles of association and non-assessable and are owned as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims. None of the outstanding share capital or equity interest in any Subsidiary was issued in violation of preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of such Subsidiary. All of the constitutive or organizational documents of each of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities comply with the requirements of applicable laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and are in full force and effect. Apart from the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, the Company has no direct or indirect subsidiaries or any other company over which it has direct or indirect effective control.
(f) VIE Agreements and Corporate Structure.
(i) The description of the corporate structure of the Company and each of the contracts among the Subsidiaries, the shareholders of the Consolidated Affiliated Entities and the Consolidated Affiliated Entities, as the case may be (each a VIE Agreement and collectively the VIE Agreements), as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions Corporate History and Structure and Related Party Transactions and filed as Exhibits [10.3] through [10.9] to the Registration Statement, is true and accurate in all material respects and nothing has been omitted from such description which would make it misleading. There is no other material agreement, contract or other document relating to the corporate structure or the operation of the Company together with its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities taken as a whole, which has not been previously disclosed or made available to the Underwriters and disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(ii) Each VIE Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforceability, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles. No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or filing or registration with, any person (including any governmental agency or body or any court) is required for the performance of the obligations under any VIE Agreement by the parties thereto, other than those as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, filing or registration that has been obtained is being withdrawn or revoked or is subject to any condition precedent which has not been fulfilled or performed. The corporate structure of the Company complies with all applicable laws and regulations of the PRC currently in effect, and neither the corporate structure nor the VIE Agreements violate, breach, contravene or otherwise conflict with any applicable laws of the PRC currently in effect. There is no legal or governmental proceeding, inquiry or investigation pending against the Company, the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or shareholders of the Consolidated Affiliated Entities in any jurisdiction challenging the validity of any of the VIE Agreements, and to the knowledge of the Company, no such proceeding, inquiry or investigation is threatened in any jurisdiction.
(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of each VIE Agreement by the parties thereto do not and will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the imposition of any lien, encumbrance, equity or claim upon any property or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities pursuant to (A) the constitutive or organizational documents of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, (B) any statute, rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or any of their properties, or any arbitration award, or (C) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities is a party or by which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities is bound or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities is subject. Each VIE Agreement is in full force and effect and none of the parties thereto is in breach or default in the performance of any of the terms or provisions of such VIE Agreement. None of the parties to any of the VIE Agreements has sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intention not to renew, any of the VIE Agreements, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by any of the parties thereto.
(iv) The Company possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Consolidated Affiliated Entities, through its rights to authorize the shareholders of the Consolidated Affiliated Entities to exercise their voting rights.
(g) Authorization of this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(h) Authorization of the Deposit Agreement. The Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Depositary, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforceability, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles. The description of the Deposit Agreement contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus is true and accurate in all material respects.
(i) Due Authorization of Registration Statements. The Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus and the ADS Registration Statement and the filing of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus and the ADS Registration Statement with the Commission have been duly authorized by and on behalf of the Company, and the Registration Statement and the ADS Registration Statement have been duly executed pursuant to such authorization by and on behalf of the Company.
(j) Share Capital. The authorized share capital of the Company conforms as to legal matters to the description thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(k) Ordinary Share. (i) The Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding prior to the issuance of the Offered Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. As of the date hereof, the Company has authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the sections of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the headings Capitalization and Description of Share Capital and, as of the Closing Date, the Company shall have authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the sections of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the headings Capitalization and Description of Share Capital. (ii) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are (A) no outstanding securities issued by the Company convertible into or exchangeable for, rights, warrants or options to acquire from the Company, or obligations of the Company to issue, Class A Ordinary Shares or any of the share capital of the Company, and (B) no outstanding rights, warrants or options to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any share capital of, or any direct interest in, any of the Companys Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities.
(l) Offered ADSs. The Offered ADSs, when issued by the Depositary against the deposit of the Offered Shares in respect thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued and the persons in whose names such Offered ADSs are registered will be entitled to the rights of registered holders of American depositary receipt specified therein and in the Deposit Agreement.
(m) Offered Shares. (i) The Offered Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Offered Shares will not be subject to any preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights. The Offered Shares, when issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be free of any restriction upon the voting or transfer thereof pursuant to the Companys constitutive documents or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party. (ii) The Offered Securities, when issued, are freely transferable by the Company to or for the account of the several Underwriters thereof, and, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no restrictions on subsequent transfers of the Offered Securities under the laws of the Cayman Islands, the PRC by non-PRC resident holders, Hong Kong or the United States.
(n) Accurate Disclosure. The statements in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the headings Prospectus Summary, Risk Factors, Dividend Policy, Enforceability of Civil Liabilities, Corporate History and Structure, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Business, PRC Regulation, Management, Principal Shareholders, Related Party Transactions, Description of Share Capital, Description of American Depositary Shares, Taxation and Underwriting, insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate, complete and fair summaries of such matters described therein in all material respects.
(o) Listing. The ADSs have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.
(p) Compliance with Law, Constitutive Documents and Contracts. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities is (i) in breach or violation of any provision of applicable law or (ii) is in breach or violation of its respective constitutive documents, or (iii) in default under (nor has any event occurred which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of, constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holders behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) any agreement or other instrument that is (x) binding upon the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities and (y) material to the Company and the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities taken as a whole, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, except where such breach or default in (i) and (iii) above would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts Resulting from Transaction. The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement will not contravene (i) any provision of applicable law or the memorandum and articles of association or other constitutive documents of the Company, (ii) any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities that is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, taken as a whole, or (iii) any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities; and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states of the United States of America in connection with the offer and sale of the Offered Securities.
(r) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (i) there has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, properties or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, taken as a whole; (ii) there has been no purchase of its own outstanding share capital by the Company, no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its share capital; (iii) there has been no material adverse change in the share capital, short-term indebtedness, long-term indebtedness, net current assets or net assets of the Company and its subsidiaries; (iv) except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities has (A) entered into or assumed any material transaction or agreement, (B) incurred, assumed or acquired any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, (C) acquired or disposed of or agreed to acquire or dispose of any business or any other material asset, or (D) agreed to take any of the foregoing actions; and (v) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities has sustained any material loss or interference with its business from pandemic, fire, explosion, flood, typhoon, or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree.
(s) No Pending Proceedings. There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened (including any inquiries or investigations by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign) to which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or any of their executive officers, directors and key employees is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities is subject (i) other than proceedings that would not have a Material Adverse Effect, or on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Time of Sale Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described; and there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required. A Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, taken as a whole, or on the ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities to carry out their obligations under this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement.
(t) Preliminary Prospectuses. Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the registration statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
(u) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement will not be, required to register as an investment company as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
(v) Environmental Laws. (i) The Company, its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, (A) are in compliance with any and all applicable national, local and foreign laws and regulations (including, for the avoidance of doubt, all applicable laws and regulations of the PRC) relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (Environmental Laws), (B) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (C) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. (ii) There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties), except for those that would, individually or in the aggregate, not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(w) Registration Rights. There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require the Company to include such securities in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any securities being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act (collectively, registration rights), and any person to whom the Company has granted registration rights has agreed not to exercise such rights until after the expiration of the Restricted Period referred to in Section 6.1(y) hereof.
(x) Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or their respective affiliates, nor any director, officer or employee thereof nor, to the Companys knowledge, any agent or representative of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or their respective affiliates, has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment, giving of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) to influence official action or secure an improper advantage; (iii) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit; or (iv) will use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the offering in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws; and the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities and affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintained and will continue to maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representations and warranties contained herein.
(y) Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the Anti-Money Laundering Laws), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(z) Compliance with OFAC. (i) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, nor any director, officer or employee thereof, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate or representative of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, is an individual or entity (Person) that is, or is owned or controlled by one or more Persons that are:
(A) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the European Union (EU), Her Majestys Treasury (HMT), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, Sanctions), nor
(B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).
(ii) The Company, its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:
(A) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions; or
(B) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).
(iii) For the past five years, the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.
(aa) Title to Property. (i) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities has good and marketable title (valid land use rights and building ownership certificates in the case of real property located in the PRC) to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property, in each case, owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, in each case except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(bb) Possession of Intellectual Property. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company, its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities own, possess, have been authorized to use or can acquire on reasonable terms sufficient trademarks, trade names, patent rights, copyrights, domain names, licenses, approvals, trade secrets, inventions, technology, know-how and other intellectual property and similar rights, including registrations and applications for registration thereof (collectively, Intellectual Property Rights) necessary or material to the conduct of the business now conducted or proposed to be conducted as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus. (i) There are no rights of third parties to any of the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities; (ii) There is no infringement, misappropriation breach, default or other violation, or the occurrence of any event that with notice or the passage of time would constitute any of the foregoing, by the Company or its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or third parties of any of the Intellectual Property Rights of the Company or its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities; (iii) There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Companys or the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities rights in or to, or the violation of any of the terms of, any of their Intellectual Property Rights, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (iv) There is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity, enforceability or scope of any such Intellectual Property Rights, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (v) There is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company, any Subsidiary or any Consolidated Affiliated Entity infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates or conflicts with any Intellectual Property Rights or other proprietary rights of others and the Company is unaware of any other fact which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; and (vi) None of the Intellectual Property Rights used by the Company or its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities in their businesses has been obtained or is being used by the Company or its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities in violation of the rights of any persons.
(cc) Merger or Consolidation. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Consolidated Affiliated Entities is a party to any effective memorandum of understanding, letter of intent, definitive agreement or any similar agreements with respect to a merger or consolidation or an acquisition or disposition of assets, technologies, business units or businesses which is required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and which is not so described.
(dd) Termination of Contracts. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Consolidated Affiliated Entities has sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intent not to renew, any of the contracts or agreements referred to or described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Consolidated Affiliated Entities, or to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to any such contract or agreement.
(ee) Absence of Labor Dispute; Compliance with Labor Law. No material labor dispute with the employees or third-party contractors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities exists, or to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of the principal suppliers, service providers or business partners of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities that could have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company, its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities are and have been in all times in compliance with all applicable labor laws and regulations in all material respects, and no governmental investigation or proceedings with respect to labor law compliance exists, or to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent.
(ff) IT Systems. The Company, its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities have implemented and maintained effective controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of its IT system and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data) used in connection with their businesses and implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practice, and there have been no material breaches, violations, outages, security breach, attack or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same; the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, or internal policies relating to the privacy and security of its IT system and data.
(gg) Insurance. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(hh) Possession of Licenses and Permits. (i) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities possesses all licenses, certificates, authorizations, declarations and permits issued by, and has made all necessary reports to and filings with, the appropriate national, local or foreign regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Company and each of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities and their respective assets and properties, for the Company and each of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities that are necessary to conduct their respective businesses; (ii) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such licenses, certificates, authorizations and permits in all material respects; (iii) Such licenses, certificates, authorizations and permits are valid and in full force and effect and contain no materially burdensome restrictions or conditions not described in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus; (iv) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such license, certificate, authorization or permit; (v) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that any such license, certificate, authorization or permit will not be renewed in the ordinary course; except in the case of (i) and (v) above, where such failure to possess, file or renew would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Related Party Transactions. No material relationships or material transactions, direct or indirect, exist between any of the Company or its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities on the one hand and their respective shareholders, affiliates, officers and directors or any affiliates or family members of such persons on the other hand, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(jj) PFIC Status. Based upon the Companys current and projected income and assets, including the expected proceeds from this offering, and projections as to the market price of its ADSs immediately following this offering, the Company does not expect to be a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) within the meaning of Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for its current taxable year or the foreseeable future.
(kk) No Transaction or Other Taxes. No transaction, stamp, capital or other documentary, issuance, registration, transaction, transfer, withholding or other taxes or duties are payable by or on behalf of the Underwriters to the government of the PRC, Hong Kong or the Cayman Islands or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof in connection with (i) the creation, allotment, issuance, sale and delivery of the Offered Securities by the Company or the deposit of the Offered Shares with the Depositary and the Custodian, as defined in the Deposit Agreement (the Custodian), the issuance of the Offered ADSs by the Depositary, and the delivery of the Offered ADSs to or for the account of the Underwriters, (ii) the purchase from the Company of the Offered Securities and the initial sale and delivery of the Offered Securities to purchasers thereof by the Underwriters, or (iii) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement; except that Cayman Islands and PRC stamp duty may be payable in the event that this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement is executed in or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands or the PRC, as applicable.
(ll) Independent Accountants. Ernst & Young, whose reports on the consolidated financial statements of the Company and Rosenkavalier Limited are included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, are independent registered public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Securities Act and by the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
(mm) Financial Statements. The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, together with the related notes and schedules thereto, present fairly the financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities as of the dates indicated and consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity of the Company for the periods specified and have been prepared in compliance as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and the related rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved; the other financial data contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company; there are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus that are not included as required; and the Company and the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations) not described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(nn) Critical Accounting Policies. The section entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus accurately and fairly describes (i) the accounting policies that the Company believes are the most important in the portrayal of the Companys financial condition and results of operations and that require managements most difficult subjective or complex judgment; (ii) the material judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of critical accounting policies and estimates; (iii) the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions and an explanation thereof; (iv) all material trends, demands, commitments and events known to the Company, and uncertainties, and the potential effects thereof, that the Company believes would materially affect its liquidity and are reasonably likely to occur; and (v) all off-balance sheet commitments and arrangements of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, if any. The Companys directors and management have reviewed and agreed with the selection, application and disclosure of the Companys critical accounting policies as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and have consulted with its independent accountants with regards to such disclosure.
(oo) Internal Controls and Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company maintains a system of internal controls over accounting matters sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, since the end of the Companys most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
(pp) Absence of Accounting Issues. The Company has not received any notice, oral or written, from the board of directors stating that it is reviewing or investigating, and neither the Companys independent auditors nor its internal auditors have recommended that the board of directors review or investigate, (i) adding to, deleting, changing the application of, or changing the Companys disclosure with respect to, any of the Companys material accounting policies or (ii) any matter which could result in a restatement of the Companys financial statements for any annual or interim period during the current or prior two fiscal years.
(qq) Operating and Other Company Data. All operating and other Company data disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus are true and accurate in all material respects.
(rr) Third-party Data. Any statistical, industry-related and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes to be reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived, and the Company has obtained the written consent for the use of such data from such sources to the extent required.
(ss) Registration Statement Exhibits. There are no legal or governmental proceedings or contracts or other documents of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement or the Exchange Act Registration Statement or, in the case of documents, to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that are not described and filed as required.
(tt) No Unapproved Marketing Documents. The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of any delivery date and completion of the distribution of the Offered Securities, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Securities other than the preliminary prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally confidentially submitted or as part of any amendment thereto, the Prospectus and any issuer free writing prospectus to which the Representatives have consented, as set forth on Schedule II hereto.
(uu) Payments of Dividends; Payments in Foreign Currency. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) none of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities is prohibited, directly or indirectly, from (A) paying any dividends or making any other distributions on its share capital, (B) making or repaying any loan or advance to the Company or any other Subsidiary or Consolidated Affiliated Entity or (C) transferring any of its properties or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary or Consolidated Affiliated Entity; and (ii) all dividends and other distributions declared and payable upon the share capital of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities (A) may be converted into United States dollars, that may be freely transferred out of such Persons jurisdiction of incorporation, without the consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any court or governmental agency or body in such Persons jurisdiction of incorporation or tax residence; and (B) are not and will not be subject to withholding, value added or other taxes under the currently effective laws and regulations of such Persons jurisdiction of incorporation, without the necessity of obtaining any consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations, clearances or qualifications of or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over such Person.
(vv) Compliance with PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities has complied, and has taken all reasonable steps to ensure compliance by each of its shareholders, directors and officers that is, or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, a PRC resident or citizen with any applicable rules and regulations of the relevant PRC government agencies (including but not limited to the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (the SAFE) relating to overseas investment by PRC residents and citizens (the PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations), including, without limitation, requesting each such Person that is, or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, a PRC resident or citizen, to complete any registration and other procedures required under applicable PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations (including any applicable rules and regulations of the SAFE).
(ww) M&A Rules. The Company is aware of and has been advised as to the content of the Rules on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors and any official clarifications, guidance, interpretations or implementation rules in connection with or related thereto (the PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules) jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Tax Administration, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, the CSRC and SAFE on August 8, 2006 and amended by the Ministry of Commerce on June 22, 2009, including the provisions thereof which purport to require offshore special purpose entities formed for listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of their securities on an overseas stock exchange. The Company has received legal advice specifically with respect to the PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules from its PRC counsel, and the Company understands such legal advice. In addition, the Company has communicated such legal advice in full to each of its directors that signed the Registration Statement and each such director has confirmed that he or she understands such legal advice. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities, the listing and trading of the Offered ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement (i) are not and will not be, as of the date hereof or at the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, adversely affected by the PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules and (ii) do not require the prior approval of the CSRC.
(xx) Foreign Private Issuer. The Company is a foreign private issuer within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
(yy) Absence of Manipulation. None of the Company, the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, officers, affiliates or controlling persons has taken, directly or indirectly, any action which was designed to cause or result in, or that has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Securities.
(zz) No Sale, Issuance and Distribution of Shares. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any Class A Ordinary Shares during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or S of, the Securities Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants.
(aaa) No Immunity. None of the Company, the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or any of their respective properties, assets or revenues has any right of immunity, under the laws of the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, the PRC or the State of New York, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, the giving of any relief in any such legal action, suit or proceeding, set-off or counterclaim, the jurisdiction of any Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, PRC, New York or United States federal court, service of process, attachment upon or prior to judgment, or attachment in aid of execution of judgment, or execution of a judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of a judgment, in any such court, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement; and, to the extent that the Company, any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or any of their respective properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to any such right of immunity in any such court in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, each of the Company and the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities waives or will waive such right to the extent permitted by law and has consented to such relief and enforcement as provided in Section 12 of this Agreement and Section 7.6 of the Deposit Agreement.
(bbb) Validity of Choice of Law. The choice of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law of this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement is a valid choice of law under the laws of the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC and will be honored by courts in the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC. The Company has the power to submit, and pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement and Section 7.6 of the Deposit Agreement, has legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably submitted, to the personal jurisdiction of each New York State and United States Federal court sitting in The City of New York (each, a New York Court) and has validly and irrevocably waived any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court; and the Company has the power to designate, appoint and empower, and pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement and Section 7.6 of the Deposit Agreement, has legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably designated, appointed and empowered, an authorized agent for service of process in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Deposit Agreement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement or the offering of the Offered Securities in any New York Court, and service of process effected on such authorized agent will be effective to confer valid personal jurisdiction over the Company as provided in Section 12 hereof and Section 7.6 of the Deposit Agreement.
(ccc) Enforceability of Judgment. Any final judgment for a fixed or readily calculable sum of money rendered by a New York Court having jurisdiction under its own domestic laws in respect of any suit, action or proceeding against the Company based upon this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement and any instruments or agreements entered into for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein would be recognized and enforceable against the Company, without re-examination or review of the merits of the cause of action in respect of which the original judgment was given or re-litigation of the matters adjudicated upon, by the courts of the Cayman Islands and PRC, provided that (i) with respect to courts of the Cayman Islands, (A) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment, (B) such judgement did not contravene the rules of natural justice of the Cayman Islands, (C) such judgment is final and was not obtained by fraud, and is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty, (D) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of the Cayman Islands, (E) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of the Cayman Islands, and (F) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and (ii) with respect to courts of the PRC, any application or request for recognition and execution of such judgment is subject to compliance with the PRC Civil Procedures Law. The Company is not aware of any reason why the enforcement in the Cayman Islands or the PRC of such a New York Court judgment would be, as of the date hereof, contrary to public policy of the Cayman Islands or PRC.
(ddd) No Direct or Indirect Payments. The Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or any other item of underwriting compensation as defined in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 5110(j)(22)): (i) to any person, as a finders fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) to any person that, to the Companys knowledge, has been accepted by FINRA as a member of FINRA (a Member); or (iii) to any person or entity that, to the Companys knowledge, has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any Member, within 180 days immediately preceding the initial submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission, other than payments to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.
(eee) No Broker-Dealer Affiliation. There are no affiliations or associations between (i) any member of FINRA and (ii) the Company, its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective officers, directors or 10% or greater security holders or any beneficial owner of the Companys unregistered equity securities that were acquired at any time on or after the 180th day immediately preceding the date the Registration Statement was first confidentially submitted to the Commission.
(fff) No Investment Banking and/or Financial Advisory Services. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, during the period beginning 180 days prior to the initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement and ending on the 60th day after the initial effective date of the Registration Statement, the Company has not received or contracted to receive any investment banking, financial advisory and/or consulting services from any Member and/or any person associated or affiliated with a Member.
(ggg) Further Agreements of the Company. For a period of 60 days following the effective date of the Registration Statement, in the event any person or entity (regardless of any FINRA affiliation or association) is engaged to assist the Company in its search for a merger candidate or to provide any other merger and acquisition services, or has provided or will provide any investment banking, financial, advisory and/or consulting services to the Company, the Company agrees that it shall promptly provide to FINRA (via a FINRA submission), the Representatives and their counsel a notification prior to entering into the agreement or transaction relating to a potential Business Combination (as defined under Rule 145(a) under the Securities Act: (i) the identity of the person or entity providing any such services; (ii) complete details of all such services and copies of all agreements governing such services prior to entering into the agreement or transaction; and (iii) justification as to why the value received by any person or entity for such services is not underwriting compensation for the Offering.
(hhh) Representation of Officers. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or counsel to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement in connection with the offering shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.
(iii) Tax Filings. (i) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries and the Consolidated Affiliated Entities have filed all national, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date of this Agreement or have requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid thereon (except for cases where failure to file or pay would not have a Material Adverse Effect, or except for taxes currently being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been made in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the Consolidated Affiliated Entities which has had (nor does the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries and the Consolidated Affiliated Entities have any notice or knowledge of any tax deficiency which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or its Subsidiaries and the Consolidated Affiliated Entities and which could reasonably be expected to have) a Material Adverse Effect. (ii) Any unpaid material income and corporation tax liability of the Company for any years not finally determined have been accrued on the Companys financial statements in accordance with the United States generally accepted accounting principles. (iii) All local and national PRC governmental tax holidays, exemptions, waivers, financial subsidies, and other local and national PRC tax relief, concessions and preferential treatment enjoyed by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus are valid, binding and enforceable and do not violate any laws, regulations, rules, orders, decrees, guidelines, judicial interpretations, notices or other legislation of the PRC.
(jjj) EGC Status. From the time of initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an emerging growth company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an Emerging Growth Company). Testing-the-Waters Communication means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act, and any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act is hereinafter called a Written Testing-the-Waters Communication;
(kkk) Testing-the-Waters Communication. The Company (A) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representatives with entities that are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act, and (B) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any other Written Testing-the-Waters Communications.
(lll) As of the time of each sale of the Offered Securities in connection with the offering when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, none of (A) the Time of Sale Prospectus, (B) any free writing prospectus, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, and (C) any individual Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(mmm) Liquidity and Capital Resources. The Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus fairly and accurately describe all material trends, demands, commitments, events, uncertainties and the potential effects thereof known to the Company, and that the Company believes would materially affect its liquidity and are reasonably likely to occur.
(nnn) No Finders Fee. There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or the Underwriters for a brokerage commission, finders fee or other like payment in connection with this offering;
2. AGREEMENTS TO SELL AND PURCHASE.
The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at US$[·] per American Depositary Share (the Purchase Price) the number of Firm ADSs (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional ADSs as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the number of Firm ADSs to be sold by the Company as the number of Firm ADSs set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm ADSs.
On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the Additional ADSs, and the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to [·] Additional ADSs at the Purchase Price, provided, however, that the amount paid by the Underwriters for any Additional ADSs shall be reduced by an amount per ADS equal to any dividends declared by the Company and payable on the Firm ADSs but not payable on such Additional ADSs. You may exercise this right on behalf of the Underwriters in whole or from time to time in part by giving written notice not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement. Any exercise notice shall specify the number of Additional ADSs to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Each purchase date must be at least one business day after the written notice is given and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm ADSs nor later than ten business days after the date of such notice. Additional ADSs may be purchased as provided in Section 4 hereof solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm ADSs. On each day, if any, that Additional ADSs are to be purchased (an Option Closing Date), each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional ADSs (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional ADSs to be purchased on such Option Closing Date as the number of Firm ADSs set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm ADSs.
3. TERMS OF PUBLIC OFFERING.
The Company is advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Offered ADSs as soon after the Registration Statement and this Agreement have become effective as in your judgment is advisable. The Company is further advised by you that the Offered ADSs are to be offered to the public initially at US$[·] per ADS (the Public Offering Price).
4. PAYMENT AND DELIVERY.
(a) Payment for the Firm ADSs to be sold by the Company shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Firm ADSs for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at [·] a.m., New York City time, on [·], 2021, or at such other time on the same or such other date, not later than [·], 2021, as shall be designated in writing by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the Closing Date.
(b) Payment for any Additional ADSs shall be made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Additional ADSs for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at [·] a.m., New York City time, on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in Section 2 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event not later than [·], 2021 as shall be designated in writing by you.
(c) The Offered ADSs to be delivered to each Underwriter shall be delivered in book entry form, and registered in such names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be. Such Offered ADSs shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representatives through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (DTC), for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of Federal or other immediately available funds to the account(s) specified by the Company to the Representatives on the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, or at such other time and date as shall be designated in writing by the Representatives. The Purchase Price payable by the Underwriters shall be reduced by (i) any transfer taxes paid by, or on behalf of, the Underwriters in connection with the transfer of the Offered Securities to the Underwriters and (ii) any withholding required by law. The Company will cause the certificates representing the Offered Shares to be made available for inspection at least 24 hours prior to the Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be.
5. CONDITIONS TO THE UNDERWRITERS OBLIGATIONS.
The obligations of the Company to sell the Offered Securities to the Underwriters and the several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Offered Securities on the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date are subject to the condition that the Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than [] p.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof.
The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following further conditions:
(a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
(a) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act; and
(b) there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus that is material and adverse and that makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Offered Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus.
(b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate, dated such date, signed by a duly authorized executive officer of the Company, (i) to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before such date (and the officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened) and (ii) with respect to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably require.
(c) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate, dated such date and signed by the chief financial officer of the Company with respect to certain operating data and financial figures contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters.
(d) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion and negative assurance letter of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, U.S. counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters.
(e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion or opinions of Conyers Dill & Pearman, Cayman Islands counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters.
(f) The Company shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, PRC counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters (together with a consent letter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters, permitting the Company to provide a copy of such opinion to the Underwriters) and a copy of such opinion shall have been provided to the Underwriters.
(g) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, Hong Kong counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters.
(h) At the request of the Company, the opinions of counsel for the Company described above (except for the opinion of the PRC counsel for the Company) shall be addressed to the Underwriters and shall so state therein.
(i) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion and negative assurance letter of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, U.S. counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters.
(j) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion of Tian Yuan Law Firm, PRC counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters.
(k) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion of White & Case, counsel for the Depositary, dated the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters.
(l) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, from Ernst & Young containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants comfort letters to the Underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a cut-off date not earlier than [three] business days prior to such Closing Date.
(m) The lock-up letters, each substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, executed by the individuals and entities listed on Schedule IV relating to sales and certain other dispositions of Class A Ordinary Shares or certain other securities, delivered to the Representative on or before the date hereof (the Lock-Up Letter), shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.
(n) The Company and the Depositary shall have executed and delivered the Deposit Agreement and, in the case of the Company, a side letter (the Depositary Side Letter) addressed to the Depositary, instructing the Depositary not to accept any shareholders deposit of Class A Ordinary Shares in the Companys American Depositary Receipt facility or issue any new ADSs to any shareholder or any third party unless consented to by the Company, and the Deposit Agreement shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date and the applicable Option Closing Date. The Company and the Depositary shall have taken all actions necessary to permit the deposit of the Offered Shares and the issuance of the Offered ADSs in accordance with the Deposit Agreement.
(o) The Depositary shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Underwriters a certificate satisfactory to the Representatives of one of its authorized officers with respect to the deposit with it of the Offered Shares against issuance of the Offered ADSs, the execution, issuance, countersignature and delivery of the ADSs pursuant to the Deposit Agreement and such other matters related thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request.
(p) The Offered ADSs shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to only official notice of issuance.
(q) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, the Company shall have filed a Rule 462 Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) promptly after 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement, and the Company shall have at the time of filing either paid to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462 Registration Statement or given irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Securities Act.
(r) The Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission (including the information required by Rule 430A under the Securities Act) in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act; or the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement containing the information required by such Rule 430A, and such post-effective amendment shall have become effective.
(s) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement, any Rule 462 Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission.
(t) FINRA shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness or reasonableness of the underwriting, or other arrangements of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(u) On the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters shall have received such information, documents, certificates and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the accuracy and completeness of any statement in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, issuance and sale of the Offered Securities as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.
The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional ADSs hereunder are subject to the delivery to the Representative on the applicable Option Closing Date of such documents as the Representative may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the Company, the due authorization and issuance of the Additional ADSs to be sold on such Option Closing Date and other matters related to the issuance of such Additional ADSs.
Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, the Representatives may, in their sole discretion, waive on behalf of the Underwriters compliance with any conditions to the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, whether in respect of a Closing Date or an Option Closing Date.
6. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
6.1 The Company, in addition to its other agreements and obligations hereunder, covenants with each Underwriter as follows:
(a) To file the Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A under the Securities Act.
(b) To furnish to you, without charge, [·] signed copies of the Registration Statement and the ADS Registration Statement (including, in each case, exhibits thereto) and for delivery to each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration Statement and the ADS Registration Statement (in each case, without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York City, without charge, prior to [·] a.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in Sections 6(f) or 6(g) below, as many copies of the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request.
(c) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.
(d) To furnish to you a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and not to use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus to which you reasonably object.
(e) Not to take any action that would result in an Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Underwriter that the Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.
(f) If the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Offered Securities at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading, or if any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to any dealer upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Time of Sale Prospectus is delivered to a prospective purchaser, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer conflict with the Registration Statement, or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.
(g) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Offered Securities as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which the Offered Securities may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.
(h) To endeavor to qualify the Offered Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably request.
(i) To advise you promptly and confirming such advice in writing, of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement, the Exchange Act Registration Statement, any Time of Sale Prospectus, Prospectus or free writing prospectus or for additional information with respect thereto, or of notice of institution of proceedings for, or the entry of a stop order, suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the ADS Registration Statement and, if the Commission should enter a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the ADS Registration Statement, to use its best efforts to obtain the lifting or removal of such order as soon as possible.
(j) To make generally available to the Companys security holders and to you as soon as practicable an earnings statement covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement, which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including Rule 158 under the Securities Act).
(k) During the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, to file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; during the five-year period after the date of this Agreement, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to furnish to you and, upon request, to each of the other Underwriters, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of its annual report to shareholders for such year; and to furnish to you (i) as soon as available, a copy of each report of the Company filed with or furnished to the Commission under the Exchange Act or mailed to shareholders, and (ii) from time to time, such other information concerning the Company as you may reasonably request; provided, however, that (i) in each case the Company will have no obligation to deliver such reports to the extent they are publicly available on the Companys website or the Commissions EDGAR reporting system, and (ii) if the Company ceases to be subject to reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, it will have no obligation hereunder to deliver any reports.
(l) To apply the net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Offered Securities in the manner set forth under the heading Use of Proceeds in the Time of Sale Prospectus and to file such reports with the Commission with respect to the sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds therefrom as may be required by Rule 463 under the Securities Act; not to invest, or otherwise use the proceeds received by the Company from its sale of the Offered Securities in such a manner (i) as would require the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and (ii) that would result in the Company being not in compliance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC.
(m) Not to, and to cause each of its Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities not to, take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Securities.
(n) To comply with the terms of the Deposit Agreement so that the Offered ADSs will be issued by the Depositary and delivered to each Underwriters participant account in DTC, pursuant to this Agreement on the Closing Date and each applicable Option Closing Date.
(o) (i) Not to attempt to avoid any judgment in connection with this Agreement obtained by it, applied to it, or denied to it in a court of competent jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands; (ii) following the consummation of the offering, to use its reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain all approvals required in the Cayman Islands to pay and remit outside the Cayman Islands all dividends declared by the Company and payable on the Class A Ordinary Shares, if any; and (iii) to use its reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain all approvals, if any, required in the Cayman Islands for the Company to acquire sufficient foreign exchange for the payment of dividends and all other relevant purposes.
(p) To comply with the PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations, and to use its reasonable efforts to cause holders of its Class A Ordinary Shares that are, or that are directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, Chinese residents or Chinese citizens, to comply with the PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations applicable to them, including, without limitation, requesting each such shareholder to complete any registration and other procedures required under applicable PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations (including any applicable rules and regulations of SAFE).
(q) To promptly notify you if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (a) completion of the distribution of the Offered Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act and (b) completion of the Restricted Period (as defined in this Section 6).
(r) If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify you and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.
(s) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters against any transaction, stamp, capital or other issuance, registration, documentary, transaction, transfer, withholding or other similar taxes or duties (other than taxes imposed on the net income of an Underwriter), including any interest and penalties, on the creation, allotment, issue and sale of the Offered Securities to the Underwriters and on the execution and delivery of, and the performance of the obligations (including the initial resale and delivery of the Offered Securities by the Underwriters) under, this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement and on bringing any such document within any jurisdiction. All payments to be made by the Company hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or governmental charges whatsoever unless the Company is compelled by law to deduct or withhold such taxes, duties or charges. In that event, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received after such withholding or deduction shall equal the amounts that would have been received if no withholding or deduction had been made, except to the extent of taxes that would not have been imposed but for (a) such Underwriters being a resident of the jurisdiction imposing such taxes or having a permanent establishment therein, or (b) the failure of the recipient of such payment to comply, upon request by the Company, with any reasonable certification, identification or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the taxing authority of the recipient if such compliance is required or imposed by law as a precondition to an exemption from, or reduction in, such taxes. In addition, all sums payable to an Underwriter hereunder shall be considered exclusive of any value added or similar taxes. Where the Company is obliged to pay value added or similar tax on any amount payable hereunder to an Underwriter, the Company shall, in addition to the sum payable hereunder, pay an amount equal to any applicable value added or similar tax.
(t) [The Company, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (the Restricted Period), (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Class A Ordinary Shares or American Depositary Shares beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Ordinary Shares or American Depositary Shares or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Class A Ordinary Shares or American Depositary Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Class A Ordinary Shares, American Depositary Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) file any registration statement (other than registration statements on Form S-8 relating to the issuance, vesting, exercise or settlement of equity awards granted or to be granted pursuant to any employee benefit plan described in the Final Prospectus) with the Commission relating to the offering of any Class A Ordinary Shares, American Depositary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Ordinary Shares or American Depositary Shares.
The restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to (i) the Offered Securities to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of Class A Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the Underwriters have been advised in writing, or (iii) the grant of options to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares or other equity-based awards under the Companys share incentive plans existing as of the date hereof, or (iv) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares or American Depositary Shares, provided that (A) such plan does not provide for the transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares or American Depositary Shares during the Restricted Period and (B) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by the Company regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares or American Depositary Shares may be made under such plan during the Restricted Period.]
(u) The Company agrees (1) not to instruct its share registrar to give effect to any share transfers directly or indirectly by any shareholder during the Restricted Period, and (2) to enter into the Depositary Side Letter with the Depositary, and not to release the Depositary from any of its obligations set forth in, or otherwise amend, terminate or fail to enforce, the Depositary Side Letter or consent to any deposit during the Restricted Period unless with the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters.
(v) If the Representatives, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a Lock-up Letter for an officer or director of the Company and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.
7. EXPENSES.
[The Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Companys counsel, the Companys accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Offered Securities under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement, the Exchange Act Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Offered Securities to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue Sky or Legal Investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Offered Securities under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Offered Securities for offer and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 6.1(h) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky or Legal Investment memorandum, (iv) all filing fees in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Offered Securities by FINRA, (v) all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Exchange Act Registration Statement relating to the Offered Securities and all costs and expenses incident to listing the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, (vi) the cost of printing certificates representing the Offered Securities, (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to any Testing-the-Waters Communication or investor presentations on any road show undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Offered Securities, including, without limitation expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the Testing-the-Waters Communication or road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, and travel, meals and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, provided, however, for purposes of this clause (viii), consultants and representatives shall not include the Underwriters or any of their employees, (ix) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement, and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Section 9 and Section 12 hereof, the Underwriter will pay all of their costs and expenses, including without limitation, the fees of their counsel, share transfer taxes on resale of any of the Offered Securities by them, and any advertising expenses in connection with any offers they may make.]
8. COVENANTS OF THE UNDERWRITERS.
Each Underwriter severally covenants with the Company not to take any action that would result in the Company being required to file with the Commission under Rule 433(d) a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that otherwise would not be required to be filed by the Company thereunder, but for the action of such Underwriter.
9. INDEMNITY AND CONTRIBUTION.
(a) [The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, each director, officer, employee, each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each affiliate of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, the ADS Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any road show as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act (a road show), or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter and each such director, officer, employee or controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter, director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action or proceeding or in responding to a subpoena or governmental or regulatory inquiry related to this offering, whether or not such foregoing person is a party to any action or proceeding as such expenses are incurred; except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.
(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any road show or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the concession figures appearing in the [third] paragraph, the disclosure on sales to discretionary accounts appearing in the [seventh] paragraph and the addresses of the Representatives appearing in the [twentieth] paragraph under the caption Underwriting (the Underwriter Information).
(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 9(a), 9(b), or 9(c), such person (the indemnified party) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the indemnifying party) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Underwriters and all persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act or who are affiliates of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, (ii) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriters and such control persons and affiliates of any Underwriters, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Representative. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding, and (y) does not include any statement as to, or any admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 9(a), 9(b) or 9(c), is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party or parties on the other hand from the offering of the Offered Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 9(e)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 9(e)(i) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Offered Securities shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Offered Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate Public Offering Price of the Offered Securities. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Underwriters respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to the respective number of Offered ADSs they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.
(e) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 9(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in Section 9(d) shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Offered Securities exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 9 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.
(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 9 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any person controlling any Underwriter or any affiliate of any Underwriter, or the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Offered Securities.]
10. TERMINATION.
The Underwriters may terminate this Agreement by notice given by the Representatives to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange or other relevant exchanges, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States, the PRC or the Cayman Islands shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by United States Federal, New York State, PRC or Cayman Islands authorities or (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets, currency exchange rates or controls or any calamity or crisis that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and which, individually or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Offered Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus.
11. EFFECTIVENESS; DEFAULTING UNDERWRITERS.
This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.
If, on the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase the Offered ADSs that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Offered ADSs which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Offered ADSs to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Firm ADSs set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate number of Firm ADSs set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as the Representatives may specify, to purchase the Offered ADSs which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the number of Offered ADSs that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 11 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number of Offered ADSs without the written consent of such Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm ADSs and the aggregate number of Firm ADSs with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm ADSs to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives, the Company for the purchase of such Firm ADSs are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. In any such case, either the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement, in the Time of Sale Prospectus, in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on an Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Additional ADSs and the aggregate number of Additional ADSs with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional ADSs to be purchased on such Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Additional ADSs to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional ADSs that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.
12. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; APPOINTMENT OF AGENT FOR SERVICE.
The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New York Courts in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Deposit Agreement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement, the offering of the Offered Securities, or any transactions contemplated hereby. The Company and each of the Companys Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Deposit Agreement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement, the offering of the Offered Securities, or any transactions contemplated hereby in the New York Courts, and irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit or proceeding in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Company irrevocably appoints Cogency Global Inc. as its respective authorized agent in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York upon which process may be served in any such suit or proceeding, and agree that service of process in any manner permitted by applicable law upon such agent shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process in any manner permitted by applicable law upon the Company, as the case may be, in any such suit or proceeding. The Company further agrees to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of seven years from the date of this Agreement.
13. JUDGMENT CURRENCY.
If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder into any currency other than United States dollars, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Underwriters could purchase United States dollars with such other currency in The City of New York on the business day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Company pursuant to this Agreement with respect to any sum due from it to any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than United States dollars, not be discharged until the first business day following receipt by such Underwriter or controlling person of any sum in such other currency, and only to the extent that such Underwriter or controlling person may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase United States dollars with such other currency. If the United States dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder, the Company agree as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Underwriter or controlling person against such loss. If the United States dollars so purchased are greater than the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder, such Underwriter or controlling person agrees to pay to the Company, an amount equal to the excess of the dollars so purchased over the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder.
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This Agreement, together with any contemporaneous written agreements and any prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement) that relate to the sale and purchase of the Offered Securities and the offering of the Offered Securities, represents the entire agreement between the Company and the Underwriters with respect to the preparation of any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, the conduct of the offering, and the purchase and sale of the Offered Securities and the offering of the Offered Securities.
15. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
Delivery of an executed Agreement by one party to any other party may be made by facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature complying with the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (N.Y. State Tech. §§ 301-309), as amended from time to time, or other applicable law) or other transmission method, and the parties hereto agree that any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
16. APPLICABLE LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
17. HEADINGS.
The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.
18. NOTICES.
All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered, mailed or sent to the Representatives at:
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
60 Wall Street, New York
New York 10005
U.S.
US Tiger Securities, Inc
437 Madison Ave 27th Floor, New York
NY 10022
United States
AMTD Global Markets Limited
23/F-25/F, Nexxus Building
41 Connaught Road Central
Hong Kong
if to the Company shall be delivered, mailed or sent to Kuke Music Holding Limited, Building 96, 4 San Jian Fang South Block, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100024, Peoples Republic of China, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
19. PARTIES AT INTEREST.
The Agreement set forth has been and is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and to the extent provided in Section 9 hereof the controlling persons, partners, directors and officers referred to in such sections and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, personal representatives and executors and administrators. No other person, partnership, association or corporation (including a purchaser, as such purchaser, from any of the Underwriters) shall acquire or have any rights under or by virtue of this Agreement.
20. ABSENCE OF FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP.
The Company acknowledges and agrees to each of the following:
(a) No Other Relationship. Each of the Representatives has been retained solely to act as an underwriter in connection with the sale of the Offered Securities and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and any of the Representatives has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Prospectus, irrespective of whether any of the Representatives has advised or are advising the Company on other matters.
(b) Arms Length Negotiations. The price of the Offered Securities set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Absence of Obligation to Disclose. The Company has been advised that each of the Representatives and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that each of the Representatives has no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship.
(d) Waiver. The Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against each of the Representatives for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Representatives shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company, including shareholders, employees or creditors of the Company.
(e) No Other Intention. None of the activities of the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated herein constitutes a recommendation, investment advice, or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters with respect to any entity or natural person.
21. RECOGNITION OF THE U.S. SPECIAL RESOLUTION REGIMES.
(a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
BHC Act Affiliate has the meaning assigned to the term affiliate in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
Covered Entity means any of the following:
(i) a covered entity as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a covered bank as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a covered FSI as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
Default Right has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
U.S. Special Resolution Regime means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
22. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
This Agreement shall be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and their successors and assigns and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Companys, and any of the Underwriters respective businesses and/or assets. This Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those persons, except that (a) the representations, warranties, indemnities and agreements of the Company contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be for the benefit of the directors, officers and employees of the Underwriters and each person or persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and (b) the indemnity agreement of the Underwriters contained in Section 9(b) of this Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of its directors, its officers who have signed the Registration Statement and any person controlling the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 22, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.
23. PARTIAL UNENFORCEABILITY.
The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, subsection, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, subsection, paragraph or provision hereof. If any section, subsection, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
24. AMENDMENTS.
This Agreement may only be amended or modified in writing, signed by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.
[Signature page follows]
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Very truly yours, |
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Kuke Music Holding Limited |
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[Signature page to Underwriting Agreement]
Accepted as of the date hereof
Acting severally on behalf of themselves and the
several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
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US Tiger Securities, Inc |
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[Signature page to Underwriting Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
Underwriter |
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Number of Firm
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Maximum
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
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US Tiger Securities, Inc |
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AMTD Global Markets Limited |
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China Securities (International) Corporate Finance Company Limited |
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Valuable Capital Limited |
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Total: |
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SCHEDULE II
SCHEDULE III-A
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY
SCHEDULE III-B
CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATED ENTITIES OF THE COMPANY
SCHEDULE IV
LIST OF LOCKED-UP PARTIES
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF WAIVER OF LOCK-UP
FORM OF PRESS RELEASE
THE COMPANIES ACT (REVISED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
(Adopted by special resolution of the shareholders passed on December 18, 2020 and effective immediately prior to the closing of the Companys initial public offering of the Companys American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares on [·] 2021)
1. The name of the Company is Kuke Music Holding Limited.
2. The Registered Office of the Company shall be at the offices of Conyers Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. 2681, Grand Cayman KY1-1111, Cayman Islands.
3. The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Act or any other law of the Cayman Islands.
4. The Company shall have and be capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit as provided by the Companies Act.
5. Nothing in this Memorandum shall permit the Company to carry on a business for which a licence is required under the laws of the Cayman Islands unless duly licensed.
6. The Company shall not trade in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the Company carried on outside the Cayman Islands; provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as to prevent the Company effecting and concluding contracts in the Cayman Islands, and exercising in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands.
7. The liability of each member is limited to the amount from time to time unpaid on such members shares.
8. The authorised share capital of the Company is US$50,000 divided into 50,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.001 each, comprising of (i) 41,718,902 Class A Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$ 0.001 each, and (ii) 8,281,098 Class B Ordinary Shares of a par value of US$0.001 each. Subject to the Companies Act and the Articles, the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its Shares and to increase or reduce its authorised share capital and to sub-divide or consolidate the said Shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided.
9. The Company may exercise the power contained in the Companies Act to deregister in the Cayman Islands and be registered by way of continuation in another jurisdiction.
THE COMPANIES ACT (REVISED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
(Adopted by special resolution of the shareholders passed on December 18, 2020 and effective immediately prior to the closing of the Companys initial public offering of the Companys American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares on , 2021)
TABLE A
1. The regulations contained or incorporated in Table A in the First Schedule of the Companies Act shall not apply to the Company and the following Articles shall comprise the Articles of Association of the Company.
INTERPRETATION
2. (1) In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires, the words standing in the first column of the following table shall bear the meaning set opposite them respectively in the second column.
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ADS |
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an American Depositary Share representing Class A Ordinary Share(s). |
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Affiliate |
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means in respect of a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and (i) in the case of a natural person, shall include, without limitation, such persons spouse, parents, children, siblings, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, a trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing, and a corporation, partnership or any other entity wholly or jointly owned by any of the foregoing, and (ii) in the case of an entity, shall include a partnership, a corporation or any other entity or any natural person which directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such entity. The term control shall mean the ownership, directly or indirectly, of shares possessing more than fifty per cent (50%) of the voting power of the corporation, partnership or other entity (other than, in the case of a corporation, securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency), or having the power to control the management or elect a majority of members to the board of directors or equivalent decision-making body of such corporation, partnership or other entity. |
Articles |
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these Articles in their present form or as supplemented or amended or substituted from time to time. |
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Audit Committee |
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the audit committee of the Company formed by the Board, or any successor audit committee. |
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Auditor |
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the independent auditor of the Company which shall be an internationally recognised firm of independent accountants. |
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Board or Directors |
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the board of directors of the Company or the directors present at a meeting of directors of the Company at which a quorum is present. |
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capital |
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the share capital from time to time of the Company. |
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Chairman |
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the chairman of the Board. |
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Class A Ordinary Shares |
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class A ordinary shares of par value US$0.001 each of the Company having the rights set out in these Articles. |
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Class B Ordinary Shares |
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class B ordinary shares of par value US$0.001 each of the Company having the rights set out in these Articles. |
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clear days |
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in relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day when the notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect. |
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clearing house |
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a clearing house recognised by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Class A Ordinary Shares of the Company (or ADSs or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such jurisdiction. |
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Company |
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Kuke Music Holding Limited. |
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competent regulatory authority |
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a competent regulatory authority in the territory where the Class A Ordinary Shares of the Company (or ADSs or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such territory. |
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Conversion Date |
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in respect of a Conversion Notice means the day on which that Conversion Notice is delivered. |
Conversion Notice |
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a written notice delivered to the Company at its Office (and as otherwise stated therein) stating that a holder of Class B Ordinary Shares elects to convert the number of Class B Ordinary Shares specified therein pursuant to Article 9. |
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Conversion Number |
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in relation to any Class B Ordinary Shares, such number of Class A Ordinary Shares as may, upon exercise of the Conversion Right, be issued at the Conversion Rate. |
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Conversion Rate |
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means, at any time, on a 1 : 1 basis. |
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Conversion Right |
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in respect of a Class B Ordinary Share means the right of its holder, subject to the provisions of these Articles and to any applicable fiscal or other laws or regulations including the Law, to convert all or any of its Class B Ordinary Shares, into the Conversion Number of Class A Ordinary Shares in its discretion. |
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debenture and |
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include debenture stock and debenture |
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debenture holder |
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stockholder respectively |
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Designated Stock Exchange |
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the stock exchange in the United States on which any Class A Ordinary Shares (or ADSs or depositary receipts therefor) are listed for trading. |
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dollars and $ |
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dollars, the legal currency of the United States of America. |
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Exchange Act |
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the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
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head office |
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such office of the Company as the Directors may from time to time determine to be the principal office of the Company. |
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Law |
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The Companies Act, Cap. 22 (Act 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands. |
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Member |
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a duly registered holder from time to time of shares in the capital of the Company. |
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month |
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a calendar month. |
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Notice |
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written notice unless otherwise specifically stated and as further defined in these Articles. |
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Office |
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the registered office of the Company for the time being. |
ordinary resolution |
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a resolution shall be an ordinary resolution when it has been passed by a simple majority of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of any Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which not less than ten (10) clear days Notice has been duly given; |
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Ordinary Shares |
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Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares collectively. |
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paid up |
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paid up or credited as paid up. |
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Register |
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the principal register and where applicable, any branch register of Members of the Company to be maintained at such place within or outside the Cayman Islands as the Board shall determine from time to time. |
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Registration Office |
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in respect of any class of share capital such place as the Board may from time to time determine to keep a branch register of Members in respect of that class of share capital and where (except in cases where the Board otherwise directs) the transfers or other documents of title for such class of share capital are to be lodged for registration and are to be registered. |
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Seal |
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common seal or any one or more duplicate seals of the Company (including a securities seal) for use in the Cayman Islands or in any place outside the Cayman Islands. |
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SEC |
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the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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Secretary |
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any person, firm or corporation appointed by the Board to perform any of the duties of secretary of the Company and includes any assistant, deputy, temporary or acting secretary. |
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shares |
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shares in the capital of the Company. |
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special resolution |
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a resolution shall be a special resolution when it has been passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled so to do, vote in person or, in the case of such Members as are corporations, by their respective duly authorised representative or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which not less than ten (10) clear days Notice, specifying (without prejudice to the power contained in these Articles to amend the same) the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution, has been duly given, provided that, except in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed by a majority in number of the Members having the right to attend and vote at any such meeting, being a majority together holding not less than ninety-five (95) per cent. in nominal value of the shares giving that right and in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed by all Members entitled to attend and vote thereat, a resolution may be proposed and passed as a special resolution at a meeting of which less than ten (10) clear days Notice has been given; |
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a special resolution shall be effective for any purpose for which an ordinary resolution is expressed to be required under any provision of these Articles or the Statutes. |
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Statutes |
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the Law and every other law of the Legislature of the Cayman Islands for the time being in force applying to or affecting the Company, its Memorandum of Association and/or these Articles. |
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year |
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a calendar year. |
(2) In these Articles, unless there be something within the subject or context inconsistent with such construction:
(a) words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;
(b) words importing a gender include both gender and the neuter;
(c) words importing persons include companies, associations and bodies of persons whether corporate or not;
(d) the words:
(i) may shall be construed as permissive;
(ii) shall or will shall be construed as imperative;
(e) expressions referring to writing shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including printing, lithography, photography and other modes of representing words or figures in a visible form, and including where the representation takes the form of electronic display, provided that both the mode of service of the relevant document or notice and the Members election comply with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations;
(f) references to any law, ordinance, statute or statutory provision shall be interpreted as relating to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force;
(g) save as aforesaid words and expressions defined in the Statutes shall bear the same meanings in these Articles if not inconsistent with the subject in the context;
(h) references to a document being executed include references to it being executed under hand or under seal or by electronic signature or by any other method and references to a notice or document include a notice or document recorded or stored in any digital, electronic, electrical, magnetic or other retrievable form or medium and information in visible form whether having physical substance or not;
(i) Section 8 and Section 19 of the Electronic Transactions Law (2003) of the Cayman Islands, as amended from time to time, shall not apply to these Articles to the extent it imposes obligations or requirements in addition to those set out in these Articles.
SHARE CAPITAL
3. (1) The authorised share capital of the Company at the date on which these Articles come into effect shall be US$50,000 divided into 50,000,000 shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.001 each, comprising of (i) 41,718,902 Class A Ordinary Shares, and (ii) 8,281,098 Class B Ordinary Shares.
(2) Subject to the Law, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and/or any competent regulatory authority, the Company shall have the power to purchase or otherwise acquire its own shares and such power shall be exercisable by the Board in such manner, upon such terms and subject to such conditions as it in its absolute discretion thinks fit and any determination by the Board of the manner of purchase shall be deemed authorised by these Articles for purposes of the Law. The Company is hereby authorised to make payments in respect of the purchase of its shares out of capital or out of any other account or fund which can be authorised for this purpose in accordance with the Law.
(3) The Board may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid share.
(4) No share shall be issued to bearer.
ALTERATION OF CAPITAL
4. (1) The Company may from time to time by ordinary resolution in accordance with the Law alter the conditions of its Memorandum of Association to:
(a) increase its capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amounts, as the resolution shall prescribe;
(b) consolidate and divide all or any of its capital into shares of larger amount than its existing shares;
(c) without prejudice to the powers of the Board under Article 12, divide its shares into several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such restrictions which in the absence of any such determination by the Company in general meeting, as the Board may determine provided always that, for the avoidance of doubt, where a class of shares has been authorised by the Members no resolution of the Members in general meeting is required for the issuance of shares of that class and the Board may issue shares of that class and determine such rights, privileges, conditions or restrictions attaching thereto as aforesaid, and further provided that where the Company issues shares which do not carry voting rights, the words non-voting shall appear in the designation of such shares and where the equity capital includes shares with different voting rights, the designation of each class of shares, other than those with the most favourable voting rights, must include the words restricted voting or limited voting;
(d) sub-divide its shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller amount than is fixed by the Memorandum of Association (subject, nevertheless, to the Law), and may by such resolution determine that, as between the holders of the shares resulting from such sub-division, one or more of the shares may have any such preferred, deferred or other rights or be subject to any such restrictions as compared with the other or others as the Company has power to attach to unissued or new shares; and/or
(e) cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken, or agreed to be taken, by any person, and diminish the amount of its capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares, without par value, diminish the number of shares into which its capital is divided.
(2) No alteration may be made of the kind contemplated by Article 4(1), or otherwise, to the par value of the Class A Ordinary Shares or the Class B Ordinary Shares unless an identical alteration is made to the par value of the Class B Ordinary Shares or the Class A Ordinary Shares, as the case may be.
5. The Board may settle as it considers expedient any difficulty which arises in relation to any consolidation and division under Article 4 and in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares or arrange for the sale of the shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale (after deduction of the expenses of such sale) in due proportion amongst the Members who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose the Board may authorise some persons to transfer the shares representing fractions to their purchaser or resolve that such net proceeds be paid to the Company for the Companys benefit. Such purchaser will not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor will his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.
6. The Company may from time to time by special resolution, subject to any confirmation or consent required by the Law, reduce its share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by the Law.
7. Except so far as otherwise provided by the conditions of issue, or by these Articles, any capital raised by the creation of new shares shall be treated as if it formed part of the original capital of the Company, and such shares shall be subject to the provisions contained in these Articles with reference to the payment of calls and instalments, transfer and transmission, forfeiture, lien, cancellation, surrender, voting and otherwise.
SHARE RIGHTS
8. (1) Subject to the Law, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and the Memorandum and Articles of Association and to any special rights conferred on the holders of any shares or class of shares, and without prejudice to Article 12 hereof, any share in the Company (whether forming part of the present capital or not) may be issued with or have attached thereto such rights or restrictions whether in regard to dividend, voting, return of capital or otherwise as the Board may determine, including without limitation on terms that they may be, or at the option of the Company or the holder are, liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as the Board may deem fit.
(2) Subject to the Law and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, any preferred shares may be issued or converted into shares that, at a designated date or at the option of the Company or the holder if so authorised by its Memorandum of Association, are liable to be redeemed on such terms and in such manner as the Members before the issue or conversion may by ordinary resolution of the Members determine. Where the Company purchases for redemption a redeemable share, purchases not made through the market or by tender shall be limited to a maximum price as may from time to time be determined by the Board, either generally or with regard to specific purchases. If purchases are by tender, tenders shall comply with applicable laws and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange.
9. Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall carry equal rights and rank pari passu with one another other than as set out below.
(a) As regards conversion
(i) Subject to the provisions hereof and to compliance with all fiscal and other laws and regulations applicable thereto, including the Law, a holder of Class B Ordinary Shares shall have the Conversion Right in respect of each Class B Ordinary Share. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares shall have no rights to convert Class A Ordinary Shares into Class B Ordinary Shares under any circumstances.
(ii) Each Class B Ordinary Share shall be converted at the option of the holder, at any time after issue and without the payment of any additional sum, into one fully paid Class A Ordinary Share calculated at the Conversion Rate. Such conversion shall take effect on the Conversion Date. A Conversion Notice shall not be effective if it is not accompanied by the share certificates in respect of the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares and such other evidence (if any) as the Directors may reasonably require to prove the title of the person exercising such right (or, if such certificates have been lost or destroyed, such evidence of title and such indemnity as the Directors may reasonably require). Any and all taxes and stamp, issue and registration duties (if any) arising on conversion shall be borne by the holder of Class B Ordinary Shares requesting conversion.
(iii) On the Conversion Date, every Class B Ordinary Share to be converted shall automatically be re-designated and re-classified as a Class A Ordinary Share with such rights and restrictions attached thereto and shall rank pari passu in all respects with the Class A Ordinary Shares then in issue and the Company shall enter or procure the entry of the name of the relevant holder of Class B Ordinary Shares as the holder of the same number of Class A Ordinary Shares resulting from the conversion of the Class B Ordinary Shares in, and make any other necessary and consequential changes to, the Register of Members and shall procure that certificates in respect of the relevant Class A Ordinary Shares, together with a new certificate for any unconverted Class B Ordinary Shares comprised in the certificate(s) surrendered by the holder of the Class B Ordinary Shares, are issued to the holders thereof.
(iv) Until such time as the Class B Ordinary Shares have been converted into Class A Ordinary Shares, the Company shall:
(1) at all times keep available for issue and free of all liens, charges, options, mortgages, pledges, claims, equities, encumbrances and other third-party rights of any nature, and not subject to any pre-emptive rights out of its authorised but unissued share capital, such number of authorised but unissued Class A Ordinary Shares as would enable all Class B Ordinary Shares to be converted into Class A Ordinary Shares and any other rights of conversion into, subscription for or exchange into Class A Ordinary Shares to be satisfied in full; and
(2) not make any issue, grant or distribution or take any other action if the effect would be that on the conversion of the Class B Ordinary Shares to Class A Ordinary Shares it would be required to issue Class A Ordinary Shares at a price lower than the par value thereof.
(b) As regards Voting Rights
Holders of Ordinary Shares have the right to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall, at all times (other than in respect of separate general meetings of the holders of a class or series of shares held in accordance with Article 10(a) below), vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote for Members consent. Each Class A Ordinary Share shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of the Company, and each Class B Ordinary Share shall be entitled to ten (10) votes on all matters subject to the vote at general meetings of the Company.
(c) As regards Transfer
Upon any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B Ordinary Shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity which is not an Affiliate of such holder, such Class B Ordinary Shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A Ordinary Shares.
For the avoidance of doubt, (i) no automatic conversion as outlined above shall occur on any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of Class B Ordinary Shares by a holder thereof to any person or entity which is an Affiliate of such holder; (ii) a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition shall be effective upon the Companys registration of such sale, transfer, assignment or disposition in the Companys Register of Members; and (iii) the creation of any pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right of whatever description on any of Class B Ordinary Shares to secure a holders contractual or legal obligations shall not be deemed as a sale, transfer, assignment or disposition unless and until any such pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right is enforced and results in the third party that is not an Affiliate of the holder thereof holding legal title or direct or indirect beneficial ownership or voting power through voting proxy or otherwise to the related Class B Ordinary Shares, in which case all the related Class B Ordinary Shares shall be automatically converted into the same number of Class A Ordinary Shares upon the Companys registration of the third party or its designee as a Member holding that number of Class A Ordinary Shares in the Register of Members.
VARIATION OF RIGHTS
10. Subject to the Law and without prejudice to Article 8, all or any of the special rights for the time being attached to the shares or any class of shares may, unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, from time to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be varied, modified or abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. To every such separate general meeting all the provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, but so that:
(a) separate general meetings of the holders of a class or series of shares may be called only by (i) the Chairman, or (ii) a majority of the Board (unless otherwise specifically provided by the terms of issue of the shares of such class or series). Nothing in this Article 10 shall be deemed to give any Member or Members the right to call a class or series meeting;
(b) the necessary quorum (whether at a separate general meeting or at its adjourned meeting) shall be a person or persons (or in the case of a Member being a corporation, its duly authorised representative) together holding or representing by proxy not less than one-third of the voting power of the issued shares of that class;
(c) every holder of shares of the class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for every such share held by him; and
(d) any holder of shares of the class present in person or by proxy or authorised representative may demand a poll.
11. The special rights conferred upon the holders of any shares or class of shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the terms of issue of such shares, be deemed to be varied, modified or abrogated by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu therewith.
SHARES
12. (1) Subject to the Law, these Articles and, where applicable, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange and without prejudice to any special rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any shares or any class of shares, the unissued shares of the Company (whether forming part of the original or any increased capital) shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the Board may in its absolute discretion determine but so that no shares shall be issued at a discount to par value. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Board is hereby empowered to authorise by resolution or resolutions from time to time the issuance of one or more classes or series of preferred shares and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, including, without limitation, the number of shares constituting each such class or series, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, voting powers, full or limited or no voting powers, and liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease the size of any such class or series (but not below the number of shares of any class or series of preferred shares then outstanding) to the extent permitted by the Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares may, to the extent permitted by the Law, provide that such class or series shall be superior to, rank equally with or be junior to the preferred shares of any other class or series.
(2) Neither the Company nor the Board shall be obliged, when making or granting any allotment of, offer of, option over or disposal of shares, to make, or make available, any such allotment, offer, option or shares to Members or others with registered addresses in any particular territory or territories being a territory or territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, this would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be, or be deemed to be, a separate class of members for any purpose whatsoever. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any class or series of preferred shares, no vote of the holders of preferred shares or ordinary shares shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any class or series of the preferred shares authorised by and complying with the conditions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
(3) The Board may issue options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of shares or securities in the capital of the Company on such terms as it may from time to time determine.
13. The Company may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers of paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by the Law. Subject to the Law, the commission may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one and partly in the other.
14. Except as required by the Law, no person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon any trust and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any fractional part of a share or (except only as otherwise provided by these Articles or by the Law) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder.
15. Subject to the Law and these Articles, the Board may at any time after the allotment of shares but before any person has been entered in the Register as the Member, recognise a renunciation thereof by the allottee in favour of some other person and may accord to any allottee of a share a right to effect such renunciation upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board considers fit to impose.
SHARE CERTIFICATES
16. A share certificate may be issued under the Seal or a facsimile thereof and shall specify the number and class and distinguishing numbers (if any) of the shares to which it relates, and the amount paid up thereon and may otherwise be in such form as the Board may from time to time determine. No certificate shall be issued representing shares of more than one class. The Board may by resolution determine, either generally or in any particular case or cases, that any signatures on any such certificates (or certificates in respect of other securities) need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates by some mechanical means or may be printed thereon.
17. (1) In the case of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate therefor and delivery of a certificate to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such holders.
(2) Where a share stands in the names of two or more persons, the person first named in the Register shall as regards service of notices and, subject to the provisions of these Articles, all or any other matters connected with the Company, except the transfer of the shares, be deemed the sole holder thereof.
18. Every person whose name is entered, upon an allotment of shares, as a Member in the Register shall be entitled, without payment, to receive one certificate for all such shares of any one class or several certificates each for one or more of such shares of such class upon payment for every certificate after the payment of such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as the Board from time to time determines, provided however, the Company is not obligated to issue a share certificate to a Members unless the Member requests it from the Company.
19. Upon request by a Member, a share certificates shall be issued within the relevant time limit as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine after allotment or, except in the case of a transfer which the Company is for the time being entitled to refuse to register and does not register, after lodgment of a transfer with the Company.
20. (1) Upon every transfer of shares the certificate held by the transferor shall be given up to be cancelled, and shall forthwith be cancelled accordingly, and a new certificate may be issued to the transferee in respect of the shares transferred to him at such fee as is provided in Article 20(2). If any of the shares included in the certificate so given up shall be retained by the transferor a new certificate for the balance may be issued to him at the aforesaid fee payable by the transferor to the Company in respect thereof.
(2) The fee referred to in Article 20(1) above shall be an amount not exceeding the relevant maximum amount as the Designated Stock Exchange may from time to time determine provided that the Board may at any time determine a lower amount for such fee.
21. If a share certificate shall be damaged or defaced or alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed a new certificate representing the same shares may be issued to the relevant Member upon request and on payment of such fee as the Board may determine and, subject to compliance with such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and to payment of the costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as the Board may think fit and, in case of damage or defacement, on delivery of the old certificate to the Company provided always that where share warrants have been issued, no new share warrant shall be issued to replace one that has been lost unless the Board has determined that the original has been destroyed.
LIEN
22. The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every share that is not a fully paid share, for all moneys (whether presently payable or not) called or payable at a fixed time in respect of that share. The Company shall also have a first and paramount lien on every share that is not a fully paid share registered in the name of a Member (whether or not jointly with other Members) for all amounts of money presently payable by such Member or his estate to the Company whether the same shall have been incurred before or after notice to the Company of any equitable or other interest of any person other than such member, and whether the payment or discharge of the same shall have actually become due or not, and notwithstanding that the same are joint debts or liabilities of such Member or his estate and any other person, whether a Member of the Company or not. The Companys lien on a share shall extend to all dividends or other moneys payable thereon or in respect thereof. The Board may at any time, generally or in any particular case, waive any lien that has arisen or declare any share exempt in whole or in part, from the provisions of this Article 22.
23. Subject to these Articles, the Company may sell in such manner as the Board determines any share on which the Company has a lien, but no sale shall be made unless some sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, or the liability or engagement in respect of which such lien exists is liable to be presently fulfilled or discharged nor until the expiration of fourteen (14) clear days after a Notice, stating and demanding payment of the sum presently payable, or specifying the liability or engagement and demanding fulfilment or discharge thereof and giving notice of the intention to sell in default, has been served on the registered holder for the time being of the share or the person entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.
24. The net proceeds of the sale shall be received by the Company and applied in or towards payment or discharge of the debt or liability in respect of which the lien exists, so far as the same is presently payable, and any residue shall, subject to a like lien for debts or liabilities not presently payable as existed upon the share prior to the sale, be paid to the person entitled to the share at the time of the sale. To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the shares sold to the purchaser thereof. The purchaser shall be registered as the holder of the shares so transferred and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale.
CALLS ON SHARES
25. Subject to these Articles and to the terms of allotment, the Board may from time to time make calls upon the Members in respect of any moneys unpaid on their shares (whether on account of the nominal value of the shares or by way of premium), and each Member shall (subject to being given at least fourteen (14) clear days Notice specifying the time and place of payment) pay to the Company as required by such notice the amount called on his shares. A call may be extended, postponed or revoked in whole or in part as the Board determines but no Member shall be entitled to any such extension, postponement or revocation.
26. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Board authorising the call was passed and may be made payable either in one lump sum or by instalments.
27. A person upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon him notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the shares in respect of which the call was made. The joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls and instalments due in respect thereof or other moneys due in respect thereof.
28. If a sum called in respect of a share is not paid before or on the day appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day appointed for payment thereof to the time of actual payment at such rate (not exceeding twenty per cent. (20%) per annum) as the Board may determine, but the Board may in its absolute discretion waive payment of such interest in whole or in part.
29. No Member shall be entitled to receive any dividend or bonus or to be present and vote (save as proxy for another Member) at any general meeting either personally or by proxy, or be reckoned in a quorum, or exercise any other privilege as a Member until all calls or instalments due by him to the Company, whether alone or jointly with any other person, together with interest and expenses (if any) shall have been paid.
30. On the trial or hearing of any action or other proceedings for the recovery of any money due for any call, it shall be sufficient to prove that the name of the Member sued is entered in the Register as the holder, or one of the holders, of the shares in respect of which such debt accrued, that the resolution making the call is duly recorded in the minute book, and that notice of such call was duly given to the Member sued, in pursuance of these Articles; and it shall not be necessary to prove the appointment of the Directors who made such call, nor any other matters whatsoever, but the proof of the matters aforesaid shall be conclusive evidence of the debt.
31. Any amount payable in respect of a share upon allotment or at any fixed date, whether in respect of nominal value or premium or as an instalment of a call, shall be deemed to be a call duly made and payable on the date fixed for payment and if it is not paid the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
32. On the issue of shares the Board may differentiate between the allottees or holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment.
33. The Board may, if it thinks fit, receive from any Member willing to advance the same, and either in money or moneys worth, all or any part of the moneys uncalled and unpaid or instalments payable upon any shares held by him and upon all or any of the moneys so advanced (until the same would, but for such advance, become presently payable) pay interest at such rate (if any) as the Board may decide. The Board may at any time repay the amount so advanced upon giving to such Member not less than one months Notice of its intention in that behalf, unless before the expiration of such notice the amount so advanced shall have been called up on the shares in respect of which it was advanced. Such payment in advance shall not entitle the holder of such share or shares to participate in respect thereof in a dividend subsequently declared.
FORFEITURE OF SHARES
34. (1) If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable the Board may give to the person from whom it is due not less than fourteen (14) clear days Notice:
(a) requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and which may still accrue up to the date of actual payment; and
(b) stating that if the Notice is not complied with the shares on which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.
(2) If the requirements of any such notice are not complied with, any share in respect of which such notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before payment of all calls and interest due in respect thereof has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Board to that effect, and such forfeiture shall include all dividends and bonuses declared in respect of the forfeited share but not actually paid before the forfeiture.
35. When any share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be served upon the person who was before forfeiture the holder of the share. No forfeiture shall be invalidated by any omission or neglect to give such notice.
36. So far as permitted by the Law, the Board may accept the surrender of any share liable to be forfeited hereunder and, in such case, references in these Articles to forfeiture will include surrender.
37. Any share so forfeited shall be deemed the property of the Company and may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of to such person, upon such terms and in such manner as the Board determines, and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be annulled by the Board on such terms as the Board determines.
38. A person whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of the forfeited shares but nevertheless shall remain liable to pay the Company all moneys which at the date of forfeiture were presently payable by him to the Company in respect of the shares, with, if the Board shall in its discretion so requires, interest thereon from the date of forfeiture until payment at such rate (not exceeding twenty per cent. (20%) per annum) as the Board determines. The Board may enforce payment thereof if it thinks fit, and without any deduction or allowance for the value of the forfeited shares, at the date of forfeiture, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company shall have received payment in full of all such moneys in respect of the shares. For the purposes of this Article 38 any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, is payable thereon at a fixed time which is subsequent to the date of forfeiture, whether on account of the nominal value of the share or by way of premium, shall notwithstanding that time has not yet arrived be deemed to be payable at the date of forfeiture, and the same shall become due and payable immediately upon the forfeiture, but interest thereon shall only be payable in respect of any period between the said fixed time and the date of actual payment.
39. A declaration by a Director or the Secretary that a share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share, and such declaration shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer by the Company if necessary) constitute a good title to the share, and the person to whom the share is disposed of shall be registered as the holder of the share and shall not be bound to see to the application of the consideration (if any), nor shall his title to the share be affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the share. When any share shall have been forfeited, notice of the declaration shall be given to the Member in whose name it stood immediately prior to the forfeiture, and an entry of the forfeiture, with the date thereof, shall forthwith be made in the Register, but no forfeiture shall be in any manner invalidated by any omission or neglect to give such notice or make any such entry.
40. Notwithstanding any such forfeiture as aforesaid the Board may at any time, before any shares so forfeited shall have been sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, permit the shares forfeited to be bought back upon the terms of payment of all calls and interest due upon and expenses incurred in respect of the share, and upon such further terms (if any) as it thinks fit.
41. The forfeiture of a share shall not prejudice the right of the Company to any call already made or instalment payable thereon.
42. The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the nominal value of the share or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
REGISTER OF MEMBERS
43. (1) The Company shall keep in one or more books a Register of its Members and shall enter therein the following particulars, that is to say:
(a) the name and address of each Member, the number and class of shares held by him and the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on such shares;
(b) the date on which each person was entered in the Register; and
(c) the date on which any person ceased to be a Member.
(2) The Company may keep an overseas or local or other branch register of Members resident in any place, and the Board may make and vary such regulations as it determines in respect of the keeping of any such register and maintaining a Registration Office in connection therewith.
44. The Register and branch register of Members, as the case may be, shall be open to inspection for such times and on such days as the Board shall determine by Members without charge or by any other person, upon a maximum payment of $2.50 or such other sum specified by the Board, at the Office or Registration Office or such other place at which the Register is kept in accordance with the Law. The Register including any overseas or local or other branch register of Members may, after compliance with any notice requirement of the Designated Stock Exchange, be closed at such times or for such periods not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in each year as the Board may determine and either generally or in respect of any class of shares.
RECORD DATES
45. (1) For the purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any general meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of shares or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such determination of the Members, which date shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other such action.
(2) If the Board does not fix a record date for any general meeting, the record date for determining the Members entitled to a notice of or to vote at such meeting shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if in accordance with these Articles notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. The record date for determining the Members for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
(3) A determination of the Members of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Members shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
TRANSFER OF SHARES
46. (1) Subject to these Articles including, without limitation, in the case of Class B Ordinary Shares, Article 9(c), any Member may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or in a form prescribed by the Designated Stock Exchange or in any other form approved by the Board and may be under hand or, if the transferor or transferee is a clearing house or a central depository house or its nominee(s), by hand or by machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Board may approve from time to time.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (1) above, for so long as any shares are listed on the Designated Stock Exchange, titles to such listed shares may be evidenced and transferred in accordance with the laws applicable to and the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange that are or shall be applicable to such listed shares. The register of members of the Company in respect of its listed shares (whether the Register or a branch register) may be kept by recording the particulars required by Section 40 of the Law in a form otherwise than legible if such recording otherwise complies with the laws applicable to and the rules and regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange that are or shall be applicable to such listed shares.
47. The instrument of transfer shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and the transferee provided that the Board may dispense with the execution of the instrument of transfer of any fully paid share by the transferee in any case which it thinks fit in its discretion to do so. Without prejudice to Article 46, the Board may also resolve, either generally or in any particular case, upon request by either the transferor or transferee, to accept mechanically executed transfers. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect thereof. Nothing in these Articles shall preclude the Board from recognising a renunciation of the allotment or provisional allotment of any share by the allottee in favour of some other person.
48. (1) The Board may, in its absolute discretion, and without giving any reason therefor, refuse to register a transfer of any share that is not a fully paid up share to a person of whom it does not approve, or any share issued under any share incentive scheme for employees upon which a restriction on transfer imposed thereby still subsists, and it may also, without prejudice to the foregoing generality, refuse to register a transfer of any share to more than four joint holders or a transfer of any share that is not a fully paid up share on which the Company has a lien.
(2) The Board in so far as permitted by any applicable law may, in its absolute discretion, at any time and from time to time transfer any share upon the Register to any branch register or any share on any branch register to the Register or any other branch register. In the event of any such transfer, the Member requesting such transfer shall bear the cost of effecting the transfer unless the Board otherwise determines.
(3) Unless the Board otherwise agrees (which agreement may be on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board in its absolute discretion may from time to time determine, and which agreement the Board shall, without giving any reason therefor, be entitled in its absolute discretion to give or withhold), no shares upon the Register shall be transferred to any branch register nor shall shares on any branch register be transferred to the Register or any other branch register and all transfers and other documents of title shall be lodged for registration, and registered, in the case of any shares on a branch register, at the relevant Registration Office, and, in the case of any shares on the Register, at the Office or such other place at which the Register is kept in accordance with the Law.
49. Without limiting the generality of Article 48, the Board may decline to recognise any instrument of transfer unless:
(a) a fee of such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable or such lesser sum as the Board may from time to time require is paid to the Company in respect thereof;
(b) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share;
(c) the instrument of transfer is lodged at the Office or such other place at which the Register is kept in accordance with the Law or the Registration Office (as the case may be) accompanied by the relevant share certificate(s) and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer (and, if the instrument of transfer is executed by some other person on his behalf, the authority of that person so to do); and
(d) if applicable, the instrument of transfer is duly and properly stamped.
50. If the Board refuses to register a transfer of any share, it shall, within three months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company, send to each of the transferor and transferee notice of the refusal.
51. The registration of transfers of shares or of any class of shares may, after compliance with any notice requirement of the Designated Stock Exchange, be suspended at such times and for such periods (not exceeding in the whole thirty (30) days in any year) as the Board may determine.
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
52. If a Member dies, the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder, and his legal personal representatives where he was a sole or only surviving holder, will be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his interest in the shares; but nothing in this Article will release the estate of a deceased Member (whether sole or joint) from any liability in respect of any share which had been solely or jointly held by him.
53. Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member may, upon such evidence as to his title being produced as may be required by the Board, elect either to become the holder of the share or to have some person nominated by him registered as the transferee thereof. If he elects to become the holder he shall notify the Company in writing either at the Registration Office or the Office, as the case may be, to that effect. If he elects to have another person registered he shall execute a transfer of the share in favour of that person. The provisions of these Articles relating to the transfer and registration of transfers of shares shall apply to such notice or transfer as aforesaid as if the death or bankruptcy of the Member had not occurred and the notice or transfer were a transfer signed by such Member.
54. A person becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member shall be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the registered holder of the share. However, the Board may, if it thinks fit, withhold the payment of any dividend payable or other advantages in respect of such share until such person shall become the registered holder of the share or shall have effectually transferred such share, but, subject to the requirements of Article 75(2) being met, such a person may vote at meetings.
UNTRACEABLE MEMBERS
55. (1) Without prejudice to the rights of the Company under Article 55(2), the Company may cease sending cheques for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants by post if such cheques or warrants have been left uncashed on two consecutive occasions. However, the Company may exercise the power to cease sending cheques for dividend entitlements or dividend warrants after the first occasion on which such a cheque or warrant is returned undelivered.
(2) The Company shall have the power to sell, in such manner as the Board thinks fit, any shares of a Member who is untraceable, but no such sale shall be made unless:
(a) all cheques or warrants in respect of dividends of the shares in question, being not less than three in total number, for any sum payable in cash to the holder of such shares sent during the relevant period in the manner authorised by these Articles have remained uncashed;
(b) so far as it is aware at the end of the relevant period, the Company has not at any time during the relevant period received any indication of the existence of the Member who is the holder of such shares or of a person entitled to such shares by death, bankruptcy or operation of law; and
(c) the Company, if so required by the rules governing the listing of shares on the Designated Stock Exchange, has given notice to, and caused advertisement in newspapers to be made in accordance with the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange of its intention to sell such shares in the manner required by the Designated Stock Exchange, and a period of three months or such shorter period as may be allowed by the Designated Stock Exchange has elapsed since the date of such advertisement.
For the purpose of the foregoing, the relevant period means the period commencing twelve (12) years before the date of publication of the advertisement referred to in paragraph (c) of this Article 55 and ending at the expiry of the period referred to in that paragraph.
(3) To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorise some person to transfer the said shares and an instrument of transfer signed or otherwise executed by or on behalf of such person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the registered holder or the person entitled by transmission to such shares, and the purchaser shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale. The net proceeds of the sale will belong to the Company and upon receipt by the Company of such net proceeds it shall become indebted to the former Member for an amount equal to such net proceeds. No trust shall be created in respect of such debt and no interest shall be payable in respect of it and the Company shall not be required to account for any money earned from the net proceeds which may be employed in the business of the Company or as it thinks fit. Any sale under this Article 55 shall be valid and effective notwithstanding that the Member holding the shares sold is dead, bankrupt or otherwise under any legal disability or incapacity.
GENERAL MEETINGS
56. The Company may (but shall not be obliged to, unless as required by applicable law or rules of the Designated Stock Exchange) hold an annual general meeting and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. An annual general meeting of the Company shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the Board.
57. Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be called an extraordinary general meeting. General meetings may be held at such times and in any location in the world as may be determined by the Board.
58. (1) A (i) majority of the Board, or (ii) the Chairman, or (iii) any Director, where required to give effect to a requisition received under Article 58(2), may call extraordinary general meetings, which extraordinary general meetings shall be held at such times and locations (as permitted hereby) as such person or persons shall determine.
(2) Any one or more Members holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than one-third of the paid up capital of the Company carrying the right of voting at general meetings of the Company shall at all times have the right, by written requisition to the Board or the Secretary of the Company, to require an extraordinary general meeting to be called by the Board for the transaction of any business specified in such requisition and permitted by Article 58(3); and such meeting shall be held within two (2) months after the deposit of such requisition. If within twenty-one (21) days of such deposit the Board fails to proceed to convene such meeting the requisitionist(s) himself (themselves) may do so in the same manner, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionist(s) as a result of the failure of the Board shall be reimbursed to the requisitionist(s) by the Company.
(3) A meeting requisitioned under Article 58(2) shall not be permitted to consider or vote upon (1) any resolutions with respect to the election, appointment or removal of Directors or with respect to the size of the Board, unless such proposal is first approved by the Nomination Committee of the Board; or (2) any Special Resolution or any matters required to be passed by way of Special Resolution pursuant to these Articles or the Law.
(4) Other than by way of requisition under Article 58(2), Members have no right to propose resolutions or other business to be considered and voted upon at any general meeting of the Company.
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
59. (1) An annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting may be called by not less than ten (10) clear days Notice but a general meeting may be called by shorter notice, subject to the Law, if it is so agreed:
(a) in the case of a meeting called as an annual general meeting, by all the Members entitled to attend and vote thereat; and
(b) in the case of any other meeting, by two-thirds (2/3) of the Members having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy.
(2) The notice shall specify the time and place of the meeting and the general nature of the business. The notice convening an annual general meeting shall specify the meeting as such. Notice of every general meeting shall be given to all Members other than to such Members as, under the provisions of these Articles or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive such notices from the Company, to all persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or winding-up of a Member and to each of the Directors.
60. The accidental omission to give Notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments of proxy are sent out with the notice) to send such instrument of proxy to, or the non-receipt of such notice or such instrument of proxy by, any person entitled to receive such notice shall not invalidate any resolution passed or the proceedings at that meeting.
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
61. (1) No business other than the appointment of a chairman of a meeting shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of the business. At any general meeting of the Company, one or more Members entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a Member being a corporation) by its duly authorised representative representing not less than one-third of all voting power of the Companys share capital in issue throughout the meeting shall form a quorum for all purposes.
(2) If within thirty (30) minutes (or such longer time not exceeding one hour as the chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be dissolved.
62. The Chairman shall preside as chairman at every general meeting. If at any meeting the chairman is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or is not willing to act as chairman, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act, or if one Director only is present he shall preside as chairman if willing to act. If no Director is present, or if each of the Directors present declines to take the chair, or if the chairman chosen shall retire from the chair, the Members present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall elect one of their members to be chairman.
63. The chairman may adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting had the adjournment not taken place. When a meeting is adjourned for fourteen (14) days or more, at least seven (7) clear days notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given specifying the time and place of the adjourned meeting but it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the nature of the business to be transacted at the adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted. Save as aforesaid, it shall be unnecessary to give notice of an adjournment.
64. If an amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good faith ruled out of order by the chairman of the meeting, the proceedings on the substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. In the case of a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution, no amendment thereto (other than a mere clerical amendment to correct a patent error) may in any event be considered or voted upon.
NO ACTION BY WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS OF MEMBERS
65. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or extraordinary general meetings of the Company may be taken only upon the vote of the Members at an annual or extraordinary general meeting duly convened and held in accordance with these Articles and the Law and may not be taken by written resolution of Members without a meeting.
VOTING
66. (1) Holders of Ordinary Shares have the right to receive notice of, attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company. Except as required by applicable law and subject to these Articles (including without limitation Article 10(a)), holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Shareholders.
(2) Subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached to any shares by or in accordance with these Articles, at any general meeting on a show of hands:
(a) every Member holding Class A Ordinary Shares present in person (or being a corporation, is present by a duly authorised representative), or by proxy shall have one vote for every fully paid Class A Ordinary Share of which he is the holder and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative shall have one vote for every fully paid Class A Ordinary Share of which he is the holder; and
(b) every Member holding Class B Ordinary Shares present in person (or being a corporation, is present by a duly authorised representative), or by proxy shall have ten (10) votes for every fully paid Class B Ordinary Share of which he is the holder and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy or, in the case of a Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative shall have ten (10) votes for every fully paid Class B Ordinary Share of which he is the holder.
(3) No amount paid up or credited as paid up on a share in advance of calls or instalments is treated for the foregoing purposes as paid up on the share.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, where more than one proxy is appointed by a Member which is a clearing house or a central depository house (or its nominee(s)), each such proxy shall have one vote on a show of hands.
(5) A resolution put to the vote of a meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands or on the withdrawal of any other demand for a poll) a poll is demanded by the chairman of such meeting or by any one or more Members who together hold not less than ten percent (10%) in nominal value of the total issued voting shares in the Company, present in person or in the case of a Member being a corporation by its duly authorised representative or by proxy for the time being entitled to vote at the meeting. A demand by a person as proxy for a Member or in the case of a Member being a corporation by its duly authorised representative shall be deemed to be the same as a demand by a Member.
67. Unless a poll is duly demanded and the demand is not withdrawn, a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or not carried by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect made in the minute book of the Company, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded for or against the resolution.
68. If a poll is duly demanded the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. There shall be no requirement for the chairman to disclose the voting figures on a poll.
69. A poll demanded on the election of a chairman, or on a question of adjournment, shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken in such manner (including the use of ballot or voting papers or tickets) either forthwith or at such time (being not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the demand) and place as the chairman directs. It shall not be necessary (unless the chairman otherwise directs) for notice to be given of a poll not taken immediately.
70. The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of a meeting or the transaction of any business other than the question on which the poll has been demanded, and, with the consent of the chairman, it may be withdrawn at any time before the close of the meeting or the taking of the poll, whichever is the earlier.
71. On a poll votes may be given either personally (or in the case of a corporation, by its duly authorised representative) or by proxy.
72. A person entitled to more than one vote on a poll need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.
73. All questions submitted to a meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of votes cast by such Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, by proxy or, in the case of a Member being a corporation, by its duly authorised representative except where a greater majority is required by these Articles or by the Law. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of such meeting shall be entitled to a second or casting vote in addition to any other vote he may have.
74. Where there are joint holders of any share any one of such joint holder may vote, either in person or by proxy, in respect of such share as if he were solely entitled thereto, but if more than one of such joint holders be present at any meeting the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding. Several executors or administrators of a deceased Member in whose name any share stands shall for the purposes of this Article be deemed joint holders thereof.
75. (1) A Member who is a patient for any purpose relating to mental health or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction for the protection or management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their own affairs may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator bonis appointed by such court, and such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote on a poll by proxy, and may otherwise act and be treated as if he were the registered holder of such shares for the purposes of general meetings, provided that such evidence as the Board may require of the authority of the person claiming to vote shall have been deposited at the Office, head office or Registration Office, as appropriate, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting, or adjourned meeting or poll, as the case may be.
(2) Any person entitled under Article 54 to be registered as the holder of any shares may vote at any general meeting in respect thereof in the same manner as if he were the registered holder of such shares, provided that forty-eight (48) hours at least before the time of the holding of the meeting or adjourned meeting, as the case may be, at which he proposes to vote, he shall satisfy the Board of his entitlement to such shares, or the Board shall have previously admitted his right to vote at such meeting in respect thereof.
76. No Member shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to attend and vote and to be reckoned in a quorum at any general meeting unless he is duly registered and all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of shares in the Company have been paid.
77. If:
(a) any objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter; or
(b) any votes have been counted which ought not to have been counted or which might have been rejected; or
(c) any votes are not counted which ought to have been counted;
the objection or error shall not vitiate the decision of the meeting or adjourned meeting on any resolution unless the same is raised or pointed out at the meeting or, as the case may be, the adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs. Any objection or error shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the same may have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman on such matters shall be final and conclusive.
PROXIES
78. Any Member entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company shall be entitled to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote instead of him. A Member who is the holder of two or more shares may appoint more than one proxy to represent him and vote on his behalf at a general meeting of the Company or at a class meeting. A proxy need not be a Member. In addition, a proxy or proxies representing either a Member who is an individual or a Member which is a corporation shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the Member which he or they represent as such Member could exercise.
79. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under its seal or under the hand of an officer, attorney or other person authorised to sign the same. In the case of an instrument of proxy purporting to be signed on behalf of a corporation by an officer thereof it shall be assumed, unless the contrary appears, that such officer was duly authorised to sign such instrument of proxy on behalf of the corporation without further evidence of the facts.
80. The instrument appointing a proxy and, if required by the Board, the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is signed, or a certified copy of such power or authority, shall be delivered to such place or one of such places, if any, as may be specified for that purpose in or by way of note to or in any document accompanying the notice convening the meeting or, if no place is so specified at the Registration Office or the Office, as may be appropriate, not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a meeting or adjourned meeting, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time appointed for the taking of the poll and in default the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid. No instrument appointing a proxy shall be valid after the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date named in it as the date of its execution, except at an adjourned meeting or on a poll demanded at a meeting or an adjourned meeting in cases where the meeting was originally held within twelve (12) months from such date. Delivery of an instrument appointing a proxy shall not preclude a Member from attending and voting in person at the meeting convened and in such event, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to be revoked.
81. Instruments of proxy shall be in any common form or in such other form as the Board may approve (provided that this shall not preclude the use of the two-way form) and the Board may, if it thinks fit, send out with the notice of any meeting forms of instrument of proxy for use at the meeting. The instrument of proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll and to vote on any amendment of a resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as the proxy thinks fit. The instrument of proxy shall, unless the contrary is stated therein, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates.
82. A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal, or revocation of the instrument of proxy or of the authority under which it was executed, provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity or revocation shall have been received by the Company at the Office or the Registration Office (or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments of proxy in the notice convening the meeting or other document sent therewith) two (2) hours at least before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting, or the taking of the poll, at which the instrument of proxy is used.
83. Anything which under these Articles a Member may do by proxy he may likewise do by his duly appointed attorney and the provisions of these Articles relating to proxies and instruments appointing proxies shall apply mutatis mutandis in relation to any such attorney and the instrument under which such attorney is appointed.
CORPORATIONS ACTING BY REPRESENTATIVES
84. (1) Any corporation which is a Member may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members. The person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of such corporation as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member and such corporation shall for the purposes of these Articles be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if a person so authorised is present thereat.
(2) If a clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or a central depository entity, being a corporation, is a Member, it may authorise such persons as it thinks fit to act as its representatives at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided that the authorisation shall specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each such representative is so authorised. Each person so authorised under the provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorised without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and powers on behalf of the clearing house or central depository entity (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was the registered holder of the shares of the Company held by the clearing house or a central depository entity (or its nominee(s)) including the right to vote individually on a show of hands.
(3) Any reference in these Articles to a duly authorised representative of a Member being a corporation shall mean a representative authorised under the provisions of this Article.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
85. (1) Unless otherwise determined by the Members by ordinary resolution, the number of Directors shall not be less than three (3), the exact number of Directors to be determined from time to time by the Board.
(2) The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person to be a Director.
(3) The Board may, by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, appoint any person as a Director, either to fill a vacancy on the Board arising from the office of any Director being vacated in any of the circumstances described in Article 86, or as an addition to the existing Board.
(4) An appointment of a Director may be on terms that the Director shall automatically retire from office (unless he has sooner vacated office) at the next or a subsequent annual general meeting or upon any specified event or after any specified period in a written agreement between the Company and the Director, if any; but no such term shall be implied in the absence of express provision. Each Director whose term of office expires shall be eligible for re-election at a meeting of the Members or re-appointment by the Board.
(5) No Director shall be required to hold any shares of the Company by way of qualification and a Director who is not a Member shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company and of all classes of shares of the Company.
(6) A Director may be removed from office by Ordinary Resolution of the Company, notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under such agreement). A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the previous sentence may be filled by Ordinary Resolution or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting.
(7) The Board may, from time to time, and except as required by applicable Law or rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, adopt, institute, amend, modify or revoke the corporate governance policies or initiatives of the Company and determine on various corporate governance related matters of the Company as the Board shall determine by resolution of Directors from time to time.
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
86. The office of a Director shall be vacated if the Director:
(1) resigns his office by Notice delivered to the Company at the Office or tendered at a meeting of the Board;
(2) becomes of unsound mind or dies;
(3) without special leave of absence from the Board, is absent from meetings of the Board for three (3) consecutive times, unless the Board resolves that his office not be vacated; or
(4) becomes bankrupt or has a receiving order made against him or suspends payment or compounds with his creditors;
(5) is prohibited by law from being a Director; or
(6) ceases to be a Director by virtue of any provision of the Statutes or is removed from office pursuant to these Articles.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
87. The Board may from time to time appoint any one or more of its body to be a managing director, joint managing director or deputy managing director or to hold any other employment or executive office with the Company for such period (subject to their continuance as Directors) and upon such terms as the Board may determine and the Board may revoke or terminate any of such appointments. Any such revocation or termination as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such Director may have against the Company or the Company may have against such Director. A Director appointed to an office under this Article 87 shall be subject to the same provisions as to removal as the other Directors of the Company, and he shall (subject to the provisions of any contract between him and the Company) ipso facto and immediately cease to hold such office if he shall cease to hold the office of Director for any cause.
88. Notwithstanding Articles 93, 94, 95 and 96, an executive director appointed to an office under Article 87 hereof shall receive such remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise or by all or any of those modes) and such other benefits (including pension and/or gratuity and/or other benefits on retirement) and allowances as the Board may from time to time determine, and either in addition to or in lieu of his remuneration as a Director.
ALTERNATE DIRECTORS
89. (1) Each Director shall use his best efforts to attend all meetings of the Board.
(2) Any Director may at any time appoint any person (including another Director) to be his alternate Director. An alternate Director may be removed at any time by the Director who appointed him and, subject thereto, the office of alternate Director shall continue until the happening of any event which, if he were a Director, would cause him to vacate such office or if his appointer ceases for any reason to be a Director.
(3) Any appointment or removal of an alternate Director shall be effected by Notice signed by the appointor and delivered to the Office or head office or to the Chairman. Any such notice shall be delivered to, and received by, the Office or head office or Chairman not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date of any meeting of the Board which such alternate shall attend.
(4) Any person so appointed shall have all the rights and powers of the Director or Directors for whom such person is appointed in the alternative.
(5) An alternate Director may also be a Director in his own right but may not act as alternate to more than one Director. An alternate Director shall, if his appointor so requests, be entitled to receive notices of meetings of the Board or of committees of the Board to the same extent as, but in lieu of, the Director appointing him and shall be entitled to such extent to attend and vote as a Director at any such meeting at which the Director appointing him is not personally present and generally at such meeting to exercise and discharge all the functions, powers and duties of his appointor as a Director and for the purposes of the proceedings at such meeting the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if he were a Director save that as an alternate for more than one Director his voting rights shall be cumulative.
90. An alternate Director shall only be a Director for the purposes of the Law and shall only be subject to the provisions of the Law insofar as they relate to the duties and obligations of a Director when performing the functions of the Director for whom he is appointed in the alternative and shall alone be responsible to the Company for his acts and defaults and shall not be deemed to be the agent of or for the Director appointing him. An alternate Director shall be entitled to contract and be interested in and benefit from contracts or arrangements or transactions and to be repaid expenses and to be indemnified by the Company to the same extent mutatis mutandis as if he were a Director but he shall not be entitled to receive from the Company any fee in his capacity as an alternate Director except only such part, if any, of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointor as such appointor may by Notice to the Company from time to time direct.
91. Every person acting as an alternate Director shall have one vote for each Director for whom he acts as alternate (in addition to his own vote if he is also a Director). If his appointor is for the time being not available or unable to act, the signature of an alternate Director to any resolution in writing of the Board or a committee of the Board of which his appointor is a member shall, unless the notice of his appointment provides to the contrary, be as effective as the signature of his appointor.
92. An alternate Director shall ipso facto cease to be an alternate Director if his appointor ceases for any reason to be a Director, however, such alternate Director or any other person may be re-appointed by the Directors to serve as an alternate Director provided always that, if at any meeting any Director retires but is re-elected at the same meeting, any appointment of such alternate Director pursuant to these Articles which was in force immediately before his retirement shall remain in force as though he had not retired.
DIRECTORS FEES AND EXPENSES
93. The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.
94. Each Director shall be entitled to be repaid or prepaid all travelling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred by him in attending meetings of the Board or committees of the Board or general meetings or separate meetings of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his duties as a Director.
95. Any Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purpose of the Company or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to or in substitution for any ordinary remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Article.
96. The Board shall determine any payment to any Director or past Director of the Company by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for or in connection with his retirement from office (not being payment to which the Director is contractually entitled).
DIRECTORS INTERESTS
97. A Director may:
(a) hold any other office or place of profit with the Company (except that of Auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine. Any remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) paid to any Director in respect of any such other office or place of profit shall be in addition to any remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Article;
(b) act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as Auditor) and he or his firm may be remunerated for professional services as if he were not a Director;
(c) continue to be or become a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer or member of any other company promoted by the Company or in which the Company may be interested as a vendor, shareholder or otherwise and, unless otherwise agreed, no such Director shall be accountable for any remuneration, profits or other benefits received by him as a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer or member of or from his interests in any such other company. Subject as otherwise provided by these Articles the Directors may exercise or cause to be exercised the voting powers conferred by the shares in any other company held or owned by the Company, or exercisable by them as Directors of such other company in such manner in all respects as they think fit (including the exercise thereof in favour of any resolution appointing themselves or any of them directors, managing directors, joint managing directors, deputy managing directors, executive directors, managers or other officers of such company) or voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officers of such other company and any Director may vote in favour of the exercise of such voting rights in manner aforesaid notwithstanding that he may be, or about to be, appointed a director, managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, executive director, manager or other officer of such other company, and that as such he is or may become interested in the exercise of such voting rights in manner aforesaid.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Independent Director as defined in the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange or in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, and with respect of whom the Board has determined constitutes an Independent Director for purposes of compliance with applicable law or the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, shall take any of the foregoing actions or any other action that would reasonably be likely to affect such Directors status as an Independent Director of the Company without the consent of the Audit Committee.
98. Subject to the Law and to these Articles, no Director or proposed or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from contracting with the Company, either with regard to his tenure of any office or place of profit or as vendor, purchaser or in any other manner whatever, nor shall any such contract or any other contract or arrangement in which any Director is in any way interested be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company or the Members for any remuneration, profit or other benefits realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established provided that such Director shall disclose the nature of his interest in any contract or arrangement in which he is interested in accordance with Article 99 herein. Any such transaction that would reasonably be likely to affect a Directors status as an Independent Director, or that would constitute a related party transaction, as defined under applicable law or the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, shall require the approval of the Audit Committee pursuant to the applicable law or the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange.
99. A Director who to his knowledge is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at the meeting of the Board at which the question of entering into the contract or arrangement is first considered, if he knows his interest then exists, or in any other case at the first meeting of the Board after he knows that he is or has become so interested. For the purposes of this Article, a general Notice to the Board by a Director to the effect that:
(a) he is a member or officer of a specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or arrangement which may after the date of the Notice be made with that company or firm; or
(b) he is to be regarded as interested in any contract or arrangement which may after the date of the Notice be made with a specified person who is connected with him;
shall be deemed to be a sufficient declaration of interest under this Article in relation to any such contract or arrangement, provided that no such notice shall be effective unless either it is given at a meeting of the Board or the Director takes reasonable steps to secure that it is brought up and read at the next Board meeting after it is given.
100. Following a declaration being made pursuant to the last preceding two Articles, subject to any separate requirement for Audit Committee approval under applicable law or the listing rules of the Companys Designated Stock Exchange, and unless disqualified by the chairman of the relevant Board meeting, a Director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement in which such Director is interested and may be counted in the quorum at such meeting.
GENERAL POWERS OF THE DIRECTORS
101. (1) The business of the Company shall be managed and conducted by the Board, which may pay all expenses incurred in forming and registering the Company and may exercise all powers of the Company (whether relating to the management of the business of the Company or otherwise) which are not by the Statutes or by these Articles required to be exercised by the Members in general meeting, subject nevertheless to the provisions of the Statutes and of these Articles and to such regulations being not inconsistent with such provisions, as may be prescribed by the Members in a general meeting, but no regulations made by the Members in a general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if such regulations had not been made. The general powers given by this Article shall not be limited or restricted by any special authority or power given to the Board by any other Article.
(2) Any person contracting or dealing with the Company in the ordinary course of business shall be entitled to rely on any written or oral contract or agreement or deed, document or instrument entered into or executed as the case may be by any two of the Directors acting jointly on behalf of the Company and the same shall be deemed to be validly entered into or executed by the Company as the case may be and shall, subject to any rule of law, be binding on the Company.
(3) Without prejudice to the general powers conferred by these Articles it is hereby expressly declared that the Board shall have the following powers:
(a) To give to any person the right or option of requiring at a future date that an allotment shall be made to him of any share at par or at such premium as may be agreed.
(b) To give to any Directors, officers or employees of the Company an interest in any particular business or transaction or participation in the profits thereof or in the general profits of the Company either in addition to or in substitution for a salary or other remuneration.
(c) To resolve that the Company be deregistered in the Cayman Islands and continued in a named jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands subject to the provisions of the Law.
102. The Board may establish any committees, regional or local boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company in any place, and may appoint any persons to be members of such committees, local boards, or any managers or agents, and may fix their remuneration (either by way of salary or by commission or by conferring the right to participation in the profits of the Company or by a combination of two or more of these modes) and pay the working expenses of any staff employed by them upon the business of the Company. The Board may delegate to any committee, regional or local board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in or exercisable by the Board (other than its powers to make calls and forfeit shares), with power to sub-delegate, and may authorise the members of any of them to fill any vacancies therein and to act notwithstanding vacancies. Any such appointment or delegation may be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board may think fit, and the Board may remove any person appointed as aforesaid, and may revoke or vary such delegation, but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of any such revocation or variation shall be affected thereby.
103. The Board may by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or any fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Board, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Board under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as it may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney as the Board may think fit, and may also authorise any such attorney to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him. Such attorney or attorneys may, if so authorised under the Seal of the Company, execute any deed or instrument under their personal seal with the same effect as the affixation of the Companys Seal.
104. The Board may entrust to and confer upon a managing director, joint managing director, deputy managing director, an executive director or any Director any of the powers exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion of, its own powers, and may from time to time revoke or vary all or any of such powers but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of such revocation or variation shall be affected thereby.
105. All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other instruments, whether negotiable or transferable or not, and all receipts for moneys paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Board shall from time to time by resolution determine. The Companys banking accounts shall be kept with such banker or bankers as the Board shall from time to time determine.
106. (1) The Board may establish or concur or join with other companies (being subsidiary companies of the Company or companies with which it is associated in business) in establishing and making contributions out of the Companys moneys to any schemes or funds for providing pensions, sickness or compassionate allowances, life assurance or other benefits for employees (which expression as used in this and the following paragraph shall include any Director or ex-Director who may hold or have held any executive office or any office of profit under the Company or any of its subsidiary companies) and ex-employees of the Company and their dependants or any class or classes of such person.
(2) The Board may pay, enter into agreements to pay or make grants of revocable or irrevocable pensions or other benefits to employees and ex-employees and their dependants, or to any of such persons, including pensions or benefits additional to those, if any, to which such employees or ex-employees or their dependants are or may become entitled under any such scheme or fund as mentioned in the last preceding paragraph. Any such pension or benefit may, as the Board considers desirable, be granted to an employee either before and in anticipation of or upon or at any time after his actual retirement, and may be subject or not subject to any terms or conditions as the Board may determine.
BORROWING POWERS
107. The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to raise or borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company and, subject to the Law, to issue debentures, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
108. Debentures, bonds and other securities may be made assignable free from any equities between the Company and the person to whom the same may be issued.
109. Any debentures, bonds or other securities may be issued at a discount (other than shares), premium or otherwise and with any special privileges as to redemption, surrender, drawings, allotment of shares, attending and voting at general meetings of the Members, appointment of Directors and otherwise.
110. (1) Where any uncalled capital of the Company is charged, all persons taking any subsequent charge thereon shall take the same subject to such prior charge, and shall not be entitled, by notice to the Members or otherwise, to obtain priority over such prior charge.
(2) The Board shall cause a proper register to be kept, in accordance with the provisions of the Law, of all charges specifically affecting the property of the Company and of any series of debentures issued by the Company and shall duly comply with the requirements of the Law in regard to the registration of charges and debentures therein specified and otherwise.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE DIRECTORS
111. The Board may meet for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as it considers appropriate. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes. At any meeting of the Directors, each Director present in person or represented by his alternate shall be entitled to one vote. In the case of any equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
112. A Director may, and the Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Directors.
113. (1) The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Board and, unless so fixed at any other number, shall be a majority of the Directors then in office, and shall always include the Chairman; provided, however, that if the Chairman is voluntarily absent from the meeting and notifies the Board of his decision to be absent from that meeting, before or at the meeting, then the presence of the Chairman will not be required for purposes of satisfying quorum for that meeting. An alternate Director shall be counted in a quorum in the case of the absence of a Director for whom he is the alternate provided that he shall not be counted more than once for the purpose of determining whether or not a quorum is present.
(2) Directors may participate in any meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone, electronic or other communications equipment through which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and, for the purpose of counting a quorum, such participation shall constitute presence at a meeting as if those participating were present in person.
(3) Any Director who ceases to be a Director at a Board meeting may continue to be present and to act as a Director and be counted in the quorum until the termination of such Board meeting if no other Director objects and if otherwise a quorum of Directors would not be present.
(4) No business other than that set out in the notice of the relevant meeting shall be discussed, or any resolutions passed in respect of such business, unless unanimously agreed by all the Directors present at such meeting.
114. The continuing Directors or a sole continuing Director may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the Board but, if and so long as the number of Directors is reduced below the minimum number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles as the quorum, the continuing Directors or Director, notwithstanding that the number of Directors is below the number fixed by or in accordance with these Articles as the quorum or that there is only one continuing Director, may act for the purpose of filling vacancies in the Board or of summoning general meetings of the Company but not for any other purpose.
115. The Chairman shall be the chairman of all meetings of the Board. If the Chairman is not present at any meeting within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
116. A meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable by the Board.
117. (1) The Board may delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions to committees (including, without limitation, the Audit Committee), consisting of such Director or Directors and other persons as it thinks fit, and they may, from time to time, revoke such delegation or revoke the appointment of and discharge any such committees either wholly or in part, and either as to persons or purposes. Any committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the powers, authorities and discretions so delegated, conform to any regulations which may be imposed on it by the Board.
(2) All acts done by any such committee in conformity with such regulations, and in fulfilment of the purposes for which it was appointed, but not otherwise, shall have like force and effect as if done by the Board, and the Board (or if the Board delegates such power, the committee) shall have power to remunerate the members of any such committee, and charge such remuneration to the current expenses of the Company.
118. The meetings and proceedings of any committee consisting of two or more members shall be governed by the provisions contained in these Articles for regulating the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable and are not superseded by any regulations imposed by the Board under the last preceding Article, indicating, without limitation, any committee charter adopted by the Board for purposes or in respect of any such committee.
119. A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointer if his appointor is for the time being not available or unable to act), except such as are temporarily unable to act due to ill-health or disability shall (provided that such resolution is signed by the Chairman and such number is sufficient to constitute a quorum and further provided that a copy of such resolution has been given or the contents thereof communicated to all the Directors for the time being entitled to receive notices of Board meetings in the same manner as notices of meetings are required to be given by these Articles) be as valid and effectual as if a resolution had been passed at a meeting of the Board or committee of Directors, as the case may be, duly convened and held. Such resolution may be contained in one document or in several documents in like form each signed by one or more of the Directors and for this purpose a facsimile signature of a Director shall be treated as valid.
120. All acts bona fide done by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as a Director or members of a committee, shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any member of the Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they or any of them were disqualified or had vacated office, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a Director or member of such committee.
OFFICERS
121. (1) The officers of the Company shall consist of the Chairman, the Directors and such additional officers (who may or may not be Directors) as the Board may from time to time determine, all of whom shall be deemed to be officers for the purposes of the Law and these Articles. In addition to the officers of the Company, the Board may also from time to time determine and appoint managers and delegate to the same such powers and duties as are prescribed by the Board.
(2) The Directors shall elect the Chairman from amongst the Directors then in office. Such election shall be by way of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast by such Directors as, being entitled so to do, vote at a meeting of the Board.
(3) The officers shall receive such remuneration as the Directors may from time to time determine.
122. (1) The Secretary and additional officers, if any, shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office on such terms and for such period as the Board may determine. If thought fit, two or more persons may be appointed as joint Secretaries. The Board may also appoint from time to time on such terms as it thinks fit one or more assistant or deputy Secretaries.
(2) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Members and shall keep correct minutes of such meetings and enter the same in the proper books provided for the purpose. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Law or these Articles or as may be prescribed by the Board.
123. The officers of the Company shall have such powers and perform such duties in the management, business and affairs of the Company as may be delegated to them by the Directors from time to time.
124. A provision of the Law or of these Articles requiring or authorising a thing to be done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as or in place of the Secretary.
REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
125. The Company shall cause to be kept in one or more books at its Office a Register of Directors and Officers in which there shall be entered the full names and addresses of the Directors and Officers and such other particulars as required by the Law or as the Directors may determine. The Company shall send to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands a copy of such register, and shall from time to time notify to the said Registrar of any change that takes place in relation to such Directors and Officers as required by the Law.
MINUTES
126. (1) The Board shall cause minutes to be duly entered in books provided for the purpose:
(a) of all elections and appointments of officers;
(b) of the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Directors and of any committee of the Board;
(c) of all resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting of the Members, meetings of the Board and meetings of committees of the Board and where there are managers, of all proceedings of meetings of the managers.
(2) Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary at the Office for a period of not less than ten (10) years from the date of the relevant meeting, or for any longer period as may be required by the Statutes.
(3) Minutes shall be signed by the chairman of the relevant meeting.
SEAL
127. (1) The Company shall have one or more Seals, as the Board may determine. For the purpose of sealing documents creating or evidencing securities issued by the Company, the Company may have a securities seal which is a facsimile of the Seal of the Company with the addition of the word Securities on its face or in such other form as the Board may approve. The Board shall provide for the custody of each Seal and no Seal shall be used without the authority of the Board or of a committee of the Board authorised by the Board in that behalf. Subject as otherwise provided in these Articles, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed shall be signed autographically by one Director and the Secretary or by two Directors or by such other person (including a Director) or persons as the Board may appoint, either generally or in any particular case, save that as regards any certificates for shares or debentures or other securities of the Company the Board may by resolution determine that such signatures or either of them shall be dispensed with or affixed by some method or system of mechanical signature. Every instrument executed in manner provided by this Article 127 shall be deemed to be sealed and executed with the authority of the Board previously given.
(2) Where the Company has a Seal for use abroad, the Board may by writing under the Seal appoint any agent or committee abroad to be the duly authorised agent of the Company for the purpose of affixing and using such Seal and the Board may impose restrictions on the use thereof as may be thought fit. Wherever in these Articles reference is made to the Seal, the reference shall, when and so far as may be applicable, be deemed to include any such other Seal as aforesaid.
AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS
128. Any Director or the Secretary or any person appointed by the Board for the purpose may authenticate any documents affecting the constitution of the Company and any resolution passed by the Company or the Board or any committee, and any books, records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company, and to certify copies thereof or extracts therefrom as true copies or extracts, and if any books, records, documents or accounts are elsewhere than at the Office or the head office the local manager or other officer of the Company having the custody thereof shall be deemed to be a person so appointed by the Board. A document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or an extract from the minutes of a meeting, of the Company or of the Board or any committee thereof which is so certified shall be conclusive evidence in favour of all persons dealing with the Company upon the faith thereof that such resolution has been duly passed or, as the case may be, that such minutes or extract is a true and accurate record of proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.
DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
129. (1) The Company shall be entitled to destroy the following documents at the following times:
(a) any share certificate which has been cancelled at any time after the expiry of one (1) year from the date of such cancellation;
(b) any dividend mandate or any variation or cancellation thereof or any notification of change of name or address at any time after the expiry of two (2) years from the date such mandate variation cancellation or notification was recorded by the Company;
(c) any instrument of transfer of shares which has been registered at any time after the expiry of seven (7) years from the date of registration;
(d) any allotment letters after the expiry of seven (7) years from the date of issue thereof; and
(e) copies of powers of attorney, grants of probate and letters of administration at any time after the expiry of seven (7) years after the account to which the relevant power of attorney, grant of probate or letters of administration related has been closed;
and it shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that every entry in the Register purporting to be made on the basis of any such documents so destroyed was duly and properly made and every share certificate so destroyed was a valid certificate duly and properly cancelled and that every instrument of transfer so destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered and that every other document destroyed hereunder was a valid and effective document in accordance with the recorded particulars thereof in the books or records of the Company. Provided always that: (1) the foregoing provisions of this Article 129 shall apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without express notice to the Company that the preservation of such document was relevant to a claim; (2) nothing contained in this Article 129 shall be construed as imposing upon the Company any liability in respect of the destruction of any such document earlier than as aforesaid or in any case where the conditions of proviso (1) above are not fulfilled; and (3) references in this Article to the destruction of any document include references to its disposal in any manner.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision contained in these Articles, the Directors may, if permitted by applicable law, authorise the destruction of documents set out in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of Article 129(1) and any other documents in relation to share registration which have been microfilmed or electronically stored by the Company or by the share registrar on its behalf provided always that this Article shall apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without express notice to the Company and its share registrar that the preservation of such document was relevant to a claim.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS
130. Subject to the Law and any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares and these Articles, the Board may from time to time declare dividends in any currency to be paid to the Members and other distributions on shares in issue and authorise payment of the same out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. At any and every time the Board declares dividends, Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall have identical rights in the dividends so declared.
131. Dividends may be declared and paid out of the profits of the Company, realised or unrealised, or from any reserve set aside from profits which the Directors determine is no longer needed. The Board may also declare and pay dividends out of share premium account or any other fund or account which can be authorised for this purpose in accordance with the Law.
132. Except in so far as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share otherwise provide,
(a) all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid up on a share in advance of calls shall be treated for the purposes of this Article as paid up on the share; and
(b) all dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid.
133. The Board may from time to time pay to the Members such interim dividends as appear to the Board to be justified by the profits of the Company and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) if at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes, the Board may pay such interim dividends in respect of those shares in the capital of the Company which confer on the holders thereof deferred or non-preferential rights as well as in respect of those shares which confer on the holders thereof preferential rights with regard to dividend and may also pay any fixed dividend which is payable on any shares of the Company half-yearly or on any other dates, whenever such profits, in the opinion of the Board, justifies such payment. The Board shall not incur any responsibility to the holders of shares conferring any preference for any damage that they may suffer by reason of the payment of an interim dividend on any shares having deferred or non-preferential rights
134. The Board may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to a Member by the Company on or in respect of any shares all sums of money (if any) presently payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise.
135. No dividend or other moneys payable by the Company on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against the Company.
136. Any dividend, interest or other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post addressed to the holder at his registered address or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the shares at his address as appearing in the Register or addressed to such person and at such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first on the Register in respect of such shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company notwithstanding that it may subsequently appear that the same has been stolen or that any endorsement thereon has been forged. Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends or other moneys payable or property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint holders.
137. All dividends or bonuses unclaimed for one (1) year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Board for the benefit of the Company until claimed. Any dividend or bonuses unclaimed after a period of six (6) years from the date of declaration shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. The payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend or other sums payable on or in respect of a share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof.
138. Whenever the Board has resolved that a dividend be paid or declared, the Board may further resolve that such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets of any kind and in particular of paid up shares, debentures or warrants to subscribe securities of the Company or any other company, or in any one or more of such ways, and where any difficulty arises in regard to the distribution the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient, and in particular may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares, disregard fractional entitlements or round the same up or down, and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets, or any part thereof, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Board and may appoint any person to sign any requisite instruments of transfer and other documents on behalf of the persons entitled to the dividend, and such appointment shall be effective and binding on the Members. The Board may resolve that no such assets shall be made available to Members with registered addresses in any particular territory or territories where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, such distribution of assets would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable and in such event the only entitlement of the Members aforesaid shall be to receive cash payments as aforesaid. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of Members for any purpose whatsoever.
139. (1) Whenever the Board has resolved that a dividend be paid or declared on any class of the share capital of the Company, the Board may further resolve either:
(a) that such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up, provided that the Members entitled thereto will be entitled to elect to receive such dividend (or part thereof if the Board so determines) in cash in lieu of such allotment. In such case, the following provisions shall apply:
(i) the basis of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii) the Board, after determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be effective;
(iii) the right of election may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and
(iv) the dividend (or that part of the dividend to be satisfied by the allotment of shares as aforesaid) shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the cash election has not been duly exercised (the non-elected shares) and in satisfaction thereof shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the holders of the non-elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalise and apply out of any part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and distribution to and amongst the holders of the non-elected shares on such basis; or
(b) that the Members entitled to such dividend shall be entitled to elect to receive an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up in lieu of the whole or such part of the dividend as the Board may think fit. In such case, the following provisions shall apply:
(i) the basis of any such allotment shall be determined by the Board;
(ii) the Board, after determining the basis of allotment, shall give not less than ten (10) days Notice to the holders of the relevant shares of the right of election accorded to them and shall send with such notice forms of election and specify the procedure to be followed and the place at which and the latest date and time by which duly completed forms of election must be lodged in order to be effective;
(iii) the right of election may be exercised in respect of the whole or part of that portion of the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been accorded; and
(iv) the dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been accorded) shall not be payable in cash on shares in respect whereof the share election has been duly exercised (the elected shares) and in satisfaction thereof shares of the relevant class shall be allotted credited as fully paid up to the holders of the elected shares on the basis of allotment determined as aforesaid and for such purpose the Board shall capitalise and apply out of any part of the undivided profits of the Company (including profits carried and standing to the credit of any reserves or other special account, share premium account, capital redemption reserve other than the Subscription Rights Reserve) as the Board may determine, such sum as may be required to pay up in full the appropriate number of shares of the relevant class for allotment and distribution to and amongst the holders of the elected shares on such basis.
(2) (a) The shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of Article 139(1) shall rank pari passu in all respects with shares of the same class (if any) then in issue save only as regards participation in the relevant dividend or in any other distributions, bonuses or rights paid, made, declared or announced prior to or contemporaneously with the payment or declaration of the relevant dividend unless, contemporaneously with the announcement by the Board of their proposal to apply the provisions of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of Article 139(2) in relation to the relevant dividend or contemporaneously with their announcement of the distribution, bonus or rights in question, the Board shall specify that the shares to be allotted pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article shall rank for participation in such distribution, bonus or rights.
(b) The Board may do all acts and things considered necessary or expedient to give effect to any capitalisation pursuant to the provisions of Article 139(1), with full power to the Board to make such provisions as it thinks fit in the case of shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions whereby, in whole or in part, fractional entitlements are aggregated and sold and the net proceeds distributed to those entitled, or are disregarded or rounded up or down or whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrues to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Board may authorise any person to enter into on behalf of all Members interested, an agreement with the Company providing for such capitalisation and matters incidental thereto and any agreement made pursuant to such authority shall be effective and binding on all concerned.
(3) The Board may resolve in respect of any one particular dividend of the Company that notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article 139 a dividend may be satisfied wholly in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up without offering any right to shareholders to elect to receive such dividend in cash in lieu of such allotment.
(4) The Board may on any occasion determine that rights of election and the allotment of shares under Article 139(1) shall not be made available or made to any shareholders with registered addresses in any territory where, in the absence of a registration statement or other special formalities, the circulation of an offer of such rights of election or the allotment of shares would or might, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful or impracticable, and in such event the provisions aforesaid shall be read and construed subject to such determination. Members affected as a result of the foregoing sentence shall not be or be deemed to be a separate class of Members for any purpose whatsoever.
(5) Any resolution declaring a dividend on shares of any class may specify that the same shall be payable or distributable to the persons registered as the holders of such shares at the close of business on a particular date, notwithstanding that it may be a date prior to that on which the resolution is passed, and thereupon the dividend shall be payable or distributable to them in accordance with their respective holdings so registered, but without prejudice to the rights inter se in respect of such dividend of transferors and transferees of any such shares. The provisions of this Article shall mutatis mutandis apply to bonuses, capitalisation issues, distributions of realised capital profits or offers or grants made by the Company to the Members.
RESERVES
140. (1) The Board shall establish an account to be called the share premium account and shall carry to the credit of such account from time to time a sum equal to the amount or value of the premium paid on the issue of any share in the Company. Unless otherwise provided by the provisions of these Articles, the Board may apply the share premium account in any manner permitted by the Law. The Company shall at all times comply with the provisions of the Law in relation to the share premium account.
(2) Before recommending any dividend, the Board may set aside out of the profits of the Company such sums as it determines as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company may be properly applied and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Board may from time to time think fit and so that it shall not be necessary to keep any investments constituting the reserve or reserves separate or distinct from any other investments of the Company. The Board may also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits which it may think prudent not to distribute.
CAPITALISATION
141. (1) The Company may, upon the recommendation of the Board, at any time and from time to time pass an ordinary resolution to the effect that it is desirable to capitalise all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve or fund (including a share premium account and capital redemption reserve and the profit and loss account) whether or not the same is available for distribution and accordingly that such amount be set free for distribution among the Members or any class of Members who would be entitled thereto if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions, on the basis that the same is not paid in cash but is applied either in or towards paying up the amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares in the Company held by such Members respectively or in paying up in full unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be allotted and distributed credited as fully paid up among such Members, or partly in one way and partly in the other, and the Board shall give effect to such resolution provided that, for the purposes of this Article 141, a share premium account and any capital redemption reserve or fund representing unrealised profits, may be applied only in paying up in full unissued shares of the Company to be allotted to such Members credited as fully paid.
(2) Notwithstanding any provisions in these Articles, the Board may resolve to capitalise all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve or fund (including a share premium account and the profit and loss account) whether or not the same is available for distribution by applying such sum in paying up unissued shares to be allotted to (i) employees (including directors) of the Company and/or its affiliates (meaning any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated association or other entity (other than the Company) that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company) upon exercise or vesting of any options or awards granted under any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Members at a general meeting, or (ii) any trustee of any trust to whom shares are to be allotted and issued by the Company in connection with the operation of any share incentive scheme or employee benefit scheme or other arrangement which relates to such persons that has been adopted or approved by the Members at a general meeting.
142. The Board may settle, as it considers appropriate, any difficulty arising in regard to any distribution under Article 141 and in particular may issue certificates in respect of fractions of shares or authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem expedient to the Board. The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf of the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective and binding upon the Members.
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS RESERVE
143. The following provisions shall have effect to the extent that they are not prohibited by and are in compliance with the Law:
(1) If, so long as any of the rights attached to any warrants issued by the Company to subscribe for shares of the Company shall remain exercisable, the Company does any act or engages in any transaction which, as a result of any adjustments to the subscription price in accordance with the provisions of the conditions of the warrants, would reduce the subscription price to below the par value of a share, then the following provisions shall apply:
(a) as from the date of such act or transaction the Company shall establish and thereafter (subject as provided in this Article 143) maintain in accordance with the provisions of this Article 143 a reserve (the Subscription Rights Reserve) the amount of which shall at no time be less than the sum which for the time being would be required to be capitalised and applied in paying up in full the nominal amount of the additional shares required to be issued and allotted credited as fully paid pursuant to sub-paragraph (c) below on the exercise in full of all the subscription rights outstanding and shall apply the Subscription Rights Reserve in paying up such additional shares in full as and when the same are allotted;
(b) the Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be used for any purpose other than that specified above unless all other reserves of the Company (other than share premium account) have been extinguished and will then only be used to make good losses of the Company if and so far as is required by the Law;
(c) upon the exercise of all or any of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the relevant subscription rights shall be exercisable in respect of a nominal amount of shares equal to the amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the subscription rights) and, in addition, there shall be allotted in respect of such subscription rights to the exercising warrantholder, credited as fully paid, such additional nominal amount of shares as is equal to the difference between:
(i) the said amount in cash which the holder of such warrant is required to pay on exercise of the subscription rights represented thereby (or, as the case may be, the relevant portion thereof in the event of a partial exercise of the subscription rights); and
(ii) the nominal amount of shares in respect of which such subscription rights would have been exercisable having regard to the provisions of the conditions of the warrants, had it been possible for such subscription rights to represent the right to subscribe for shares at less than par and immediately upon such exercise so much of the sum standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve as is required to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares shall be capitalised and applied in paying up in full such additional nominal amount of shares which shall forthwith be allotted credited as fully paid to the exercising warrantholders; and
(d) if, upon the exercise of the subscription rights represented by any warrant, the amount standing to the credit of the Subscription Rights Reserve is not sufficient to pay up in full such additional nominal amount of shares equal to such difference as aforesaid to which the exercising warrantholder is entitled, the Board shall apply any profits or reserves then or thereafter becoming available (including, to the extent permitted by the Law, share premium account) for such purpose until such additional nominal amount of shares is paid up and allotted as aforesaid and until then no dividend or other distribution shall be paid or made on the fully paid shares of the Company then in issue. Pending such payment and allotment, the exercising warrantholder shall be issued by the Company with a certificate evidencing his right to the allotment of such additional nominal amount of shares. The rights represented by any such certificate shall be in registered form and shall be transferable in whole or in part in units of one share in the like manner as the shares for the time being are transferable, and the Company shall make such arrangements in relation to the maintenance of a register therefor and other matters in relation thereto as the Board may think fit and adequate particulars thereof shall be made known to each relevant exercising warrantholder upon the issue of such certificate.
(2) Shares allotted pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall rank pari passu in all respects with the other shares allotted on the relevant exercise of the subscription rights represented by the warrant concerned. Notwithstanding anything contained in Article143(1), no fraction of any share shall be allotted on exercise of the subscription rights.
(3) The provisions of this Article as to the establishment and maintenance of the Subscription Rights Reserve shall not be altered or added to in any way which would vary or abrogate, or which would have the effect of varying or abrogating the provisions for the benefit of any warrantholder or class of warrantholders under this Article without the sanction of a special resolution of such warrantholders or class of warrantholders.
(4) A certificate or report by the auditors for the time being of the Company as to whether or not the Subscription Rights Reserve is required to be established and maintained and if so the amount thereof so required to be established and maintained, as to the purposes for which the Subscription Rights Reserve has been used, as to the extent to which it has been used to make good losses of the Company, as to the additional nominal amount of shares required to be allotted to exercising warrantholders credited as fully paid, and as to any other matter concerning the Subscription Rights Reserve shall (in the absence of manifest error) be conclusive and binding upon the Company and all warrantholders and shareholders.
ACCOUNTING RECORDS
144. The Board shall cause true accounts to be kept of the sums of money received and expended by the Company, and the matters in respect of which such receipt and expenditure take place, and of the property, assets, credits and liabilities of the Company and of all other matters required by the Law or necessary to give a true and fair view of the Companys affairs and to explain its transactions.
145. The accounting records shall be kept at the Office or, at such other place or places as the Board decides and shall always be open to inspection by the Directors. No Member (other than a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any accounting record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by the Law or authorised by the Board or the Members in general meeting.
146. Subject to Article 147, a printed copy of the Directors report, accompanied by the balance sheet and profit and loss account, including every document required by the Law to be annexed thereto, made up to the end of the applicable financial year and containing a summary of the assets and liabilities of the Company under convenient heads and a statement of income and expenditure, together with a copy of the Auditors report, shall be sent to each person entitled thereto at least ten (10) days before the date of the general meeting and laid before the Company at the annual general meeting held in accordance with Article 56 provided that this Article 146 shall not require a copy of those documents to be sent to any person whose address the Company is not aware or to more than one of the joint holders of any shares or debentures.
147. Subject to due compliance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, and to obtaining all necessary consents, if any, required thereunder, the requirements of Article 146 shall be deemed satisfied in relation to any person by sending to the person in any manner not prohibited by the Statutes, a summary financial statement derived from the Companys annual accounts and the directors report which shall be in the form and containing the information required by applicable laws and regulations, provided that any person who is otherwise entitled to the annual financial statements of the Company and the directors report thereon may, if he so requires by Notice served on the Company, demand that the Company sends to him, in addition to a summary financial statement, a complete printed copy of the Companys annual financial statement and the directors report thereon.
148. The requirement to send to a person referred to in Article 146 the documents referred to in that article or a summary financial report in accordance with Article 147 shall be deemed satisfied where, in accordance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, the Company publishes copies of the documents referred to in Article 146 and, if applicable, a summary financial report complying with Article 147, on the Companys computer network or in any other permitted manner (including by sending any form of electronic communication), and that person has agreed or is deemed to have agreed to treat the publication or receipt of such documents in such manner as discharging the Companys obligation to send to him a copy of such documents.
AUDIT
149. Subject to applicable law and the rules of the Designated Stock Exchange, the Board may appoint an Auditor, who shall hold office until removed from office by a resolution of the Board, to audit the accounts of the Company. Such auditor may be a Member but no Director or officer or employee of the Company shall, during his continuance in office, be eligible to act as an auditor of the Company.
150. Subject to the Law, the accounts of the Company shall be audited at least once in every year.
151. The remuneration of the Auditor shall be determined by the Audit Committee or, in the absence of such an Audit Committee, by the Board.
152. If the office of auditor becomes vacant by the resignation or death of the Auditor, or by his becoming incapable of acting by reason of illness or other disability at a time when his services are required, the Directors shall fill the vacancy and determine the remuneration of such Auditor.
153. The Auditor shall at all reasonable times have access to all books kept by the Company and to all accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he may call on the Directors or officers of the Company for any information in their possession relating to the books or affairs of the Company.
154. The statement of income and expenditure and the balance sheet provided for by these Articles shall be examined by the Auditor and compared by him with the books, accounts and vouchers relating thereto; and he shall make a written report thereon stating whether such statement and balance sheet are drawn up so as to present fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of its operations for the period under review and, in case information shall have been called for from Directors or officers of the Company, whether the same has been furnished and has been satisfactory. The financial statements of the Company shall be audited by the Auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The Auditor shall make a written report thereon in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and the report of the Auditor shall be submitted to the Audit Committee. The generally accepted auditing standards referred to herein may be those of a country or jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. If so, the financial statements and the report of the Auditor should disclose this fact and name such country or jurisdiction.
NOTICES
155. Any Notice or document, whether or not, to be given or issued under these Articles from the Company to a Member shall be in writing or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission message or other form of electronic transmission or communication and any such notice and document may be served or delivered by the Company on or to any Member either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid envelope addressed to such Member at his registered address as appearing in the Register or at any other address supplied by him to the Company for the purpose or, as the case may be, by transmitting it to any such address or transmitting it to any telex or facsimile transmission number or electronic number or address or website supplied by him to the Company for the giving of notice to him or which the person transmitting the notice reasonably and bona fide believes at the relevant time will result in the Notice being duly received by the Member or may also be served by advertisement in appropriate newspapers in accordance with the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange or, to the extent permitted by the applicable laws and the requirements of the Designated Stock Exchange, by placing it on the Companys website. In the case of joint holders of a share all notices shall be given to that one of the joint holders whose name stands first in the Register and notice so given shall be deemed a sufficient service on or delivery to all the joint holders.
156. Any Notice or other document:
(a) if served or delivered by post, shall where appropriate be sent by airmail and shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the day following that on which the envelope containing the same, properly prepaid and addressed, is put into the post; in proving such service or delivery it shall be sufficient to prove that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or document was properly addressed and put into the post and a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Board that the envelope or wrapper containing the notice or other document was so addressed and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence thereof;
(b) if sent by electronic communication, shall be deemed to be given on the day on which it is transmitted from the server of the Company or its agent. A notice placed on the Companys website is deemed given by the Company to a Member on the day following that on which a notice of availability is deemed served on the Member;
(c) if served or delivered in any other manner contemplated by these Articles, shall be deemed to have been served or delivered at the time of personal service or delivery or, as the case may be, at the time of the relevant despatch or transmission; and in proving such service or delivery a certificate in writing signed by the Secretary or other officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Board as to the act and time of such service, delivery, despatch or transmission shall be conclusive evidence thereof; and
(d) may be given to a Member in the English language or such other language as may be approved by the Directors, subject to due compliance with all applicable Statutes, rules and regulations.
157. (1) Any Notice or other document delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered address of any Member in pursuance of these Articles shall, notwithstanding that such Member is then dead or bankrupt or that any other event has occurred, and whether or not the Company has notice of the death or bankruptcy or other event, be deemed to have been duly served or delivered in respect of any share registered in the name of such Member as sole or joint holder unless his name shall, at the time of the service or delivery of the notice or document, have been removed from the Register as the holder of the share, and such service or delivery shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service or delivery of such Notice or document on all persons interested (whether jointly with or as claiming through or under him) in the share.
(2) A notice may be given by the Company to the person entitled to a share in consequence of the death, mental disorder or bankruptcy of a Member by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter, envelope or wrapper addressed to him by name, or by the title of representative of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description, at the address, if any, supplied for the purpose by the person claiming to be so entitled, or (until such an address has been so supplied) by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death, mental disorder or bankruptcy had not occurred.
(3) Any person who by operation of law, transfer or other means whatsoever shall become entitled to any share shall be bound by every notice in respect of such share which prior to his name and address being entered on the Register shall have been duly given to the person from whom he derives his title to such share.
SIGNATURES
158. For the purposes of these Articles, a cable or telex or facsimile or electronic transmission message purporting to come from a holder of shares or, as the case may be, a Director, or, in the case of a corporation which is a holder of shares from a director or the secretary thereof or a duly appointed attorney or duly authorised representative thereof for it and on its behalf, shall in the absence of express evidence to the contrary available to the person relying thereon at the relevant time be deemed to be a document or instrument in writing signed by such holder or Director in the terms in which it is received.
WINDING UP
159. (1) The Board shall have power in the name and on behalf of the Company to present a petition to the court for the Company to be wound up.
(2) A resolution that the Company be wound up by the court or be wound up voluntarily shall be a special resolution.
160. (1) Subject to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution of available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to any class or classes of shares (i) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members of the Company shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up, the excess shall be distributed pari passu amongst such members in proportion to the amount paid up on the shares held by them respectively and (ii) if the Company shall be wound up and the assets available for distribution amongst the Members as such shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the paid-up capital such assets shall be distributed so that, a nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members in proportion to the capital paid up, or which ought to have been paid up, at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them respectively.
(2) If the Company shall be wound up (whether the liquidation is voluntary or by the court) the liquidator may, with the authority of a special resolution and any other sanction required by the Law, divide among the Members in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and whether or not the assets shall consist of properties of one kind or shall consist of properties to be divided as aforesaid of different kinds, and may for such purpose set such value as he deems fair upon any one or more class or classes of property and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like authority, vest any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator with the like authority shall think fit, and the liquidation of the Company may be closed and the Company dissolved, but so that no contributory shall be compelled to accept any shares or other property in respect of which there is a liability.
INDEMNITY
161. (1) Every Director (including for the purposes of this Article any alternate Director appointed pursuant to the provisions of these Articles), Secretary, or other officer for the time being and from time to time of the Company (but not including the Auditor) and the personal representatives of the same (each an Indemnified Person) shall be indemnified and secured harmless out of the assets and profits of the Company from and against all actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses incurred or sustained by such Indemnified Person, other than by reason of such Indemnified Persons own dishonesty, wilful default or fraud, in or about the conduct of the Companys business or affairs (including as a result of any mistake of judgment) or in the execution or discharge of his duties, powers, authorities or discretions, including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Person in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil proceedings concerning the Company or its affairs in any court whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
(2) Each Member agrees to waive any claim or right of action he might have, whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Director on account of any action taken by such Director, or the failure of such Director to take any action in the performance of his duties with or for the Company, provided that such waiver shall not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud, wilful default or dishonesty which may attach to such Director.
AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
AND NAME OF COMPANY
162. No Article shall be rescinded, altered or amended and no new Article shall be made until the same has been approved by a special resolution of the Members. A special resolution shall be required to alter the provisions of the Memorandum of Association or to change the name of the Company.
INFORMATION
163. No Member shall be entitled to require discovery of or any information respecting any detail of the Companys trading or any matter which is or may be in the nature of a trade secret or secret process which may relate to the conduct of the business of the Company and which in the opinion of the Directors it will be inexpedient in the interests of the members of the Company to communicate to the public.
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
by and among
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
as Issuer,
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
as Depositary,
AND
THE HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ISSUED HEREUNDER
Dated as of [·], 2021
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of [·], 2021, by and among (i) Kuke Music Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, with its principal executive office at Building 96, 4 San Jian Fang South Block, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China and its registered office at Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands (together with its successors, the Company), (ii) Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank A.G., acting in its capacity as depositary, with its principal office at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, United States of America (the Depositary, which term shall include any successor depositary hereunder) and (iii) all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder (all such capitalized terms as hereinafter defined).
W I T N E S S E T H T H A T:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to establish an ADR facility with the Depositary to provide for the deposit of the Shares and the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited;
WHEREAS, the Depositary is willing to act as the depositary for such ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Shares to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are accepted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (or an authorized committee thereof) has duly approved the establishment of an ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement on behalf of the Company, and the actions of the Company and the transactions contemplated herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
All capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meanings set forth below, unless otherwise clearly indicated:
SECTION 1.1 Affiliate shall have the meaning assigned to such term by the Commission under Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act.
SECTION 1.2 Agent shall mean such entity or entities as the Depositary may appoint under Section 7.8 hereof, including the Custodian or any successor or addition thereto.
SECTION 1.3 American Depositary Share(s) and ADS(s) shall mean the securities represented by the rights and interests in the Deposited Securities granted to the Holders and Beneficial Owners pursuant to this Deposit Agreement and evidenced by the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder. Each American Depositary Share shall represent the right to receive one Share, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.2 hereof or a change in Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.9 hereof with respect to which additional American Depositary Receipts are not executed and delivered and thereafter each American Depositary Share shall represent the Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.
SECTION 1.4 Article shall refer to an article of the American Depositary Receipts as set forth in the Form of Face of Receipt and Form of Reverse of Receipt in Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed hereto.
SECTION 1.5 Articles of Association shall mean the articles of association of the Company, as amended from time to time.
SECTION 1.6 ADS Record Date shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.7 hereof.
SECTION 1.7 Beneficial Owner shall mean as to any ADS, any person or entity having a beneficial interest in such ADS. A Beneficial Owner need not be the Holder of the ADR evidencing such ADSs. A Beneficial Owner may exercise any rights or receive any benefits hereunder solely through the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs in which such Beneficial Owner has an interest.
SECTION 1.8 Business Day shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not (a) a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close and (b) a day on which the market(s) in which ADSs are traded are closed.
SECTION 1.9 Commission shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
SECTION 1.10 Company shall mean Kuke Music Holding Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its successors.
SECTION 1.11 Corporate Trust Office when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the corporate trust office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its depositary receipts business shall be administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
SECTION 1.12 Custodian shall mean, as of the date hereof, Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, having its principal office at 57/F International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., Peoples Republic of China, as the custodian for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation which may hereinafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.5 hereof as a successor or an additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require. The term Custodian shall mean all custodians, collectively.
SECTION 1.13 Deliver, Deliverable and Delivery shall mean, when used in respect of American Depositary Shares, Receipts, Deposited Securities and Shares, the physical delivery of the certificate representing such security, or the electronic delivery of such security by means of book-entry transfer, as appropriate, including, without limitation, through DRS/Profile. With respect to DRS/Profile ADRs, the terms execute, issue, register, surrender, transfer or cancel refer to applicable entries or movements to or within DRS/Profile.
SECTION 1.14 Deposit Agreement shall mean this Deposit Agreement and all exhibits annexed hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended and supplemented in accordance with the terms hereof.
SECTION 1.15 Depositary shall mean Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, in its capacity as depositary under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, and any successor depositary hereunder.
SECTION 1.16 Deposited Securities as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received or deemed to be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and held hereunder, subject, in the case of cash, to the provisions of Section 4.6.
SECTION 1.17 Dollars and $ shall mean the lawful currency of the United States.
SECTION 1.18 DRS/Profile shall mean the system for the uncertificated registration of ownership of securities pursuant to which ownership of ADSs is maintained on the books of the Depositary without the issuance of a physical certificate and transfer instructions may be given to allow for the automated transfer of ownership between the books of DTC and the Depositary. Ownership of ADSs held in DRS/Profile is evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Holders entitled thereto.
SECTION 1.19 DTC shall mean The Depository Trust Company, the central book-entry clearinghouse and settlement system for securities traded in the United States, and any successor thereto.
SECTION 1.20 DTC Participants shall mean participants within DTC.
SECTION 1.21 Exchange Act shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.22 Foreign Currency shall mean any currency other than Dollars.
SECTION 1.23 Foreign Registrar shall mean the entity, if any, that carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares or any successor as registrar for the Shares and any other appointed agent of the Company for the transfer and registration of Shares or, if no such agent is so appointed and acting, the Company.
SECTION 1.24 Holder shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary (or the Registrar, if any) maintained for such purpose. A Holder may or may not be a Beneficial Owner. A Holder shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of those Beneficial Owners of the ADRs registered in such Holders name.
SECTION 1.25 Indemnified Person and Indemnifying Person shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 5.8 hereof.
SECTION 1.26 Losses shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.8 hereof.
SECTION 1.27 Memorandum shall mean the memorandum of association of the Company.
SECTION 1.28 Opinion of Counsel shall mean a written opinion from legal counsel to the Company who is acceptable to the Depositary.
SECTION 1.29 Receipt(s); American Depositary Receipt(s); and ADR(s) shall mean the certificate(s) or statement(s) issued by the Depositary evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, as such Receipts may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement. References to Receipts shall include physical certificated Receipts as well as ADSs issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless the context otherwise requires.
SECTION 1.30 Registrar shall mean the Depositary or any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed by the Depositary to register ownership of Receipts and transfer of Receipts as herein provided, and shall include any co-registrar appointed by the Depositary for such purposes. Registrars (other than the Depositary) may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary.
SECTION 1.31 Restricted Securities shall mean Shares which (i) have been acquired directly or indirectly from the Company or any of its Affiliates in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering and subject to resale limitations under the Securities Act or the rules issued thereunder, or (ii) are held by an officer or director (or persons performing similar functions) or other Affiliate of the Company or (iii) are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or the Cayman Islands, under a shareholders agreement, shareholders lock-up agreement or the Articles of Association or under the regulations of an applicable securities exchange unless, in each case, such Shares are being sold to persons other than an Affiliate of the Company in a transaction (x) covered by an effective resale registration statement or (y) exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (as hereafter defined) and the Shares are not, when held by such person, Restricted Securities.
SECTION 1.32 Securities Act shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.33 Shares shall mean Class A ordinary shares in registered form of the Company, par value $0.001 each, heretofore or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid. References to Shares shall include evidence of rights to receive Shares, whether or not stated in the particular instance; provided, however, that in no event shall Shares include evidence of rights to receive Shares with respect to which the full purchase price has not been paid or Shares as to which pre-emptive rights have theretofore not been validly waived or exercised; provided further, however, that, if there shall occur any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, reclassification, exchange, conversion or any other event described in Section 4.9 hereof in respect of the Shares, the term Shares shall thereafter, to the extent permitted by law, represent the successor securities resulting from such change in par value, split-up, consolidation, reclassification, exchange, conversion or event.
SECTION 1.34 United States or U.S. shall mean the United States of America.
ARTICLE II.
APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPT; DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 2.1 Appointment of Depositary. The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as exclusive depositary for the Deposited Securities and hereby authorizes and directs the Depositary to act in accordance with the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) (the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof).
SECTION 2.2 Form and Transferability of Receipts.
(a) Form. Receipts in certificated form shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. Receipts may be issued in denominations of any number of American Depositary Shares. No Receipt in certificated form shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been dated and signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and Delivered, in the case of Receipts in certificated form, and each Receipt issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, in either case as hereinafter provided, and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts in certificated form bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and Delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or in the form of Receipt to the contrary, to the extent available by the Depositary, ADSs shall be evidenced by Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless certificated Receipts are specifically requested by the Holder. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the form of Receipt, regardless of whether their Receipts are in certificated form or are issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile.
(b) Legends. In addition to the foregoing, the Receipts may, and upon the written request of the Company shall, be endorsed with, or have incorporated in the text thereof, such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be (i) necessary to enable the Depositary and the Company to perform their respective obligations hereunder, (ii) required to comply with any applicable laws or regulations, or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or market upon which ADSs may be traded, listed or quoted, or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, (iii) necessary to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular ADRs or ADSs are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the Deposited Securities or otherwise or (iv) required by any book-entry system in which the ADSs are held. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be deemed, for all purposes, to have notice of, and to be bound by, the terms and conditions of the legends set forth, in the case of Holders, on the ADR registered in the name of the applicable Holders or, in the case of Beneficial Owners, on the ADR representing the ADSs owned by such Beneficial Owners.
(c) Title. Subject to the limitations contained herein and in the form of Receipt, title to a Receipt (and to the ADSs evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of certificated Receipts) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument under the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Holder thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt, unless such holder is the Holder thereof.
SECTION 2.3 Deposits.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited by any person (including the Depositary in its individual capacity but subject, however, in the case of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, to Section 5.7 hereof) at any time beginning on the 181st day after the date of the prospectus contained in the registration statement on Form F-1 under which the ADSs are first sold or on such earlier date as the Company (with the approval of the underwriters referred to in the said prospectus) may specify in writing to the Depositary, whether or not the transfer books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if any, are closed, by Delivery of the Shares to the Custodian. Except for Shares deposited by the Company in connection with the initial sale of ADSs under the registration statement on Form F-1, no deposit of Shares shall be accepted under this Deposit Agreement prior to such date. Every deposit of Shares shall be accompanied by the following: (A)(i) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in registered form, appropriate instruments of transfer or endorsement, in a form satisfactory to the Custodian, (ii) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in bearer form, such Shares or the certificates representing such Shares and (iii) in the case of Shares Delivered by book-entry transfer, confirmation of such book-entry transfer to the Custodian or that irrevocable instructions have been given to cause such Shares to be so transferred, (B) such certifications and payments (including, without limitation, the Depositarys fees and related charges) and evidence of such payments (including, without limitation, stamping or otherwise marking such Shares by way of receipt) as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement or as may be deemed by them to be reasonably necessary and appropriate in the circumstances, (C) if the Depositary so requires, a written order directing the Depositary to execute and Deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited, (D) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary (which may include an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary provided at the cost of the person seeking to deposit Shares) that all conditions to such deposit have been met and all necessary approvals have been granted by, and there has been compliance with the rules and regulations of, any applicable governmental agency and (E) if the Depositary so requires, (i) an agreement, assignment or instrument satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian which provides for the prompt transfer by any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded to the Custodian of any distribution, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property in respect of any such deposited Shares or, in lieu thereof, such indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian and (ii) if the Shares are registered in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a proxy or proxies entitling the Custodian to exercise voting rights in respect of the Shares for any and all purposes until the Shares so deposited are registered in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any nominee. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by confirmation or such additional evidence, if any is required by the Depositary, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under the laws and regulations of the Cayman Islands and any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in the Cayman Islands, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulator of currency exchange. The Depositary may issue Receipts against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares or other Deposited Securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares or other Deposited Securities, or any Shares or other Deposited Securities the deposit of which would violate any provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Depositary shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with reasonable written instructions of the Company that the Depositary shall not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares specifically identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Companys compliance with the securities laws in the United States and other jurisdictions, provided that the Company shall indemnify the Depositary and the Custodian for any claims and losses arising from not accepting the deposit of any Shares identified in the Companys instructions.
(b) As soon as practicable after receipt of any permitted deposit hereunder and compliance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Custodian shall present the Shares so deposited, together with the appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer or endorsement, duly stamped, to the Foreign Registrar for transfer and registration of the Shares (as soon as transfer and registration can be accomplished and at the expense of the person for whom the deposit is made) in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either. Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or a nominee, in each case for the account of the Holders and Beneficial Owners, at such place or places as the Depositary or the Custodian shall determine.
(c) In the event any Shares are deposited which entitle the holders thereof to receive a per-share distribution or other entitlement in an amount different from the Shares then on deposit, the Depositary is authorized to take any and all actions as may be necessary (including, without limitation, making the necessary notations on Receipts) to give effect to the issuance of such ADSs and to ensure that such ADSs are not fungible with other ADSs issued hereunder until such time as the entitlement of the Shares represented by such non-fungible ADSs equals that of the Shares represented by ADSs prior to such deposit. The Company agrees to give timely written notice to the Depositary if any Shares issued or to be issued contain rights different from those of any other Shares theretofore issued and shall assist the Depositary with the establishment of procedures enabling the identification of such non-fungible Shares upon Delivery to the Custodian.
SECTION 2.4 Execution and Delivery of Receipts. After the deposit of any Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, the Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are Deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex, SWIFT, facsimile or electronic transmission. After receiving such notice from the Custodian, the Depositary, subject to this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the payment of the fees, expenses, taxes and/or other charges owing hereunder), shall issue the ADSs representing the Shares so deposited to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the notice delivered to the Depositary and shall execute and Deliver a Receipt registered in the name or names requested by such person or persons evidencing in the aggregate the number of American Depositary Shares to which such person or persons are entitled.
SECTION 2.5 Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
(a) Transfer. The Depositary, or, if a Registrar (other than the Depositary) for the Receipts shall have been appointed, the Registrar, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register transfers of Receipts on its books, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt by the Holder thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed in the case of a certificated Receipt or accompanied by, or in the case of Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, receipt by the Depositary of, proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard industry practice) and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York, of the United States, of the Cayman Islands and of any other applicable jurisdiction. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, including payment of the applicable fees and charges of the Depositary set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt, the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and Deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered.
(b) Combination and Split Up. The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement shall, upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts and upon payment to the Depositary of the applicable fees and charges set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt, execute and Deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
(c) Co-Transfer Agents. The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Holders or persons entitled to such Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity, in each case to the same extent as the Depositary. Such co-transfer agents may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary. Each co-transfer agent appointed under this Section 2.5 (other than the Depositary) shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement.
(d) Substitution of Receipts. At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated Receipt with a Receipt issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, or vice versa, execute and Deliver a certificated Receipt or deliver a statement, as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the relevant Receipt.
SECTION 2.6 Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Upon surrender, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of (i) the fees and charges of the Depositary for the making of withdrawals of Deposited Securities and cancellation of Receipts (as set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt) and (ii) all fees, taxes and/or governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Section 7.11 hereof and any other provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and other applicable laws, the Holder of such American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares so surrendered. American Depositary Shares may be surrendered for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities by Delivery of a Receipt evidencing such American Depositary Shares (if held in certificated form) or by book-entry Delivery of such American Depositary Shares to the Depositary.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes shall, if so required by the Depositary, be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Holder thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the designated office of the Custodian or through a book-entry delivery of the Shares (in either case, subject to Sections 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 5.9, hereof and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and to the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and applicable laws, now or hereafter in effect) to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as provided above, the Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares, together with any certificate or other proper documents of or relating to title of the Deposited Securities as may be legally required, as the case may be, to or for the account of such person.
The Depositary may refuse to accept for surrender American Depositary Shares only in the circumstances described in Article (4) of the Receipt. Subject thereto, in the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of American Depositary Shares representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and Deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt.
At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held in respect of, and any certificate or certificates and other proper documents of or relating to title to, the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, and for further Delivery to such Holder. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receipt by the Depositary of such direction, the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons entitled thereto at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or cash distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.7 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc.
(a) Additional Requirements. As a condition precedent to the execution and Delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, subdivision, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the Delivery of any distribution thereon (whether in cash or shares) or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt hereto, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matter contemplated by Section 3.1 hereof and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and Delivery of Receipts or American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations and procedures as the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
(b) Additional Limitations. The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the issuance of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfers of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on which the Receipts or Shares are listed, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement or provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or any meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject, in all cases, to Section 7.11 hereof.
(c) The Depositary shall not issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares or deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of ADSs.
SECTION 2.8 Lost Receipts, etc. To the extent the Depositary has issued Receipts in physical certificated form, in case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, unless the Depositary has notice that such ADR has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt (which, in the discretion of the Depositary may be issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless specifically requested otherwise) in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Holder thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and Delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond in form and amount acceptable to the Depositary and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.9 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts . All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled in accordance with its customary practices. Cancelled Receipts shall not be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
SECTION 2.10 Maintenance of Records. The Depositary agrees to maintain records of all Receipts surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 2.6, substitute Receipts Delivered under Section 2.8 and cancelled or destroyed Receipts under Section 2.9, in keeping with the procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in the United States.
ARTICLE III.
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS
AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 3.1 Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit shall provide, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required to provide, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or other information, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties and to provide such other information and documentation as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations hereunder. The Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof, or to the extent not limited by the terms of Section 7.11 hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities, until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations and warranties are made, or such other documentation or information provided, in each case to the Depositarys and the Companys satisfaction. The Depositary shall from time to time on the written request of the Company advise the Company of the availability of any such proofs, certificates or other information and shall, at the Companys sole expense, provide or otherwise make available copies thereof to the Company upon written request therefor by the Company, unless such disclosure is prohibited by law. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to provide, any information requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to this Section 3.1. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to (i) obtain any information for the Company if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners or (ii) verify or vouch for the accuracy of the information so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and to hold each of them harmless from, any Losses which any of them may incur or which may be made against any of them as a result of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner or as a result of any such failure to furnish any of the foregoing.
The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under Section 3.1 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts or withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 3.2 Liability for Taxes and Other Charges. If any present or future tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or the Custodian with respect to any ADR or any Deposited Securities or American Depositary Shares, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary and such Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be deemed liable therefor. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and charges, with the Holder and the Beneficial Owner remaining fully liable for any deficiency. In addition to any other remedies available to it, the Depositary and the Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares, and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to Deliver ADRs, to register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Section 7.11 hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. The liability of Holders and Beneficial Owners under this Section 3.2 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 3.3 Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares. Each person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and were legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim and are not, and the American Depositary Shares issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities, (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) the Shares are not subject to any lock-up agreement with the Company or other party, or the Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement but such lock-up agreement has terminated or the lock-up restrictions imposed thereunder have expired. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares, the issuance and cancellation of American Depositary Shares in respect thereof and the transfer of such American Depositary Shares. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
SECTION 3.4 Compliance with Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association and applicable law, each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to (a) provide such information as the Company or the Depositary may request pursuant to law (including, without limitation, relevant Cayman Islands law, any applicable law of the United States, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, any resolutions of the Companys Board of Directors adopted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the Shares, ADSs or Receipts are listed or traded, or to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs or Receipts may be transferred), (b) be bound by and subject to applicable provisions of the laws of the Cayman Islands, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ADSs, Receipts or Shares are listed or traded, or pursuant to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs, Receipts or Shares may be transferred, to the same extent as if such Holder and Beneficial Owner held Shares directly, in each case irrespective of whether or not they are Holders or Beneficial Owners at the time such request is made and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (c) comply with all applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law, the rules and requirements of any stock exchange on which the Shares are, or will be registered, traded or listed and the Articles of Association regarding any such Holder or Beneficial Owners interest in Shares (including the aggregate of ADSs and Shares held by each such Holder or Beneficial Owner) and/or the disclosure of interests therein, whether or not the same may be enforceable against such Holder or Beneficial Owner. The Depositary agrees to use its reasonable efforts to forward upon the request of the Company, and at the Companys expense, any such request from the Company to the Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
ARTICLE IV.
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
SECTION 4.1 Cash Distributions. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms hereof, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof) be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (on the terms described in Section 4.6 hereof) and will distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Holders respectively as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded down to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Holders entitled thereto. Holders and Beneficial Owners understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates. The excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders of the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request. The Depositary shall forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file with governmental agencies such reports as are necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts.
SECTION 4.2 Distribution in Shares. If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof and shall, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, either (i) distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in the aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the other terms of this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges). In lieu of Delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the proceeds upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof. The Depositary may withhold any such distribution of Receipts if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company (including an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the expense of the Company) that such distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act or is exempt from registration under the provisions of the Securities Act. To the extent such distribution may be withheld, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such distribution in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of applicable taxes and/or governmental charges and fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof.
SECTION 4.3 Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. Whenever the Company intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Company wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to the Holders of ADSs. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to Holders of ADRs, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof (including, without limitation, any legal opinions of counsel in any applicable jurisdiction that the Depositary in its reasonable discretion may request, at the expense of the Company) and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either cash upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof or additional ADSs representing such additional Shares upon the terms described in Section 4.2 hereof. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (on the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof) and establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. The Company shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. Subject to Section 5.9 hereof, if a Holder elects to receive the proposed dividend in cash, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof or in ADSs, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.2 hereof. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Holders a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
SECTION 4.4 Distribution of Rights to Purchase Shares.
(a) Distribution to ADS Holders. Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities rights to subscribe for additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is lawful and reasonably practicable. In the event any of the conditions set forth above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall proceed with the sale of the rights as contemplated in Section 4.4(b) below or, if timing or market conditions may not permit, do nothing thereby allowing such rights to lapse. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof) and establish procedures to distribute such rights (by means of warrants or otherwise) and to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges). Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs).
(b) Sale of Rights. If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof or determines it is not lawful or reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, and if it so determines that it is lawful and reasonably practicable, endeavour to sell such rights in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem proper. The Company shall assist the Depositary to the extent necessary to determine such legality and practicability. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) upon the terms set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.
(c) Lapse of Rights. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders upon the terms described in Section 4.4(a) hereof or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described in Section 4.4(b) hereof, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or exercise or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.4, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes at its expense the Depositary with opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes and/or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes and/or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights or otherwise to register or qualify the offer or sale of such rights or securities under the applicable law of any other jurisdiction for any purpose.
SECTION 4.5 Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares.
(a) Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of Deposited Securities property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution and shall indicate whether or not it wishes such distribution to be made to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such distribution be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have timely requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable.
(b) Upon receipt of satisfactory documentation and the request of the Company to distribute property to Holders of ADSs and after making the requisite determinations set forth in (a) above, the Depositary may distribute the property so received to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (ii) net of any taxes and/or other governmental charges. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
(c) If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders or requests the Depositary not to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary does not receive satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof or (iii) the Depositary determines that all or a portion of such distribution is not reasonably practicable or feasible, the Depositary shall endeavor to sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall distribute the net proceeds, if any, of such sale received by the Depositary (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date upon the terms of Section 4.1 hereof. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances for nominal or no consideration and Holders and Beneficial Owners shall have no rights thereto or arising therefrom.
SECTION 4.6 Conversion of Foreign Currency. Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and in the judgment of the Depositary such Foreign Currency can at such time be converted on a practicable basis (by sale or in any other manner that it may determine in accordance with applicable law) into Dollars transferable to the United States and distributable to the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and shall distribute such Dollars (net of any fees, expenses, taxes and/or other governmental charges incurred in the process of such conversion) in accordance with the terms of the applicable sections of this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary shall have distributed warrants or other instruments that entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, the Depositary shall distribute such Dollars to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation, in either case without liability for interest thereon. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Holders on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise.
In converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion may be calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates (which in any case will not be less than two decimal places). Any excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem necessary, practicable and at nominal cost and expense. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to file or cause to be filed, or to seek effectiveness of any such application or license.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment the conversion of any Foreign Currency and the transfer and distribution of proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary is not practical or lawful, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion, transfer and distribution is denied, or not obtainable at a reasonable cost, within a reasonable period or otherwise sought, the Depositary shall, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable laws and regulations, either (i) distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary to the Holders entitled to receive such Foreign Currency or (ii) hold such Foreign Currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of the Holders entitled to receive the same.
Holders and Beneficial Owners are directed to refer to Section 7.9 hereof for certain disclosure related to conversion of Foreign Currency.
SECTION 4.7 Fixing of Record Date. Whenever necessary in connection with any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights, or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of or solicitation of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date (the ADS Record Date), as close as practicable to the record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Shares (if applicable), for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, to give or withhold such consent, to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share or for any other reason. Subject to applicable law and the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.6 hereof and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of record at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
SECTION 4.8 Voting of Deposited Securities. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or such solicitation of consents or proxies. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 30 Business Days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Companys expense, and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery (or by electronic mail or as otherwise may be agreed between the Company and the Depositary in writing from time to time) or otherwise distribute as soon as practicable after receipt thereof to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy; (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders American Depositary Shares; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given to the Depositary, or in which instructions may be deemed to have been given in accordance with this Section 4.8, including an express indication that instructions may be given (or be deemed to have been given in accordance with the immediately following paragraph of this section if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person or persons designated by the Company. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions of a Holder on the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with such voting instructions.
In the event that (i) the Depositary timely receives voting instructions from a Holder which fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs or (ii) no timely instructions are received by the Depositary from a Holder with respect to any of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs held by such Holder on the ADS Record Date, the Depositary shall (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to Holders) deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to such Deposited Securities and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote such Deposited Securities, provided, however, that no such instruction shall be deemed to have been given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide such information as promptly as practicable in writing, if applicable) that (x) the Company does not wish to give such proxy, (y) the Company is aware or should reasonably be aware that substantial opposition exists from Holders against the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote or (z) the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote would materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of Deposited Securities, provided, further, that the Company will have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner resulting from such notification.
In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions (or the deemed voting instructions, as set out above) received by the Depositary from Holders shall lapse. The Depositary will have no obligation to demand voting on a poll basis with respect to any resolution and shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner for not having demanded voting on a poll basis.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise, the Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders, including the deemed instruction to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which (i) no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder, or (ii) timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder but such voting instructions fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs, shall be voted in the manner provided in this Section 4.8. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, and subject to applicable law, regulation and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing by the Company, represent all Deposited Securities (whether or not voting instructions have been received in respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS Record Date) for the purpose of establishing quorum at a meeting of shareholders.
There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of the law of the Cayman Islands, and in accordance with the terms of Section 5.3 hereof, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of such vote.
SECTION 4.9 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in par value, split-up, subdivision, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, amalgamation, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is otherwise a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence American Depositary Shares representing the right to receive such additional securities. Alternatively, the Depositary may, with the Companys approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement and receipt of an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the Companys expense satisfactory to the Depositary (stating that such distributions are not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations), execute and deliver additional Receipts, as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts. In either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, necessary modifications to the form of Receipt contained in Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities and/or corporate change, shall also be made. The Company agrees that it will, jointly with the Depositary, amend the Registration Statement on Form F-6 as filed with the Commission to permit the issuance of such new form of Receipt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Companys approval, and shall, if the Company requests, subject to receipt of an Opinion of Counsel (furnished at the Companys expense) satisfactory to the Depositary that such action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Holders and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or to any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
SECTION 4.10 Available Information. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the Commissions website at www.sec.gov or at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, U.S.A.
SECTION 4.11 Reports. The Depositary shall make available during normal business hours on any Business Day for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company agrees to provide to the Depositary, at the Companys expense, all such documents that it provides to the Custodian. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company and in accordance with Section 5.6 hereof, also mail to Holders by regular, ordinary mail delivery or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary) copies of notices and reports when furnished by the Company pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof.
SECTION 4.12 List of Holders. Promptly upon written request by the Company, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary.
SECTION 4.13 Taxation; Withholding. The Depositary will, and will instruct the Custodian to, forward to the Company or its agents such information from its records as the Company may request to enable the Company or its agents to file necessary tax reports with governmental authorities or agencies. The Depositary, the Custodian or the Company and its agents may, but shall not be obligated to, file such reports as are necessary to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes on dividends and on other distributions in respect of Deposited Securities under applicable tax treaties or laws for the Holders and Beneficial Owners. Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares may be required from time to time, and in a timely manner to provide and/or file such proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable), to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, or to provide any other information or documents, as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper to fulfill the Depositarys or the Custodians obligations under applicable law. The Holders and Beneficial Owners shall indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained by the Beneficial Owner or Holder or out of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder or Beneficial Owner. The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under this Section 4.13 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
The Company shall remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency any amounts required to be withheld by the Company and owing to such governmental authority or agency. Upon any such withholding, the Company shall remit to the Depositary information, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, about such taxes and/or governmental charges withheld or paid, and, if so requested, the tax receipt (or other proof of payment to the applicable governmental authority) therefor. The Depositary shall, to the extent required by U.S. law, report to Holders (i) any taxes withheld by it; (ii) any taxes withheld by the Custodian, subject to information being provided to the Depositary by the Custodian and (iii) any taxes withheld by the Company, subject to information being provided to the Depositary by the Company. The Depositary and the Custodian shall not be required to provide the Holders with any evidence of the remittance by the Company (or its agents) of any taxes withheld, or of the payment of taxes by the Company, except to the extent the evidence is provided by the Company to the Depositary. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial Owner to obtain the benefits of credits on the basis of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holders or Beneficial Owners income tax liability.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary shall withhold the amount required to be withheld and may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and/or charges and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes and/or charges to the Holders entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
The Depositary is under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners with any information about the tax status of the Company. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners on account of their ownership of the American Depositary Shares, including without limitation, tax consequences resulting from the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) being treated as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (as defined in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations issued thereunder) or otherwise.
ARTICLE V.
THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY
SECTION 5.1 Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar. Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary or if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, the Registrar shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office and facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfers, combination and split-up of Receipts, the surrender of Receipts and the Delivery and withdrawal of Deposited Securities in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary or the Registrar as applicable, shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Depositarys or the Registrars knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time and from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges or automated quotation systems in the United States, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registration of Receipts and transfers, combinations and split-ups, and to countersign such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchanges or systems. Such Registrar or co-registrars may be removed and a substitute or substitutes appointed by the Depositary.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more securities exchanges, markets or automated quotation systems, (i) the Depositary shall be entitled to, and shall, take or refrain from taking such action(s) as it may deem necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of such securities exchange(s), market(s) or automated quotation system(s) applicable to it, notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement; and (ii) upon the reasonable request of the Depositary, the Company shall provide the Depositary such information and assistance as may be reasonably necessary for the Depositary to comply with such requirements, to the extent that the Company may lawfully do so.
Each Registrar and co-registrar appointed under this Section 5.1 shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of the Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.2 Exoneration. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement or shall incur any liability to Holders, Beneficial Owners or any third parties (i) if the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall be prevented or forbidden from, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of this Deposit Agreement, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States or any state thereof, the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement or in the Memorandum and Articles of Association or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents (including without limitation, the Agents) in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of American Depositary Shares or (v) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement or otherwise.
The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents (including without limitation, the Agents), the Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, opinion or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.3 Standard of Care. The Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or any Receipts to any Holder(s) or Beneficial Owner(s) or other persons, except in accordance with Section 5.8 hereof, provided, that the Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement or the applicable ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Without limitation of the foregoing, neither the Depositary, nor the Company, nor any of their respective controlling persons, directors, officers, affiliates, employees or agents (including without limitation, the Agents), shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liabilities be furnished as often as may be required (and no Custodian shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary).
The Depositary and its directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effects of any vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company, or for any action or non action by it in reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as Depositary.
SECTION 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall, in the event no successor depositary has been appointed by the Company, be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof) and (ii) the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary hereunder or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such resignation.
The Company shall use reasonable efforts to appoint such successor depositary, and give notice to the Depositary of such appointment, not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation as provided in this Section 5.4. In the event that notice of the appointment of a successor depositary is not provided by the Company in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal, which removal shall be effective on the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof if a successor depositary has not been appointed), and (ii) the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary hereunder or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such removal.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall be required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in Sections 5.8 and 5.9 hereof), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may assign or otherwise transfer all or any of its rights and benefits under this Deposit Agreement (including any cause of action arising in connection with it) to Deutsche Bank AG or any branch thereof or any entity which is a direct or indirect subsidiary or other affiliate of Deutsche Bank AG.
SECTION 5.5 The Custodian. The Custodian or its successors in acting hereunder shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the direction of the Depositary for the Deposited Securities for which the Custodian acts as custodian and shall be responsible solely to it. If any Custodian resigns or is discharged from its duties hereunder with respect to any Deposited Securities and no other Custodian has previously been appointed hereunder, the Depositary shall promptly appoint a substitute custodian. The Depositary shall require such resigning or discharged Custodian to deliver the Deposited Securities held by it, together with all such records maintained by it as Custodian with respect to such Deposited Securities as the Depositary may request, to the Custodian designated by the Depositary. Whenever the Depositary determines, in its discretion, that it is appropriate to do so, it may appoint an additional entity to act as Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities, or discharge the Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities and appoint a substitute custodian, which shall thereafter be Custodian hereunder with respect to the Deposited Securities. After any such change, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Holders.
Upon the appointment of any successor depositary, any Custodian then acting hereunder shall, unless otherwise instructed by the Depositary, continue to be the Custodian of the Deposited Securities without any further act or writing and shall be subject to the direction of the successor depositary. The successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority to act on the direction of such successor depositary.
SECTION 5.6 Notices and Reports. On or before the first date on which the Company gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action by such holders other than at a meeting, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights in respect of Deposited Securities, the Company shall transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in English but otherwise in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities. The Company shall also furnish to the Custodian and the Depositary a summary, in English, of any applicable provisions or proposed provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association that may be relevant or pertain to such notice of meeting or be the subject of a vote thereat.
The Company will also transmit to the Depositary (a) English language versions of the other notices, reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares or other Deposited Securities and (b) English language versions of the Companys annual and other reports prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Commission. The Depositary shall arrange, at the request of the Company and at the Companys expense, for the mailing of copies thereof to all Holders, or by any other means as agreed between the Company and the Depositary (at the Companys expense) or make such notices, reports and other communications available for inspection by all Holders, provided, that, the Depositary shall have received evidence sufficiently satisfactory to it, including in the form of an Opinion of Counsel regarding U.S. law or of any other applicable jurisdiction, furnished at the expense of the Company, as the Depositary reasonably requests, that the distribution of such notices, reports and any such other communications to Holders from time to time is valid and does not or will not infringe any local, U.S. or other applicable jurisdiction regulatory restrictions or requirements if so distributed and made available to Holders. The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect such mailings. The Company has delivered to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association along with the provisions of or governing the Shares and any other Deposited Securities issued by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, in connection with the Shares, in each case, to the extent not in English, along with a certified English translation thereof, and promptly upon any amendment thereto or change therein, the Company shall deliver to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of such amendment thereto or change therein, to the extent not in English, along with a certified English translation thereof. The Depositary may rely upon such copy for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary will make available, at the expense of the Company, a copy of any such notices, reports or communications issued by the Company and delivered to the Depositary for inspection by the Holders of the Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares representing such Shares governed by such provisions at the Depositarys Corporate Trust Office, at the office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer office.
SECTION 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc. The Company agrees that in the event it or any of its Affiliates proposes (i) an issuance, sale or distribution of additional Shares, (ii) an offering of rights to subscribe for Shares or other Deposited Securities, (iii) an issuance of securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (iv) an issuance of rights to subscribe for securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (v) an elective dividend of cash or Shares, (vi) a redemption of Deposited Securities, (vii) a meeting of holders of Deposited Securities, or solicitation of consents or proxies, relating to any reclassification of securities, merger, subdivision, amalgamation or consolidation or transfer of assets, (viii) any reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale of assets which affects the Deposited Securities or (ix) a distribution of property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares it will obtain U.S. legal advice and take all steps necessary to ensure that the application of the proposed transaction to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act, or any other applicable laws (including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Exchange Act or the securities laws of the states of the United States). In support of the foregoing, the Company will furnish to the Depositary at its request, at the Companys expense, (a) a written opinion of U.S. counsel (satisfactory to the Depositary) stating whether or not application of such transaction to Holders and Beneficial Owners (1) requires a registration statement under the Securities Act to be in effect or (2) is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and/or (3) dealing with such other issues requested by the Depositary; (b) a written opinion of Cayman Islands counsel (satisfactory to the Depositary) stating that (1) making the transaction available to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of the Cayman Islands and (2) all requisite regulatory and corporate consents and approvals have been obtained in the Cayman Islands; and (c) as the Depositary may request, a written Opinion of Counsel in any other jurisdiction in which Holders or Beneficial Owners reside to the effect that making the transaction available to such Holders or Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of such jurisdiction as well as certificates of the Company as to such matters as the Depositary may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances. If the filing of a registration statement is required, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to proceed with the transaction unless it shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that such registration statement has been declared effective and that such distribution is in accordance with all applicable laws or regulations. If, being advised by counsel, the Company determines that a transaction is required to be registered under the Securities Act, the Company will either (i) register such transaction to the extent necessary, (ii) alter the terms of the transaction to avoid the registration requirements of the Securities Act or (iii) direct the Depositary to take specific measures, in each case as contemplated in this Deposit Agreement, to prevent such transaction from violating the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates will at any time (i) deposit any Shares or other Deposited Securities, either upon original issuance or upon a sale of Shares or other Deposited Securities previously issued and reacquired by the Company or by any such Affiliate, or (ii) issue additional Shares, rights to subscribe for such Shares, securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or rights to subscribe for such securities, unless such transaction and the securities issuable in such transaction are exempt from registration under the Securities Act or have been registered under the Securities Act (and such registration statement has been declared effective).
Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Deposit Agreement, nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any proposed transaction.
SECTION 5.8 Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, any Custodian and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents (including without limitation, the Agents) and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any losses, liabilities, taxes, costs, claims, judgments, proceedings, actions, demands and any charges or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel together with, in each case, value added tax and any similar tax charged or otherwise imposed in respect thereof) (collectively referred to as Losses) which the Depositary or any agent (including without limitation, the Agents) thereof may incur or which may be made against it as a result of or in connection with its appointment or the exercise of its powers and duties under this Agreement or that may arise (a) out of or in connection with any offer, issuance, sale, resale, transfer, deposit or withdrawal of Receipts, American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or other Deposited Securities, as the case may be, (b) out of or in connection with any offering documents in respect thereof or (c) out of or in connection with acts performed or omitted, including, but not limited to, any delivery by the Depositary on behalf of the Company of information regarding the Company in connection with this Deposit Agreement, the Receipts, the American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or any Deposited Securities, in any such case (i) by the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents (including without limitation, the Agents) and Affiliates, except to the extent any such Losses arise out of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of any of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates.
The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from any Losses which may arise out of acts performed or omitted to be performed by the Depositary arising out of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall the Depositary or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents (including without limitation, the Agents) and/or Affiliates be liable for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages to the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners or any other person.
Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an Indemnified Person) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the Indemnifying Person) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such Indemnified Person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such Indemnified Persons rights to indemnification except to the extent the Indemnifying Person is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good faith with the Indemnifying Person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder, which defense shall be reasonable under the circumstances. No Indemnified Person shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder without the consent of the Indemnifying Person, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The obligations set forth in this Section shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the succession or substitution of any party hereto.
SECTION 5.9 Fees and Charges of Depositary. The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners, and persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities shall be required to pay to the Depositary the Depositarys fees and related charges identified as payable by them respectively as provided for under Article (9) of the Receipt. All fees and charges so payable may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and the Company, but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders and Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated in Section 6.1 hereof. The Depositary shall provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request.
The Depositary and the Company may reach separate agreement in relation to the payment of any additional remuneration to the Depositary in respect of any exceptional duties which the Depositary finds necessary or desirable and agreed by both parties in the performance of its obligations hereunder and in respect of the actual costs and expenses of the Depositary in respect of any notices required to be given to the Holders in accordance with Article (20) of the Receipt.
In connection with any payment by the Company to the Depositary:
(i) all fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses which are payable by the Company shall be paid or be procured to be paid by the Company (and any such amounts which are paid by the Depositary shall be reimbursed to the Depositary by the Company upon demand therefor);
(ii) such payment shall be subject to all necessary applicable exchange control and other consents and approvals having been obtained. The Company undertakes to use its reasonable endeavours to obtain all necessary approvals that are required to be obtained by it in this connection; and
(iii) the Depositary may request, in its sole but reasonable discretion after reasonable consultation with the Company, an Opinion of Counsel regarding U.S. law, the laws of the Cayman Islands or of any other relevant jurisdiction, to be furnished at the expense of the Company, if at any time it deems it necessary to seek such an Opinion of Counsel regarding the validity of any action to be taken or instructed to be taken under this Agreement.
The Company agrees to promptly pay to the Depositary such other fees, charges and expenses and to reimburse the Depositary for such out-of-pocket expenses as the Depositary and the Company may agree to in writing from time to time. Responsibility for payment of such charges may at any time and from time to time be changed by agreement between the Company and the Depositary.
All payments by the Company to the Depositary under this Section 5.9 shall be paid without set-off or counterclaim, and free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future taxes, levies, imports, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature, imposed by the Cayman Islands or by any department, agency or other political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto.
The right of the Depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary as described in Section 5.4 hereof, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.
SECTION 5.10 Restricted Securities Owners/Ownership Restrictions. From time to time or upon request of the Depositary, the Company shall provide to the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Company, those persons or entities who beneficially own Restricted Securities and the Company shall update such list on a regular basis. The Depositary may rely on such list or update but shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon. The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities who, to the knowledge of the Company, holds Restricted Securities that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder and, to the extent practicable, shall require each of such persons to represent in writing that such person will not deposit Restricted Securities hereunder. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall comply with any limitations on ownership of Shares under the Memorandum and Articles of Association or applicable Cayman Islands law as if they held the number of Shares their ADSs represent. The Company shall, in accordance with Article (24) of the Receipt, inform Holders and Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any other limitations on ownership of Shares that the Holders and Beneficial Owners may be subject to by reason of the number of ADSs held under the Articles of Association or applicable Cayman Islands law, as such restrictions may be in force from time to time.
The Company may, in its sole discretion, but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, including but not limited to, the removal or limitation of voting rights or the mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADRs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Memorandum and Articles of Association; provided that any such measures are practicable and legal and can be undertaken without undue burden or expense, and provided further the Depositarys agreement to the foregoing is conditional upon it being advised of any applicable changes in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Depositary shall have no liability for any actions taken in accordance with such instructions.
ARTICLE VI.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 6.1 Amendment/Supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 6.1 and applicable law, the Receipts outstanding at any time, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and the form of Receipt attached hereto and to be issued under the terms hereof may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable and not materially prejudicial to the Holders without the consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and/or other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of Receipts shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commissions, the Depositarys or the Companys website or upon request from the Depositary).The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the American Depositary Shares to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the American Depositary Shares or the Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such American Depositary Share or Shares, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended and supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or regulations.
SECTION 6.2 Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination, provided that, the Depositary shall be reimbursed for any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to it in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time, prior to such termination shall take effect. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 hereof, the Depositary may terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, each Holder will, upon surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.6 hereof and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights or other property as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to Deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in Section 2.6 hereof, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, Deposited Securities and American Depositary Shares, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary hereunder. The obligations under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and Receipts of Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs outstanding as of the effective date of any termination shall survive such effective date of termination and shall be discharged only when the applicable ADSs are presented by their Holders to the Depositary for cancellation under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Holders have each satisfied any and all of their obligations hereunder (including, but not limited to, any payment and/or reimbursement obligations which relate to prior to the effective date of termination but which payment and/or reimbursement is claimed after such effective date of termination).
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, in connection with the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, independently and without the need for any action by the Company, make available to Holders of ADSs a means to withdraw the Deposited Securities represented by their ADSs and to direct the deposit of such Deposited Securities into an unsponsored American depositary shares program established by the Depositary, upon such terms and conditions as the Depositary may deem reasonably appropriate, subject however, in each case, to satisfaction of the applicable registration requirements by the unsponsored American depositary shares program under the Securities Act, and to receipt by the Depositary of payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and reimbursement of the applicable expenses incurred by, the Depositary.
ARTICLE VII.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1 Counterparts. This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be maintained with the Depositary and shall be open to inspection by any Holder during business hours.
SECTION 7.2 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and their successors) and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person, except to the extent specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties hereto nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among the parties. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) the Depositary and its Affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) the Depositary and its Affiliates may be engaged at any time in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company or the Holders or Beneficial Owners may have interests and (iii) nothing contained in this Agreement shall (a) preclude the Depositary or any of its Affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, or (b) obligate the Depositary or any of its Affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships.
SECTION 7.3 Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION 7.4 Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect. The Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares shall be parties to the Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of any Receipt by acceptance hereof or any beneficial interest therein.
SECTION 7.5 Notices. Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or electronic transmission, confirmed by letter, addressed to Building 96, 4 San Jian Fang South Block Chaoyang District, Beijing 100024, Peoples Republic of China, Attention: Yuanxin Xiu or to any other address which the Company may specify in writing to the Depositary or at which it may be effectively given such notice in accordance with applicable law.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), at the Companys expense, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, confirmed by letter, addressed to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, USA, Attention: ADR Department, telephone: +1 212 250-9100, facsimile: + 1 212 797 0327 or to any other address which the Depositary may specify in writing to the Company.
Any and all notices to be given to any Holder shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), at the Companys expense, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if such Holder shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Holder be mailed to some other address, at the address specified in such request. Notice to Holders shall be deemed to be notice to Beneficial Owners for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
Delivery of a notice sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission shall be deemed to be effective at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or delivered to an air courier service. The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission received by it from the other or from any Holder, notwithstanding that such cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid, as the case may be.
SECTION 7.6 Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with, and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York without reference to the principles of choice of law thereof. Subject to the Depositarys rights under the third paragraph of this Section 7.6, the Company and the Depositary agree that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceeding and to settle any dispute between them that may arise out of or in connection with this Deposit Agreement and, for such purposes, each irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto agree that any judgment and/or order from any such New York court can be enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Cogency Global Inc., (the Process Agent), now at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, as its authorized agent to receive and accept for and on its behalf, and on behalf of its properties, assets and revenues, service by mail of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any suit, action or proceeding brought against the Company in any federal or state court as described in the preceding sentence or in the next paragraph of this Section 7.6. If for any reason the Process Agent shall cease to be available to act as such, the Company agrees to designate a new agent in the City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7.6 reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary. The Company further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents in any suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by mail of a copy thereof upon the Process Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Process Agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such Process Agent shall fail to accept or acknowledge such service), with a copy mailed to the Company by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section 7.5 hereof. The Company agrees that the failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon.
The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any actions, suits or proceedings brought in any court as provided in this Section 7.6, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
The Company, the Depositary and by holding an American Depositary Share (or interest therein) Holders and Beneficial Owners each agree that, notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to any claim or dispute or difference of whatever nature between or involving the parties hereto arising directly or indirectly from the relationship created by this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary, in its sole discretion, shall be entitled to refer such dispute or difference for final settlement by arbitration (Arbitration) in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the Rules) then in force. The arbitration shall be conducted by three arbitrators, one nominated by the Depositary, one nominated by the Company, and one nominated by the two party-appointed arbitrators within 30 calendar days of the confirmation of the nomination of the second arbitrator. If any arbitrator has not been nominated within the time limits specified herein and in the Rules, then such arbitrator shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the Rules. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The seat and place of any reference to arbitration shall be New York City, New York, and the procedural law of such arbitration shall be New York law. The language to be used in the arbitration shall be English. The fees of the arbitrator and other costs incurred by the parties in connection with such Arbitration shall be paid by the party or parties that is (are) unsuccessful in such Arbitration. For the avoidance of doubt this paragraph does not preclude Holders and Beneficial Owners from pursuing claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act in federal courts.
Holders and Beneficial Owners understand, and holding an American Depositary Share or an interest therein, such Holders and Beneficial Owners each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving the Company or the Depositary, arising out of or based upon the Deposit Agreement, the American Depositary Shares or Receipts, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or by virtue of ownership thereof, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and by holding an American Depositary Share or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Holders and Beneficial Owners agree that the provisions of this paragraph shall survive such Holders and Beneficial Owners ownership of American Depositary Shares or interests therein.
EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN ANY ADRs) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive any termination of this Deposit Agreement, in whole or in part.
SECTION 7.7 Assignment. Subject to the provisions and exceptions set forth in Section 5.4 hereof, this Deposit Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or the Depositary.
SECTION 7.8 Agents. The Depositary shall be entitled, in its sole but reasonable discretion, to appoint one or more agents (the Agents) of which it shall have control for the purpose, inter alia, of making distributions to the Holders or otherwise carrying out its obligations under this Agreement.
SECTION 7.9 Affiliates etc. The Depositary reserves the right to utilize and retain a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of Shares, rights, securities, property or other entitlements hereunder and to engage in the conversion of Foreign Currency hereunder. It is anticipated that such division and/or Affiliate(s) will charge the Depositary a fee and/or commission in connection with each such transaction, and seek reimbursement of its costs and expenses related thereto. Such fees/commissions, costs and expenses, shall be deducted from amounts distributed hereunder and shall not be deemed to be fees of the Depositary under Article (9) of the Receipt or otherwise. Persons are advised that in converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars the Depositary may utilize Deutsche Bank AG or its affiliates (collectively, DBAG) to effect such conversion by seeking to enter into a foreign exchange (FX) transaction with DBAG. When converting currency, the Depositary is not acting as a fiduciary for the holders or beneficial owners of depositary receipts or any other person. Moreover, in executing FX transactions, DBAG will be acting in a principal capacity, and not as agent, fiduciary or broker, and may hold positions for its own account that are the same, similar, different or opposite to the positions of its customers, including the Depositary. When the Depositary seeks to execute an FX transaction to accomplish such conversion, customers should be aware that DBAG is a global dealer in FX for a full range of FX products and, as a result, the rate obtained in connection with any requested foreign currency conversion may be impacted by DBAG executing FX transactions for its own account or with another customer. In addition, in order to source liquidity for any FX transaction relating to any foreign currency conversion, DBAG may internally share economic terms relating to the relevant FX transaction with persons acting in a sales or trading capacity for DBAG or one of its agents. DBAG may charge fees and/or commissions to the Depositary or add a mark-up in connection with such conversions, which are reflected in the rate at which the foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars. The Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs.
SECTION 7.10 Exclusivity. The Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for the issuance or administration of depositary receipts evidencing any class of stock of the Company so long as Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is acting as Depositary hereunder.
SECTION 7.11 Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Instruction I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.
SECTION 7.12 Titles. All references in this Deposit Agreement to exhibits, Articles, sections, subsections, and other subdivisions refer to the exhibits, Articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this Deposit Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. The words this Deposit Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to the Deposit Agreement as a whole as in effect between the Company, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter gender shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa unless the context otherwise requires. Titles to sections of this Deposit Agreement are included for convenience only and shall be disregarded in construing the language contained in this Deposit Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.
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EXHIBIT A
CUSIP
ISIN
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American Depositary Shares (Each |
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American Depositary Share |
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representing one |
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Fully Paid Class A Ordinary Share) |
[FORM OF FACE OF RECEIPT]
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
for
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES
of
KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED
(Incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands)
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as depositary (herein called the Depositary), hereby certifies that is the owner of American Depositary Shares (hereinafter ADS), representing deposited Class A ordinary shares, each of Par Value of U.S. $0.001 including evidence of rights to receive such Class A ordinary shares (the Shares) of Kuke Music Holding Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Company). As of the date of the Deposit Agreement (hereinafter referred to), each ADS represents one Share deposited under the Deposit Agreement with the Custodian which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch (the Custodian). The ratio of Depositary Shares to shares of stock is subject to subsequent amendment as provided in Article IV of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositarys Corporate Trust Office is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
(1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts (Receipts), all issued or to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of [], 2021 (as amended from time to time, the Deposit Agreement), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt agrees to become a party thereto and becomes bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time, received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, other securities, property and cash are herein called Deposited Securities). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary and the Custodian.
Each owner and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and applicable ADR(s), and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) (the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof).
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association (as in effect on the date of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. To the extent there is any inconsistency between the terms of this Receipt and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the terms of the Deposit Agreement shall prevail. Prospective and actual Holders and Beneficial Owners are encouraged to read the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the American Depositary Shares into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of American Depositary Shares held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such American Depositary Shares. The Receipt evidencing the American Depositary Shares held through DTC will be registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. So long as the American Depositary Shares are held through DTC or unless otherwise required by law, ownership of beneficial interests in the Receipt registered in the name of DTC (or its nominee) will be shown on, and transfers of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by (i) DTC (or its nominee), or (ii) DTC Participants (or their nominees).
(2) Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Upon surrender, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, of ADSs evidenced by this Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of (i) the fees and charges of the Depositary for the making of withdrawals of Deposited Securities and cancellation of Receipts (as set forth in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and Article (9) hereof) and (ii) all fees, taxes and/or governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal, and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Section 7.11 of the Deposit Agreement, Article (22) hereof and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and other applicable laws, the Holder of the American Depositary Shares evidenced hereby is entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADS so surrendered. ADS may be surrendered for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities by Delivery of a Receipt evidencing such ADS (if held in registered form) or by book-entry delivery of such ADS to the Depositary.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes shall, if so required by the Depositary, be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Holder thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the designated office of the Custodian or through a book-entry delivery of the Shares (in either case subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and to the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and applicable laws, now or hereafter in effect), to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as provided above, the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs, together with any certificate or other proper documents of or relating to title for the Deposited Securities or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available) as the case may be to or for the account of such person. Subject to Article (4) hereof, in the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of ADSs representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and Deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt so surrendered and remit the proceeds thereof (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held in respect of, and any certificate or certificates and other proper documents of or relating to title to, the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for Delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, and for further Delivery to such Holder. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receipt of such direction by the Depositary, the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons entitled thereto at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or cash distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
(3) Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of Receipts. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar shall register transfers of Receipts on its books, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt by the Holder thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed in the case of a certificated Receipt or accompanied by, or in the case of Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, receipt by the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard industry practice) and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York, of the United States, of the Cayman Islands and of any other applicable jurisdiction. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, including payment of the applicable fees and expenses incurred by, and charges of, the Depositary, the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt(s) (and if necessary, cause the Registrar to countersign such Receipt(s)) and deliver same to or upon the order of the person entitled to such Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered. Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts upon payment of the applicable fees and charges of the Depositary, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition precedent to the execution and Delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, subdivision, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon (whether in cash or shares) or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this Receipt, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matter and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and Delivery of Receipts and ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations of the Depositary or the Company consistent with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the issuance of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon which the Receipts or Share are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or any meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Article (22) hereof.
The Depositary shall not issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares or deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of ADSs.
(5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with requests from the Company pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands, the rules and requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and any other stock exchange on which the Shares are, or will be registered, traded or listed, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which are made to provide information as to the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owner at the time of such request. The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to forward any such requests to the Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
(6) Liability of Holder for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges. If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or the Custodian with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities or ADSs, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of the Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, with the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof remaining fully liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares, and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver Receipts, register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Article (22) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received.
The liability of Holders and Beneficial Owners under the Deposit Agreement shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
Holders understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which may exceed the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates (which in any case will not be less than two decimal places). Any excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment.
(7) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares (and the certificates therefor) are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and were legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares, have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, and are not, and the ADSs issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities, (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) the Shares are not subject to any lock-up agreement with the Company or other party, or the Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement but such lock-up agreement has terminated or the lock-up restrictions imposed thereunder have expired or been validly waived. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares and the issuance, cancellation and transfer of ADSs. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
(8) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit shall provide, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required to provide, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes and/or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or other information as the Depositary deems necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. Pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof, or to the extent not limited by the terms of Article (22) hereof or the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations and warranties are made, or such other documentation or information provided, in each case to the Depositarys and the Companys satisfaction. The Depositary shall from time to time on the written request of the Company advise the Company of the availability of any such proofs, certificates or other information and shall, at the Companys sole expense, provide or otherwise make available copies thereof to the Company upon written request therefor by the Company, unless such disclosure is prohibited by law. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to (i) obtain any information for the Company if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners or (ii) verify or vouch for the accuracy of the information so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and to hold each of them harmless from, any Losses which any of them may incur or which may be made against any of them as a result of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner or as a result of any such failure to furnish any of the foregoing.
The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under the Deposit Agreement shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
(9) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary reserves the right to charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, provided, however, that no fees shall be payable upon distribution of cash dividends so long as the charging of such fee is prohibited by the exchange, if any, upon which the ADSs are listed:
(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued or to any person to whom a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement to be determined by the Depositary;
(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason including, inter alia, cash distributions made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs reduced, cancelled or surrendered (as the case may be);
(iii) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs held for the distribution of cash dividends;
(iv) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs held for the distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds, including proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements;
(v) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights; and
(vi) for the operation and maintenance costs in administering the ADSs an annual fee of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs, such fee to be assessed against Holders of record as of the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions.
In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, any person depositing Shares for deposit and any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities with the Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex, facsimile and electronic transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the depositor depositing or person withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign Currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs;
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities, including any fees of a central depository for securities in the local market, where applicable;
(vii) any additional fees, charges, costs or expenses that may be incurred by the Depositary or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary from time to time.
Any other fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary or the Custodian under the Deposit Agreement shall be for the account of the Company unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Article (20) hereof.
The Depositary may make payments to the Company and/or may share revenue with the Company derived from fees collected from Holders and Beneficial Owners, upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time.
(10) Title to Receipts. It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) is transferable by delivery of the Receipt, provided it has been properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, such Receipt being a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary may deem and treat the Holder of this Receipt (that is, the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes. The Depositary shall have no obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to any holder of this Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the Holder of this Receipt registered on the books of the Depositary or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owners representative is the Holder registered on the books of the Depositary.
(11) Validity of Receipt. This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose, unless this Receipt has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, for the issuance and transfer of Receipts. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
(12) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, U.S.A. The Depositary shall make available during normal business hours on any Business Day for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Depositarys or the Registrars knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Article (22) hereof.
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DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST |
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COMPANY AMERICAS, as Depositary |
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The address of the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary is 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
(13) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights securities or other entitlements under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can, in the judgment of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis, into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars and will distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities held by such Holders respectively as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded down to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Holders entitled thereto. Holders and Beneficial Owners understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates. The excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request. The Depositary shall forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file with governmental agencies such reports as are necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit, the Depositary shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and either (i) distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes and/or governmental charges), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of the applicable fees and charges of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes and/or governmental charges). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the proceeds upon the terms set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
In the event that (x) the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, (y) if the Company, in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has either (a) furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), or (b) fails to timely deliver the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of taxes and/or governmental charges, and fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, upon provision of all documentation required under the Deposit Agreement, (including, without limitation, any legal opinions the Depositary may request under the Deposit Agreement) determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, establish an ADS Record Date according to Article (14) hereof and establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the distribution in cash, the dividend shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in Shares upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. If such elective distribution is not lawful or reasonably practicable or if the Depositary did not receive satisfactory documentation set forth in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the Cayman Islands, in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares, in each case, upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities rights to subscribe for additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Company shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any Holders only if the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, the Depositary shall have received the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, and the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is lawful and reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date and establish procedures (x) to distribute such rights (by means of warrants or otherwise) and (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges). Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines it is not lawful or reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, and if it so determines that it is lawful and reasonably practicable, endeavour to sell such rights in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public and/or private sale) as it may deem proper. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) upon the terms hereof and in the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act and/or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes to the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case satisfactorily to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes and/or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes and/or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights or otherwise to register or qualify the offer or sale of such rights or securities under the applicable law of any other jurisdiction for any purpose.
Upon receipt of a notice regarding property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine, after consultation with the Company, whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have timely requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes and/or governmental charges. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall distribute the proceeds of such sale received by the Depositary (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(14) Fixing of Record Date. Whenever necessary in connection with any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of or solicitation of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date (the ADS Record Date), as close as practicable to the record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Shares (if applicable), for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or to give or withhold such consent, or to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS or for any other reason. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of record at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
(15) Voting of Deposited Securities. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or such solicitation of consents or proxies. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 30 Business Days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Companys expense, and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery (or by electronic mail or as otherwise may be agreed between the Company and the Depositary in writing from time to time) or otherwise distribute as soon as practicable after receipt thereof to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy; (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders American Depositary Shares; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given to the Depositary, or in which instructions may be deemed to have been given in accordance with this Article (15), including an express indication that instructions may be given (or be deemed to have been given in accordance with the immediately following paragraph of this section if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person or persons designated by the Company. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions of a Holder on the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Companys Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with such voting instructions.
In the event that (i) the Depositary timely receives voting instructions from a Holder which fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs or (ii) no timely instructions are received by the Depositary from a Holder with respect to any of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs held by such Holder on the ADS Record Date, the Depositary shall (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to Holders) deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to such Deposited Securities and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote such Deposited Securities, provided, however, that no such instruction shall be deemed to have been given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide such information as promptly as practicable in writing, if applicable) that (x) the Company does not wish to give such proxy, (y) the Company is aware or should reasonably be aware that substantial opposition exists from Holders against the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote or (z) the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote would materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of Deposited Securities, provided, further, that the Company will have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner resulting from such notification.
In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions (or the deemed voting instructions, as set out above) received by the Depositary from Holders shall lapse. The Depositary will have no obligation to demand voting on a poll basis with respect to any resolution and shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner for not having demanded voting on a poll basis.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise, Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders, including the deemed instruction to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which (i) no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder, or (ii) timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder but such voting instructions fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holders ADSs, shall be voted in the manner provided in this Article (15). Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, and subject to applicable law, regulation and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing by the Company, represent all Deposited Securities (whether or not voting instructions have been received in respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS Record Date) for the purpose of establishing quorum at a meeting of shareholders.
There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of the law of the Cayman Islands, and in accordance with the terms of Section 5.3 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of such vote.
(16) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in par value, split-up, subdivision, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it otherwise is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. Alternatively, the Depositary may, with the Companys approval, and shall, if the Company shall so requests, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to this form of Receipt specifically describing such new Deposited Securities and/or corporate change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Companys approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
(17) Exoneration. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or shall incur any liability to Holders, Beneficial Owners or any third parties (i) if the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and this Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement or in the Memorandum and Articles of Association or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for any inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of ADS or (v) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement or otherwise. The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents (including without limitation, the Agents), any Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, opinion or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.
(18) Standard of Care. The Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except in accordance with Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement, provided, that the Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Depositary and its directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company or for any action or non action by it in reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as Depositary.
(19) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall, in the event no successor depositary has been appointed by the Company, be entitled to take the actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), or (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such resignation. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to appoint such successor depositary, and give notice to the Depositary of such appointment, not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal which notice shall be effective on the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement if a successor depositary has not been appointed), or (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such removal. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York and if it shall have not appointed a successor depositary the provisions referred to in Article (21) hereof and correspondingly in the Deposit Agreement shall apply. Every successor depositary shall be required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may assign or otherwise transfer all or any of its rights and benefits under the Deposit Agreement (including any cause of action arising in connection with it) to Deutsche Bank AG or any branch thereof or any entity which is a direct or indirect subsidiary or other affiliate of Deutsche Bank AG.
(20) Amendment/Supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article (20), and applicable law, this Receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges of the Depositary in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and/or other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of Receipts shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commissions, the Depositarys or the Companys website or upon request from the Depositary). The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or regulations.
(21) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination provided that, the Depositary shall be reimbursed for any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to it in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time, prior to such termination shall take effect. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, each Holder will, upon surrender of such Holders Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Article (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights or other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, Deposited Securities and ADSs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments) and except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement. Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement. The obligations under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and Receipts of Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs outstanding as of the effective date of any termination shall survive such effective date of termination and shall be discharged only when the applicable ADSs are presented by their Holders to the Depositary for cancellation under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Holders have each satisfied any and all of their obligations hereunder (including, but not limited to, any payment and/or reimbursement obligations which relate to prior to the effective date of termination but which payment and/or reimbursement is claimed after such effective date of termination).
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, in connection with the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, independently and without the need for any action by the Company, make available to Holders of ADSs a means to withdraw the Deposited Securities represented by their ADSs and to direct the deposit of such Deposited Securities into an unsponsored American depositary shares program established by the Depositary, upon such terms and conditions as the Depositary may deem reasonably appropriate, subject however, in each case, to satisfaction of the applicable registration requirements by the unsponsored American depositary shares program under the Securities Act, and to receipt by the Depositary of payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and reimbursement of the applicable expenses incurred by, the Depositary.
(22) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws; Regulatory Compliance. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.
(23) Certain Rights of the Depositary. The Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares.
(24) Ownership Restrictions. Owners and Beneficial Owners shall comply with any limitations on ownership of Shares under the Memorandum and Articles of Association or applicable Cayman Islands law as if they held the number of Shares their American Depositary Shares represent. The Company shall inform the Owners, Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any such ownership restrictions in place from time to time.
(25) Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN ANY ADRs) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto whose taxpayer identification number is and whose address including postal zip code is , the within Receipt and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing attorney-in-fact to transfer said Receipt on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.
ARTICLE I. |
DEFINITIONS |
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1 |
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SECTION 1.1 |
Affiliate |
1 |
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SECTION 1.2 |
Agent |
1 |
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SECTION 1.3 |
American Depositary Share(s) and ADS(s) |
2 |
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SECTION 1.4 |
Article |
2 |
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SECTION 1.5 |
Articles of Association |
2 |
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SECTION 1.6 |
ADS Record Date |
2 |
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SECTION 1.7 |
Beneficial Owner |
2 |
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SECTION 1.8 |
Business Day |
2 |
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SECTION 1.9 |
Commission |
2 |
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SECTION 1.10 |
Company |
2 |
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SECTION 1.11 |
Corporate Trust Office |
2 |
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SECTION 1.12 |
Custodian |
2 |
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SECTION 1.13 |
Deliver, Deliverable and Delivery |
3 |
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SECTION 1.14 |
Deposit Agreement |
3 |
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SECTION 1.15 |
Depositary |
3 |
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SECTION 1.16 |
Deposited Securities |
3 |
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SECTION 1.17 |
Dollars and $ |
3 |
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SECTION 1.18 |
DRS/Profile |
3 |
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SECTION 1.19 |
DTC |
3 |
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SECTION 1.20 |
DTC Participants |
3 |
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SECTION 1.21 |
Exchange Act |
3 |
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SECTION 1.22 |
Foreign Currency |
3 |
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SECTION 1.23 |
Foreign Registrar |
3 |
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SECTION 1.24 |
Holder |
3 |
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SECTION 1.25 |
Indemnified Person and Indemnifying Person |
4 |
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SECTION 1.26 |
Losses |
4 |
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SECTION 1.27 |
Memorandum |
4 |
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SECTION 1.28 |
Opinion of Counsel |
4 |
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SECTION 1.29 |
Receipt(s); American Depositary Receipt(s); and ADR(s) |
4 |
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SECTION 1.30 |
Registrar |
4 |
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SECTION 1.31 |
Restricted Securities |
4 |
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SECTION 1.32 |
Securities Act |
4 |
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SECTION 1.33 |
Shares |
4 |
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SECTION 1.34 |
United States or U.S. |
5 |
ARTICLE II. |
APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPT; DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS |
5 |
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SECTION 2.1 |
Appointment of Depositary |
5 |
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SECTION 2.2 |
Form and Transferability of Receipts |
5 |
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SECTION 2.3 |
Deposits |
7 |
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SECTION 2.4 |
Execution and Delivery of Receipts |
8 |
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SECTION 2.5 |
Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts |
8 |
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SECTION 2.6 |
Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities |
9 |
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SECTION 2.7 |
Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc. |
10 |
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SECTION 2.8 |
Lost Receipts, etc. |
11 |
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SECTION 2.9 |
Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts |
11 |
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SECTION 2.10 |
Maintenance of Records |
11 |
ARTICLE III. |
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF RECEIPTS |
11 |
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SECTION 3.1 |
Proofs, Certificates and Other Information |
11 |
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SECTION 3.2 |
Liability for Taxes and Other Charges |
12 |
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SECTION 3.3 |
Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares |
12 |
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SECTION 3.4 |
Compliance with Information Requests |
13 |
ARTICLE IV |
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES |
13 |
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SECTION 4.1 |
Cash Distributions |
13 |
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SECTION 4.2 |
Distribution in Shares |
14 |
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SECTION 4.3 |
Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares |
14 |
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SECTION 4.4 |
Distribution of Rights to Purchase Shares |
15 |
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SECTION 4.5 |
Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares |
17 |
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SECTION 4.6 |
Conversion of Foreign Currency |
18 |
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SECTION 4.7 |
Fixing of Record Date |
18 |
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SECTION 4.8 |
Voting of Deposited Securities |
19 |
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SECTION 4.9 |
Changes Affecting Deposited Securities |
21 |
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SECTION 4.10 |
Available Information |
21 |
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SECTION 4.11 |
Reports |
21 |
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SECTION 4.12 |
List of Holders |
22 |
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SECTION 4.13 |
Taxation; Withholding |
22 |
ARTICLE V. |
THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY |
23 |
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SECTION 5.1 |
Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar |
23 |
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SECTION 5.2 |
Exoneration |
24 |
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SECTION 5.3 |
Standard of Care |
25 |
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SECTION 5.4 |
Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary |
25 |
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SECTION 5.5 |
The Custodian |
26 |
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SECTION 5.6 |
Notices and Reports |
27 |
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SECTION 5.7 |
Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc. |
28 |
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SECTION 5.8 |
Indemnification |
29 |
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SECTION 5.9 |
Fees and Charges of Depositary |
30 |
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SECTION 5.10 |
Restricted Securities Owners/Ownership Restrictions |
31 |
ARTICLE VI. |
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION |
32 |
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SECTION 6.1 |
Amendment/Supplement |
32 |
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SECTION 6.2 |
Termination |
33 |
ARTICLE VII. |
MISCELLANEOUS |
34 |
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SECTION 7.1 |
Counterparts |
34 |
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SECTION 7.2 |
No Third-Party Beneficiaries |
34 |
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SECTION 7.3 |
Severability |
34 |
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SECTION 7.4 |
Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect |
34 |
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SECTION 7.5 |
Notices |
34 |
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SECTION 7.6 |
Governing Law and Jurisdiction |
35 |
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SECTION 7.7 |
Assignment |
37 |
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SECTION 7.8 |
Agents |
37 |
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SECTION 7.9 |
Affiliates etc |
37 |
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SECTION 7.10 |
Exclusivity |
37 |
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SECTION 7.11 |
Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws |
38 |
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SECTION 7.12 |
Titles |
38 |
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EXHIBIT A |
40 |
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EXHIBIT B |
49 |
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Exhibit 5.1
6 January 2021
Matter No.830598
Doc Ref: 106647152
(852) 2842 9521 / (852) 2842 9580
Flora.Wong@conyers.com
Ryan.McConvey@conyers.com
Kuke Music Holding Limited
Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive
P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman
KY1-1111, Cayman Islands
Dear Sirs,
Re: Kuke Music Holding Limited (the Company)
We have acted as special legal counsel in the Cayman Islands to the Company in connection with a registration statement on form F-1 (the Registration Statement, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on or about the date hereof relating to the registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the Securities Act) relating to the offering by the Company of certain American depositary shares (the ADSs) representing the class A ordinary shares par value US$0.001 per share of the Company (the Class A Ordinary Shares).
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined a copy of the Registration Statement and a draft of the prospectus (the Prospectus) contained in the Registration Statement. We have also reviewed copies of (1) the first amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company adopted on 18 November 2020, (2) unanimous written resolutions of the directors of the Company dated 18 December 2020 and unanimous written resolutions of the members of the Company dated 18 December 2020 (collectively, the Resolutions), (3) the latest drafts of the second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company proposed to become effective immediately prior to the closing of the Companys initial public offering of the ADSs representing the Class A Ordinary Shares (the Listing M&As), (4) a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Registrar of Companies in relation to the Company on 4 January 2021 (the Certificate Date), and (5) such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.
We have assumed (a) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken, (b) that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed and/or filed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention, (c) the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other documents reviewed by us, (d) that the Resolutions have been passed at one or more duly convened, constituted and quorate meetings or by unanimous written resolutions, will remain in full force and effect and will not be rescinded or amended, (e) that the Listing M&As will become effective immediately prior to the closing of the Companys initial public offering of ADSs representing the Companys Class A Ordinary Shares, (f) that there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than the Cayman Islands, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein, (g) that upon the issue of any Class A Ordinary Shares to be sold by the Company, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof, and (h) the validity and binding effect under the laws of the United States of America of the Registration Statement and that the Registration Statement will be duly filed with the Commission.
We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in the Cayman Islands.
On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is duly incorporated and validly existing as an exempted company with limited liability under the law of the Cayman Islands and, based on the Certificate of Good Standing, is in good standing as at the Certificate Date. Pursuant to the Companies Law (the Law), a company is deemed to be in good standing if all fees and penalties under the Law have been paid and the Registrar of Companies has no knowledge that the Company is in default under the Law.
2. When issued and paid for as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Class A Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term means when used herein that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such shares).
3. The statements under the caption Taxation Cayman Islands Taxation in the Prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement, to the extent that they constitute statements of Cayman Islands law, are accurate in all material respects and that such statements constitute our opinion.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the captions Enforceability of Civil Liabilities and Legal Matters in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Yours faithfully, |
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/s/ Conyers Dill & Pearman
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Conyers Dill & Pearman |
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Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption Experts and to the use of our report dated September 8, 2020, in the Registration Statement (Form F-1) and related Prospectus of Kuke Music Holding Limited dated January 6, 2021.
/s/ Ernst & Young
Hong Kong, The Peoples Republic of China
January 4, 2021
中国北京市建国门外大街甲12号新华保险大厦6层100022
6/F, NCI Tower, A12 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing 100022, China
电话 Tel: +86 10 6569 3399 传真 Fax: +86 10 6569 3838
电邮 Email: beijing@tongshang.com 网址 Web: www.tongshang.com
LEGAL OPINION
To: Kuke Music Holding Limited
4 San Jian Fang South Block
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100024
Peoples Republic of China
January 6, 2021
Dear Sirs,
We are lawyers qualified in the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC) and are qualified to issue opinions on the PRC Laws (as defined below). For the purpose of this legal opinion (this Opinion), the PRC does not include the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.
We act as PRC counsel to Kuke Music Holding Limited (the Company), a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, in connection with (a) the proposed public offering (the Offering) by the Company of American Depositary Shares (the ADSs), representing ordinary shares of par value US$ 0.001 per share of the Company, in accordance with the Companys registration statement on Form F-1, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the Registration Statement), filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (b) the Companys proposed listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market.
In so acting, we have examined the Registration Statement, the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of documents provided to us by the Company and such other documents, corporate records, certificates, approvals and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering this Opinion, including, without limitation, originals or copies of the agreements and certificates issued by PRC authorities and officers of the Company (the Documents).
In examining the Documents and for the purpose of giving this Opinion, we have assumed without further inquiry:
(a) the genuineness of all the signatures, seals and chops, the authenticity of the Documents submitted to us as original and the conformity with authentic original documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of such originals;
(b) the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of the Documents, as well as the factual statements contained in the Documents;
(c) that the Documents provided to us remain in full force and effect up to the date of this Opinion and that none of the Documents has been revoked, amended, varied or supplemented except as otherwise indicated in such documents;
(d) that information provided to us by the Company, the PRC Subsidiaries (as defined below) and the Variable Interest Entities (as defined below) in response to our enquiries for the purpose of this Opinion is true, accurate, complete and not misleading, and that the Company, the PRC Subsidiaries and the Variable Interest Entities have not withheld anything that, if disclosed to us, would reasonably cause us to alter this Opinion in whole or in part;
(e) all Governmental Authorizations and other official statement or documentation are obtained by lawful means in due course;
(f) that each of the parties other than PRC companies is duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and/or incorporation (as the case may be) ;
(g) that all parties other than the PRC companies have the requisite power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform all the Documents to which they are parties and have duly executed, delivered, performed, and will duly perform their obligations under all the Documents to which they are parties; and
(h) all documents submitted to us are legal, valid, binding and enforceable under all such laws as govern or relate to them other than PRC Laws.
For the purpose of rendering this Opinion, where important facts were not independently established to us, we have relied upon certificates issued by Governmental Authorities and representatives of the shareholders of the Company, the PRC Subsidiaries and the Variable Interest Entities with proper authority and upon representations, made in or pursuant to the Documents.
The following terms as used in this Opinion are defined as follows:
Beijing Lecheng |
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means Beijing Lecheng Future Culture Communications Co., Ltd. (北京乐成未来文化传媒有限公司) |
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Governmental Authorities |
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means any national, provincial or local court, governmental agency or body, stock exchange authorities or any other regulator in the PRC. |
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Governmental Authorizations |
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means licenses, consents, authorizations, sanctions, permissions, declarations, approvals, orders, registrations, clearances, annual inspections, waivers, qualifications, certificates and permits from, and the reports to and filings with, PRC Governmental Authorities pursuant to any applicable PRC Laws. |
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Kuke Future |
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means Kuke Future International Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.(库客未来国际科技(北京)有限公司) |
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M&A Rules |
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means the Rules on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, China Securities Regulatory Commission (the CSRC) and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC on August 8, 2006 and became effective on September 8, 2006, as amended by the Ministry of Commerce on June 22, 2009. |
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PRC Laws |
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means any and all officially published laws, regulations, statutes, rules, decrees, notices, and supreme courts judicial interpretations currently in force and publicly available in the PRC as of the date hereof. |
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PRC Subsidiaries |
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means Kuke Future, Beijing Lecheng and Beijing Naxos Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. (北京拿索斯文化传播有限公司) |
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Prospectus |
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means the prospectus, including all amendments or supplements thereto, that forms part of the Registration Statement. |
Variable Interest Entities |
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means Beijing Kuke Music Co., Ltd. (北京库客音乐股份有限公司) and Beijing Music Festival Co., Ltd. (北京国际音乐节文化传播有限公司) |
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings described in the Registration Statement.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the disclosures contained in the Registration Statement and the qualifications set out below, we are of the opinion that:
1. Based on our understanding of the PRC Laws, (i) the ownership structures of the PRC Subsidiaries and the Variable Interest Entities, both currently and immediately after giving effect to the Offering, will not result in any violation of the PRC Laws; and (ii) the contractual arrangements among Beijing Lecheng, Kuke Future, the Variable Interest Entities and their shareholders governed by the PRC Laws both currently and immediately after giving effect to the Offering are valid, binding and enforceable, and will not result in any violation of the PRC Laws. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the PRC Laws and future PRC laws and regulations, and there can be no assurance that the PRC authorities will not take a view that is contrary to or otherwise different from our opinion stated above.
2. The M&A Rules purport, among other things, to require an offshore special purpose vehicles controlled by PRC companies or individuals and formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic interest held by such PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval from the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. Based on our understanding of the PRC Laws, the CSRCs approval is not required for the approval of the listing and trading of the Companys ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, given that (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings under the Prospectus are subject to the M&A Rules; (ii) each of the PRC Subsidiaries was incorporated as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise by means of direct investment rather than by merger or acquisition of equity interest or assets of a PRC domestic company owned by PRC companies or individuals as defined under the M&A Rules; and (iii) no provision in the M&A Rules clearly classifies the contractual arrangements among Beijing Lecheng, Kuke Future, the Variable Interest Entity and its shareholders as a type of transaction subject to the M&A Rules. However, uncertainties still exist as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted and implemented and our 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.
3. The statements set forth under the caption Taxation in the Registration Statement insofar as they constitute statements of PRC tax law, are accurate in all material respects and constitute our opinion.
This Opinion is subject to the following qualifications:
a) This Opinion relates only to the PRC Laws and we express no opinion as to any other laws and regulations. There is no guarantee that any of the PRC Laws, or the interpretation thereof or enforcement therefor, will not be changed, amended or replaced in the immediate future or in the longer term with or without retrospective effect.
b) We have not verified, and express no opinion on, the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of all factual statements expressly made in the Documents.
c) This Opinion is intended to be used in the context which is specifically referred to herein and each section should be looked on as a whole regarding the same subject matter and no part shall be extracted for interpretation separately from this Opinion.
d) This Opinion is subject to the effects of (i) certain legal or statutory principles affecting the enforceability of contractual rights generally under the concepts of public interest, national security, good faith and fair dealing, applicable statutes of limitation, and the limitations by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally; (ii) any circumstance in connection with formulation, execution or performance of any legal documents that would be deemed materially mistaken, clearly unconscionable or fraudulent; (iii) judicial discretion with respect to the availability of injunctive relief, the calculation of damages, and the entitlement of attorneys fees and other costs; and (iv) the discretion of any competent PRC legislative, administrative or judicial bodies in exercising their authority in connection with the interpretation, implementation and application of relevant PRC Laws.
This Opinion is rendered to you for the purpose hereof only, and save as provided herein, this Opinion shall not be quoted nor shall a copy be given to any person (apart from the addressee) without our express prior written consent except where such disclosure is required to be made by applicable law or is requested by the SEC or any other regulatory agencies.
We hereby consent to the use of this Opinion in, and the filing hereof as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and to the reference of our name under captions Risk Factors, Enforceability of Civil Liabilities, Corporate History and Structure, Regulation and Legal Matters in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we fall within the category of the person whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
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[Signature Page]
Yours sincerely,
/s/ Commerce & Finance Law Offices |
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Commerce & Finance Law Offices
Exhibit 99.3
January 6, 2021
KuKe Music Holding Limited
Building No.96, Yard No.4, Sanjianfangnanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Re: Consent of Frost & Sullivan
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We understand that KuKe Music Holding Limited (the Company) plans to file a registration statement on Form F-1 (the Registration Statement) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with its proposed initial public offering (the Proposed IPO).
We hereby consent to the references to our name and the inclusion of information, data and statements from our research reports and amendments thereto (collectively, the Reports), and any subsequent amendments to the Reports, as well as the citation of our research reports and amendments thereto, (i) in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, (ii) in any written correspondence with the SEC, (iii) any other future filings with the SEC by the Company, including, without limitation, filings on Form 20-F, Form 6-K and other SEC filings (collectively, the SEC Filings), (iv) in institutional and retail roadshows and other activities in connection with the Proposed IPO, (v) on the websites of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and (vi) in other publicity materials in connection with the Proposed IPO.
We further hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and as an exhibit to any other SEC Filings.
Yours faithfully,
For and on behalf of
Frost & Sullivan (Beijing) Inc., Shanghai Branch Co.
/s/ Neil X. Wang |
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Name: Neil X. Wang |
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Title: Global Prater & Managing Director |
Exhibit 99.4
CONSENT OF BIN YU
Kuke Music Holding Limited (the Company) intends to file a Registration Statement on Form F-1 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the Registration Statement) registering securities for issuance in its initial public offering. As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement as a Director Nominee.
January 6, 2021
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By: |
/s/ Bin Yu |
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Name: |
Bin Yu |
Exhibit 99.5
CONSENT OF DONG LAN
Kuke Music Holding Limited (the Company) intends to file a Registration Statement on Form F-1 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the Registration Statement) registering securities for issuance in its initial public offering. As required by Rule 438 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents to being named in the Registration Statement as a Director Nominee.
January 6, 2021
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By: |
/s/ Dong Lan |
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Name: |
Dong Lan |